Travel Archives - Barbara Redding - Freelance Travel Writer

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

December 29, 2025 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....

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

Adventures, train travel, Travel

September 1, 2025 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...

Capital Swiss views at Hotel Bellevue Palace Bern

Food & Drink, History, Hotels, Luxury, Travel

August 26, 2025 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. ...

Intense History of Berlin Captivates Visitors to the German Capital

History, Stories, Travel

May 2, 2025 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...

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

Adventures, Beach, Family, Food & Drink, History, Travel

March 12, 2025 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...

Historical sights, modern marvels on a Warsaw visit

History, Lifestyle, Stories, Travel

March 5, 2025 by Barbara Redding

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

Adventures, Family, Food & Drink, History, Hotels, Travel

February 10, 2025 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...

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

Adventures, Food & Drink, History, Hotels, Stories, Travel

December 11, 2024 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...

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

Adventures, Hotels, Lifestyle, Luxury, Travel, Wellness

November 14, 2024 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...

Croatia’s Impresia Collection: Luxury Hotels in Idyllic Places

Adventures, Food & Drink, History, Hotels, Luxury, Travel

November 4, 2024 by Barbara Redding

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...

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