Best Day Trips from Rome Rome is an amazing city and there are so many top sights to see in Rome that it can occupy your for weeks. But sometimes the hustle of the city can get to you. The honking, the crazy driving, the sheer masses of people. To break up your stay in […]
20+ Best Things To Do In Venice, Italy
Top 20+ Things To Do In Venice, Italy Venice is a stunning Italian city that is jam-packed with culture, history, and beauty. This quaint island holds a rich religious history, ancient architecture and 150 beautiful canals. The combination of all these aspects supplies Venice with a charm unmatched by other cities. It’s like stepping into […]
Tenby, A Coastal Getaway In Wales
One of the absolutely top, perfect breakfasts I’ve ever enjoyed at a B&B (and I have had a great many) was served in Tenby, a small town on the southern coast of Wales. Tenby is a popular, charming resort town with a long history, a getaway with numerous attractions. But first, the breakfast. Every morning, […]
Tracking Down Prehistoric Dolmens in Wales
Some of the world’s most impressive ancient burial chambers, or dolmens, stand in the green fields and copses of Wales. On a recent trip, my husband John and I tracked down several of these prehistoric sites, and each time I felt the eery sense of an ancient past brought into the present. The dolmens, which […]
Hiking Ireland’s Scenic Gap of Dunloe
The Gap of Dunloe is a narrow, scenic mountain pass in County Kerry, a perfect seven-mile walk for those who want a close-up look at western Ireland’s green beauty. It’s nothing short of entrancing, and I’m grateful to our Irish friend Dan for arranging an outing through Gap of Dunloe Tours. Another great way to […]
Three of Ireland’s Best Hotels
Three of Ireland’s best hotels have just one thing in common: superb hospitality. Otherwise, they’re as different as chalk and cheese, as the saying goes. These are upscale lodgings with highly individual character. If you are looking for something truly special, also consider spending a night at one (or more) of Ireland’s best Castle Hotels. Ireland’s […]
Loire Valley: Ladies, Leonardo and Sleeping Beauty
France’s Loire Valley is renowned for its magnificent chateaux. Scores are scattered over the landscape and choosing which to see is a challenge. On this leg of our journey, John and I rented a car and made our home base in the quiet village of Chenonceaux, staying in a hotel just 300 meters from the […]
National Museum of Scotland Displays The World
Scotland has scores of museums, all of them interesting, but the National Museum of Scotland, in Edinburgh, is truly exceptional. Its collections of thousands of objects cover natural history, world cultures, geology, archaeology, science and technology, and of course the entire story (pre-history included) of Scotland. The museum is set in the heart of the […]
Hotel or Apartment? How to Choose
After you’ve decided where to go and how you’ll get there, the big question is where to stay. A hotel is still the most popular choice, but there are other options, and plenty of savvy travelers are choosing to rent an apartment or house. My recent trip to France is a good example of the […]
The Loire’s Castles and Gardens
Touring in the Loire Valley means you don’t have to travel far to see the grand chateaus and pretty villages that dot the landscape. The Castles in France are simply stunning. John and I stayed in one place, Chenonceaux, and found a multitude of treasures on short day trips along and over the rivers that […]