Azerbaijan is roughly the size of Maine, but its footprint on the global stage—and its history—is massive. Known historically for its “black gold,” this unique…
Venice — The Floating City
The Birth of a Floating City Venice was established in the 5th century by individuals fleeing barbarian invasions and the fall of the Roman Empire.…
South Tyrol – The Dolomites
South Tyrol, officially Trentino Alto-Adige in Italian or Südtirol in German, is an absolutely “must experience” locale. A walk along an alpine mesa is an…
Lombardi Italy
Philippa and I arrived into Malpensa, the Milan Airport, on a Saturday afternoon. Passport control went quickly and within an hour of landing, we were on…
Stockholm
Arriving into Stockholm by ferry is a serene experience. The verdant shoreline gradually becomes more urban. The periodic colorful wooden homes transition to small communities. In…
Sámis and Swedes
Finland’s capital, Helsinki, is a short ferry ride away from Tallinn. The ferry is a giant shopping arcade with several restaurants, a grocery store, bars…
Estonia
There is a beautiful short hike just past the border of Latvia. The bog is protected by raised walkways. It was alive with color and new…
Latvia
The journey into Latvia went through dense forests. Nearly half the country is forested. A popular pastime is foraging for mushrooms and wild berries. After…
The Baltics – Lithuania
Hill of Crosses
Tokyo
The great Kantō plain, the largest swath of flat arable land on the Japanese archipelago, is home to Tokyo. A cacophony of concrete and glass…