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

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...

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

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....

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

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...

Paging through literary sites in and around Copenhagen

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...

Two Sisters Go Cruising around Norway

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...

Capital Swiss views at Hotel Bellevue Palace Bern

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.  ...

Intense History of Berlin Captivates Visitors to the German Capital

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...

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

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...

Historical sights, modern marvels on a Warsaw visit

Old Town Square in Warsaw Poland.

Poland’s vibrant capital is showing up on more travel lists in 2025, and not just because Warsaw is one of the most affordable European capitals. As I zipped to the top of Varso Tower in a glass-enclosed elevator, I marveled at the city’s evolving landscape. At 1,020 feet, the neomodern structure is now the tallest building in the EU.   The 53-story skyscraper’s observation deck opens to the public this spring. Finally, visitors can look down on the Palace of Culture and Science, the drab...

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

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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