Category: Europe

Murder, sex, wealth, and tragedy— the ancient Italian city of Pompeii had it all. When Mount Vesuvius buried the thriving metropolis in volcanic debris in 79 AD, it created a time capsule of unparalleled intrigue. Ongoing archeological work continues to expose some of the city’s best secrets…

May is the perfect month to visit Córdoba in Spain. That’s when the city’s ancient architecture is enhanced by perfect weather, the smell of orange blossoms, and three traditional fiestas— including the unique and colorful Festival of the Patios.

Go beyond the Giant’s Causeway, Titanic Museum, Carrick-a-rede rope bridge, and Game of Thrones film locations. Discover the single most important thing to do in Northern Ireland.

After you finish with the typical tourist sites in Budapest, venture off the beaten path with a visit to Memento Park. There you’ll find a quirky collection of huge, Soviet-era statues toppled after the fall of Communism and a very unusual gift shop.

Iceland’s latest volcanic rumblings have lava chasers on the edge of their seats. Whether you’re keen to see the next eruption, the Northern Lights, or Reykjavik’s spectacular New Year’s Eve celebration, here are some tips and a packing list for your winter visit to Iceland.

Ready to venture beyond the typical tourist sites? Check out these unusual things to do in Berlin. After four visits to the city— twice as tour leader— I think these sites deserve top honors on the list of unique things to see.

After nine visits to the Spanish capital, I’ve compiled this curated list of the best things to see and do in Madrid. It’s suitable for solo and group travelers and will appeal to sports fans, foodies, art lovers, adventurers, wanderers, and people watchers!

This blog post explains when and where to see the northern lights and offers tips for photographing them with an DSLR camera or smart phone.

Learn how to see volcanoes and lava flows in Iceland, with tips for safely visiting Reykjanes Peninsula on a guided hike led by a geologist.

The next time you’re in Scandinavia or Europe, watch for stolpersteine. A personal connection to history will be literally at your feet…

Ashford Castle in western Ireland is home to Ireland’s School of Falconry, where visitors can book a private visit and learn to fly a hawk.

It’s hard to imagine a college student could be imprisoned and tortured for distributing aid to relatives in need…