The Blue Lagoon, Malta

Looking for a great place to while away a lazy afternoon swimming in clear Mediterranean waters?  My Europe travel tip this week is to look no further than the stunning Blue Lagoon, just off the island of Malta. This is truly a splendid place to enjoy a day of sea and sun. The transparent turquoise…

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Vienna’s Palmenhaus

Right in Vienna’s Burggarten, just between the Opera house and the Hofburg, is the stunning art deco Palmenhaus, a 19th century imperial greenhouse, which is now an ideal place to sit and relax while sipping a coffee or a glass of wine. Vienna’s Palmenhaus was originally built in 1822 as a greenhouse for the Hofburg…

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Reason #5358 to love Rome: Coffee with a view

What’s better than taking a short break from all your sightseeing on your trip to Rome? How about a little table in the sun where you can rest your legs, sip a cappuccino and enjoy the view. What if the view’s like this? Truthfully, the café is a little farther up the path, but you…

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Plague art in Vienna

The plague devastated Europe between the 14th and  early 18th centuries. It’s estimated that anywhere between a third to over half of Europe’s population died from what was called ‘the Black Death’. Despite the shocking death toll, the plague did lead to positive advances in science, health and urban planning and also left behind stunning…

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Summer days in Ovindoli, Abruzzo

I’ve already written about one of my favorite winter weekend get-aways from Rome in Skiing in Ovindoli. But for those who love outdoor sports, the town in the Apennine Mountains is also an ideal summer destination. Ovindoli is about a one and a half hour drive east from Rome. It’s located in the region of…

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History and beaches in Alghero, Sardinia

A few weeks ago, I was anxious for a short get-away with my family. Truthfully, I would have preferred a long get-away, but a weekend was all I could manage. I wanted beautiful beaches and clear water, great architecture and a town ideal for evening walks, and, of course, great food and wine. Alghero, the…

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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…

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Visiting 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…

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Europe 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…

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Looking 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…

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