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Palestine: Tourism trying to show another side of a country at war

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You like to get off the beaten path? Why not Palestine? Yes, you can visit. In fact, I visited with the marketing director of Palestine Tourism at the World Travel Market in London last month. He enlightened me about how safe Palestine remains outside Gaza. And there is so much to see and do. I’m ready to go. Read my blog and you might, too.

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Travel tales from hell: Disease, machetes and the lessons we learn

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(Director’s note: I’m traveling in Moldova, Europe’s poorest country which made me think of the worst trips of my life. I’m re-posting a blog I wrote five years ago on my travel tales from hell. I hope when I return I won’t add to it.”) To truly travel, one must truly suffer. It’s a backpacker’s […]

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Summer Olympics: My memories from Sydney, Beijing, London

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During my 40-year sportswriting career, I covered six Olympics. With the Paris Olympics opening Friday, I thought I’d share memories of the three Summer Olympics I covered in Sydney, Beijing and London. They range from covering Michael Phelps’ eight gold medals to riding on the back of a monk’s motorcycle to his hilltop monastery for tea.

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17 hours in Shanghai: Dumplings, Bund and a lot of concrete capitalism

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On our way back from Japan recently, China Eastern Airlines stuck us with a 17-hour layover in Shanghai. But with China’s handy 24-hour airport visa, we could get a glimpse of the world’s third-largest city. We had a great authentic Shanghai dumpling dinner then were amazed at the Bund and Lujiazui, the city’s areas with the spectacular trademark skyline. But too much concrete. Too much smog.

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Japanese cuisine: Tasty, healthy and — yes! — cheap

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Eating healthy while traveling can be challenging. Eating unhealthy in Japan is almost impossible. During our visit three weeks ago, Marina and I ate mostly raw fish, grilled fish, vegetables, rice, noodles and teriyaki. It was not only tasty and healthy but, thanks to the yen tanking, mostly cheap.

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Kyoto: Chasing cherry blossoms in the land where the sun did not rise

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I waited 45 years to see cherry blossoms again and when I came to Japan last month I was greeted with the worst spring weather the country’s seen in 10 years. However, I found three places in beautiful Kyoto where cherry blossoms were in full bloom. It was the highlight of Japan’s most star-crossed city, one battling for balance in the world of tourism.

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Japan’s bullet train puts travel in the fast (200 mph) lane

Japan’s bullet train puts travel in the fast (200 mph) lane

One incentive to spending my birthday last week in Japan was riding its famed bullet train. Called the Shinkansen, it’s the fifth-fastest train in the world at 200 mph. The train stations are confusing but once you settle into your comfy seat, the Japanese countryside goes by in a flash. Don’t blink.,

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Japan: A travel tale from hell on a journey too short

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We went to Japan for a week to celebrate my birthday Friday. On our way to Kyoto to see the cherry blossoms, we had two nights in Tokyo which were spoiled by a horrible cough, terrible weather and worse views. Our tiny hotel room with a rooftop bar consisting of a vending machine didn’t help.

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Baku: The war is over and the city’s flames rise again

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On our way to Tbilisi for a travel bloggers conference, Marina and I stopped off in Baku, Azerbaijan’s gleaming capital. It’s a fascinating mix of Middle Ages antiquities with leftover Soviet drabness and 21st century architecture. It lived up to its hype and our hotel in the heart of Old Town only helped.

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