Istanbul is more than just a scenic collection of historical monuments. It is a dynamic city, which had its ups and downs in the past century. I relied on the most famous Turkish writer to guide me through its neighborhoods, beyond the traditional sights. Read more » » »
The stretch of the coast, where Italy, Slovenia, and Croatia meet, does not receive the same attention as the Adriatic jewels of Venice and Dubrovnik. Yet even a brief visit to the region reveals how unique its culture is and how many surprising connections to other places in the world it has. Read more » » »
Cartagena may be primarily a holiday destination, but those who look beneath the surface will find a fascinating city of culture and history, worthy of even the most demanding travelers. Read more » » »
I booked this day trip to visit the ancient ruins of Bekaa Valley. When the day was over, however, I crashed into bed, thinking about what I had just experienced over the past fourteen hours: multiple religions, thousands of years of history, prime archaeological sites, unique cuisine, a camel ride, bare mountains and cedar forests, ski lodges and coastal resorts… That was some introduction to Lebanon. Read more » » »
Georgia may seem like a small country, yet its landscapes are extraordinarily diverse and its culture surprisingly deep, going back millennia. Tbilisi, the capital city, is a good place to start exploring Georgia—with its Old Town, sulfur baths, cuisine, and picturesque vistas. You will discover that despite the long traditions, Georgia is a vibrant and rejuvenated country. Read more » » »
Walled cities, cathedrals, picturesque villages, Roman ruins, and unique cuisine—you can find all of that in “Empty Spain.” This term refers to Spanish regions that are spread over vast, desert-like landscapes, filling in the space between Madrid and the fertile coasts. Given its seeming remoteness, you can still enjoy the many sites of Empty Spain without battling tourist crowds. Read more » » »
One glimpse at the Plaza de Armas suffices to understand Arequipa’s nickname “The White City.” The Plaza was built from the local volcanic stone sillar, which happens to be… well, white. In addition to architecture, Arequipa charms visitors with its unique setting, where the Atacama desert meets photogenic volcanos of the Andes. There is, however, much more to Arequipa than the simple labels would suggest… Read more » » »
While in Mexico City, I walked to the house that might have looked inconspicuous, but actually played a major role in the Oscar-nominated movie Roma… The movie portrays the city, and especially the Roma neighborhood, as they were in 1971. In Travel Examiner, I write about how Mexico City has changed—and stayed the same—over the past fifty years. Read more » » »
Series: Central Chile, March 2018. Post #3.
I came to Colchagua Valley to enjoy relaxing days of wine-sipping on my otherwise hectic trip to Chile. The valley had, however, other plans for me—its picture-perfect landscapes, museums, and wineries drew me deep into Chilean culture and history. In Travel Examiner, I write about this unexpectedly captivating side-trip … Read more » » »
Malta, a small island in the middle of the Mediterranean, has long been a refuge for travelers and even outlaws, including some famous ones! In an article published in the Travel Examiner magazine, I follow the story of a famous artist, who escaped to Malta. He began to build a new life on the island, created magnificent art, but ultimately, his passionate soul betrayed him again… Read more » » »
The train passed by large lakes, then hills, meadows, lakes again, mountain plateaus, and, ultimately, glaciers… In this article published in the Travel Examiner magazine, I not only recounted my August journey by train across Norway, from Oslo to Bergen, but also discovered how this railway became the backbone of the country’s history and identity. Read more » » »
Thanks to its visual elegance, complete with a moat and perfect symmetry, Bodiam features on every list of top English castles. Built, unusually, by a low-level aristocrat during the Hundred Years’ War, the castle drew me into its story, which still has some unanswered questions. I visited one October afternoon, and the fall colors gave the place an especially medieval atmosphere. Read more » » »
