Traveling in movable home is a fun way to travel. A 4×4 camper allows you to go wherever you want. However, before making such a purchase, you should weigh the pros and cons. Guest blogger Caitlyn Bell breaks it down.
Some travelers disagree with me but I count Wales as one of the countries I’ve visited. Because it belongs to the United Kingdom, many think it’s just like a U.S. state. I visited the capital of Cardiff last week and the locals are adamant about their country status. It has its own language, its own culture and its own history that dates back further than England’s. Its capital is also one of the most charming and walkable in Europe.
I fell for Slovenia wines on my first trip to Slovenia 10 years ago. In Nova Gorica, Slovenia, recently, I met a Dutchman who fell in love with them 20 years ago and wrote a book about them. He gave me a tour of a couple wineries which were not only delicious but also fascinating in their history through the communist years under Yugoslavian rule. Now they are starting to get noticed.
Scotland has some of the most beautiful, unspoiled national parks in Europe. Guest blogger Connor Gillivan describes two of them: the Cairngorms and Loch Lomond & the Trossachs.
For the first time in the 40 years of European Capitals of Culture, two bordering cities are sharing the designation. Gorizia, Italy, and Nova Gorica, Slovenia have been on opposite sides of the same international border since Nova Gorica rose from the ashes of World War II. Today they claim to be borderless and civic cooperation led to their dual honor for 2025. I attended their opening ceremony earlier this month and this is my report.
Szentendre is an artist’s colony just north of Budapest and has been a major tourist destination for centuries. In the summer, it is such a tourist trap you hear more German than Hungarian. But we went on the last day of January and had practically the whole village to ourselves. Visiting a tourist trap with no tourists truly is a fulfilling experience.
Bali is the most popular island in Indonesia for travelers. If you want to see how the other half lives, guest blogger Patrick Farrell lists all the luxurious ways you can make your visit a once-in-a-lifetime experience. From hotels to helicopter rides, this guide will get you in the right circles.
The Jubilee has come to Rome for a 13-month stay, meaning about 35 million pilgrims will pour in to walk through one of the four Holy Doors that were opened for the first time in 25 years. Marina and I went through the one in St. Paul Outside the Walls. I didn’t think it was a big deal, but I’m not Catholic. Marina is. It was a big deal to her and it has been for the world’s Catholics since 1500. Myself? I just loved the church’s beauty.
Since retiring to Rome in 2014, I average about 60 days of travel a year. I should top that in 2025. My travel bucket list has a trip either booked or tentatively scheduled nearly every month. They range from Wales this winter to Thailand next November with WAY off-the-beaten-path spots such as Turkmenistan and Syria in between. Take a look at my plan. Hope it inspires you to set sail.
Every year around Jan. 11, the anniversary of my arrival in Rome in 2014, I write all the reasons I love living here. After 11 years, it’s still not a problem finding new reasons. This year I found a whole new list, ranging from the draw Rome’s 930 churches has on me to chocolate-covered frappe served every Easter. Hope this list brings back fond memories or your trip to Rome or inspires you to make some memories of your own.
Undergoing chemo is devastating but it doesn’t mean you must be homebound. Guest blogger Mahasweta Bose lists numerous tips that allow chemo patients to travel comfortably and without worry.
Today marks the start of the Rome Jubilee, the Vatican’s celebration of reconciliation and spiritual renewal that is held every 25 years. Rome has been under heavy construction for the last year but is finally showing the positive effects. Here’s a preview of what to expect if you’re going to be one of the 35 million people expected to visit.
