When I was 18, I wrote a postcard to my grandmother from Austria,
describing how I slept for free on the porch of a hostel in Innsbruck.
One of the most amazing changes over the past decade is the speed and
ease with which you can get around.
I head to Europe every spring, ready to start afresh on a new season of
travel. I may not have the greenest thumb, but wandering through a
European garden is one of the better ways I've found to unwind and enjoy
the world.
Once trapped in communist East Germany, bustling Leipzig is now a city
of business and culture. There are many reasons for visitors to spend
time here, too. But there's another compelling reason to visit.
Belgium falls through the cracks. This city of about 500,000 offers
visitors an eclectic array of sightseeing -- and it's easy to navigate
since most locals speak English. Just arriving can be a thrill.
I was in Guzelyurt, a village in central Turkey, for everybody's
favorite festival of the year: a circumcision party! Even with paper
money pinned to his uniform and loved ones chanting calming spiritual
music, he must have been frightened.
One of the great joys of European travel is eating. I have only a few
basic rules for eating my way through Europe. Begin by looking for
welcoming spots filled with locals.
