If you leave Budapest without soaking in a Hungarian thermal bath, you have cheated yourself of a memorable experience. Last visit, I found myself floating naked in a body-temperature pool under a 500-year old Ottoman dome pierced by jewel-colored glass “eyes”. The Rudas (ROO-das) bath experience left me as relaxed as I’ve ever been in my …
Want to wander a bit off the beaten path when you visit London? Then add this to your London itinerary and take a moment to soak up London street art in London’s East End. It’s bold, witty, and often subversive, much like the city itself. The works of artists who revel in pseudonyms like Jimmy …
Vienna is one of the world’s great cities, even though today she has somewhat the air of a vast museum. But these tourist treasures have stories, some very dark, bitter, and complex. Listen to a native son, Sigmund Freud. “Like you, I have an indomitable affection for Vienna and Austria,” the doctor wrote to …
With its miles of stunning coastline and rolling hills, it’s not surprising that an estimated 5 milllion tourists visit Britain’s most south westerly county each year. Along with the surfers, sunbathers and stag parties come thousands of ramblers to take advantage of the many beautiful walks in Cornwall. Twelve separate regions of Cornwall have been …
We’re just going to cut right to the chase on this one. If vintage fashion makes your heart beat a little faster, if you’re a treasure hunter, if you’re crazy for antiques, Budapest is THE shopping destination for you. What is a rarity in other parts of Europe, what takes painstaking research and relentless digging, …
Praha (Prague) is arguably the most charming city in Europe. Small, cobblestone streets make way for sprawling renaissance squares and ornately sculpted buildings in creamy hues leading to dramatic bridges that link two sides of the city together. What could make a day strolling on the Charles Bridge followed by a decadent lunch of crispy duck, …
Linnanmäki, a free-entry amusement park inside Helsinki, Finland is a wonderland for small children with some nice surprises for adults as well. We came to Linnanmäki, as many tourists do, for the wooden roller coaster: Vuoristorata. The name translates to roller coaster in Finnish (literally mountain track), which is not due to lack of imagination but …
Sfogliatelle is the hard-to-pronounce name for a delicious filled pastry that is as Neopolitan as Neopolitan pizza. Food lovers in Naples might traverse the town, sampling from the most famous pasticcerias (pastry shops) and comparing the sweet fillings and flaky crusts. But me? I first discovered sfogliatelle quite accidentally when I wandered into the café attached …
Greece’s Peloponnese has it all—striking landscapes, an array of historical sites, rich local cultures, and delectable food. Outdoor enthusiasts, culture vultures, foodies, history buffs, and practically everyone else will find their niche. It’s one of Greece’s most alluring regions, and it’s easy to access from Athens in a rental car. Plan well, rent a car, and voila …
I, like millions of others, watched the wedding of Prince William to Kate Middleton in 2011, and the celebration of the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s coronation. So, on a recent trip to London I couldn’t wait to visit Westminster Abbey, the scene of these celebrations. Westminster Abbey was founded by Benedictine monks in 960. In 1245, Henry III …