John Rodwan
- Contibutor, U.S. News and World Report
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Articles by John Rodwan
The 20 Best Italy Tours
There's so much to see and do in Italy that it can feel a bit overwhelming to plan a trip that makes the most of the country's fabled history, art, architecture and cuisine – not to mention its 55-plus UNESCO World Heritage sites. Guided tours are an efficient, hassle-free way to explore the country's top attractions and cities.
The 4 Best Maui Zipline Tours for Thrill Seekers
Note: Nonessential travel to West Maui – including Lahaina, Napili, Ka'anapali and Kapalua – is discouraged at this time due to wildfire damage sustained in August 2023. If you do choose to travel to other parts of the island, please be mindful as the community rebuilds. For more information and updates on Maui, visit the Hawaii Tourism Authority website.
California Literary Review
The claim that George Orwell once tried to rape someone received scant attention in the United States, perhaps because the book bearing the charge did not become readily available. It made news in Great Britain, where the newly amended memoir of his supposed victim appeared and where one of the novelist’s biographers gave credence to the charge. When I saw a passing mention of the accusation in a book review, it disturbed me and prompted me to dig deeply into the matter.
California Literary Review
Fiction Reviews Satire, of course, does not depend on subtlety. However, there are more effective ways to wield it than like a hammer bludgeoning readers. Imagining a more plausible premise also would have helped. Hocus POTUS Melville House, 366 pp. CLR [rating:1] Falsifying Matters The plot of Malcolm MacPherson’s Hocus POTUS concerns efforts to make things appear to be something they are not.
15 FUN THINGS TO DO IN SORRENTO, ITALY
Sorrento is one of the most beautiful places on the Amalfi Coast in Italy. This coastal town overlooks the Mediterranean … The Amalfi Coast is famous for its picture perfect towns dotted along the Mediterranean. Positano Ravello and Sorrento are rightly famous but there … Ravello is one of the most beautiful places in Italy, and the world! This stunning Amalfi Coast town is known … Sorrento is one of the most charming places on the Amalfi Coast, Italy.
The 16 Best Yellowstone National Park Tours
Note: Some tour providers on this list may be running more limited operations due to COVID-19 or may impose testing or vaccine requirements. Check with your tour operator about availability before you book. Home to more than 2.2 million acres, hundreds of geysers and waterfalls, as well as Yellowstone Lake – the largest high-altitude lake in North America – Yellowstone National Park is a bucket list vacation destination for many travelers.
The 20 Best Italy Tours
There's so much to see and do in Italy that it can feel a bit overwhelming to plan a trip that makes the most of the country's fabled history, art, architecture and cuisine – not to mention its 55-plus UNESCO World Heritage sites. Guided tours are an efficient, hassle-free way to explore the country's top attractions and cities.
The 19 Best Ireland Tours
Whatever attracts you to Ireland – the verdant landscape, the ancient castles and cathedrals or some of its famous manufactured goods – these tours will help you make the most of your time here. With the help of expert and traveler input, U.S. News determined that these tours in Ireland (and a few in Northern Ireland) are the best on offer. While the tours take differing approaches, ranging from boats and buses to horse-drawn carriages, they all have guides well-versed in local history and lore.
The Best Whale Watching in Santa Barbara
Thanks to its nutrient-rich waters, Santa Barbara, California, is considered one of the best places on the West Coast for whale watching. More than 30 species of whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals and sea lions inhabit the waters around the "American Riveria." Due to the abundance of whale sightings in the area, the Santa Barbara Channel officially became the Santa Barbara Whale Heritage Area in 2023.
The 21 Best Arizona Tours
Whatever draws you to Arizona, these tours – determined by U.S. News to be the best available thanks to traveler input and expert opinion – have something for you. If you're eager to see the Grand Canyon State's desert landscape, there are multiple methods offered, ranging from bicycles and off-road vehicles to hot air balloons and helicopters. If you're interested in more particular aspects of local culture, such as cuisine, wine or supernatural phenomena, there are tours for you, too.
The 11 Best Louisiana Swamp Tours
Don't miss Louisiana's natural beauty during your next visit.(Getty Images) Note: Some tour providers on this list may be running more limited operations due to COVID-19 or may impose testing or vaccine requirements. Check with your tour operator about availability before you book. In addition to their famed alligators, Louisiana's swamps and bayous are home to bears, beavers, foxes, nutrias and racoons, as well as dozens of amphibian and reptile species.
The 10 Best Snowmobile Tours in Colorado
The same weather and terrain that make the Centennial State a skiing destination also make it a popular place for another winter activity: snowmobiling. With the help of traveler input and expert opinion, U.S. News identified the following Colorado snowmobile tours – all of which have knowledgeable and skilled guides – as the best available. Like Colorado ski resort season, snowmobiling season typically runs from November to April, but specific tour companies' schedules may differ.
The 10 Best Chicago Tours, According to Reviews
One of the best ways to sightsee your way through a new city is with the help of a local. With this in mind, U.S. News rounded up some of Chicago's best guided tours. Whether you're sailing past Willis Tower on a river cruise or sampling some of Chicago's best deep-dish pizza on a foodie excursion, you'll gain a cultural and historical understanding of the Windy City during these tours.
Whale Watching in Monterey: The 8 Best Tours
Monterey, California, is a destination for whale watchers for good reason. Not only is it one of the only places in the world where you can spot whales year-round, it's also home to the Monterey Canyon, one of the deepest submarine canyons on the western coast of the United States and a perfect habitat for a variety of marine species.
The Best Whitewater Rafting in North Carolina
The Nantahala River is one river you could raft in North Carolina. Getty Images Note: Some tour providers on this list may have limited or ceased operations due to COVID-19. Check with your tour operator about availability before you book. Rivers like the French Broad, Nantahala, Nolichucky and Watauga provide a wide array of whitewater rafting options in North Carolina. After assessing both travels experts and consumer reviews, U.S. News determined that these tours are the best available.
The Best Whale Watching in Seattle
Whales are one of the best natural sights to see during a Seattle trip.(Getty Images) Note: Some tour providers on this list may have limited or ceased operations due to COVID-19. Check with your tour operator about availability before you book. The water off the northwestern coast of Washington affords ample opportunities to see orcas and other whales, as well a wide array of additional wildlife.
The Best Whitewater Rafting in Colorado
Note: Some tour providers on this list may have limited or ceased operations due to COVID-19. Check with your tour operator about availability before you book. Whether you're a novice or an experienced whitewater rafter, these tours have got you covered. U.S. News, after considering expert input and consumer sentiment, determined the following rafting trips are the best in Colorado.
The 4 Best Temecula Wine Tours
Situated between Los Angeles and San Diego in the hills of Southern California's wine country, Temecula is home to dozens of wineries. After evaluating expert input and consumer sentiment, U.S. News determined the following tours to be the best available for wine enthusiasts visiting the area. All these excursions are conducted by dedicated guides eager to share their knowledge of viticulture, wine-making and regional history.
The Best Zip Lines in Puerto Rico
Note: Some companies on this list may have limited operations due to COVID-19. Check with operators about availability before you book. One of the best ways for travelers to see Puerto Rico is to soar above its lush forests during a zip line tour. U.S. News determined the following to be the best available after considering both traveler sentiment and expert input. While these tours vary in terms of duration and number of zip lines, they all have two things in common.
The Best Zip Lines in Maui
Note: Some companies on this list may have limited operations due to COVID-19. Check with operators about availability before you book. The rugged mountains, lush forests, deep valleys and verdant plantations of Maui make it a destination for everyone from experienced zip line aficionados to newcomers to the activity. Factoring in both traveler sentiment and expert opinion, U.S. News determined that the following tours are the best available to make the most of your airborne adventure.
The Best Zip Lines in Colorado
Zip lines are one more way to explore Colorado's wild side.(Getty Images) Note: Some companies on this list may have limited operations due to COVID-19. Check with operators about availability before you book. Colorado's mountains, forests and rivers make ideal settings for zip lines. U.S News has identified these tours as the best for exhilarating rides amid striking scenery, thanks to traveler input and expert opinion.
The Best Whale Watching in San Diego
Note: Some tour providers on this list may have limited operations due to COVID-19. Check with your tour operator about availability before you book. Though it's home to an assortment of sea lions, dolphins and birds, San Diego's most popular animals are whales. It's hardly surprising, then, that the city boasts unrivaled opportunities for observing these gentle giants.
The Best Whale Watching in San Diego
Though it's home to an assortment of sea lions, dolphins and birds, San Diego's most popular animals are whales. It's hardly surprising, then, that the city boasts unrivaled opportunities for observing these gentle giants. After consulting both traveler opinion and expert input, U.S. News identified the following five tours as the best available for whale watching. These outings feature professional crews that offer insights about the fauna encountered during these watery expeditions.
The 16 Best Dublin Tours
Note: Some tour providers on this list may have limited or ceased operations due to COVID-19. Check with your tour operator about availability before you book. Whether you want to absorb the sights and sounds of Dublin, taste traditional Irish food and drinks or explore the scenic countryside, the following guided tours have got you covered. The trips, identified by U.S. News as the best using both traveler and expert input, focus on Dublin's history and heritage with unique twists.
The 10 Best Detroit Tours
Detroit's rich and varied history is best explored on a guided tour led by an enthusiastic local.Getty Images Note: Some tour providers on this list may have ceased operations due to COVID-19. Check with your tour operator about availability before you book. If you only think of the auto industry when you think of Detroit, then it's time you acquaint yourself with this fascinating and complex city.
California Literary Review
George Orwell The claim that George Orwell once tried to rape someone received scant attention in the United States, perhaps because the book bearing the charge did not become readily available. It made news in Great Britain, where the newly amended memoir of his supposed victim appeared and where one of the novelist’s biographers gave credence to the charge. When I saw a passing mention of the accusation in a book review, it disturbed me and prompted me to dig deeply into the matter.
California Literary Review
Hocus POTUS by Malcolm MacPherson Melville House, 366 pp. CLR [rating:1] Falsifying Matters The plot of Malcolm MacPherson’s Hocus POTUS concerns efforts to make things appear to be something they are not. MacPherson wants the novel, about the selling of fake weapon of mass destruction to U.S. government employees searching for a way to justify the intervention in Iraq, to seem like a clever critique of George W. Bush.
The 10 Best San Antonio Tours
The San José mission is one of four sites that make up the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park.Getty Images Note: Some tour providers on this list may have ceased operations due to COVID-19. Check with your tour operator about availability before you book. Known worldwide for its River Walk and Spanish influence, San Antonio is one Texas locale you don't want to miss.
The 9 Best Puerto Vallarta Tours
Puerto Vallarta is best explored with a local as your guide.Getty Images Note: Some tour providers on this list may have ceased operations due to COVID-19. Check with your tour operator about availability before you book. These guided tours in Puerto Vallarta, which earn high marks from experts and travelers alike, afford visitors plenty of opportunities to explore the area's scenic landscape and its ample animal and plant life.
The 14 Best Maui Tours
Note: Some tour providers on this list may have ceased operations due to COVID-19. Check with your tour operator about availability before you book. To make the most of the natural splendor for which Maui is celebrated, consider taking one (or more) guided tours. Analyzing both traveler sentiment and expert opinion, U.S. News determined the following 14 tours to be the best available.
Los 20 mejores recorridos de la Ciudad de Nueva York
Con su interminable lista de atracciones imperdibles, la ciudad de Nueva York puede resultar abrumadora incluso para el viajero más experimentado. En un esfuerzo por exprimir la mayor cantidad de turismo posible, ¿por qué no apoyarse en la asistencia de los lugareños para que lo guíen?
The 11 Best Puerto Rico Tours
Whether you want to explore the rainforest, soar above the trees on a zip line, taste your way through Old San Juan or cruise to a nearby island, you'll find that a guided tour is the best way to introduce yourself to Puerto Rico's top sites and activities. Each of the following tours boast friendly guides ready to share the beauty of their home. After considering both traveler opinion and expert sentiment, U.S. News determined that the following are the best Puerto Rico tours.
The 11 Best New York City Walking Tours
Explore New York City's musical past with a tour from Rock Junket.(Courtesy of Rock Junket) Note: Some tour providers on this list have ceased operations through the end of March 2020 due to COVID-19. Check with your tour operator about availability before you book if you’d like to tour during this time. Tourists journey from all over the world to experience New York City's top-notch cuisine, vibrant live music and theater scene, distinctive skyline and fascinating history.
The 15 Best Florence Tours: Wine, Museums & More
Beloved for its food, wine, art, rich history and alluring landscape, Florence, Italy, consistently draws travelers throughout the year. Seeing all its attractions by yourself can be daunting, so having a knowledgeable local guide show you around will help you make the most of your trip. U.S. News identified the following tours as the best available by analyzing both expert and traveler opinion.
The 16 Best Prague Tours
Whether you opt to explore Prague on foot, by bike or by boat, a guided tour will help you make the most of your time in the Czech Republic's capital. Many tours concentrate on Prague's top attractions like the historic center of Prague – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – while others venture farther afield or focus on local food or art. To help you pick which one suits your itinerary best, U.S. News consulted experts and travelers to find the top tours in Prague.
The 22 Best Scotland Tours
From its castles to its history to its fabled food and drink, Scotland has a great variety of attractions to offer visitors. It can be difficult to see the country by yourself, so why not take a guided tour? Should you be staying in Edinburgh or Glasgow, you can make the most of your time with a half-day history or food tour of those cities. If you want to escape the bustle for a bit, sign up for a trip to the world-famous Scottish Highlands, which can be tricky to reach on your own without a car.
The Best Washington, D.C., Bus Tours
Note: Some tour providers on this list may have limited or ceased operations due to COVID-19. Check with your tour operator about availability before you book. With a bustling food and arts scene and a rich history that spans both the city and its surrounding neighborhoods, Washington, D.C., boasts plenty of attractions to keep visitors entertained throughout their stay. With so much to do and see, it can be overwhelming to know where to start.
The Best Antelope Canyon Tours
Learn how to take fantastic photos of Antelope Canyon from a trained guide during a tour of either Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon.(Getty Images) Note: Some tour providers on this list may have limited or ceased operations due to COVID-19. Check with your tour operator about availability before you book. Known for its labyrinthine, seemingly undulating sandstone walls and the beams of sunlight that shine into them, Arizona's Antelope Canyon is a perpetual magnet for photographers and tourists.
Pearl Harbor Tours: Tickets and Tips for Visiting
As the site of the surprise attack that spurred America's entrance into World War II, Pearl Harbor is one of the most significant places in U.S. history. On the morning of Dec. 7, 1941, Japanese fighter planes destroyed or damaged more than a dozen ships (including eight battleships) and hundreds of aircraft in an effort to demolish the Pacific fleet. More than 2,400 American soldiers and civilians died.
The 21 Best Barcelona Tours Original
Note: Some tour providers on this list may have limited or ceased operations due to COVID-19. Check with your tour operator about availability before you book. With its stunning architecture, delicious food, sandy beaches, rich history and proximity to scenic mountains, Barcelona offers no shortage of things to do. To help you navigate the city's plethora of attractions, rely on the assistance of an informed local to help you make the most of your visit.
7 Best San Francisco Wine Tours: Day Trips to Napa & Sonoma
Sitting about 60 miles south of both Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley, San Francisco is an ideal starting point for tours of these wine-producing regions. Using expert input and traveler opinion, U.S. News identified the top wine tours that leave from San Francisco. Whether you arrive to the region via bus or helicopter, you'll enjoy delectable wine and sweeping views of the countryside.
The 5 Best Oahu Helicopter Tours
Note: Some tour providers on this list may have limited or ceased operations due to COVID-19. Check with your tour operator about availability before you book. After exploring Oahu's land attractions and snorkeling in its waters, see the island in all its glory from the air. Consulting both traveler sentiment and expert input, U.S. News identified the following helicopter tours as some of the best.
The 15 Best Las Vegas Tours
Note: Some tour providers on this list may have limited or ceased operations due to COVID-19. Check with your tour operator about availability before you book. There are many more things to do in and around Las Vegas than gambling at a casino and attending an over-the-top show. Nearby marvels like the Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon make excellent daytrips for visitors looking to escape their hotels for a spell.
The 10 Best San Diego Boat Tours
Flagship Cruises & Events takes its visitors out on the water to see San Diego's top attractions.(Courtesy of Flagship Cruises & Events) Note: Some tour providers on this list may have limited or ceased operations due to COVID-19. Check with your tour operator about availability before you book. With its association to all things maritime you should be sure to see San Diego by boat.
The 15 Best Charleston Tours
History and culture lovers will relish a trip to Charleston, South Carolina, for its variety of historic churches, forts and mansions that rank as Charleston's most popular attractions. Or, perhaps you're most interested in its cuisine or the sea creatures that populate its waterways. Either way, these tours – identified by U.S. News using both expert opinion and traveler sentiment – offer just what you need for a fulfilling visit to the Holy City.
13 Best New York City Tours: Food, Statue of Liberty & More
Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned local, you're guaranteed to learn something new on these guided tours of New York City. Tour options range from sightseeing outings to the city's famous attractions to leisurely dinner cruises on the Hudson River.
The 16 Best Savannah Tours
A great way to get to know Savannah, Georgia, is with the aid of someone who lives there and knows the city's history. With the help of traveler reviews and editor analysis, U.S. News selected Savannah's best guided tours, some of which focus on the city's architecture, others on its food and some on its ghostly residents.
The 15 Best Chicago Tours
One of the best ways to sightsee your way through a new city is with the help of a local. With this in mind, U.S. News rounded up 15 of Chicago's best guided tours. Whether you're sailing past Willis Tower on a river cruise or sampling some of Chicago's best deep-dish pizza on a foodie excursion, you'll gain a cultural and historical understanding of the city during these tours.
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