Tremendous changes in photography over the past 20 years, advances your travel4seniors.com editor could only imagine back in the days when I lugged around heavy camera equipment. For decades before retirement, as ad manager for a major insurance company, I led a photo crew

We shot stills and videos for ads, news releases, magazine articles, conferences and other field assignments. We used 35mm Nikons and 16mm cameras. They were relatively small and lightweight, but required carrying a bag full of extras, including flash units, extra lenses and many rolls of film.

Guest Senior Correspondent Phil K., Pittsburgh PA: When conjuring the image of a children’s imaginary castle, something similar to the Neuschwanstein image appears. The 19th century marvel may actually be the inspiration for Disney's Cinderella theme park castles.

We visited the castle and were amazed by both the traditional design and location, perched high atop a mountain. It's a great example of a king, having fantastic vision and resources to fulfill his dream.

Pasadena is about a 40-minute drive from Los Angeles, and its quiet charm makes an interesting contrast from California’s largest and busiest metropolis. It's also the home of the annual Rose Bowl football championship and famed New Year's Day Rose Parade.

Pasadena retains its small-time charm, and compact size allows parking and strolling everywhere. It also has the key elements for a relaxing weekend, luxury hotels, fine restaurants and great shopping. Here’s a guide for a Pasadena experience:

The Langham Huntington,1401 S. Oak Knoll Ave., Pasadena, was built over 100 years ago by real estate tycoon Henry Huntington. He created it to host friends and rich Easterners to come West for the warm winter season.

The magnificent structure is in a small community about 90 minutes from London. It's near the cities of Bristol and Bath. Construction began in 1175, and it was the first in Britain to be built in the Gothic style.

The cathedral is also famed for its vintage action clock. Built in 1390, the mechanisms are interesting, with medieval animated jousting knights circling the face realistically on the quarter hour.