From May through July, the former royal capital of Imperial Russia celebrates a unique annual event. Because of its location near the Arctic Circle, the spring sun shines for 20 hours a day throughout the beautiful old royal city of St. Petersburg.

Festival visitors attend performances of ballet, classical music, opera and military band music every evening. Then they stroll the streets and enjoy the outdoor cafés under the bright midnight sun until the wee hours of the morning..

OK, you’ve been everywhere and you’re tired of take-out from the neighborhood Chinese restaurant. You’re ready for the real thing. You’re thinking of booking a flight to China.

Get a few suggestions from a senior tourist who has been there several times. Beijing is the capital, and features Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City and other historic sites. While there, you can book tours of the city, as well as take the bus or train out about 50 miles to the Great Wall.

The wall is 15 centuries old, goes for a thousand miles and can be seen from orbiting satellites. It may be difficult for physically-challenged seniors to climb the required stairways and stroll the stony pathways. However, you may try it, because most tourists want photo or video proof of having visited the historic site.

If you visit Las Vegas, as advertised, you’ll be dazzled by all the glitter and glamor of Sin City. Additionally, if you take time to roam around like a tourist, be sure to visit one of the world’s greatest man-made wonders of engineering and conservation, Hoover Dam.

It’s a 40-minute drive from the Strip, or if you want to take one of the many bus or air tours, your hotel and other sources can book pick up at the door. The chopper tour is touted as the most exciting as it swoops over the huge dam and man-made Lake Mead below.

Guest senior correspondent PJL, Athens GA: Sounds like a contradiction? Doing the most expensive, overpriced city in the world on a budget? Well, it can be done, and this senior couple did it. 

We started our Parisian cheapness campaign several springtimes ago by not booking into one of the ritzy, grossly-overpriced name-brand hotels. We selected an inexpensive little inn adjacent to the university buildings of the Sorbonne.