One of Europe’s quirkier enclaves – as well as its last remaining colony – is a singular bit of business stuck down at the foot of the Spanish region Andalusia. And if you happen to be in the neighborhood – especially the Costa del Sol, many of whose
Most of us understandably think of Dutch cities as steeped in picture-postcard canals, quaint bridges, and low slung, stepped-gable houses, à la Amsterdam and Delft. But the Netherlands‘ second largest city (pop. 625,000) is a horse of a very differe
Throughout the Catholic world, this week is Holy Week (aka Easter Week), and nearly every city and town in Spain marks its Semana Santa with elaborate processions and pageantry dating back centuries. None, however, is older than the celebrations in
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The Acropolis, the Plaka, and the rest of Greece‘s compelling capital are a treasure chest you could rummage through for days if not weeks on end. But just as important to this ancient country and culture are sites out in the hinterland, where the ai
Antwerp Is a Boffo Belgian Bonanza
Yet another European city tracing its roots back to a settlement of the Roman Empire, the Flanders (Dutch Belgium) city of Antwerpen (Anvers in French) started coming into its own in the late 15th century, and by th
The architecture certainly suggests just about any town or village on the Italian Riviera. There are similar colours; bold and brash in some places; a pleasing pastel in others. There’s even an Italian-style bell tower.
But,there’s something other-
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Back in the 1960s and 70s, a famous and persistent Spanish tourism tag line proclaimed: “Spain is different.” And one of the things that does indeed make this country different in a key way from the rest of Europe is the fact that only the Iberia Pen
The half-timbered, flower-festooned houses are like something right out of les Frères Grimm – except for the blue-and-gold European Union flags rippling from the balconies. The EU may be going through its challenges at the moment, but here in Strasb
Many may recognize the name of this Atlantic island of Portugal more as the classic sweet wine it produces than as a destination. But on the other hand, at least a million Brits, Germans, other Europeans, and sundry travelers per year do well appreci
For visitors to England, when it comes to cities London often (and understandably) gets most of the attention. But especially if you're a history buff, one city you should put on your bucket list is York, four hours north. For this Yorkshire urb of 2
If you’ve been taking in any celebrity news of late, you’ve no doubt seen that Hollywood types have been thick on the ground over here this summer – boldface names being being bandied about lately are Justin Bieber, Orlando Bloom, Kim Kardashian, Kan
Bastille Day, July 14, is republicanFrance's foremost secular holiday, and merits a visit to the chunk of real estate where it all began. On the Right Bank of the Seine several blocks away from the Place des Vosges, the Bastille neighborhood has for
One glance up Princess Street is enough to give anyone a boost. Blokes in kilts play the bagpipes alongside businessmen; locals take their dogs out for a stroll; groups of lads hang out downing pints of beer; and thousands of tourists peruse the shop
Prague and the towns and cities of Bohemia tend get most of the attention from travellers and travel writers alike. But in my many visits and time living in the Czech Republic, I found that the historic region in the country’s south – a bit smaller t
Oranges and lemons,
say the bells of St. Clement’s.
You owe me five farthings,
Say the bells of St. Martin’s.
When will you pay me?
Say the bells of Old Bailey.
When I grow rich,
Say the bells of Shoreditch.
Oktoberfest Kommt Again - Prost!
Ja, it’s that time of year again: the 183rd edition of one of the world’s most famous parties,Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany, got underway yesterday and comes to a soggy, beery finale on Monday, October 3 (the 2017 da
It's true that Prague, with its enchanting Old Town, exciting nightlife, and other allures, is enough to hold any visitor spellbound for an entire holiday. But much of the essence of the Czech Republicflows from the cities, towns, and countryside out
Astride the River Clyde in the western Lowlands, Scotland’s largest city (pop. 1.75 million/metro 2.2 million) is also, in the estimation of many, its most exciting, the grand neoclassical architecture of the past is joined by 21st-century starchite
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What comes to mind when you think Düsseldorf? Commerce, industry, and trade fairs, most likely. Hardly a place you’d think of as a holiday hot spot. But as with most other large European cities, there’s another side that not only makes this powerhou
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These days over the skies of Frankfurt, it seems there are more planes than birds. Not surprising, given that its airport is a international hub that’s a hive of activity at all hours. Its skyline, too, speaks of thrusting commercial energy, opportu
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