Travel Stories

November 15, 2024

Iasi Pogrom: A little-known dark period in WWII revealed in riveting museum in charming Romanian town

I’ve been to many World War II museums in Eastern Europe but a relatively new one in the Romanian town of Iasi blew me away. The Iasi Pogrom Museum details a few days in the summer of 1941 when Romanian prime minister Ion Antonescu ordered the slaughter of 13,000 Jews, one third of Iasi’s Jewish population. Many others died on horrific train journeys to concentration camps.

November 12, 2024

Moving to Italy: Trump’s victory leading thousands of Americans seeking pasta, vino and calm seas

So many people are disgusted with last week’s U.S. election that they are flooding expat websites trying to leave the country. A major target is Italy where I have received numerous inquiries, and the CEO of Expats Living in Rome says her emails have tripled. I examine the whole phenomenon with the CEO as we discuss the obstacles facing desperate Americans but also the rewards that are here..

November 5, 2024

Romania and Ceausescu: Dictatorship left scars on a bustling nation and a warning to the U.S.

With the U.S. election today, I found it ironic that I recently toured the home of Romania’s ruthless dictator Nicolae Ceausescu. I saw some parallels between what he did to his people and what Donald Trump threatens to do if elected. Ceausescu’s regime left marks on today’s society but I couldn’t tell while traveling around the wonderful country and strolling the pretty capital of Bucharest.

October 30, 2024

Bran Castle: This giant tourist trap is more trick than treat

About 1 million people pour through Bran Castle in Transylvania every year hoping to connect with the legend of Dracula. I didn’t. I knew the castle had little to do with the famous horror novel or the legend that followed. What I found was one of the world’s biggest tourist traps.

October 25, 2024

Moldova: Village life a drop back in time in the least visited country in Europe

On every trip, I try to take a couple days and do nothing but watch that particular world go by. Who would’ve thought that in the middle of Moldova I’d find a village that was a pseudo paradise? Butuceni was that for me. I spent two days at the Butuceni Eco-Resort, getting to know the owner and locals and spectacular scenery.

October 8, 2024

Travel tales from hell: Disease, machetes and the lessons we learn

(Director’s note: I’m traveling in Moldova, Europe’s poorest country which made me think of the worst trips of my life. I’m re-posting a blog I wrote five years ago on my travel tales from hell. I hope when I return I won’t add to it.”) To truly travel, one must truly suffer. It’s a backpacker’s creed, one I’ve preached throughout an international travel career spanning […]

October 1, 2024

My Five Favorite Restaurants in Rome 2024: A new No. 1

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I started running a list of my five favorite restaurants in Rome in 2016. I try to do it every year that’s not wiped out by a global pandemic. The 2024 list is a little late but it’s out today. There is a new No. 1 but my usual No. 1, Renato e Luisa, made the list for the fourth time. Keep this list handy for that next trip to Rome.

September 24, 2024

Bodo: European Cultural Capital no longer “Boring Bodo”

Once the butt of bad jokes, “Boring Bodo” has made international headlines this year after being named European Cultural Capital 2024. More than 1,000 events highlight a city that has boomed in the last 12 years. I went on assignment for BBC.com in June and rewrote it for my blog.

September 20, 2024

Shoulder season best time to travel, particularly South Africa

If you want to enrich your travel experience, do not travel during the high tourist season. Go in the shoulder season: right after or before the high season begins. In South Africa, the ideal time is spring and fall. Here is guest blogger Diana Parker looks at why shoulder season is the time for savvy travelers.

September 17, 2024

Skopelos road trip: Car ride around Greece’s greenest island reveals views worthy of Greek gods

Stafilos Beach graces the southeast end of Skopelos.

On our fourth trip to the Greek isle of Skopelos, we drove around the southern end of the island, away from the tourists and the beaches. What we found were spectacular views, quiet monasteries and, yes, more beautiful beaches. I also found a new love for goat cheese.

September 10, 2024

Feta: A trip to Greece and my love affair with its cheese

Ever since my first trip to Greece in 1978, I have been in love with feta cheese. Topped on a Greek salad, it makes for the perfect meal: tasty, healthy and filling. On my most recent trip to Greece, I visited a feta farm where it has been made for six generations.

September 6, 2024

Restaurant reviews: Boosting traveler trust in restaurant recommendations

When you’re traveling and unsure of where to eat, where do you go? First, you go to restaurant reviews. However, how do you know which are authentic or as fake as the food they write about? Here’s a guest blog to give you some helpful tips.

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