Istria lies on the Adriatic Sea in Croatia. This region has actually belonged to a handful of other countries, including Italy and Yugoslavia, and has withstood the perils of war. The one thing that has never changed is the breathtaking views from Istria’s seaside cities. Those towns have now been…

Just for a moment, stare at the picture of the Earth on this page.  You and I are neighbors.  I can see your house from here. We think of the earth as incredibly large and very small, as the most solid entity we can imagine and the most fragile. To…

Porto is located in northern Portugal on the banks of the Douro River. Its charming historic center, rich history, and the iconic Port wine are all unique selling points for the city. Visitors love its picturesque scenery, including the Ribeira district along the Douro River and azulejo tile work. The…

At Spain’s green northwest edge, the Miño River draws a natural line between Galicia and Portugal. Along this border, five small towns—Tui, A Guarda, O Rosal, Tomiño, and Oia—offer a compact route through medieval stone, Atlantic air, vineyard valleys, and Camino waymarks. Tui sits high above the river with the…

For decades, Europe has been the heartland of river cruising, with storied waterways like the Danube, Rhine, and Seine drawing travelers to explore medieval villages, grand capitals, and scenic vineyards. But as demand grows and seasoned travelers (us included) seek more diverse cultural experiences, river cruising is pushing far beyond…

My trip to Kenya to attend the Magical Kenya Tourism Expo could have made a perfect commercial for Kenya Airways, though I’m sure they prefer to keep their marketing in a positive vein. The first fights I was presented with were out of JFK flying Kenya Airways. From Hoboken, New…

I’ve been waiting for this one. For years, I’ve wondered when American Cruise Lines would bring its easy, small-ship style to the Great Lakes. And now it’s happening. Starting May 2026, American will debut three brand-new Great Lakes cruises aboard its newest ship, American Patriot.

On my third day of a total immersion language holiday, I suddenly feel a slight rebelliousness. I’ve paid good money to spend a week in Colombia improving my Spanish, yet I’m craving to hear some English before my head explodes. But no, it’s 100% Spanish from the time I eat…

I’d heard about Savannah’s charm for years, but nothing quite prepared me for the reality of stepping into what felt like a picture-perfect movie set. From the moment I arrived, I was struck by something unexpected: the cleanliness. The streets were immaculate, the squares meticulously maintained, and everywhere I looked,…

In a landmark environmental agreement, Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize have joined forces to establish one of the largest protected areas in the Western Hemisphere. The creation of the Great Maya Forest Biocultural Corridor represents not just a victory for environmental protection but also a rare example of successful international cooperation…

The Tren Maya represents what may well be one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects in modern Mexican history. This railway system is transforming how travelers can travel through and experience southeastern Mexico, connecting ancient Maya ruins with Caribbean beaches through a network that spans nearly a thousand miles.

Some of my best memories of traveling by barge in France come from the simple act of stepping ashore. Alongside many of the French canals run towpaths, once used by horses—and sometimes people—who pulled cargo barges in the days before engines. Today, those same paths invite us to stretch our…