Meteora, Greece: As soon as I learned about it, I had to go. Monasteries built on the tops of stone peaks? The tallest at 2,011 feet (613 meters)? Over 700 years ago? After spending three weeks in Athens and...
5 Reasons to Go to Cuba…Make 2020 Your Year!
“Don’t even try to understand Cuba,” advised our group leader, Liliana Rhoades, who was born in Cuba. “Changes are a response to what is happening. Right now.” Cuba is clearly always on the verge of something else that needs...
The “Miracle Grave” in Havana at Colón Cemetery
When I decided I must visit the Colón Cemetery (Cementerio de Cristóbal Colón ) during my Cuba trip, I had no idea there was a “miracle grave” in Havana. I was more focused on the fact that it’s huge–over...
Winter Solstice: Where Christmas Traditions Got Their Start
Long before Christianity lured ancient cultures into December celebrations, there was the winter solstice, a time to mark the end of long, long nights. In order to boost church enrollment, early Christians just incorporated some of the pagan practices,...
Fun–and Funny–Holiday Traditions Around the World
Holiday traditions around the world make me smile. After all, every country and culture does something that, well, we wonder how they could ever have become a real thing. And that’s the beauty of them. You already know the...
Turning Kids into Travelers
How exactly can we go about turning our kids into travelers? We’ve seen those children on our own journeys: curious and cheerful. Interested in more than the next souvenir shop. Willing to eat more than a Big Mac. Understanding...
Greek Vegetables: Forget That Green Bean Casserole!
Once you’ve had Greek vegetables, you realize how important they are to a meal. Not a side dish or a last-minute addition to a menu. No, they steal the show. Once you taste them, you’ll want to know how...
Terezín Concentration Camp: Hitler’s “Gift to the Jews”
Terezín concentration camp is an astounding and painful reminder of the power of propaganda. Only an hour from Prague, the former Habsburg fortress was repurposed during World War II as a model that would impress International Red Cross inspectors....
How to Sleep Well When You Travel…zzzzzzzzz…
Knowing how to sleep well when you travel can make all the difference in your experience. You’ve saved and planned for this adventure–don’t let anything keep you from enjoying every minute. According to a study by Wakefield Research, over...
14 Fun Reasons to Walk the Camino de Santiago…Yes, You Can!
What’s that, you say? You need some reasons to walk the Camino de Santiago? True, 500 miles does seem like a long way on foot…and it does take at least a month. A long month, with 31 days. My...