John Henderson's Travel Adventures in Rome and Beyond

November 13, 2026

Hanoi: Where coffee is more than a caffeine fix — it’s a culture in every cup

I’d heard stories about Hanoi’s huge coffee culture but was still amazed when I experienced it. I live in Rome, where coffee is one of the five major food groups. But in Hanoi, the culture runs deeper than caffeine. It runs all the way through society. Introduced by the French colonists in the 19th century, coffee has expanded to a half million cafes in Vietnam. Nowhere in the country is it taken more seriously than Hanoi, the capital.

November 10, 2026

Vietnam: Red flags, open markets and a tourism boom

We recently visited Vietnam for two weeks and came away slackjawed at its beauty and cheap prices. But we were also confused about how such a growing tourism giant with free enterprise everywhere can exist in a communist country. I do a deep dive in the first of a five-part series.

November 5, 2026

Schwerin: Germany’s “fairy tale city” with a communist past

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During my week at the Traverse travel bloggers conference in Hamburg last month, a bunch of us took a day trip to Schwerin. I’d never heard of it before but it’s one of the most charming little cities I’ve seen in Europe. Formerly in East Germany, it has emerged as a major destination in northern Germany complete with a 19th century castle, a UNESCO World Heritage designation and a Michelin-star restaurant.

October 27, 2026

St. Pauli: Sex, sin and gentrification in Hamburg’s red light district

Me clowning around in front of one of St. Pauli

Hamburg’s St. Pauli neighborhood is known as the biggest red light district in Europe. After staying there a week, I can verify. I’ve never seen anything like it and I lived in Las Vegas for 10 years. Yes, it’s full of sex at almost any hour. But it also has another side, an artsy side, with nice galleries, fine restaurants and leafy zones. This is the second of a three-part series.

October 20, 2026

Hamburg: Beyond the red lights, a city hits the high notes

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Hamburg has always been known for its wild nightlife, fueled by the St. Pauli red-light district. But Germany’s second-largest city is having an urban makeover, starting with the Elbphilharmonie concert hall next to HafenCity, Hamburg’s refurbished port area. I went last week to attend the Traverse travel bloggers conference and went all over the city.

October 13, 2026

An evil aunt and a gun-wielding motorist: The week in ’79 that changed my view of the U.S. forever

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I’ve been meaning to buy Thomas Wolfe’s “You Can’t Go Home Again” as I experienced something similar to what his leading character did in that classic novel from 1934. It was a week in 1979 when I tried hitchhiking from Los Angeles to my hometown of Eugene, Ore., after traveling around the world alone for a year. It was a disaster, punctuated by rude friends, an evil aunt and a motorist who pulled a shotgun on me. It changed my views of America forever.

October 9, 2026

Inca Rail or PeruRail? How to choose your train to Machu Picchu

There are a lot of comfortable ways to reach Machu Picchu without hiking the trail. Two rail lines stand out. PeruRail and Inca Rail offer a variety of services, ranging from panoramic windows to interpretive audio guides. Guest blogger Blake Anderson details the pluses and prices of each.

October 6, 2026

Iraqi Kurdistan: Bombs, beauty and a fight for the future

During my recent five-day trip through Iraqi Kurdistan, a found a beautiful land remarkably unspoiled after more than 100 years or turmoil. The autonomous region in northern Iraq is trying to grow through tourism while withstanding conflicts in the most embattled corner of the world.

September 29, 2026

Day trip in Iraq: During solo journey to Sulaymaniyah I walked in footsteps — and hooves — of the Kurds

I love day trips. I love leaving my base in a foreign country and exploring the outskirts. On my recent trip to Iraq, I visited Sulaymaniyah, Iraqi Kurdistan’s second city. It was a hassle to reach but interesting when I arrived. And the people couldn’t have been nicer.

September 22, 2026

My night as a Kurdish wedding guest: Neutral corners and dance, dance, dance

There are few better insights into a local culture than a wedding. During my recent trip through southeastern Turkey, our Travelers’ Century Club scored an invite to a Kurdish wedding. It was fabulous. We were the honored guests among 2,000 people. It wasn’t like any wedding I’d ever been to. Where else can’t men and women dance together?

September 15, 2026

Into the land of the Kurds: A former war zone makes a comeback

The Kurds are among the most persecuted ethnic group in the world and I entered their culture with a trip to southeastern Turkey which was a war zone until 10 years ago. The Kurds still dream of a homeland but are enjoying life again and I enjoyed their hospitality in the cities of Van and Hakkari and a short hiking into the beautiful Ciro Mountains.

September 11, 2026

Cape Town after dark: From the waterfront to the theater

Cape Town, South Africa, is a long ways away from many places but its landscapes make the trip worth it. However, it’s more than beautiful views and seascapes. It is also rich culturally and gastronomically. And it isn’t nearly as dangerous as Johannesburg.

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