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…
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…
I first visited Scotland’s capital at age 25 during my first trip to Europe. I still remember it. Edinburgh Castle glowed at sunset. I stayed in a historic hotel, tried haggis, walked the Royal Mile, and bought Royal Doulton china. Forty-one…
Mexico City captivated me from the moment I arrived. As one of the world’s largest cities, it blends ancient Aztec history, grand colonial architecture, vibrant neighborhoods, world-class museums, and colorful public art into an unforgettable destination. I spent my…
Northern Italy has no shortage of famous cities. Venice draws crowds for its canals. Florence attracts travelers searching for Renaissance art. Verona offers romance and Roman ruins. Yet Padua surprised me more than I expected. Padua was the first…
I visited St Andrews on a day trip with a Scottish friend during my travels through Scotland last June. I expected a golf town. Instead, I found a coastal university town filled with golf history, medieval ruins, seaside walks,…
Trieste, Italy, is a city you understand on foot. Start at the canal, follow the footsteps of writers, and end at the grand square where the city meets the Adriatic. I visited Trieste last September, when I took a…
Seeing La Casa Azul—the cobalt-blue home in Mexico City where Frida Kahlo lived and painted—had been on my dream list for years. I imagined a quiet pilgrimage to Coyoacán, a moment of stillness inside the walls that held so much…