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Shades of Blue: Capturing the Island of Malta in Azure & Indigo
With perpetually-blue skies and a location in the heart of the Mediterranean, Malta naturally seems defined by the color blue. If you’re a fan of blue, as I am (it’s my favorite hue), you’ll be...
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The Windows of Arles, France
Arles, France circa 1888: If you were to peek through the window at 2 Place Lamartine about this time, it’s likely you would’ve seen Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh at work in his studio. Van Gogh...
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Waddling Winemakers on Parade in Stellenbosch, South Africa
In South Africa’s Cape Winelands, winemakers at the Vergenoegd Wine Estate have all their ducks in a row — literally. More than 1,000 Indian runner ducks can be found on the estate. These feathered...
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A Guide to Exploring Oberammergau, Germany
The quaint town of Oberammergau, Germany is best known for three things: a world-famous Passion Play, a centuries-long tradition of woodcarving, and its elaborately painted buildings. Oberammergau is...
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The Windows of Porto, Portugal
The northwestern Portuguese city of Porto is characterized by hilly streets, buildings covered in multicolored azulejos, and a long history of port wine production. Polished townhouses decked out with...
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Brač, Croatia: Hunting for Hercules in a Roman Quarry
For nearly 2,000 years, limestone has been extracted from quarries on the Croatian island of Brač. In the 3rd century, laborers used this dazzling white stone to build the palace of Emperor Diocletian...
View ArticlePhoto du Jour: A “Stunt Squirrel” Takes on a Croatian Forest
A red squirrel pauses after doing some death-defying moves in the evergreen treetops of Makarska, Croatia. This “stunt squirrel” — with impressive nails and fabulously furry ears, I might add — lives...
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Armenia, a Land of Lavash
We took the night train from Tbilisi to Yerevan. Arriving in Armenia 11 hours later, we were feeling disoriented, groggy, and ravenous.When Shawn and I chanced upon some ladies baking lavash flatbread...
View ArticleAn Apiary on Malta’s Xemxija Heritage Trail
Since ancient times, the island of Malta has been renowned for its splendid honey. There’s even some speculation that the country’s name has its origins in honey. The ancient Greeks referred to Malta...
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Portugal’s Alluring Azulejos
Portugal is a feast for both the stomach and the eyes. It’s a land of irresistible port wine, trayfuls of crispy and creamy pasteis de nata (custard tarts), and buildings adorned with colorful ceramic...
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Hiking to Georgia’s Gergeti Trinity Church
One of the most iconic images from the country of Georgia features the Gergeti Trinity Church dwarfed by immense mountains. This 14th-century church is crowned with cone-shaped towers and is located...
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Watching How to Make Kelaghayi Silk Scarves in Sheki, Azerbaijan
Located among the leafy foothills of the Caucasus Mountains, the Azerbaijani town of Sheki is green, tranquil, and artsy. Low-rise buildings feature eye-catching stone and brickwork. People smile...
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The Windows of Pordenone, Italy
With its pretty palazzi and mountain vistas, the northeastern Italian city of Pordenone offers a superb blend of beautiful architecture and nature. Home to just over 51,000 people, Pordenone is...
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The Art of Florentine Marquetry: Watching Italian Masters “Painting with Stones”
The arts have long flourished in Florence — the so-called “cradle of the Renaissance.” Hundreds of years ago, there were tens of thousands of artisans in the city, each dedicated to everything from...
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Komiža, Vis: Savoring the Off-Season Charms of One of Croatia’s Most Remote...
The enchanting Croatian island of Vis has had many identities over the last few thousand years. For a time, it was an ancient Greek colony known as Issa. Then, from the 1950s until the 1980s, Vis was...
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Creating Handmade Italian Marbled Paper in Florence, Italy
The art of paper marbling is mesmerizing. An artisan applies splotches of paint to a small pool of water. The colors appear to gracefully dance upon the surface of the water, but these individual...
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Autumn in the Ammergau Nature Park, Near Oberammergau, Germany
The autumn leaves near Oberammergau, Germany have reached their peak, so the surrounding hillsides are dressed in shades of copper, saffron, and a bit of green. One of my favorite places to ride my...
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France’s Breathtaking Pont du Gard
The autumn sun illuminated the rocky landscape as two kayakers plied the waters of the Gard River in Southern France. Crimson and yellow trees danced on the gentle breeze, alongside a tree bearing one...
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Castle Strolls & Hot-Air Balloon Flyovers in Saumur, France
Earlier this autumn, a trio of hot-air balloons escorted us home. It was the golden hour, and Shawn and I’d first spotted the balloons drifting over France’s Loire River, near the city of Saumur. A...
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Spring Blooms & Strudel: A Day Trip to Innsbruck, Austria
The mountains were snow-capped, yet flowers were emerging when Shawn and I made an early-spring day trip to Innsbruck, Austria. Shawn and I had been cooped up for much of the winter, so once we got to...
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