The Italian region of Le Marche is not very well known. It’s a secret almost, delightfully free of loud advertising and tourists - for now. The region is also home to Lacrima di Morro d'Alba, a grape that has been around since Roman times. At the Luigi Giusti winery, Giovanni Giusti guides us through the production process; then we take a leisurely stroll among the vines. Yet, what intrigues me ... Read Full Article
Liechtenstein Tourist Information
Only 160 square kilometres (a little smaller than Washington DC), little Liechtenstein is the 4th smallest country in Europe. The head of state, Prince Hans-Adam II von und zu Liechtenstein, is a very successful banker who presides over the family business -- leading the government of the only remaining absolute monarchy in Europe. He has, though, left the day-to-day ... Read Full Article
Insider’s Guide to the Channel Islands
In the English Channel, just a few miles off the coast of Brittany, lie the Channel Islands, comprising the islands of Jersey, Guernsey, Herm, Sark and Alderney. As bailiwicks, these self-governing British Crown Dependencies retain a form of government that has been in force for 1000 years. The Bailiwick of Jersey is a separate entity, while the three smaller islands are parts of the Bailiwick of ... Read Full Article
Up Close Guide to the Azores Islands
Situated in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, the Azores Islands are the very top of one of the earth's tallest mountain ranges, the Atlantic ridge. With a temperate climate year-round, this rugged and verdant volcanic archipelago comprises nine islands, ranging in size from 270 square miles (Sao Miguel) to just 7 square miles (Corvo). The islands form an autonomous part of Portugal. Getting ... Read Full Article
Up Close Guide to Liechtenstein
The 4th smallest country in the world is also the only one named after its founders. In 1699, the Liechtenstein family of Vienna purchased this land to get a seat among the ranks of Imperial Princes. Since 1866, Liechtenstein has been a sovereign nation, now led by the billionaire prince, His Serene Highness Hans-Adam II von und zu Liechtenstein, who resides at the fairy-tale 12th century ... Read Full Article
Hanging out in wee Vaduz, Liechtenstein
I’m in Vaduz, Liechtenstein on a whim. When I was 15, I spent about an hour here, mostly for a quick look and to get a passport stamp. It was one of those places where I could say I had been, but not really seen. Somehow, that didn’t feel right. I had no basis for forming an opinion about Liechtenstein or its capital. Vaduz, the capital of Liechtenstein The country of Liechtenstein is headed ... Read Full Article
The Allure of the Azores
The plane is descending, flying low over a volcano. Steam rises. Cat, my youngest daughter, is excited. “Look, you guys! The earth is boiling.” And it is! Like the other islands of the Azores, Sao Miguel is volcanic. It’s also verdant and utterly beautiful. The Azores Archipelago is in fact the visible part of the Atlantic ridge, some of the highest mountains on earth, measured from their ... Read Full Article
Lovely Little Herm Island
After reading a beautiful little book called The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, my two daughters and I chose to spend the summer holiday in the Channel Islands. Nothing inspires travel quite like a good book. In the English Channel, off the coast of Brittany, are the islands of Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark and Herm. One day, while roaming about in Guernsey’s diminutive ... Read Full Article