Europe

Bucharest: What a difference a decade makes!

My first trip to Bucharest, twenty years after the end of Communism, and I’m among few tourists on streets that feel a tad threatening. Now, a decade later, I’m stunned to find Romania’s capital as inviting and ‘happening’ as any Western European city....

4 Underrated Destinations Italy and Italy Tours

Places to go in Italy and Tours Most Everyone Misses Everyone knows Rome is amazing. After all, that’s why you have to wait in line to visit the Colosseum and stand shoulder to shoulder with other tourists in the halls of the Vatican. But what about the not-so-obvious...

Greece: Highlights of Athens in One Day

Yes, I have just eight hours to see Athens and am pleasantly surprised at how much I am able to do. I climb to the top of the Acropolis and admire the four main structures up there. I wander the streets of Plaka, the old city, and even have time for lunch at a...

Smallest Town in the World – Hum, Croatia

This year I spent my vacation in Istria, Croatia. As I'm not the biggest fan of the seaside, I decided to explore the inland. Earlier this year I also visited Tuscany, and after reading many articles comparing inland Istria to Tuscany I had to check it out for myself....

The Scary Path in the Czech Republic

Haunted Jablůnka Candles light a path through the darkness of the forest floor and we creep forward, alert for the next horror awaiting us: witches, grim reapers, ghost brides, and a wolf behind the bushes. But the kids with us are brave. A skeleton sneaks up behind...

Let’s Explore North Macedonia!

For those who have not yet heard of North Macedonia, it is a small country in the Balkans, part of the former Yugoslavia. North Macedonia is a country with rich culture and tradition, built for centuries, a country of hospitable people, delicious food and wine,...

Traveling to Andalusía, Spain

Not many people have been to Andalusía, and much of it makes no difference to her and Spain. She's unique and special, with a special charm that is worth experiencing and retelling. I am happy to share some of my impressions of beautiful Andalusía. Seville,...

Minsk, Belarus: Different, Beautiful,
and a Little Bit Soviet

Curious to see what life was like under Communism – but not by way of an artificially recreated, kitschy tour? In Minsk you can! All with the convenience of being able to simultaneously access up-to-the-minute supermarkets, restaurants, and shopping malls. Healthy...

The Mayor of Pula, Croatia

Getting lost in a foreign town is an inevitable part of travel. It can be exciting, enlightening and incredibly frustrating, but it's never permanent, as by some mysterious law of the universe a helping hand or friendly face invariably seems to appear. In my case,...

Gratitude at the Vatican:
An Unexpected Easter Blessing

On a Sunday morning, I stood in a crowd of tens of thousands, damp and entranced, letting both the rain and the reality of the moment hit me. There I was, celebrating Easter Mass at the Vatican, an experience many only dream of, and one I’d stumbled...

The Coast of Cornwall – UK

Turquoise seas and sunny days in Cornwall are not the first things that spring to mind when talking about the UK, known the world over for its rainy days and grey clouds. However, this is exactly what I got when I went to England’s most southern tip of Cornwall. I...

On the Shores of Lake Baikal

I was sitting cross-legged on a pebble beach. My roll mat and sleeping bag were already laid out next to me, in anticipation of the night ahead sleeping under the stars. It was perhaps on the cold side to attempt a bivouac, but the flickering campfire and large pile...