Walkway along the River Aare offers views of the Old City and the church.

Adventures

Thun, Switzerland: Where to Slow Down in Shadow of the Bernese Alps

January 13, 2026

Justice and Comedy: A Surprising Dual Legacy in Jamestown, New York

Entertainment, History, Travel

A Havila Voyages cruise ship sailing in Trolljorden along the Norwegian Coast.

Going deep on a Norway fjord cruise with Havila Voyages

Adventures, Cruise, Nature, Stories

Karen Blixen wrote stories in this room at Rungstedlund, the author's estate.

Literary Travels in Denmark feature Karen Blixen Museum and Hamlet’s Castle

Adventures, History, Literary travel, Stories

Thun, Switzerland: Where to Slow Down in Shadow of the Bernese Alps

Adventures, History, Nature
by Barbara Redding
Walkway along the River Aare offers views of the Old City and the church.

A clear blue lake, a towering medieval castle, and creaking covered bridges—set against a ring of snowcapped Alps. That’s Thun, a small Swiss city between Bern and Interlaken, where you can savor slow travel yet remain close to the alpine attractions that draw millions to central Switzerland.   Like many travelers, I assumed touristy Interlaken was the obvious base for exploring the Bernese Alps last spring.   After a closer look at the map, I noticed Thun (pronounced toon), folded into a corner of crescent-shaped...

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Justice and Comedy: A Surprising Dual Legacy in Jamestown, New York

Entertainment, History, Travel
by Barbara Redding

Comedy takes center stage in Jamestown, the small western New York city best known as Lucille Ball’s hometown. Visitors celebrate the legacy of laughter and entertainment at the Lucille Ball–Desi Arnaz Museum and the National Comedy Center.   This city of 28,000 residents in pastoral Chautauqua County also has a serious side that often goes unnoticed.   A new film, Nuremberg, is shining a spotlight on Jamestown and the Robert H. Jackson Center. The center commemorates the respected jurist who served as the chief U.S....

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Going deep on a Norway fjord cruise with Havila Voyages

Adventures, Cruise, Nature, Stories
by Barbara Redding
A Havila Voyages cruise ship sailing in Trolljorden along the Norwegian Coast.

A splash of Arctic ice down my back and a hug from a hairy Norse sea god confirmed my initiation into the Arctic Explorer’s Club after my Havila Voyages cruise ship crossed the Arctic Circle.   For seasoned sailors, the crossing is a milestone. For my fellow passengers aboard the Havila Pollux off Norway’s northern coast, it was a lively deck party. We celebrated our crossing with a sailor’s rum drink known as black magic, a concoction that warms the soul and energizes the spirit....

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Literary Travels in Denmark feature Karen Blixen Museum and Hamlet’s Castle

Adventures, History, Literary travel, Stories
by Barbara Redding
Karen Blixen wrote stories in this room at Rungstedlund, the author's estate.

Big Blend Radio featured my literary travels in Denmark as part of its celebration of National Book Month and National Arts & Humanities Month in October.   During my travels in Denmark, I toured several of the Scandinavian country’s historic and literary landmarks, including the Karen Blixen Museum, home of the famed author of “Out of Africa,” and Kronborg Castle, the real-life setting that inspired Elsinore in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet, Prince of Denmark.”   I especially enjoyed learning about Blixen’s fascinating life and legacy, and how...

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Paging through literary sites in and around Copenhagen

History, Literary travel, Stories, train travel
by Barbara Redding
Kronborg Castle is the gateway to the Baltic Sea.

Copenhagen’s sleek Nordic architecture, sweeping seascapes and royal palaces initially topped my list of sights in Denmark’s capital. But after learning about Copenhagen’s literary tradition, my focus shifted to places connected to fairy tales, women writers and Shakespeare.   As an avid reader and book club member, I love destinations tied to authors I admire. I was pleasantly surprised to discover several distinguished literary attractions in Copenhagen and its nearby towns. Copenhagen also brims with bookstores and libraries.   The city’s most iconic literary landmark...

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Two Sisters Go Cruising around Norway

Adventures, Cruise, Family, History
by Barbara Redding

Our Norwegian great-grandmother inspired my sister and me to take a “Sisters Cruise” along the fjord-punctuated coast of Norway.   Learning more about Sina Nielsen’s journey to the U.S. more than 175 years ago sparked our desire to explore Norway’s stunning scenery, get to know its resilient people and celebrate our heritage.   Our seven-day cruise with Havila Voyages took us from Bergen in the south to Kirkenes, near the Russian border. Along the way, we wove through deep fjords, crossed the Arctic Circle and...

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How to Find ‘Travel Dupes’ for Switzerland’s Popular Panoramic Trains

Adventures, train travel, Travel
by Barbara Redding
A Golden Pass Express train heads to Montreux.

When I discovered that seats on Switzerland’s panoramic Bernina Express trains were sold out for my May travel dates, I panicked.   Then I began researching other luxury trains like the GoldenPass Express, which travels between the snow-glazed peaks of Interlaken and the lakeside beaches of Montreux.   I also studied the schedules of regional and intercity trains that crisscross the country, connecting cosmopolitan cities with mountain villages.   You’ve probably heard about “travel dupes,” or less crowded alternatives to European cities like Barcelona and...

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Capital Swiss views at Hotel Bellevue Palace Bern

Food & Drink, History, Hotels, Luxury, Travel
by Barbara Redding
View of the River Aare from the Bellevue Palace Hoel in Bern Switzerland

The binoculars caught my attention as soon as I entered my suite at the Hotel Bellevue Palace Bern in the capital of Switzerland.   From my window, I could see the River Aare. Through the binoculars, I could gaze at the distant peaks of the Bernese Alps emerging through the mist.   Impressive views and thoughtful amenities, such as high-powered field glasses, are just a few of the reasons the five-star Bellevue Palace Hotel Bern is a top choice when visiting the Swiss capital.  ...

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Intense History of Berlin Captivates Visitors to the German Capital

History, Stories, Travel
by Barbara Redding
The Reichstag Building with White Cross Memorial in front.

Berlin’s intense history challenges visitors to explore the complex mix of sites and memorials in the sprawling capital of Germany.   My recent visit was haunting and invigorating. Modern Berlin is an intoxicating mix of graffiti-adorned alleys, glitzy restored palaces, and solemn symbols of its turbulent past. I was awed by the majesty of the Brandenburg Gate and moved to tears at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe.   As I explored this fascinating city, I admired Berlin’s ongoing efforts to refurbish and...

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Art-forward Hotel Adriatic sets the tone in Rovinj, Croatia

Food & Drink, Hotels, Lifestyle, Luxury
by Barbara Redding
St-Euphemia-tower-looms-over-hotel-on-Rovinj-harbor.

Step inside the Hotel Adriatic and you might think you’ve wandered into a contemporary art museum rather than a boutique hotel in Rovinj, Croatia. More than 100 pieces of museum-quality art adorn the public areas and guestrooms of this historical hotel situated on the city’s bustling harbor on the Adriatic Sea.   Created specifically for the hotel, the striking collection contributes to the Adriatic’s reputation for luxury. The paintings, sculptures and photographs by Croatian and other European artists also reflect the diverse heritage of this...

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