Europe

February 3, 2026

Winter Olympics memories: From U.S.-Canada hockey to freezing my pens off, I’m returning for more

This week I’ll be in Cortina d’Ampezzo to cover my fourth Winter Olympics. This time it’s for Colorado Public Radio and National Public Radio. I hope I collect a memory I can add to my long list of memories. Here I list 10 of them, most of them uplifting, some heartbreaking. But all memorable, from the U.S.-Canada gold medal hockey game in Vancouver to the Russia House in Turin.

January 27, 2026

Bucket list 2026: From the Alps to Vietnam, from Maldive to Iran

What’s on your bucket list for 2026 travel? I’ve got mine down. I have 10 destinations ranging from Grenoble to Northern Vietnam with various deserts and islands scattered in between. I crossed off nearly every item on last year’s bucket list. Check out mine for this year and see if it inspires you to write one of your own.

January 20, 2026

New York Times 52 Places to Go 2026: My list of five that I suggested

Every January the New York Times posts a timely feature entitled 52 Places to Go. It’s one destination per week for that upcoming year. The Times has its part-time writers scour the Internet and phones for interesting places that have big events, celebrations or anniversaries. I am one of them. I send in five a year and this year they chose my suggestion of Assisi, Italy, which is celebrating the 800-year anniversary of the death of St. Francis. I write about it and my other four suggestions as my own personal Places to Go 2026.

January 13, 2026

12 years in Rome: Anniversary calls for another list of reasons why I love this city

Twelve years ago Sunday I showed up in Rome with three bags which weren’t nearly as heavy as my dreams. My retirement in Rome has surpassed all of them. Every year around Jan. 11, the date of my arrival in Rome in 2014, I list all the reasons why I love this crazy city. This is my latest edition. Stay tuned for more in coming years.

January 6, 2026

“Emily in Paris”: Playing an extra in Netflix’s global chick flick hit a humble way to spend a sunny day

Resuming my side gig as a film extra, I played an obnoxious tourist in Netflix’s hit series “Emily in Paris.” It filmed Season 5 in Rome and I got to spend a sunny day in May in Ostia Antica’s pretty Piazza della Rocca. The series is a chick flick on estrogen but star Lily Collins is nice, the work is easy and the piazza is beautiful. There are worse ways to make wine money.

December 30, 2025

Christmas in Vienna: Xmas markets, gold palaces and a little snow bring back the spirit lost long ago

For a real Christmas feel, I took Marina to Vienna. Austria is the birthplace of Christmas markets and we perused a few of them. We also viewed the capital’s spectacular lights, ate its yummy wienerschnitzel and visited its many museums. I forgot how beautiful this city was. It was my first visit since 1978.

November 18, 2025

Italy’s cost of living: It’s gone up here, too, folks

All my friends in the United States are complaining about higher costs. I believe them. I know. But here in Italy, the cost of living has gone up, too. It’s not as bad as in the U.S. but bad enough for Italians to take to the streets and protest. Here’s a hard look at what it is costing Italians and me today.

November 11, 2025

Traveling sick: From typhoid to toothache, I’ve had my share and here are tips to prevent road to Hell

There is nothing better than travel. There is nothing worse than traveling while sick. I know. I’ve had my share of illnesses, including a recent one that cancelled my trip to Armenia. I write about my painful history of traveling under the weather and offer some tips on not letting it happen to you.

October 7, 2025

Italy travels: My five favorite trips over 11 years

Since retiring to Rome in 2014, I’ve made countless trips across Italy, from Sicily to the Alps. Many Italians don’t leave the country during their vacation. I do but I can see the appeal. Here are my five favorite trips in Italy, in order, with transportation and price info and links to more detailed blogs.

September 16, 2025

Italy tourism seeing a drop in American tourists but their fears of crowds and danger are misplaced

Fewer Americans are visiting Italy this year as they fear the crowds of the Jubilee, the drop in exchange rate and political instability. But the fears are misplaced and some travel agencies have experienced a recent surge. Here’s a quick analysis.

September 9, 2025

Skopelos Trails: A British woman uncovering — literally — paths of Greek island’s simple past

Heather Parsons moved to Skopelos in 1987 when it had one asphalt road. It pains her to see the little Greek island lose part of its soul through over tourism. She did something about it. Her Skopelos Trails organization has helped uncover 200 miles of old trails, good now for hiking and getting away from crowded beaches. I joined her on a hike Saturday.

September 2, 2025

Greek island guide: Ten spots even Greek gods would love

Marina and I are headed to Skopelos Wednesday for our annual August Greek island vacation. I’ve been to 10 Greek Islands which seems like an appropriate number to produce a small travel guide. They range from the huge, Peloponnese, to the tiny, Tsougrias. I’ve got a nice map and added links to more in-depth articles and blogs I’ve written about specific islands. You’ll find something you’ll like for your next adventure.

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