I have always loved Spain. I first went there during the Franco era in a very beaten-up car that barely made it across the border. It was all beaches and Paella. But my favorite memory is a trip I took to the White villages (Pueblos Blancos) a few years ago. The white villages are a […]
This is a story of swimming pools and Paris. When I first was a Tour Guide I noticed during a sightseeing tour a swimming pool that was incredibly crowded on the banks of the River Seine. It was big and opposite one of the most famous museums in Paris. So, I decided, as I love […]
When I think of London, I think Pubs, the Royal family, and theatre. And I think of rain and summers that fly by without a summer day in sight. But, ironically I think of open-air theatre. London houses two of the most famous open-air theatres in the world. Let’s start with my favorite. The […]
So, the English made it all the way to the final of the Euro championships and then…heartbreak…again. How strange sports combat is. Almost unwatchable at the end. This gladiatorial battle spent over 2 hours of tactical maneuvering with two breaks in between and it came down to 12 yards. The distance between a penalty spot […]
I knew the pandemic was nearly over because my local bakery in Boston, in Seaport called Flour, finally opened its doors fully after a year and several months of operating at 10 per cent. I can recall the early pandemic days when none of us were quite used to the world that was about to […]
I am so honored to have spent my life and my career working with teachers. This week, Teacher Appreciation Week, is probably a good time to take stock of all the incredible accomplishments that teachers make and contribute to our way of life. When I was a kid at school, many years ago, I can […]
So, pandemic month 13 is about to end as we watch the vaccines rapidly roll out in many countries across the world. We are close to 30 percent fully vaccinated. We will be ready to travel soon as we see countries beginning to prepare to open and more or less return to some kind of […]
What’s happening. It has been a year without travel. A year lost in many ways. A year when we have stayed at home, learned new things about ourselves and spent more time with our loved ones. Ironically, we have also spent more time reaching out over Zoom or whichever platform we use to connect frequently […]
The other day I was reminded of what a century can mean. My uncle passed away at the amazing age of 103 last week. I got to interview him about three years ago in his apartment near Regents Park. I was curious about his travels and war time experiences. We chatted about his life in […]
A week of interesting possibilities. Travel is starting to turn its wheels and airlines and tour operators are ramping up for a return of summer business. This past week the UK announced they have coincided with a rapid decline in COVID-19 cases and vaccination rollouts. Come June, the UK is hoping to be at […]
I’ve experienced the beauty and craziness of the Carnival in Venice. A fabulous and amazing costume drama like no other. People travel from afar to parade around the squares, canals and alleyways of this truly unique city. Hotels would be overbooked; the city would even have a limit on the number of tourists allowed. This […]
February’s under way with lots of snow in the northeast and Tom Brady wins his 7th Super Bowl. He used to be our guy. But he left us and opted for warmer weather. So now we’re all Buccaneer fans! Valentine’s day coming up, and the vaccine is slowly and painfully being distributed. Some states moving […]
I have so many memories of night train travel from my early traveling days. The Paris -Venice overnight train. Heading out through dreary suburbs in grey weather as night fell and arriving into Stazione Santa Lucia early morning. I remember because it was my first time in Venice. I think everyone remembers their first time […]
There’s a lot of talk at the moment about overnight trains…. They’re coming back! I remember when they were so fashionable and …. expensive and then one day they disappeared. I also remember the unfashionable but super functional aspect of a night train. Tour companies would use couchettes all the time to travel from Paris […]
And if the world hadn’t changed and turned upside down enough, Tourism must deal with Brexit. Its complicated. Brexit for the Brits brings forth its own problems with tourism. Imagine a British tour guide who would meet you in Italy because he or she happens to speak fluent Italian and is an expert on Italy […]