I first stepped ashore in Shanghai, China, in September 1945, when my Navy troop ship docked there to pick up just-released American, British and Aussie POWs from World War II. We then took them back to Manila for medical air and flights to their homes. Although the old city was a bit worse for wear from combat and bombing, Shanghai was still the charming international city it had been for a century. That time I was armed with a Navy backpack, a carbine and .45 pistol.

Here’s a series of our nominations for best autumn (don't say fall to seniors unless you want to be reminded of hip replacements) destinations, and we've been to them all and have happy memories from each.

New England: We can't name a special favorite area in the great Northeast section of the nation, because every state up there has many wonderful autumn landscapes, where the green trees turn to wonderful shades of yellow, red, green, rust and purple. And the same happens to the hair of the many Harvard, MIT, and Boston College students in New England.

If you’re a very religious Catholic, you’ll be sure to include in your visit to Rome at least a day at the Vatican. For all others who happen to be touring Rome, a day at the Vatican can also be a very inspiring experience. Ask your hotel concierge for prices, instructions and suggestions on how to schedule your day.

You can take a taxi from your hotel, or by public bus or metro transportation from Rome’s Termini. If you take the metro, take line A and get off at the Cipro stop. Spend time there at the enormous Vatican Museum. The sprawling complex has 1400 rooms, and each has its own charm and interesting artifacts.

Golden Gate Park is a timeless magic kid and adult wonderland in the middle of the big, crowded City by the Bay. The park has been a fun and recreation area for more than 100 years, a quiet wooded haven for San Franciscans who need to get away from the stone, steel, cement and traffic-jammed streets. The 1,000-acre park is a strip of lush green that rolls from Stanyan Street to the shores of the Pacific Ocean.

Once inside, there are virtually endless activities for every member of the family, from infants to grandparents. Hiking, jogging and bike trails circle through the beautiful scenery. For the sports enthusiast, a nine-hole golf course beckons, as well as fields for football, soccer, baseball and lawn bowling. A riding academy offers horseback experiences for kids and adults. There's also a spacious greenhouse, presenting under its glass coverings hundreds of exotic trees and plants from all over the world.