John Henderson's Travel Adventures in Rome and Beyond

May 20, 2025

Pesto: Liguria’s trademark sauce puts punch in pasta

Pesto is one of the most popular sauces in Italy and two weeks ago Marina and I went to the birthplace of pesto: Liguria. During our four days in the port town of Porto Venere, we had pesto on pasta, in paninos and even on pancakes. We also interviewed the instructor of a pasta-makìng school. I became so addicted I bought a bottle of his homemade pesto.

May 16, 2025

Travel hidden gems: Off-the-beaten path destinations

If you’re tired of crowds when you travel, try to get off the beaten path. With more people traveling than ever before, that is getting harder. But guest blogger Karen Anthony gives some suggestions around the world.

May 13, 2025

Porto Venere: Italy’s Cinque Terre light perfect place to celebrate 10-year anniversary

I had never heard of Porto Venere until Marina suggested it for our 10-year anniversary. It looked perfect. Close enough to Cinque Terre to enjoy the beautiful coastal scenery but far enough away to avoid the mobs. Well, tourists still poured into Porto Venere but it’s nothing like Vernazza in July. We also had a lovely apartment away from the Old Town right on the beach with one of the best restaurants we’ve been to in Italy almost next door.

May 9, 2025

An American pope? It’s true and the Vatican Thursday was awash in hope and so was I

I was one of the millions around the world caught off guard by the naming of American cardinal Robert Francis Provost as the new pope. I was not interested in writing about Pope Francis’ successor but when I saw it was the first American pope in history, I raced to the Vatican. I found optimism from a wide range of people, from American pilgrims to nuns to Carmelite priests. I like the pick, and not just because he’s an American.

May 6, 2025

Meteora: Monasteries in the sky worthy of gods and Hollywood

Meteora is one of the most gob-smacking sights on earth. It’s where six monasteries sit atop giant pinnacles of rock formed millions of years ago when a series of earthquakes made a lake disappear and the land to rise. Today, the area in Northern Greece is a fascinating look into Eastern Orthodox monks’ lives in isolated monasteries with spectacular views.

April 29, 2025

10-year anniversary: Cross-cultural relationships have challenges most couples never experience

Ten years ago today, I went out with Marina Pascucci for an aperitivo in Rome. We’re still going out — around Rome, around Italy and around the world. Tonight marks our 10-year anniversary, a grand feat considering the challenges cross-cultural relationships have. I discuss our journey with some learned observations from an Italian relationship counselor.

April 21, 2025

Pope Francis’ surprise death turns St. Peter’s Square into bastion of prayer — and tour groups

I woke up ready to write about my trip to Meteora, Greece’s towering collection of monasteries hanging off cliffs. Instead, I wrote a bigger religious story. Pope Francis is dead. It was announced at 7:30 a.m. Rome time and I raced down to St. Peter’s to capture the scene. It was business as normal but there was a very solemn backdrop.

April 16, 2025

Mount Athos: A trip to “The Holiest Place on Earth”

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My Travelers’ Century Club had our semi-annual meeting in Thessaloniki, Greece, recently and the next day we took a trip to Mount Athos, considered “The Holiest Place on Earth.” It’s a peninsula with 20 Eastern Orthodox monasteries and 2,000 monks who don’t have TV, newspapers, radio or Internet. Women are strictly forbidden. So is photographing the monks. But we received an invite and it was an illuminating visit, not only for those expanding their horizons but also anyone who appreciates beautiful architecture.

April 11, 2025

Flight delays and cancellations: The psychology of waiting and why a delay feels so much longer

(Director’s note: Delays and cancellations are a part of travel and are never easy. But there are ways you can fight back. Freelance writer K. Blaauw breaks it all down in this guest blog.) Flight delays and cancellations are a common inconvenience for travelers worldwide. Waiting for a delayed flight can be frustrating, but it […]

April 8, 2025

Desert Nights: Oman’s five-star luxury camp a sandy pleasure palace

I treated myself and Marina to a five-star resort deep in the Omani desert. Desert Nights Resort has 88 tents accommodating 160 people and because only 16 guests were there during last week’s final week of Ramadan in March, they upgraded us to a villa suite. It’s expensive. There isn’t a lot to do. But to experience a sunset from atop a desert sand dune is worth the price.

April 4, 2025

Video: Two nights of luxury in the Omani desert

Sometimes I admit videos tell a better story than words. That’s especially true in the Ormani desert where I treated ourselves to a five-star resort. Here’s a video from atop a sand dune. Stay tuned for a complete report next Tuesday.

April 2, 2025

Oman: Birthday in the Switzerland of the Middle East

We chose Oman to celebrate my birthday last week after so many people told me it would be my favorite Muslim country. It would be my 20th. They were close. We loved the friendly people, clean streets, beautiful mosques, great food and desert ambiance, Most of all we loved visiting during Ramadan, the Muslim fast. Oman was nearly empty.

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