"On the battlefield of Verdun I stand. Half a million, young as I, are buried here. Where are they now?" - excerpt from Verdun and You, a poem by German battle survivor William Hermanns Marshal Ferdinand Foch, France's Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in WW1, is said to have once remarked that the training of a Major General requires about 15,000 dead soldiers. In 1916, at the infamous battle of Verdun, more than 20 times that number … [Read more...]
Oh, the Eating in Lyon is To-Die-For
Lyon is considered France’s capital of gastronomy. And with good reason. With the highest concentration of restaurants per capita in the country, Lyon lies in an enviable position. Literally. It’s surrounded by the best sources of raw ingredients and fresh produce. And this allows the city and its people the ability to create some of the best dishes in the world. Bresse chicken and Charolais beef from the north (with Bresse chicken dubbed as … [Read more...]
Varadero, Cuba’s Pampered Tourist Siren
It’s a beautiful resort but it’s not Cuba. More tourists are found here than Cubans. It's only a showplace for tourists", the young Cuban lady guide explained, as she began to give us an overview of Varadero. Her words, more than volumes of reporters' stories, sum up what the local Cubans think of Varadero - the country's top tourist attraction. Everything in this resort of some 20,000 inhabitants is geared toward foreign visitors who are … [Read more...]
Trier – Rome of the North
“Ante Romam Treveris stetit annis mille trecentis” (Trier stood 1300 years before Rome) – legend of Trier’s founding. Trier is the UNESCO World Heritage city you’ve never heard of. While you were busy swooning over Berlin’s modern architecture or Munich’s copious beer gardens, you’ve missed Germany’s most remarkable city, quietly minding its own business along the banks of the Mosel river, the way it always has for two and a half … [Read more...]
Vaping Whilst Travelling – What You Need To Know
Many people may be thinking about booking their summer holiday at this time of year – as it gives us something to aim towards while we’re trying to traverse through the chilly winter months. We all have a different idea of the perfect holiday – some of us may want to go skiing whilst others may prefer an adventure holiday. But, no matter where you’d like to go, it is important to get lots of information about the destination beforehand. For … [Read more...]
MGM National Harbor—Local Flavors, International Appeal
It may sound like a crock of balderdash to start out a review of a luxury resort with a statement about how happy the employees seem. Or that the property has transformed an area by emphasizing local hiring and local artists. But cross my heart, the service people weren’t smiling at Maryland’s MGM National Harbor resort because they were Westworld robots. And the place has such regional roots that the very clay from the property … [Read more...]
Saarland, Germany’s best kept secret
My fondest memories as a kid growing up in Germany typically involved hiking in green forests, visiting medieval cities, exploring roman ruins, cycling along river banks, driving through vineyards dotting the many low rolling hills, or taking daytrips to the French side of the border to gawk at life on the other side. This is Saarland, Germany’s hidden gem. If you’ve followed any of my other articles, you’ll know by now that what I enjoy most is … [Read more...]
Christmas in Cap Haitien, Haiti
I’ve been in Port au Prince for five days now, it’s time for a change of pace. I climb into the rinky-dink turboprop to Cap Haitien, a mid-size town on the northern coast of Haiti. It’s a bumpy 30-minute flight but it sure beats the 7-hour bus drive over rough terrain and potholed roads. Usually, I always opt for ground transport because it allows me to see the country up close. Circumstances force me to choose the plane this time - to good … [Read more...]
Five days in Port au Prince, Haiti
“Excuse me, you’re going where??!” she gasps while simultaneously taking an irritated stride back, crossing her arms and dishing out that look that husbands the world over dread. “Um. Haiti,” I whimper back. And how can I blame her surprise? Just think of the things that come to mind when you hear the name Haiti: crime, armed violence, political instability, UN soldiers, endemic corruption, hurricanes, earthquakes, Zika virus, poverty, famine, … [Read more...]
Small-town Travels in France’s Alsace Region
France’s oft-neglected eastern border is notable for a few things: lush countryside, Germanic architecture, and storybook charm. There’s nowhere in the world that sings to the heart like Alsace; somehow, its cobbled streets create the desire to get lost in back alleys with a pastry or two. Alsace is a fairly small section of France, with just under two million people calling it home. Strasbourg, seat of the European Parliament and capital of … [Read more...]
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