Croatia proves that cartographers have a sense of humor. Boomeranging up the Adriatic Sea into the Balkan Peninsula, the chevron-shaped nation, long a part of this empire or that coalesced out of the disintegration of Yugoslavia, and it did not prevail without a monumental fight. But good things are worth … Read more
For many of us New Orleans conjures up thoughts of Mardi Gras celebrations and Creole cuisine. It’s true, I can think of no other U.S. city where history has established and solidified such a rich cultural identity. As a result, this fascinating southern destination is proudly cinematic, so much so … Read more
Many of you know something about St. Petersburg but few of you know its secrets. Moscow’s little sister but perhaps Russia’s real capital at least in terms of culture, it’s a city that exudes the feeling of the artists, writers and poets that made it great. After years under Communist … Read more
If you like the hustle bustle of big cities, you’ll love Glasgow. But if you’re someone who prefers smaller cities with quaint tearooms, trendy cafés, and cozy music clubs, you’ll be equally charmed. Glasgow is Scotland’s largest city, though relatively compact and home to just 600,000 people, about the same … Read more
A trip to Israel usually makes one think of exploring the lavishly decorated hallways of centuries old monasteries or tracing the footsteps of some of the most revered religious figures of all time. Israel has a reputation and there’s a reason for it; it’s one of the most richly historical … Read more
He looked like Santa Claus and I remember him chopping wood in the yard with a cigarette between his bushy lips. I think he had a dog. This random memory of my only visit to Český Krumlov returns as my coach pulls into town. Disembarking, I follow in the footsteps … Read more
My earlier feature story on the Jersey Shore focused on resorts that were “family friendly”. I received many messages from readers telling me I’d missed other resorts and they were right. People living on the East coast in and around New York City, Philadelphia and New Jersey are fortunate to … Read more
The marks recording the young boy’s height etched on the walls of the medieval chateau stopped at 1 meter 52 (4 feet 9 inches). The famous post-impressionist painter, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, had spent summers in the chateau as a child and at age 14, after two falls resulting in broken … Read more
Access to St. Croix, the largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, is easy since it’s a U.S. territory and no passport is required. However, access to the beauty and diversity of life under the waters that surround it requires more effort. You must be a certified scuba diver. Of course … Read more
Myanmar. It’s a destination that’s been on many a travel bucket list for awhile now, including mine. But it always seemed just a little out of reach. I was drawn to the exotic architecture and culture, but it was this same exoticism that overwhelmed me. Sometimes I would stare dreamily at … Read more
From the padded seat of her delivery cart, Jana Micova takes the reins of her two trusted steeds: Barna and Byka. Stacked neatly behind her are barrels of Pilsner Urquell, which Jana and her fillies will distribute to select pubs across Plzen, some of which have been receiving these horse … Read more
One of the most magical things about the holiday season is the way that it completely takes over some of our cities. One of the best cities to visit during this time of year is Prague and its fabulous Christmas markets. Heralded as one of the finest Christmas markets in … Read more
Let’s face it. Summer is all about longer days and later nights. But once fall starts to creep around the bend in late September the days get shorter and the nights end earlier. For many, that loss of light and less down time in the evening is an unwelcome adjustment. … Read more
Nestled between Austria, Poland and Slovakia, the ancient kingdom of Moravia is relatively unknown and often upstaged by neighboring Bohemia and its capital city of Prague. Moravia is a treasure and arguably one of the best preserved and most historic regions of the Czech Republic. In Southern Moravia the treasures … Read more
The trolley car bell rings as it glides along Ringstrasse, Vienna’s grand boulevard winding around the city center in the shape of a ring. The trolley stops before Volksgarten, and I disembark to enter the majestic garden grounds. The grounds remind me of New York City’s Central Park except this … Read more