Travel
Market Day in Annecy, France
My family and I decided to use the French town of Annecy as a stop on a drive to a holiday in Brittany. We had been told it was a beautiful, medieval town along Lake Annecy in the Haut Savoie region. We absolutely loved our weekend trip to charming Annecy and can’t wait to get…
Read MoreVisiting Mostar, Bosnia-Herzegovina
During a recent trip to Sarajevo , I decided to take a day trip to Mostar, the regional capital of Herzegovina. It’s 2-3 hours by bus or train from Sarajevo. The buses run more frequently, but the train tracks run higher than the road and it’s especially scenic. I took both modes of transport on…
Read MoreEurope or northern Africa? Mdina, Malta
The small Mediterranean island of Malta is a great holiday destination. This small island appeals to travellers seeking beautiful, sunny weather, gorgeous coastlines, crystal-clear sea and impressive historical sites and stunning Neolithic temples. Although much of Malta has been (horrendously) over-developed, and I did my very best to avoid these areas, there are many beautiful…
Read MoreLooking for the picture-perfect beach holiday? Try Vieste
A photo doesn’t lie and Vieste, this lovely, perched seaside town located in the Gargano peninsula (the spur of the Italian boot) in the region of Puglia, honestly is this picture-perfect. The area has ancient origins, evidenced by the 3rd century tombs and Ancient Greek vases discovered around the town. The town and the entire…
Read MoreMore Sarajevo Highlights
Last week, I wrote a post about many of the highlights of a visit to the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. But there are so many must-see sites in this fascinating city that straddles East and West, that I continue my highlights this week. Revolution Museum/Historical Museum – open weekdays until 14:00. This museum is just…
Read MoreSarajevo Highlights
I love destinations that seamlessly blend a mixture of different cultures and traditions, and the Balkan city of Sarajevo does exactly that. The capital of Bosnia-Herzegovina is a wonderful holiday destination, situated in between rolling hills, with dramatic mountains visible just beyond, and filled with extraordinary examples of Ottoman architecture. Sarajevo was once part of…
Read MoreVisiting Haarlem… the ‘original’ one in Holland
When my family and I are back in America, Harlem, New York City, is home. So on a recent trip to Amsterdam, we couldn’t resist taking a short train ride to see Haarlem, the New York neighborhood’s namesake from back in the days when the Big Apple was New Amsterdam and a Dutch colony. Haarlem,…
Read MoreReason #5,357 to love Rome – The Rose Garden
Every spring I make a point to visit Rome’s lovely Rose Garden (Roseto Comunale di Roma). The garden’s location is perfect – on the Aventine Hill with stunning views over the Circus Maximus and the Palatine Hill. Yet a short stroll in this oasis of tranquility is an enjoyable respite from the hectic pace of…
Read MoreMontenegro’s Durmitor National Park
I’ve already written about Perast, my favorite Montenegrin seaside town. But the tiny Balkan country of Montenegro has much to offer to visitors willing to stray from its more developed Mediterranean coastline. For Montenegro’s rugged, wild interior attracts fewer visitors, but it’s well worth the effort. The Montenegrins tell a story about the creation of…
Read MoreThe Renaissance Villa d’Este in Tivoli
This small city to the west of Rome, once an important stop on the “Grand Tour” of Europe, is today a bedroom community of Rome, yet it still maintains its distinct character. It makes a wonderful daytrip from Rome, either by car or with frequent trains leaving from Rome’s Tiburtina train station. If you are…
Read More