Spain's Toledo is a living monument
On my last visit to Toledo, it seemed holier than ever: Dark El Greco
clouds threatened overhead, stark against bright, clear horizons.
Budget tips for 20-something travelers (and vagabonds of any age)
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.
Europe in bloom
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.
Leipzig: How one city tore down the Iron Curtain
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.
Antwerp: A plunge into funky, homegrown urbanity
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.
Turkish Village Insights
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.