Sharon Hudgins 
Martin Luther, the great religious reformer who lived from 1483 to 1546, is one of the most famous figures in German history. Anyone wanting to follow in the footsteps of Martin Luther can visit many of the most important places associated with his life in the German federal state of Thuringia, located in the heart of the country.
Like to be at the center of things? Then travel to Thuringia. Located in the middle of Germany, the federal state of Thuringia is an attractive tourist destination with much to offer travelers of all ages. Although Thuringia is still better known to European tourists than to Americans, that’s about … Read more
From the TS Editors: I can’t help it. When I hear a new Mylene Farmer disk, I’m like a moth to a flame. At the moment her new c.d. Monkey Me has me captive. Probably unbeknownst to most stateside, Mylene epitomizes the post 80’s French disco angel … her music … Read more
It’s worth going to the Czech Republic just for the eggs. Not poached, fried, scrambled, or whisked into omelets. I’m referring to the beautiful colored eggs, decorated specially for Easter and sold year round at souvenir shops as lovely examples of Czech folk art. The decorating of eggs is a … Read more
When I lived in West Germany before the fall of the Berlin Wall, cities across the border in the Communist East Bloc seemed a world away. Any travel to East Germany was especially restricted, and the red tape required for visiting wasn’t worth the hassle. But all that has changed, … Read more
If Lisbon is one of those places lower on your list of “must see in Europe,” re-think your rankings. Portugal’s capital city is a lively urban center chock full of attractions from medieval to modern. Whether you’re a history buff, a gastronome, a power shopper, or all three, you’ll … Read more
The capital of beer-brewing Bavaria, Munich is best known for its Hofbräuhaus beer hall and its annual Oktoberfest, the world’s largest beer bash. But Germany’s third-largest city is much more: a sophisticated yet laid back metropolis of more than a million people, where cutting-edge high technology and old Bavarian traditions … Read more
Barcelona, the capital of Spain’s Catalonia province, is the country’s second largest city and a prime tourist destination for lovers of art, architecture, and fine food. Located on the northeast coast of Spain, Barcelona also boasts several sandy beaches on the Mediterranean Sea, which attract thousands of swimmers and sunbathers … Read more
A Sweet, Swiss Surprise Tell your friends that you’re going to Switzerland, and they immediately think snow-covered Alps, cheese fondue, and yummy Swiss chocolates. Tell them you’re going to St. Gallen, and most likely they’ll look at you strangely and ask, “Where?” Everyone has heard of Geneva, Zürich, and Zermatt, … Read more
La Llavor dels Orígens is a fun place to eat good, honest, fresh food for a reasonable price in Barcelona. The menu comes in three languages—Catalan, Spanish, and English (sometimes with quirky translations!). It also shows a photo of each dish, with a description of the ingredients (very helpful … Read more