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August 31, 2021

Skopelos: Greece’s emerald isle more than “Mamma Mia!”

Skopelos became famous in 2008 when Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan sang and danced their way across the island in “Mamma Mia!” But the scenes you see in the movie are just a snippet of the real beauty of this island of 5,000 people. Great beaches. Deep forests. Excellent food. It’s our new favorite Greek island.

August 25, 2021

Rome’s Gladiator School: My two months swinging a sword and learning truth was bloodier than fiction

In Rome’s Gladiator School, I learned to fight three men at once with a 7-pound sword — and how to lay dead without pulling my tunic over my underwear. My two months in La Scuola dei Gladiatori was a rollicking ride of humility combined with insight into one of the bloodiest period’s in man’s history.

August 16, 2021

Colosseum Underground: The scariest place on Earth during the Roman Empire

After a two-year renovation project, the Colosseum Undergound reopened in June. I was able to go into the bowels of the stadium last week.

August 10, 2021

Tortoreto: Thumbs up to Abruzzo’s gem on the Adriatic

Tortoreto is a little-known corner of the little-know region of Abruzzo where tourists are sparse but culture rich. Tortoreto stretches from the beaches of the Adriatic to hill towns staring out at the Gran Sasso mountain range. It’s hard to reach but worth every step.

August 3, 2021

Forum of Augustus: Rome’s light show illuminates city’s ancient beauty

Every day when I walk through Rome, I remind myself that I’m living in the most beautiful city in the world. But the other night I saw how even more beautiful this city once was. More than 2,000 years ago, Rome was a city of towering marble temples, expansive forums, countless statues, beautiful cobblestone streets and architecture hundreds of years ahead of its time. At […]

July 27, 2021

Covid vaccinations soon required to do anything in Italy

Starting Aug. 6, you’re going to need proof of vaccination to do pretty much anything inside Italy. Good. Cases in Italy are climbing and so is Delta. The only thing preventing the end of this nightmare is vaccinations.

July 20, 2021

Bulgaria’s overgrown Sunny Beach still has a side of paradise

Sunny Beach is Bulgaria’s No. 1 tourist destination and has been battered for over tourism. It has gone from 322 accommodations to 640 in seven years. Tales of drunken debauchery and drugs give it an image similar to Cancun and Ibiza. But I found a corner of the five-mile beach that was peaceful and beautiful and perfect. The Royal Palace Helena Sands was the ideal place for pampering after 16 months never leaving Italy.

July 12, 2021

Euro champion Italy finally gives Italians a reason to sing

Champion
Euro champion Italy hadn’t won the European Championship since 1968 and England had never won it. Something had to give at London’s Wembley Stadium and England certainly did with a pitiful performance in the shootout. Italians in Rome hadn’t celebrated like this since winning the World Cup in 2006.

July 9, 2021

Drinking in Bulgaria: Rakia, Zagorka and a Sofia pub crawl

Drinking in Bulgaria is a huge part of the Bulgarian culture and I got a first-hand look at it during a week crossing the country. It included a Friday night pub crawl in the capital of Sofia. Bring a thirst, folks.

July 8, 2021

Jose Mourinho arrives in Rome: We want to leave a legacy

Jose Mourinho has won national titles in four countries and Champions League trophies with two clubs. Thursday he was introduced as the manager to lead A.S. Roma, which hasn’t won a title in 20 years and is coming off its worst season since 2004-05. I was there.

July 6, 2021

Plovdiv: Bulgaria’s Europe Culture Capital

Plovdiv’s appeal is lasting long after its 2019 reign as one of Europe’s two Culture Capitals ended. It is one of the top art cities in Eastern Europe with numerous pedestrian streets, history that covers 8,000 years and a relaxed vibe that makes it a must for any visit to Bulgaria.

July 5, 2021

Vegan meals: How to instantly find great recipes

(Director’s note: I’m a food writer but not a vegan. Still, I respect those who are. I respect anyone who eats healthy. In that spirit, I’m offering this space for freelance guest blogger Allen Brown.) The vegan diet is becoming more and more popular. Not only is it the only sustainable way of living in this very environmentally demanding society, but it also solves the […]

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