Adventure International

London Walking Tours: 9 Fascinating Ways to Explore the City

London is one of my favorite cities to explore on foot. Its historic neighborhoods, magnificent architecture, literary landmarks, and hidden passageways offer endless discoveries. One of my favorite ways to experience London is through guided walking tours. I particularly enjoy London Walks because its guides bring the city’s history, architecture, and culture to life. Their knowledge goes far beyond the familiar tourist attractions. As The New York Times observed, “London Walks puts you into the hands of an expert on the particular…

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Adventure U.S.

Denver Historic Architecture Tour

Denver rewards travelers who look above the storefronts. On my Denver Historic Architecture Tour, you’ll see ornate cornices, arched windows, carved stone, and glazed terra cotta. They reveal the city’s rapid growth. This self-guided walk begins at Denver Union Station. It passes through LoDo before continuing into Denver’s historic business district. The route traces a larger architectural story. Victorian commercial buildings first reflected Denver’s mining wealth. Taller offices and headquarters later announced its arrival as a major western city. Allow…

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Adventure International

Best 15 Things to See at Berkeley Castle

Berkeley Castle transports visitors through nearly 900 years of English history. I wandered through its medieval Great Hall, richly decorated rooms, and beautiful gardens while discovering stories of kings, powerful women, and generations of the Berkeley family.  Most famously, King Edward II was imprisoned here in 1327 and is traditionally believed to have been murdered within the castle walls.  Yet Berkeley Castle is more than a medieval fortress. It remains a family home, filled with art, furnishings and extraordinary reminders of…

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Adventure International

15+ Things to Do in Paris: My Favorites After 40 Years

I first discovered the many things to do in Paris when I visited at age 25. I stayed in a budget hotel, bought cheap lunches at neighborhood bakeries, and explored the city on foot. Even then, Paris captured my heart. I returned multiple times in the 2000s with my family for business conferences. The memories of my children eating crepes and pain au chocolat still make me smile. Now, as a retiree, I want to visit Paris regularly. I love…

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Adventure U.S.

12 Best Things to Do in Historic Corolla Village, NC

Looking for the best things to do in Historic Corolla Village? Tucked between the Atlantic Ocean and Currituck Sound, this charming Outer Banks community preserves a quieter side of Corolla through its lighthouse, restored homes, museums, chapel, schoolhouse, and tree-lined lanes. One of the best ways to experience Historic Corolla Village is simply to explore it on foot. Climb a 19th-century lighthouse and tour an impressive Art Nouveau mansion. Discover Corolla’s maritime history and browse shops tucked inside historic buildings. Allow…

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Adventure International

What Is It Like to Explore the Walled City of Lucca, Italy?

Walking through the walled city of Lucca feels like stepping inside another century. Massive Renaissance walls surround a maze of cobblestone streets. Stroll slowly to see medieval houses, elegant churches, and quiet piazzas. Admire monuments to the people who shaped this Tuscan city.  I loved simply wandering through Lucca, looking up at its historic buildings and discovering something unexpected around nearly every corner. Unlike many Italian cities where I arrived with a long list of famous sights to see, Lucca was more…

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Adventure International

11 Best Places to Visit in Ljubljana, Slovenia

Ljubljana surprised me. Slovenia’s capital is small enough to explore on foot. Yet its streets reveal castles, dragons, Art Nouveau buildings, bridges, markets, and public art. These are my 11 best places to visit in Ljubljana—and many are just a short walk from each other. I arrived in Ljubljana during my solo train trip through the heart of Europe⁠. My journey took me through Italy and Slovenia before continuing to Budapest. Before Ljubljana, I spent a magical day at Lake Bled⁠. The two…

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Adventure U.S.

13 Best Things to Do in Chicago for First-Time Visitors

Chicago offers world-class architecture, major museums, historic hotels, and distinctive neighborhoods. It is also an excellent city to explore on foot. I especially loved experiencing the city through its architecture. The city feels like an outdoor museum of American design. I traveled to Chicago multiple times on business over the years. But those trips never gave me much time to explore. On this visit, everything changed when I slowed down and discovered the city’s iconic architecture. I spent my days…

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