Europe

October 24, 2023

Segovia: Ancient Roman aqueduct and castle that inspired Disney inspires day trip into hills outside Madrid

We love day trips. We dedicated TraveLazio, our biweekly blog, to day trips from Rome. During our long weekend in Madrid this month, we took a day trip to Segovia, one of the prettiest towns in Spain. It’s touristy but it has a 2,000-year-old Roman aqueduct that puts the ones remaining in Rome to shame. It also has a castle that inspired Walt Disney’s Sleeping Beauty castle in Disneyland.

October 17, 2023

Madrid: A return to Rome’s rival reveals a city still dancing

Two weeks ago we came to Madrid for a meeting and found a city rapidly improving and vibrant. The public transportation is fantastic, the streets are clean and the museums still rule the culture scene. We could’ve used some coffee before 9 a.m. but the tapas made up for it. We spent four days in Madrid and came away with this report.

October 10, 2023

Montenegro hiking: Solo strolls to sea vistas and tombs

Lovcen National Park is one of Montenegro’s five national parks and offers some of the best hiking in the Balkans. I took two hikes from my luxurious hotel, including one to the tomb of Peter II Petrovic Nejgos, considered the father of Montenegro. The hikes aren’t difficult but they attract few hikers. Too bad. The views are astounding.

October 3, 2023

Montenegro white-water rafting: The journey up and down mountains was as hair-raising as the river.

Thousands come to Montenegro for its superb white-water rafting. So did I. I came in September when the rapids are only Class 2 but the scenery made up for the lack of thrills. The Dinaric Alps consist of 50 peaks of at least 6,000 feet and Lake Piva and Tara River are two of the bluest bodies of water I’ve seen outside the South Pacific.

September 19, 2023

Stadio di Domiziano an underground look at Ancient Rome’s athletic past and an odd emperor

Everyone knows the Roman Colosseum. Few know another stadium was built in 86 A.D. shortly after the Colosseum was built. Emperor Domician built Stadio di Domiziano to promote athletics among his Roman citizenry. It was used for running events, wrestling and javelin as well as military training. In 2014 the city opened up the stadium ruins to the public. They’re located five meters below the current Piazza Navona.

September 12, 2023

Greek shipbuilder putting wind in sails of dying art

Yannis Bountalas is part of a seven-generation family of Greek shipbuilders on the Greek island of Skopelos. Two hundred years ago, his family built boats that sailed the world, carrying goods from their island. After modernization took over the industry, they began making small replicas of some of the most famous boats in the world. Marina and I found him in his tiny shipbuilding factory high on the island’s hill. We saw boats three meters high and created to the exact detail.

September 5, 2023

Greek cuisine: World’s No. 2 cuisine healthy and hearty

We’ve come to Greece every August and we’ve gone about 10 times in each our lives. A major draw is the food. In our latest trip, I took extensive notes of what has been ranked as the world’s No. 2 cuisine behind Italy. I also interviewed two renowned chefs for an inside look at what gives me the cravings from md-winter on.

August 29, 2023

Rome in summer: 15 tips on how to beat the sweltering heat

(Director’s note: I’m in Greece on a working vacation and in my stead I’m re-posting a popular blog I did from 2019 on how to beat the heat in Rome. With Rome experience its hottest summer in recorded history, the tips are still valid.) How hot is it in Rome this week? It’s so hot […]

August 22, 2023

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.

August 16, 2023

Ferragosto: Italy’s national holiday to launch summer holidays is my favorite time in Rome

Every Aug. 15, all of Italy takes off for most of the remaining month. Ferragosto has been around since Emperor Augustus proclaimed it in the 1st century AD. Today, Italians head to the mountains or sea. I do not. I stay and enjoy Rome at the most quiet time of the year. I roamed the city Tuesday to get a feel for a city void of chaos and rush.

August 8, 2023

My 10 favorite trips: From Nepal to French Polynesia

Being a former sportswriter, I’m into top 10 lists. Top 10 restaurants. Top 10 wines. Top 10 travel tales from hell. With my annual trip to Skopelos, Greece, approaching, I thought I’d do my top 10 trips of my life. I’ve traveled for 45 years and been to 110 countries. This lists stretches from Ecuador to French Polynesia.

August 1, 2023

Mediterranean diet: It’s why Italians are healthier than Americans and why I’m glad I left the United States

I received a clean bill of health from my annual checkup Wednesday, and I firmly believe a big reason is I moved to Italy nine years ago. Its Mediterranean diet has so many more benefits than the American diet. From its all-natural ingredients to the emphasis of wine over beer, Italians enjoy the sixth-longest life expectancy in the world. The U.S. is 47th.

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