Toxic Assets
That blip of bright color flitting amid the dark litter on the Costa Rican jungle floor could be a poison dart frog. These tiny amphibians, most no longer than a paper clip, sport bright colors that warn potential predators of their toxicity. Not to worry — they're not a direct danger to humans, though you might not want to reach out and touch one. Their name is derived from the native practice of lacing hunting arrows with the creatures' poison. You can find these flashy frogs along paths in the Corcovado National Park on the Osa Peninsula, a day's journey south from San José. The 104,900-acre park is home to numerous species, including the strawberry poison dart frog (above). costarica-nationalparks.com/corcovadonationalpark
— Andrew Eitelbach
Up, Up, and Away
Many visitors to Argentina, eager for a taste of local culture, explore the grassy pampas on horseback. But with
Tangol, a Buenos Aires outfit offering a range of tours, you can experience the pastoral region from an aerial perspective. Tangol's hot air balloon excursions, scheduled at sunrise and sunset, float high over the area's patchwork of fields. The adventure starts with a drive of just over an hour from Buenos Aires to the country town of Capilla del Señor and ends — with a soft landing — somewhere in cowboy country.
tangol.com
— Bridget Gleeson
Hull of a Time
Stave off the winter doldrums by escaping to the
Cleveland Boat and Waterfront Lifestyle Expo, running January 15-24. Peruse the exhibits of powerboats and sailboats in every shape and size. Visit the flea market for bargains on boating accessories and gadgets, and take a break at the Put-in-Bay Pavilion for a drink and some food. Twiggy the Water Skiing Squirrel and Cap'n Willie, the Great Lakes Pirate, are there to entertain the kids, and Pirate Island activity stations throughout the expo make the event a family-friendly affair.
clevelandboatshow.com
— Amanda Bartlett
Art in Motion
George Rickey was one of only a few 20th-century artists to create sculptures incorporating moving parts. Known as kinetic sculptures, the pieces change their form in the wind. Many of Rickey's works reach heights of more than 20 feet. Five large-scale sculptures by Rickey are on display now through September in downtown South Bend, Ind., following exhibits of the artist's work at the University of Notre Dame and the
South Bend Museum of Art (whose exhibit on the artist runs through January 10).
southbendart.org
— A.B.
In the Rocks
Set in the naturally occurring limestone grottoes of Jamaica's west coast is one of the more unique bars in the Caribbean.
The Rum & Cigar Bar at the Caves Resort in Negril, 50 miles west of Montego Bay, serves aged rums and classic cognacs along with a menu of cigars. Weather permitting, it's open Wednesday to Saturday, 6 p.m. to midnight.
islandoutpost.com
— A.E.
Seek Refuge
A new attraction in the tropical locale of Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo now beckons adventurous travelers to Mexico. El Refugio de Potosí, 15 miles south of town, lets visitors watch iguanas at play in the walk-in iguanario, challenge a scorpion in a staring contest, or check out a butterfly house.
Now open are a turtle, duck, fish, and frog pond, iguana enclosure, hummingbird habitat, wildlife education center, and more. Visitors can also climb a 50-foot observation tower for a stunning panoramic view of the area. Future plans include amphibian and mammal habitats. elrefugiodepotosi.org
— Melanie Haiken
In Focus
Harlem may be synonymous with cultural figures like Malcolm X, writer James Baldwin, and artist Augusta Savage, but there are many unexamined details of the famous neighborhood and its history that deserve a closer look. A new exhibit at the Jadite Galleries by photographer Ellen Fisch — who first sold her artwork at age 16 — points a lens at the cultural and historic clues contained within Harlem's rich architectural landscape. jadite.com
— Alexis Hauk
[PASSPORT]
6 Unique Ways to Experience Houston
By Ann S. Boor
MAX'S WINE DIVE
Max's has received just about every "Best of" award around. Who can resist its array of wines by the glass paired with the likes of a Texas "haute dog" or fried chicken? maxswinedive.com/Houston
ARTCAR MUSEUM
From the outside, it looks like a silver-spiked alien spaceship. But inside you'll find not just cars and motorcycles, but exhibitions spotlighting emerging contemporary artists. artcarmuseum.com
LAWNDALE ART CENTER
Lawndale recently celebrated 30 years of exhibiting Houston artists. Close to 500 are featured annually in this art deco building in the Museum District. lawndaleartcenter.org
T'AFIA
Focusing on local ingredients, chef Monica Pope's menu of homegrown culinary creations inspires many diners to return for her Saturday cooking classes and farmers' market. tafia.com
RED CAT JAZZ CAFÉ
Whether you catch pianist Joe Sample, guitarist Joe Carmouche, or another great, there's live music nightly, as well as signature red beans and rice. redcatjazzcafe.com
SAINT ARNOLD BREWING COMPANY
Texas' oldest craft brewery recently moved into new digs, a renovated 1914 building near downtown. If you appreciate fresh beer, don't miss the Saturday tour. saintarnold.com
Photographs: Gail Shumway/Getty Images (frogs); Sergey Ivanov/iStockphoto (Balloons); ©Christopher Felver/Corbis (Rickey); courtesy of Caves Resort; courtesy of the Jadite Galleries; courtesy of El Refugio de Potosí; Baker Vail (Houston map)
