Travel
Turn-of-the-century elegance in San Sebastian, Spain
During our holiday in France’s Pays basque, we also enjoyed crossing into Spain’s Pais vasco. I’ve already written about the regions’s Bilbao and its Guggenheim Museum. We also had an enjoyable tome visiting beautiful San Sebastian – or Donastia, in the Basque language. This elegant city is close to the French border, and was the…
Read MoreFrom lunatic asylum to ideal escape from the lunacy of NY: Randall’s Island
Randall’s Island – actually the conjoined islands of Randall’s and Ward’s – is an ideal city escape in New York’s Manhattan. Located in the East River, at the height of Harlem and Queens, this peaceful oasis allows you to feel far, far away from the chaos of daily life in New York. Not surprisingly, this…
Read MoreSwans and medieval atmosphere in Bruges, Belgium
I’ve already written about the great spring day my younger son and I had last year biking around picturesque Bruges. But I also wanted to spotlight this stunning town, whether you plan on exploring on two wheels or two feet. If you’re taking public transport, Bruges is an easy train ride from Brussels. We came…
Read MoreGuayaquil’s modern Santa Ana Port
I’ve already written about my early morning jogs when I was staying in Ecuador’s largest city, Guayaquil. I would pass along the Malecon, up the (killer) stairs to the panoramic lighthouse and through the picturesque, colonial Las Peñas neighborhood. On these jogs, I would also loop my way through the modern Santa Ana Port. This complex…
Read MoreA day in elegant Bayonne, France
We loved our family holiday in France’s Pays Basque region – on France’s southwestern Atlantic coast. While there, we explored many interesting Basque cities and towns – and Bayonne was a great place to wander for a day during our travels. Bayonne, slightly north and inland from Biarritz , is worth a visit when you’re…
Read MoreMorocco’s stunning coastal fortress of Essaouira
Morocco’s spectacular Atlantic Ocean coastal town of Essaouira – formerly known as Mogador – has witnessed much over its long history. Founded as a base in the 7th century B.C. by the Phoenecians, six centuries later it had grown into an important commercial center for the manufacture of purple dye. By the 15th century A.D.…
Read MoreAn urban oasis in New York’s Morningside Park
While most people know (or know of) New York’s spectacular Central Park, fewer know its less famous sibling – Morningside Park. Morningside Park was designed soon after its more famous neighbor, by the celebrated landscape architects who had designed Central Park – Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvin Vaux. Olmsted and Vaux produced a design for…
Read MoreLavender & medieval charm in Simiane la Rotonde, Provence
I always love returning to France’s idyllic Provence region. On a family holiday two years ago, we enjoyed exploring the Haute Provence region, and stumbled upon the medieval town of Simiane la Rotonde. The location is perfect – surrounded by fields of lavender. Sadly, during our August visit, the blooms had long ago been harvested…
Read MoreOne year later -Remembering the Eternal City blanketed in white
This post is merely an excuse to repost some of my Rome-in-the-snow photos in this stunning new WordPress “big photo” template. One year ago today, Rome was blanketed in thick, white snow. I had just returned from a ski holiday with my two sons the night before. My kids were excited about reports of (rare)…
Read MoreBetween Italy and Austria in Bolzano
I’ve already written about the luck my family and I had visiting Bolzano on Saturday for market day and how we stocked up on all the specialties from Alto Adige/Austria. Bolzano is the capital of Alto Adige, the German-speaking half of Italy’s Trentino Alto-Adige. From the architecture and the language spoken around you, you’ll feel…
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