The words “heaven on earth” have oft been used to describe places dear to a writer’s heart. Such a place of enchantment I’ve found in Glencar, County Leitrim, Ireland. Glencar’s two-mile-long lough is teaming with …
December 3, 2009
Europe
Glencar Lake, Ireland
Vibrant Madrid, Spain
I arrived in Madrid from the airport via its sparkling, modern metro system a bit lost and concerned at how inadequate my Spanish was. Stopping at a corner market for assistance, I was guided by …
November 30, 2009
Dubrovnik, Croatia
"I hate Dubrovnik," my friend Amila hissed. "We go there every year. To us Bosnians, it's boring. All the tourists. Too expensive. I hate it." Perhaps. But to this American, no place is more epic, …
November 30, 2009
The Alhambra, Granada, Spain
Against the backdrop of the magnificent Sierra Nevada mountains in Granada, the Alhambra, meaning “red castle” in Arabic, was named for the reddish-golden hue of its walls. Dating back to the 9th century, it became …
November 23, 2009
Treasures of Naxos, Greece
The island of Naxos, Greece, is a six-hour ferry ride from Piraeus, the port of Athens. The “doorway” to the island, the gigantic Portara, was also the portal to the ancient unfinished Temple of Apollo. …
November 20, 2009
221B Baker Street: Mr. Holmes, I Presume?
Like so many bookish boys, I devoured Sherlock Holmes stories. Years later, visiting my girlfriend in London, I discovered that 221B Baker Street, the detective's fabled domicile, was a "real" place. The Sherlock Holmes Museum …
November 18, 2009
Zagarolo, Italy
Zagarolo, Italy, an authentic Italian village nestled in a wine region just above Rome, is yet to be discovered by tourists. Leaving the historic city of Rome was difficult, but once I ventured east by …
Nerja, Spain: The Balcony of Europe
My spiritual quest began in what was once a quaint Spanish fishing village. Nerja, in Andalusia, Spain, is located 50 kilometers east of Malaga along the Costa del Sol. Imagine standing on the “Balcony of …
November 16, 2009
Carnival Masks and Where to Eat & Stay in Venice, Italy
Want to relive 18th-century Venice? If you visit Venice along with thousands of other tourists during Carnival, you’ll experience one of the world’s irresistible attractions. Walkways are filled with crowds of mask-wearing characters headed to …
Birthplace of the Olympic Games: Olympia, Greece
As a student of ancient Greek history and mythology and a follower of the Olympics since I was a child, the site of the ancient Olympic Games has always held a fascination for me. Olympia …
November 8, 2009
Paris: 3 Days in the City of Light
How can one possibly encompass Paris within a brief article? Arthur Frommer considers “the city of light” his #1 travel destination in the world. Ernest Hemingway called it “a moveable feast.” The Eiffel Tower, the …
November 4, 2009
England's Lake District
“I wandered lonely as a cloud/ that floats on high o’er vales and hills/When all at once I saw a crowd/A host, of golden daffodils” If these words spark your romantic imagination and thoughts of …
October 15, 2009
Barcelona, Spain: Gaudi, Picasso and Paella
I’ve made countless artistic pilgrimages throughout Europe, but Barcelona is one of my favorite destinations. Artists love Barcelona! The Museu Picasso, set up at Picasso’s wish, is the expression of his passionate connection with the …
October 7, 2009
Greek Islands: Mykonos and Delos
Mykonos and Delos lie side by side in the Cyclades chain of Greek islands in the Aegean Sea. They could not provide more of a contrast – yet together they provide the quintessential Greek experience. …
October 6, 2009
The Palio, Siena, Italy
Shoulder to shoulder, hour after hour, you stand amongst thousands, waiting. Weeklong celebrations are at their medieval historic peak. The horses approach the starting line: a deafening roar from the crowd. The honor belongs to …