Yesterday I showed rooflines; today I’m focusing on architectural embellishment. While I didn’t have a preference for the rooflines in San Sebastian or Amsterdam, Amsterdam wins hands down for embellishment. Dutch merchants wanted to show off their wealth. On many of their buildings there are gold adornments, sculptures, elaborate coats-of-arm or fancy trimmings. They liked […]
The first time I visited Athens, in 1996, the Parthenon thrilled me, as did the Plaka, the statuary, and the overall vibe. The next time I visited, my enthusiasm had waned. Athens looked dirty, was hotter than hell on a bad day, the sky had a brownish tinge from pollution, and there were too many […]
Early this afternoon I arrived at the port of Piraeus (Greece) to board the Oceania Vista. The size of the ship surprised me, though it shouldn’t have. My stateroom is on the tenth deck and there are six decks above me. The ship can accommodate 1,200 passengers. The ship is just over one year old […]
Last night I slept better than I have in many nights—the gentle sound of the ship’s engines lulled me deep into dreamland. When I woke, we’d dropped anchor in Santorini, part of the Cycladic group of Greek islands. Santorini is a beautiful island. Well, it used to be a single island, now it is a […]
This morning the ship docked at Antalya, the first port of call in Turkey. I haven’t been in Turkey since 1997, and when I visited, I never made it to Antalya. I’d been hoping to visit some of the historic sites, but the excursion desk staff talked me out of even attempting any of them. […]
I’ve been told that Bodrum is the playground of wealthy Turks, Greeks, and other Europeans. Judging by the yachts in the area, it must be true. However, I never made it into Bodrum, just viewed it from the water. I took a tour on a “gulet,” a traditional two-masted wooden sailing vessel built and used […]
Craving a mouthwatering burger? You’re in luck! We’ve rounded up 16 top-notch burger joints from all over the U.S. that you must check out. Whether you like classic cheeseburgers or something more adventurous, these spots have got you covered. From juicy patties to creative toppings, there’s something for every burger lover here. Get ready to […]
The quest for happiness often leads us to explore new environments, and what better way than to look at the happiest places to live in the United States? From bustling cities to tranquil towns, each place on this list offers its unique recipe for contentment and joy. Let’s embark on a journey through these 11 […]
Nice is a lovely city located in Southern France on the French Riviera right on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. Because of its location, there is no wrong time to visit as it’s warm all year round and even one of the best places to visit in France in the Winter. We recommend staying […]
We think that Helsinki doesn’t get visited or talked about as much as a lot of capital cities, but it’s a city that deserves more love than it gets, and we might even go as far as calling it one of Europe’s best-kept secrets. Like the other Nordic capitals, Helsinki is safe but expensive. However, […]
