Guest Senior Traveler PJMcN, Topeka KN: We have fond memories of our recent visit to the colorful nation at the bottom of South America. After a long journey of several connecting flights, we arrived exhausted at our Buenos Aires hotel in late afternoon.

We fell asleep and didn’t awake until midnight. Hungry, we asked the front desk clerk if there was an all-night cafe nearby. He laughed and told us midnight dining in the city is the norm. Near the hotel, we found many restaurants welcoming and very busy. Patrons at the outdoor tables resembled Parisians, as they dined and drank throughout the night.

Phoenix is the capital city of Arizona, and can serve as the perfect hub for day trips of from four to ten hours’ travel around the state. December and January weather averages low 70s days and mid 40s nights, with about an inch of rainfall and rarely any snow per winter month.

1. If you’re visiting Phoenix and fail to visit the Grand Canyon, you’ll miss one of the world’s most breathtaking sights. The South Rim of the Canyon is a 200-mile drive from Phoenix. If you get going by 6 am, you can be there by noon. Stick around for a night or two, because at dawn and sunset, you’ll be stunned by the enormous walls of the Canyon gradually changing from dark browns to scarlets to purples.

Lake Tahoe is an unusual vacation destination with two distinct types of attractions. It’s flanked on its western side by pristine Northern California’s Sierra mountains, a world-class winter ski paradise.

On the eastern shore is Nevada, where the anything-goes casinos and posh hotels beckon less athletic travelers with bright lights, Las Vegas-style entertainment, upscale shopping and, of course, spinning casino gambling.

(*wine lovers) A wine bar needs to provide not only a great selection of wonderful wines, but also a fun atmosphere, a professional and knowledgeable staff and of course, good food. For the seasoned citizen traveling in the City of the Angels who enjoys wine, consider:

Bin 73: Just steps from the scenic Pacific Ocean in Venice Beach, vacationing seniors can join the locals to enjoy the sights and sounds of the boardwalk. The wine bar and next-door Mercede's Grill provide excellent food, great drink selections and interesting people. Bin73, 18 Washington Blvd., Marina Del Rey CA 90292