General Travel

December 16, 2025

Syria: I joined the joyous one-year anniversary of al-Assad’s ouster but fearful whispers and murders abound

Dec. 8 marked the one-year anniversary of the ouster of Syria’s brutal dictator, Bashar al-Assad. I came to Damascus for four days to observe the wild celebration through the capital streets and get a grasp of what the people went through during 14 years of revolution. I came away wondering what they’re walking into.

December 12, 2025

Hiking in Armenia: Through the woods to ancient monasteries and an interview with a monk

Hiking in Armenia in late November isn’t ideal. I hiked alone. It was cold. The trails were covered with leaves and I missed on Armenia’s famous spring wildflowers. But I got in nature to see three monasteries dating back to the 12th century. And I chatted with the lone monk working in one that’s still operational after 900 years.

December 9, 2025

Armenian wine: A 6,000-year-old tradition becoming a major player from a small mountain village

Armenian wine is growing on the international wine scene and its center is a small village of only 1,700 people in the south end of the country. The town of Areni boasts not only three of the biggest wineries in the Armenia but also the oldest winery in the world. In 2007, archaeologists discovered a cave that had all the well-preserved remains of a wine manufacturing operation. Areni is a fascinating place and delicious, too.

December 2, 2025

Armenia: Surviving and thriving after generations of suffering

Is there a more persecuted people in the world than the Armenians? After spending 10 days there last month, I suspect there isn’t. But despite earthquakes, genocide, Soviet rule and the recent wars with Azerbaijan, Armenia is growing and thriving. Marina and I loved it, particularly the bustling, lively capital of Yerevan.

November 25, 2025

St Kitts and Nevis have you covered in the Caribbean

Beaches. Hiking. Villages. Seafood. What’s not to like about St Kitts and Nevis, the two-island nation in the Caribbean? Guest blogger Jama Hansen explores the exotic nation.

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.

November 4, 2025

Northern Turkmenistan: A high cliff, a deep lake and a dry seabed is the full Turkmenistan desert experience

Me on Crocodile Rock above Yangykala Canyon.

A 300-mile stretch of desert north of the capital of Ashgabat reveals Turkmenistan at its rawest. I swam in an eerie underground lake, stared down at the expanse of a spectacular canyon and walked across a seabed where the Caspian Sea once washed over. Northern Turkmenistan is a true dichotomy of what Turkmenistan offers the intrepid traveler.

October 28, 2025

Western Cape: Spring flowers and your road-trip guide to an annual spectacle

August and September are changing color seasons on South Africa’s Western Cape. Guest blogger Sophia Smart explains where to go, what to do and how to see the most colorful flowers and landscapes in this very special time of year during South Africa’s winter.

October 21, 2025

Turkmenistan: Toasting marshmallows at the Gates of Hell

Turkmenistan’s top tourist attaction is a giant, fiery pit four hours north of the capital. The Darvaza Gas Craters, better known as the Gates of Hell, have been burning ever since a sinkhole occurred in 1971. Today it is a dangerous but fascinating sight I was privileged to experience in my recent trip to the mysterious desert country. This is the second of a three-part series on Turkmenistan.

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 30, 2025

Traveling in Muslim countries: Today’s trip to Istanbul reminds me of what lures me back to land of Islam

I’m going to Istanbul today. Turkey is one of 17 Muslim countries that I’ve traveled in, much to the chagrin of many Americans. I love traveling in Muslim countries for a variety of reasons, from the history to the architecture to the fact that they are just so different. I give 10 reasons why I’m lured to the land of Islam plus some travel tips for worried travelers.

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