Category: Adventures

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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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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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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Rocky Mountaineer Train: Spectacular Scenery Plus Gourmet Cuisine

Adventures, Food & Drink, Nature, train travel
by Barbara Redding
A Rocky Mountaineer train wraps around pristine rivers and lakes in Westrn Canada.e

As the Rocky Mountaineer train from Vancouver slowly gathered speed, I sank into my plush window seat. I couldn’t wait to be surrounded by the pristine rivers, alpine peaks, and native wildlife of Western Canada.   What I didn’t anticipate was the culinary adventure ahead. Within minutes, I was devouring Eggs Benedict with Canadian back bacon. My three-course lunch later that day featured Dungeness crab ravioli and generous pours of Jackson-Triggs wines.   Dining on the Rocky Mountaineer train was nearly as inspiring as the...

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Guide to Poland Seaport Szczecin: An off-beat beauty near Baltic Sea

Adventures, Beach, Family, Food & Drink, History, Travel
by Barbara Redding

A marvelous mashup of historic and modern architectural treasures awaits visitors to Szczecin, a busy Baltic Sea port tucked into the northwest corner of Poland.   The city’s medieval castle reminded me of a wedding cake frosted with cream cheese. Its futuristic concert hall looks like an ice palace with jagged glass panels that light up the sky.   Szczecin (pronounced shteh-cheen) may not be a well-known tourist destination—yet. However, the city of 400,000 impressed me with its eclectic attractions, close proximity to Baltic beaches and innovative take on traditional...

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Seneca Falls: Women’s Rights, Wine, and It’s a Wonderful Life

Adventures, Family, Food & Drink, History, Hotels, Travel
by Barbara Redding
Life-size bronze statues of the “First Wave” of activists stand like sentinels in the foyer of the Visitors Center of the Women's Rights Park.

Kamala Harris was waging a fierce campaign to become the first female president of the United States when I visited Seneca Falls last September. What a powerful moment, I thought, to explore this small town in western New York that’s considered the birthplace of the women’s rights movement.   Voters did not make history in 2024. I don’t have any sure answers as to why. But the struggle for equal rights for women continues to fall short in the U.S. I do know that everyone...

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Historic Heritage Germany Tour: Rich in History, Light on Crowds

Adventures, Food & Drink, History, Hotels, Stories, Travel
by Barbara Redding
Colorful umbrellas flying over Lübeck's old Town Hall. @Barbara Redding

If you’ve already savored the beer, brats, and big cities of Germany, it may be time to escape the crowds and dig deeper by visiting this European country’s smaller heritage cities.   At the invitation of Historic Highlights of Germany, I recently explored four northern German cities that are rich in history. Rostock, Lübeck, Osnabrück, and Münster are part of the Germany’s Historic Highlights program that introduces seasoned travelers to the country’s smaller heritage cities.   These cities also offer more than a trip back...

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Tribal Traditions Meet Luxury Wellness at Palm Springs Spa and Cultural Center

Adventures, Hotels, Lifestyle, Luxury, Travel, Wellness
by Barbara Redding

The Spa at Séc-he is more than another wellness center in Palm Springs, California. The spa is the cultural centerpiece of the strikingly modern Agua Caliente Cultural Plaza.   Located on land owned by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, the six-acre complex includes the five-star spa and the new cultural museum that immerses you in the tribe’s history in this desert oasis. The plaza is one of only a few places in the U.S. where you can soak in a hot mineral water...

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