Europe/Scandinavia
DESTINATION: Revisiting the South of France
Exploring the South of France in September offers travelers discounts, unique seasonal delights and a welcome respite from the summer crowds.
Read MoreDriving Around SICILY
The first time I explored Sicily, nearly 60 years ago, I stayed in cheap pensions, walked around the cities and took local buses and slow trains from one place to the next. This past September I returned with a friend and we retraced a similar route with an experienced driver in the comfort of a…
Read MoreArt and Nature in Northern ENGLAND
If you want to enjoy England as it was a century ago, skip the overcrowded, domesticated south-east and head north to Derbyshire and Yorkshire. Those counties cradled the Industrial Revolution, growing prosperous on coal and steel, manufacturing and trade. The mines and mills have shuttered, the great cities are trying to reinvent themselves; in between…
Read MoreOff the Beaten Track in SPAIN
Discover Spain’s northern provinces with Michael Webb. I’ve explored Spain pretty thoroughly over the years, but it never fails to surprise me. The northern provinces, from the Basque Country to Galicia are far less traveled than Barcelona, the Mediterranean coast and Andalusia. Art lovers flock to the Bilbao Guggenheim and pilgrims still trudge the…
Read MoreDeep in the Heart of FRANCE
After over 50 years, Michael Webb revisits southwestern France. I have fond memories of my first trip to the Dordogne, a region of southwestern France that takes its name from one of the three rivers that flow through softly rolling farmland studded with medieval towns and villages. A college friend and I found a congenial…
Read MoreWandering with Wordsworth in England’s Lake District
Kristina Foster explores the Lake District discovering spectacular hiking trails and poetic history. Nestled in the northwest corner of England lies the Lake District, 885 square miles boasting the longest bodies of water and the tallest mountains in the country. As the first ray of summer sunshine emerges from the clouds, locals escape to…
Read MoreITALIAN Wine by Design
Jane Adams explores the modern architecture of Italy’s top wineries. Italian design is legendary – in fashion, cars, bikes, furniture and household goods. Just think Armani, Fendi, Ferragamo; Ferrari, Maserati, Pinarello, Alessi, Ilve and Bormioli. These brands spring easily to mind, as do food and drink market leaders like Aperol, Barilla and Lavazza. Italians…
Read MoreExploring the BALTIC STATES
Michael Webb takes a 12 day tour of the Baltic States. Having explored most of Europe, I left the three Baltic States–Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania–till last, hoping they would offer as authentic a taste of the pre-war era as Romania. I arrived too late–the three glorious capitals have been swamped by mass tourism and…
Read MoreDriving around POLAND
Michael Webb embarks on a 10 day road trip around Poland. Resilience is the greatest asset of the Poles, who retained their pride and sense of nationhood during two centuries of foreign occupation. Twenty years of independence between the world wars were succeeded by the brutal onslaught of the Nazis and the Red Army, devastation…
Read MoreA Family Friendly Road Trip through France
Kristina Foster embarks with her family on a voyage through France from the capital to the coastal south. I wasn’t sure what to expect on a fortnight long, winter road trip with the kids. Cooped up childhood memories of backseat battles with stinky brothers, side of the road toilet stops and barf bags came flooding…
Read MorePARIS IN WINTER
Michael Webb explores the City of Lights in winter, finding a new love and appreciation for its abundance of museums. For lovers, Paris is heaven year round; in winter it’s equally compelling for lovers of museums. The chilly gray days make the boulevards and outdoor cafés less enticing, and prompt you to explore treasures you…
Read MoreDutch Treat: Haarlem, Utrecht and the countryside
From Amsterdam to Haarlem, Michael Webb explores the busy city life to the quiet countryside in the Netherlands. Nearly every trip to the Netherlands begins in Amsterdam even though it has become one of the most expensive and touristy cities in Europe. It’s a short train ride from Schiphol, the country’s major airport, but you can…
Read MoreEnjoy the Modern Architecture of MILAN
From apartment buildings to museums, learn why Michael Webb keeps returning to Milan over Italy’s many other cities. Milan is my favorite Italian city (with Turin running a close second) for the way it reveals its treasures slowly. It has a few of the attractions that lure tour groups, including Leonardo’s over-restored Last Supper and a spiky…
Read MoreOld Meets New in HAMBURG
Hamburg never gets old – it is a feast for lovers of vintage and contemporary architecture, music, and everything maritime. This Hanseatic city continues to renew itself with the development of new quarters like HafenCity making it an exciting stop-over on any European tour.
Read MoreINTERVIEW: Hotel Design Guru Alexandra Champalimaud
The award-winning interior designer specializing in hospitality design talks to us about her current projects, what makes a great hotel, and which properties should definitely be on your travel shortlist.
Read MoreFrance with the Family
From castles, chateau stays, and cruises on the Seine to medieval villages, a walled city, and tiki huts on the Riviera, here’s a guide traveling through France with your teens or tots along for the ride. Paris Paris is a child-friendly city that’s walkable with plenty of parks, monuments and museums that can inspire young…
Read MoreCycle Into The Authentic Heart of SPAIN And PORTUGAL
wandermelon partners with Pure Adventures to bring you self-guided tours pairing great cycling with world-class gastronomy and natural wonders
Read MoreA Place for Witchcraft and Espionage in BERLIN's New Museums
Berlin’s unparalleled cultural landscape of more than 180 museums and collections keeps growing, as new special interest museums open and others complete renovations.
Read MoreAMSTERDAM By Design
In Amsterdam, historic and modern buildings coexist in harmony. Daring additions enhance storied landmarks and modern architecture pops up in surprising ways throughout the city.
Read MoreBeds & Books: A Novel Retreat In ICELAND
Perched on the Iceland’s Snaefellsnes peninsula, the tiny village of Budir boasts novel experiences and the exceptional Hotel Budir.
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