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

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...

Croatia’s Impresia Collection: Luxury Hotels in Idyllic Places

Hotel Adriatic is a luxury hotel in Rovinj on the Istria Peninsula of Croatia.

Blazing sunsets, dreamy islands, and Roman ruins lure millions of visitors to Croatia.   Fortunately, this picturesque country lapped by the turquoise Adriatic Sea can still be experienced by luxury travelers with minimal crowds. On a recent trip to Croatia, I discovered the Impresia Collection of Croatia Hotels, a group of luxury hotels scattered across the country that immerse guests in Croatia’s natural wonders, rich culture, and medieval architecture.   Impresia is not a hotel chain. Instead, it’s a prestigious mix of unique accommodations that can...

Dogs Lead the Way on an Exhilarating Truffle Hunt in Croatia

I joined three rambunctious dogs on a truffle hunt in the dense forests of the Istria Peninsula during my recent visit to Croatia. I love the intense, earthy flavor of truffles, a rare type of edible fungi that flourish symbiotically amid the roots of oak and other trees.   But I knew little about truffles and I had never been on a truffle hunt. During my truffle-hunting tour, we discovered several black truffles. I learned about the history of truffles and how to cook with...

In Wroclaw, Dwarves Add Mischief and Meaning to Historic Polish City

More than 1,000 bronze dwarves reside in doorways, atop bridges, and on street corners in Wroclaw, a vibrant city in southwestern Poland. Some made me laugh like the dwarf riding a Vespa. Others encouraged reflection, such as the dwarf with a big heart helping children in neighboring Ukraine. Most, well, just made me smile.   Some destinations capture your imagination with towering skyscrapers, prestigious art museums, or Michelin-starred restaurants. In Wroclaw, what drew my attention were the statuettes shaped like dwarves or krasnale in Polish.  ...

Castles, Cuisine, and Cardiff Set Wales Apart in UK

Wales is part of the United Kingdom and shares the Island of Great Britain with England and Scotland. But this small country has a distinctive personality that sets it apart from its better-know neighbors.   The prevalence of the Welsh language, from road signs to café menus, alongside English, is proof of the country’s enduring heritage. So is the country’s cuisine, which is heavy on seafood, lamb and leek soup.   Wales also has more castles per square mile than any other country in Europe....

Big brands, boutiques spice up the New Orleans hotel scene

Seafood gumbo, crawfish etouffee, and sugar-dusted beignets entice visitors to New Orleans. Along with Mardi Gras and the Jazz and Heritage Festival, of course.   But these days, the city’s hotel scene is also getting some special attention.   Luxury hotel brands Caesars and Fairmont are set to add new properties in the Crescent City. Plus, new boutique hotels are opening, and historic favorites are being renovated.   Plus, most of the new additions include restaurants that are offering the food that’s helped make New...

Exploring the Bayside of the San Francisco Peninsula

Filoli Gardens

As enticing as the cable cars and cioppino of San Francisco can be, California’s Bay Area is stacked with other options for travelers seeking more rural or small-town adventures.   On an excursion south from the city along the bayside of the San Francisco Peninsula, I explored several not-to-be-missed sights. At the serene country estate of Filoli, I enjoyed a wine tasting hosted by the prestigious San Francisco Wine School. Dinner followed in the walkable town of Burlingame at an inventive plant-based restaurant started by a...

The Velvet Rope: A New Palm Springs Hotel Spins Old Hollywood Glamour

Fancy bedroom in the Velvet Rope

The Velvet Rope, a new boutique hotel in Palm Springs, puts a modern twist on Hollywood’s heyday in this California desert town.   Nine deliciously themed suites and a speakeasy-style bar transport guests back in time to experience the mid-20th century glamour that attracted celebrities like Elizabeth Taylor, Elvis Presley, and Hugh Hefner to Palm Springs.   The Velvet Rope opened in December 2023. But before the first official guests arrived, I was among a group of travel writers invited to experience a few days...

Wonders of the Sahara Desert beckon visitors to Morocco

Morocco is known for its stunning diversity. The North African Country boasts windswept deserts and ancient cities, craggy mountains and lonely beaches, medieval medinas and modern mosques.   Since my visit in early 2023, I have written several stories about Morocco’s many treasures. Recently, I had the chance to talk about my trip to Morocco on Big Blend Radio with Lisa Smith.   I am excited to share my YouTube interview below with Lisa! You can also view the podcast on bigblendradio.com.   You can...

Castles, Cardiff and a Coast Path draw visitors to Wales

Wales-Coast-Path-winds-around-Cardiff-Bay

With more than 400 fortresses still standing, Wales has more castles per square mile than any other European country. Wales is the place to explore lofty towers, secret dungeons, and legends of Camelot. If you love castles, as I do, Wales should be at the top of your travel list. But castles are hardly the only reason to travel to Wales, which is part of the U.K. and shares the island of Great Britain with England and Scotland. Wales has its own story to tell...

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