My first trip to Ireland was somewhat of a blur. I stayed in Dublin recalling that most of my time was spent hanging out in pubs and drinking - because that is what one does when visiting this city! However, my most recent trip to Ireland was a bit was not about 'drinking' tourism, rather more about heritage and exploration away from the bigger cities. My travel buddy and I landed in Cork (the southern part of Ireland); we were immediately … [Read more...]
A Visit to the World’s Greatest Barbershop
About 60 mostly bearded fellows were lined up already - a count by our own estimate. And according to front man, chair number one and owner Alex Torreto, a slow day by his account. They often start lining up two hours before the shop even opens he said. I must digress. Central Frankfurt has a real lack of barbers, simply put - places where one can walk in the door and just get a damn haircut. Prior to my visit to Torreto, I stopped by 7 other … [Read more...]
The End of the Road: “I’ve finally made it around the world.”
I’m tired this morning. It feels like the end of a very long journey. I sleep in, listening to the sounds of Parisian life outside my hotel. While it will be the end of this journey around the world with the last leg from Paris back to Frankfurt tomorrow, perhaps it’s the start of something else. I want to believe that my days of living and working with people who do not share my values are over (or at least I will be conscious of the … [Read more...]
Exploring Russia on a Viking River Cruise
This was my first river cruise with Viking Cruises, a trip I'd dreamt about for weeks! Russia, the world's largest country, takes up an eighth of the world's surface, borders 14 different countries, 12 oceans and seas and spans 11 time zones. Getting Ready to Cruise Through Russia Including start and end points St. Petersburg and Moscow, our cruise includes seven stops with optional offshore excursions, some included in the fare, others … [Read more...]
A Journey on the Trail of Martin Luther
In the footsteps of 500 Years of Reformation October 31st, 2017 will mark the 500th Anniversary of the world changing event when religious reformer Martin Luther nailed his arguments against the practices of the Catholic Church, his “95 Theses” to a church door in Wittenberg, Germany beginning the Protestant Reformation. I recently took a trip to follow in the footsteps of the monk turned protestant icon, and wondered how to frame it. It’s a … [Read more...]
Italy Is Always A Good Idea
I know this title normally refers to Paris, but for me, Italy has been on my mind and in my dreams since I first saw the movie "Only You" with Robert Downey Jr. & Marisa Tomei. The music, the cobblestone streets, the pasta, the lilt that accompanies each Italian word, and the romance. Bellisima! (Try to picture my thumb and fingers together waving in the air while I say this). There is so much to say about our trip to Italy, so you can expect … [Read more...]
Best Summer Festivals in Europe, and Where to Stay
PRAGUE United Islands Music Festival, June 22-25 This celebration of world music – now in its 11th year – features fresh names from the European and world club scene, and includes rock, pop, indie, electronic, world, folk and jazz, as well as new music trends and experiments. Held outdoors on Kampa, Prague’s biggest island, and on Střelecký and Slovanský islands, admission is free. The festival continues at night in selected clubs. … [Read more...]
Wow Air Announces Chicago as its 10th North American Destination
Iceland’s WOW air to begin service from O’Hare International Airport starting at $99 CHICAGO – WOW air, Iceland’s ultra-affordable transatlantic airline, will begin landing in the Windy City July 2017, with the inaugural flight from O’Hare International Airport (ORD) on July 13, 2016. It’s true; Chicagoans will have access to low-fare travel to Iceland, and WOW air’s other European destinations, as of this summer. Tickets from O’Hare to … [Read more...]
A Mini Guide to Exploring Zürich, Switzerland
While Zurich has a sizable international reputation (often predicated on it's financial and banking industry) the actual city is fairly small (population approximately 400,000 people) and for visitor's is easily approachable. From its favorable geographic position alongside the shores of Lake Zürich it boasts a diversity of activities and experiences for those of all ages. Take the old city with its charming walkways, squares, churches, boutique … [Read more...]
SouthWest Germany Celebrates 500 Years of Beer Purity Laws with Tours, Festivals, an Exhibition and Tastings in 2016
SouthWest Germany, a region known for its variety of beers from cult classics to craft beers, is experiencing a renaissance in beer fashion and production. Beer lovers and travelers will have to put SouthWest Germany at the top of their bucket list in 2016: Exhibitions, festivals, brewery tours and beer hiking paths are only the beginning of this state's celebration of the 500 Years of Beer Purity! The Technoseum in Mannheim will dedicate an … [Read more...]