Czech dumplings–Knedlíky–are one of the cornerstones of Czech Republic food. As I prepared for my two weeks in the country, I read about the dumplings over and over. They sounded delicious. I couldn’t wait to try them. I was...
Charles Bridge: The Pride of Prague
Charles Bridge is more than a way to get across the Vltava River. It’s also Prague’s non-stop public space. Day and night, there is something to do, watch, buy, or photograph. Connecting two important sections of Prague–the castle and...
Hop On-Hop Off Bus: I Always Take One, You Should, Too!
Take a Hop on-Hop off bus? REALLY? I can hear your groans… We’ve all seen them during our travels, those double-decker buses, the upper deck packed with photo-snapping riders who insist on waving to passersby. They look so…touristy. WHY...
Magnificent Mosaics of Sicily’s Villa Romana del Casale
Once upon a time in Sicily, about 1700 years ago, a very rich Roman–maybe Emperor Maximian–built a very large home. He brought very skilled artists from Africa to cover all the floors in very colorful mosaics…nearly 38,000 square feet...
How to Make Your Long-Haul Flight Comfortable…Or At Least Bearable
Until time travel becomes a reality, getting around the globe is going to require a long-haul flight. I can hear the groans…and share your pain. What can you do to make a 10- or 12-hour (or longer–planes can travel...
Flags of the World Quiz: How Many Can You Identify?
Can you identify the flags of the world? We all know the Stars & Stripes, Union Jack, Maple Leaf, and Rising Sun…but the others? Here’s a quiz to see how many you know. Before we start the quiz: What’s...
How to Travel When You Don’t Speak the Language
Do you get stuck on how to travel when you don’t speak the language? For many people–especially when starting out–it can be a deal-breaker. They end up only going to places where they communicate in their native tongue. Even...
Sangria…Summer in a Glass…¡Salud!
It’s Sangria Season! Those fun-loving Spaniards know how to beat the heat. Sangria wasn’t always a party drink. A few thousand years ago, Roman soldiers marched through the Iberian peninsula–later to be called Spain–planting vineyards along the way. It...
Foreign Currency: Got Extra? Here Are Some Ideas…
What to do with extra foreign currency? If you’re like me, you hate to get rid of it. First of all, it’s much glitzier than U.S. money. Second, it’s a sweet and vivid memory of my trip. Still, what...
Hot Dog Throwdown: Sorry, Quebec City!
A hot dog throwdown? Why would this humble–and often maligned–sausage need to be compared? Especially since everyone knows the best hot dogs come from Chicago. Most of the world agrees, right? Okay, maybe not. And certainly not the good...