Travel
Admiring Gaudí ‘s Palau Güell, Barcelona
On a recent trip to Barcelona, Spain I was excited to see that Antoni Gaudí’s first major project, the Palau Güell, is now open to the public. The impressive family home of the wealthy Güell family, built between 1885 and 1889 is now a UNESCO Heritage site. I was unable to see this beautiful family home on…
Read MoreJourney 5000 years back in time in Malta’s Hypogeum
I’ve already written about lots to see on the Mediterranean island of Malta, including the historical town of Mdina, tempting swimming at the Blue Lagoon, and the colorful local buses that will ferry you around the island. But Malta’s history stretches far back, as evidenced by the Neolithic temples scattered around the island. One of the…
Read MoreThe next time your kid complains about school…
If your kids subject you to Monday morning grumbling when it’s time to wake up for school, you may want to take them to see this film. Even if they wake up eager for class, you should still see this excellent documentary film by French filmmaker Pascal Plisson, originally entitled Sur le chemin de l’école…
Read MoreVisiting Oxford, UK with kids
On a trip to London with my kids, I looked forward to a day trip to nearby Oxford. Although I hadn’t planned specific child-friendly activities, it was a pleasant surprise that my young children stumbled across so many entertaining things to do in that charming university town. As parents traveling with children know well, this…
Read MoreStrange 16th century creatures and demons at Bomarzo’s Monster Park
The Parco dei mostri (Monster Park) of Bomarzo, in northern Lazio, makes a great day trip from Rome. The whimsical park is almost five hundred years old. In 1552, following the death of his wife, a grieving Prince Pier Francesco Orsini oversaw the construction of a park filled with sculptures of ogres, snakes, dragons and…
Read MoreWhere to stay in Matera, Italy?
Okay, this the transparent attempt of a traveller – to start dreaming about a place before an upcoming trip by imagining the place, digging thorough old photos, etc. Tomorrow, I’m off to Matera for my annual mecca to the Women’s Fiction Festival, and I’m anxious to be back to this beautiful southern Italian town. Over…
Read MoreVisiting Telluride, Colorado: Wish all public transport were like this!
Most urban planners the world over suffer the same dilemma: how to decrease car traffic and pollution. The idyllic Rocky Mountain ski resort/summer hiking resort/site of the famous film festival, Telluride, was once no exception. But some years ago, Telluride came up with an ingenious solution for connecting the town of Telluride, the major ski…
Read MoreAsian island hopping: Taiwan and Bali
I had a fabulous summer holiday this year. I spent three weeks in August with my young sons visiting two wonderful islands – Taiwan and Bali, Indonesia. I’ve travelled quite a bit in Asia, but this was my first visit to both countries, and I wouldn’t hesitate a moment to pack my bags and return…
Read MoreGaeta: A Bay of Naples in miniature
About half-way between Rome and Naples, just at the edge of the Italian region of Lazio, lies the seaside city of Gaeta. Gaeta is situated in a dramatic bay, reminding visitors of a miniature Bay of Naples. The Orlando Mountain rises just behind it. An important seaport, Gaeta has a long and rich history, spanning…
Read MoreGetting around on Maltese public transport
The Mediterranean island of Malta is a great holiday destination, offering visitors historic cities, like Mdina, spectacular beaches – see my post on the Blue Lagoon , and glimpses into its ancient past. On a visit to Malta, my family and I chose to base ourselves in the picturesque capital city of Valletta and to make…
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