I hear or read a lot of stories of people who “did Italy in two weeks” or “saw France in a week.” I understand Americans just can't get up and live in another country, and …
May 27, 2010
Europe
Doing Europe: Amsterdam
Wimbledon, England: Tennis, Queues and Weather
The most prestigious tennis tournament in the world, Wimbledon also has the richest tradition. The unique grass courts add a certain mystique. Having watched it on TV for years, I always wondered what a visit …
May 24, 2010
Meteora, Greece: Monasteries in the Sky
Greece is most often characterized by its idyllic beaches and ancient ruins, which are fantastic and not to be missed. However, on my second trip to Greece we stayed with a friend who showed us …
May 19, 2010
Sevilla, Spain: A Celebratory Day To Remember...Maybe
I woke up on Monday, April 8, 1996, from my daily siesta in Sevilla, Spain, to my host father, Paco, telling me the police just called looking for me and George, my New Jersian housemate. …
May 8, 2010
Bran Castle, Transylvania, Romania
Despite entertainment-media archetypes, the province of Transylvania (located in northwestern Romania) is actually an idyllic, totally not-creepy part of the world. Transylvania means “across the forest” in Latin, and the heavily forested region is dotted …
Delphi: Sanctuary of the Ancient Greeks
In the shadow of Mount Parnassus amid olive, pine and cypress trees stands one of the truly sacred spots of the ancient world. About 2,000 feet above sea level, Delphi is one of the best …
April 3, 2010
The French Riviera: Nice, Èze and Monte-Carlo
Discover for yourself the many faces of Monte-Carlo and the surrounding French Riviera. On the way to break the bank in Monte-Carlo, Monaco, lovers of modern art will want to spend time in nearby Nice …
March 31, 2010
Rome (in a Day)
“I love it here but after a while we get a little tired of seeing all these naked statues,” a Midwest couple confided to me about their first trip to Rome. I had already decided …
March 24, 2010
Heaven on Earth: Gimmelwald, Switzerland
After traveling around Europe for three months, the one place I keep telling myself I need to return to is Gimmelwald, Switzerland. Located high in the Swiss Alps, this town of approximately 130 residents is …
March 17, 2010
Modena, Italy: Balsamic Vinegar Heaven
A foodie just learning balsamic’s tasty lineage, I visited one of the many countryside balsamic vinegar producers while in Modena, Italy, home to multiple UNESCO World Heritage sites. In the nearby village of Sorbara, as …
January 26, 2010
The Balkans by Bus
"Just fly," my friends told me. "Or rent a car. The bus will take forever." The Balkan bus system is a confounding web of coaches and stations. Unlike in the U.S., there’s no equivalent to …
January 12, 2010
Amsterdam, Holland
Amsterdam is a maze. Each hour, my friend Billy and I lost ourselves in alleys, canals and cobbled streets. The lanes connected at odd angles; they changed texture, defied logic. Where we expected to find …
December 30, 2009
Living Like a Local in Venice
My infatuation with the city of Venice could be considered the longest love affair of my life. It began when I was just a teenager; I arrived by train during my high school student exchange …
December 23, 2009
World-class Oslo, Norway
Before visiting Oslo, I viewed the city as primarily a gateway to the fjords, but upon arriving I was pleasantly surprised by the attractions it has to offer. Be prepared for steep prices, as it’s …
December 18, 2009
Solemn Nights in Austria
Austria’s Christmas (Weihnachten in German — literally, "Solemn Nights") starts officially on the fourth Sunday before Dec. 25. This is the beginning of Advent, traditionally a time of fasting but today a period of boisterous …