One of my favorite childhood memories was an exciting weekend in the small town of Cherokee in western North Carolina. I recall that at that time several tame black bears were chained at the street corners, and cars stopped to feed them. The town, as far as I knew, was one wondrous street with Native…
A Taste of Porto
A historic city center, colorful buildings with red-tiled roofs, phenomenal foods with a namesake, world-famous wine, and a beautiful river running through it—this is Porto, Portugal’s second city after Lisbon, and a real gem of a travel destination. An Enduring City Back in the days of the Roman Empire, a settlement flourished along the south…
The Long Road to Andorra
When I landed in Barcelona, the whole plan was just a vague idea, a notion, something fluttering in the back of my mind, without an actual framework. Rolling my suitcase and reaching the end of the terminal, I was about to make the turn to the taxi line when, out of the corner of my…
Discovering the Apeninnes, the Italian Mountains You’ve Never Heard of
Crowning a jagged rise of ancient sandstone thrust up over the surrounding valley, this has been the site of a castle for many centuries. But its current, fantastical form—its glitter and swirls—has only occupied this prominent space for less than 200 years. Round towers and golden onion domes and a big clock ticking away below…
Finding Belgrade: Exploring One of Europe’s Most Underrated Capitals
I approached through the Istanbul gate. For hundreds of years, this city was one of the westernmost prizes of the Ottomans, with a road that ran straight from here to the capital of the empire. The doors still bear the signs of conflict, bullet holes in the tough black steel. “This city has seen 115…
Finding Barcelona: Catalonian Wonders and the Best of the Med
Long-known as the “jewel of the Mediterranean,” Barcelona seems to rise from the sea, the cool of the water merging with the heat of the city, emerging from the blue. From the white sands of a bustling urban beach to the heights of Gaudi’s unfinished masterpiece, it’s a crossroads of culture—Catalonian and Spanish, France just…
Growing Food Scene Puts Punta Gorda on the Map
Given its name, I assumed the restaurant was a tribute to Ernest Hemingway. That seemed like a reasonable assumption since so many bars and restaurants claim some connection to one of the greatest authors in the American literary canon. Think Havana’s La Floridita, his eponymous bar at The Ritz in Paris, and Sloppy Joe’s in…
The Racha: Your Island Escape in Thailand
I can think of a lot worse things than a private villa overlooking a crescent moon stretch of sand and a small bay opening up into the sea with a sunset view—in fact, add some Thai food and I think I’m in heaven. If that sounds lovely to you, then take a look at The…
Insider’s Greece: Off the Beaten Track
Whether you’re a fan of photography, a nature lover, or travel to eat, Greece has variety aplenty to satisfy many kinds of travelers. For those looking to go off the beaten track and experience Greece beyond the Acropolis, here are some recommendations from people who know the country well. For Foodies Marina Cantafio is a…
Vacation in Style on Ambergris Cay, Turks and Caicos
When asked to describe my fantasy island vacation, my response always includes space. Not the moon and the stars kind, but the sort that comes with deserted beaches, acres of scrub brush, an abundance of birds and critters that chirp and rustle in the leaves, plus great food, service, and lodging. After all, a vacation…
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