Category: Travel

Amerikalinjen Hotel in Oslo: A Bridge Between Continents

Family, Hotels, Travel
by Barbara Redding
Pedestrian walking the roof of Oslo's National Opera house.

Oslo’s revitalized waterfront shines with modern architectural drama. The National Opera house beckons visitors to stroll across its sloping marble roof. Brooding masterpieces evoke contemplation inside the angular Munch Museum. Electric tour boats glide across the azure water of the Oslofjord.   Yet just steps from the harbor stands a quieter landmark, a century-old building with a tile roof that links Norway and North America.   Thousands of emigrants once began their transatlantic journeys here, departing from the headquarters of the Norwegian America Line. Clutching...

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Monarch Butterflies & Meaningful Travel in Central Mexico

Adventures, Nature, Travel
by Barbara Redding
El Rosario is one of several sanctuaries operated by local people within the Monarch Butterfly Reserve.

Traveling to Morelia to see monarch butterflies overwintering in Mexico’s volcanic mountains was a bucket-list experience. My small-group tour with Troy and Rene of Camiba Cultural Tours introduced me to the work local people are doing to preserve and protect the habitat of these important pollinators.   To learn more about my monarch butterfly experience, please watch my Earth Day podcast on YouTube. I joined Rene and Troy to talk with Big Blend Radio’s Lisa Smith about the importance of meaningful travel that protects nature...

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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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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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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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Historical sights, modern marvels on a Warsaw visit

History, Lifestyle, Stories, Travel
by Barbara Redding
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...

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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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