Exploring Umbria’s picturesque villages
Assisi is one of the best known of the hill towns that dot Umbria, in the countryside of central Italy. St. Francis was born here in 1182. Medieval castles and churches dominate the town’s skyline. UNESCO designated the Franciscan structures of Assisi as a World Heritage Site in 2000.Photo by Henryk SaduraIn 1996, a book titled Under the Tuscan Sun recounted how author Frances Mayes... READ MORE
Getting lost in Venice, for the fun of it
Venice is an old city. The water-logged foundations date back to the 11th century. The newer building facades are as recent as the 15th.So many buildings were stripped of paint and plaster on both sides of a small alleyway that I expected them to crumble before my eyes — until I reminded myself they have looked pretty much the same for over 500 years.This other-worldly city is filled ... READ MORE
A visit to Pittsburgh: food, art and Fences
If you’re planning a trip to Pittsburgh, you’ll need to learn a few things first. Yinz is local for y’all. Carnegie is pronounced Car-NAY-gie (as in Andrew Carnegie, who made a fortune in Pittsburgh’s steel industry, and whose name adorns libraries, museums and more). And you don’t get French fries with your sandwich at Primanti’s. You get fries on your... READ MORE
Inexpensive, rising Rust Belt destinations
Here’s why tourists should take the Rust Belt about as seriously as they take politicians these days: Because the food, art and sightseeing in “flyover country” is well worth your precious vacation days — not to mention cheaper than in trendier destinations.In the last two years, I’ve visited Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and Wisconsin — sampling art museums,... READ MORE
All things French without going to France
The Fontaine (fountain) de Tourny’s 43 water jets are illuminated at night. It stands in front of the Québec City Parliament Building, which was completed in 1877 and stands just outside the walls of Old Town. The fountain was added just 10 years ago.Photo by Songquan DengStarting in the 1600s, and escalating in the 1700s, the British and the French battled back and forth over... READ MORE
A geezer relearns the driving rules in Italy
Italy is one of the world’s top destinations: Great beauty, great history, great people, and great food – what’s not to like? And one of the best ways to enjoy this fabulous country is to rent a car and drive through some of the great places.But if you decide to do this, you have to modify some of your usual driving habits. The last 10 days driving in Southern Italy... READ MORE
St. Augustine, Fla., America’s oldest city
The 90-year-old Bridge of Lions in St. Augustine crosses the intercoastal waterway. It’s far younger than the city itself, which celebrated its 450th anniversary last year. St. Augustine remained under Spanish rule from 1565 to 1821, which accounts for its ornate Mediterranean architecture.Photo by Sean PavoneIn 1607, a small band of settlers founded the first permanent English... READ MORE
How to use credit and debit cards abroad
If you’re heading outside the United States, you will have to cope with foreign exchange. And despite all those stories you see about currency “secrets,” what you need to know is really pretty simple. Overall, your best bet is to use plastic as much as possible: credit cards for big-ticket purchases, debit cards for local cash. When you use a credit card outside the U.S., the... READ MORE
Avoid the crowds: visit Athens in winter
As a seaside metropolis with a lively outdoor vibe and dozens of picturesque islands beckoning nearby, Athens is more often considered a summer tourist destination than a winter escape.But if you’ve got more than beaches on your mind, there’s plenty of upside to a brief cool visit that avoids the crowds and heat of summer.Athens is one of the world’s oldest cities, often ... READ MORE
A bucket list trip to exotic Bora Bora
Somehow, I convinced my husband that the fifth wedding anniversary is the Tahitian anniversary. (The traditional gift, actually, is wood.)For years, I had dreamed of going to Bora Bora in French Polynesia. The lagoon’s glimmering turquoise, jade and cobalt blue waters, the overwater bungalows, the seclusion — for me, it was the ultimate bucket list destination.Some of the... READ MORE
