Death is no laughing matter in most parts of the world. But things are different in Săpânța, Romania, a small village in the northern part of the country close to the Ukrainian border. For the last 80 years, the Merry Romanian Cemetery has opted to make death a source of amusement, even joy, and a […]
Five Secret Treasures of Italy’s Cinque Terre
The Cinque Terre “used to be a series of fishing villages, but we weren’t founded by fishermen. We are known for our beautiful landscapes, but we have more to offer than a pretty postcard. Tourism increased in 2015 by more than 30%, so we don’t need more visitors, but we want those who come to […]
Reveling in the Sights of Emilia-Romagna
Killer cheeses. Secret caves. Pagan rites. Pirate raids. These are some of the surprises awaiting a visitor to coastal Romagna — the eastern part of the northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna, bordering the Adriatic. This area is known mainly for its family-friendly beaches, wide and sandy with shallow coastal waters. But by venturing just north of […]
History on Horseback in Lipica, Slovenia
You don’t have to be a lover of horses or history to visit Lipica, Slovenia. . . but it helps. This tiny village situated a few miles east of Trieste, Italy, encompasses a concentration of international culture and equine athleticism equaled by no other location on earth. Hippophiles will be in heaven, surrounded by 355 pureblooded […]
Losing it in a Luxurious Slovenian Spa
This year, I spent three weeks at a Slovenia Spa. Every day, I was confronted with difficult decisions. Should the oil for my massage be grape seed (antioxidant effect), almond (softens the skin), or herb-infused oil (detox benefits)? Did I prefer classic, Hawaiian, Tibetan, Indian, or Thai style? What was my preference for duration: the […]
Puglia: Where to Stay on Italy’s Boot
The most characteristic choice for lodging in Puglia is a trullo, a stone hut topped by a cupola. These peasant dwellings, found only here in this region of Italy, date back to the 13th century, but don’t worry – those that have been turned into luxury hotels or rental properties are of more recent vintage, with all the mod […]
Puglia: A Gastro-Blitz on Italy’s Boot
Halfway through a four-day gastronomic tour of southern Puglia, we were struggling to digest the experience. At least I was, as the only one in our group who was not in the food business as a sommelier, restaurateur, or wine journalist. At this point we were in a gently rocking fishing boat off the shore […]