John Henderson's Travel Adventures in Rome and Beyond

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.

September 8, 2026

Istanbul’s Asian side: Only a ferry away but feels a continent away

People fishing off the pier in Moda on Istanbul

On our third trip to Istanbul two weeks ago, Marina and I decided to explore the city’s less-trodden Asian side. We were blown away by how calm, empty and leafy it was. It really felt like a continent away from the crowds and the chaos on the European side. We roamed three neighborhoods and had lunch by the Strait of Bosphorus while a hungry bird joined us from the nearby wall.

September 1, 2026

Sept. 11 Memorial and Museum: Magnificent complex brings back my 9-11 New York memories as well

Ten years to the day of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the National Sept. 11 Memorial and Museum opened on the same plot of land where the World Trade Center stood. I toured it in my first trip back since a month after the tragedy.

August 25, 2026

The road to Kurdistan: Why I’m going to a place that has been bombed 1,000 times in 6 months

Kurdistan is a semi-autonomous region of Iraq that until the Iran War was about the safest place in this war-torn country. But the region is developing and attracted 8 million visitors last year. On Monday I’ll be another. I’m going for five days and will see the sites and talk to the people.

August 18, 2026

AS Roma and Oregon Ducks: The highest anticipated seasons of my lifetime

I’m 70 years old and never seen my hometown Oregon Ducks win a national college football title. Neither has anyone else. They never have. I’ve lived in Rome for 12 years and never seen my AS Roma win a Serie A title. Its last was in 2001. But this year, my Ducks are ranked second in the country and my Roma finished third last season and qualified for the Champions League for the first time in eight years. These two upcoming seasons are the most highly anticipated of my lifetime. I await the letdown.

August 11, 2026

La Campana: Rome’s oldest restaurant still drawing crowds after 508 years

La Campana opened its doors in Rome’s Centro Storico in 1518 and has been operating ever since as Rome’s oldest restaurant. It could lay claim as the world’s oldest restaurant but it has been too busy serving its loyal clientele to hassle the Guinness Book of World Records much. Marina and I went Saturday night for our second time. La Campana is not a tourist trap. The food is too good.

August 4, 2026

Italy’s hot-weather dishes: What to eat when the heat eats you

So how do YOU cool off in these blazing hot summer days. Here in Rome, I don’t eat much. He wants to eat, let alone cook, in this heat? But I do get hungry and I found a collection of hot-weather Italian dishes that are not only delicious but healthy and cool. Here’s a list of 10 that you can probably make wherever you are.

July 28, 2026

The world’s top five: From Best Food to Best Beaches, these countries made my list

The best beauty. The best food. The best beaches. Who ya’ got? I’ve been to 117 countries and on a steaming day in Rome, I wrote my top five countries in the world.in 10 categories. Let the debate begin …

July 21, 2026

Air conditioning grows in Italy as global warming bakes Europe

Hot enough for ya’? Italy is steaming again. Temperatures here in Rome have been in the high 90s with 40-50 percent humidity. But Italians are changing. They are finally embracing air conditioning. The number of homes with AC has doubled since 2013 and appliance stores are experiencing brisk sales. I braved the heat to explore the trend and take the temperature of the asphalt. Then I scurried back to my AC flat.

July 14, 2026

Skopelos myths: Dragons, debauchery and a sexy female pirate

On our seventh trip to the little Greek isle of Skopelos, Marina and I decided to chase down myths that have been passed down on the island for centuries. The first settler was the son of the God of Wine? A man-eating dragon? A sexy female pirate? We rented a car and explored the southern end of Skopelos to see watery graves and beautiful beaches.

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