Most Recent Articles on European Travel...
09/08/03 -
The Trench of Death - Diksmuide Belgium
Visit this evocative memorial to the horrors and heroism of WWI in Western Belgium.
08/27/03 - Peñafiel
Spain and the Ribera del Duero Wine Region
Penafiel has some of the best wine, food, and the narrowest castle right in the
heart
of Spain.
08/14/03 - Europe's
Romanesque Churches and Sexual Symbols
Ever look closely at those Romanesque Churches the guidebooks send you to? You
might be surprised!
Includes a guide to the fascinating village of Ujue,
Spain.
07/29/03 - Bresse France
and the Search for the World's Best Chicken
What to do and Eat around Bresse, France.
07/21/03 - Eating in
Spain - Spanish Food and Restaurants
Here's what you can expect when eating in Spain. What you can't expect is vegetables,
but we have some work-arounds.
07/14/03 - Eating
Well at a Port Works
Dinner at the Restaurante Barao Fladgate at the Taylor Port works in Porto, Porgugal.
Review.
07/07/03 - Cranes,
Storks and Gaudi, Too.
The secret Department of Tourist Distractions in Barcelona is uncovered in this
special report--ever wanted to know who puts all those cranes in all your summer
tourist pictures?
06/30/03 - Tips
for Driving in France
What you need to know when you get in your car.
06/27/03 - Brugge
and Ghent, Belgium Sketches
Things you can see and do in two fascinating and different cities in Belgium.
06/16/03 - The
Tour de France is 100 this year
Yes, 2003 is the hundredth anniversary of the Tour de France this July. You can
visit the historic race easily; we have details and tips for photographing the
Tour
de
France.
06/11/03 - Pinocchio
Remembered in Collodi and Vernante, Italy
Visit Collodi, the Tuscan Village with the Pinocchio park and the home of the
author's mother, and a bit of undiscovered Italy, Vernante, where two villagers
have taken to reproducing master illustrator Attilio Mussino's Pinocchio illustrations
as murals found on houses all over town. Find an authentic Irish pub here as
well.
06/03/03 -
Travel Photography 101 - Take Better Travel Pictures
Travel photography isn't rocket science. Here are some simple hints to give your
travel photos some zing.
05/28/03 -
The Little Red Train - Switzerland's Scenic Train Lines
Switzerland certainly has its share of scenery, and perhaps the best way to see
it while avoiding carsickness is the Little Red One, a train made for tourists
and locals who want to get out into the Alpine countryside.
05/25/03 - Guido Veloce: Ode
to Peasant Food - Haggis and a Wee Dram
Sure, you can make a meal out of baby vegetables and delicate flavors, but what
really turns Guido on is historically important food that explodes on your palate.
That's peasant food and it's mighty tasty.
05/21/03 - Boring Tuscany
- Beefsteak, Rolling Hills and Clods of Clay
Ok, it's not boring but it's not spectacular. I make a case that the Tuscan
landscape
is "suggestive" and maybe even erotic, then take you on a short tour of some
of Tuscany's highlights and hidden corners: the Chianti hills and the "Michelangelo
of Meat," the clay hills of the Crete Senese, and the coastal Meremma, where
you'll see cowboys in fedoras herding cattle.
05/19/03 - Baden-Baden
Germany Travel Planner
Surely you knew that this town in Germany has been known for its healing waters
since Roman times, but did you know that a spa visit is quite affordable? Besides,
all around you is Black Forest and wine country. Can't beat that!
05/14/03 - Pumukkale
Turkey and Hieropolis Travel Planner
For thousands of years visitors have extolled the healing powers of Pamukkale's
calcium-rich hot springs, which created a unique, snow-white landscape of terraced
pools and petrified waterfalls as the spring water cascaded down a hillside.
This western Turkey attraction, along with a visit to the Roman version of the
town,
Heiropolis, makes a fine trip.
05/7/03 - The Grand
Tour of Europe Revisited
The Grand Tour used to take years. In today's faster world it has to be shorter.
I'll tell you how you can get a good travel experience out of a European tour
lasting
but
two
or
three
weeks.
04/30/03 - Rome - Travel
in the Wild, Old, Eternal City
I didn't always like Rome. It grew on me. And now it's one of my favorite places
in the world.
04/29/03 - Guido Veloce: The
Worst Train Trip I Ever Took
Guido reminisces. It's not pretty.
04/23/03 -
On the Condom Trail: Condoms, Cathedrals, Castles and Caves
You might think of condoms as a recent invention. Well, think again. We'll take
you to historic places you can visit: the haunted castle where the world's oldest
condoms
were
excavated,
a paleolithic cave featuring drawings of purported condom use, and a town in
Germany which
sells tourists condoms with wrappers featuring a picture of its 700 year old
cathederal.
04/22/03 -
Guido Veloce: Airline Security - How Much Can You Take?
Guido takes on the current state of airline security in light of the results
of the Stupid Security Competition.
04/16/03 -
Extraordinary Ordinary Europeans
When you travel around a lot, you meet some pretty special people. Here are pictures
and stories of my favorite European characters.
04/08/03 -
Ferrara Italy - A Renaissance Gem
It's close enough to some pretty fine cities like Venice, Bologna, and Revenna
to consider it a day trip, but it's got some pretty good attractions that ought
to make it worthwhile.
04/01/03 - Guido Veloce: Shopping
in Europe - Open Air Markets
You can get a bargain if you shop for your lunch at one of Europe's open air
markets. Guido will tell you how, and give you some words to use when you order.
03/27/03 - Travel Safety Update for Western
Europe
Afraid of going to Europe this year? Readers clue us in on what's going on and
what level of friendliness they've found in Europe so far this year. Plus there
are links to traveler safety information from the U.S. Department of State.
03/25/03 -
Porto, Portugal Travel Planner
One of the most interesting (and inexpensive) towns in Portugal is Porto, and
we clue you in on the best attractions, where to sample some Port wine, and
give you accommodation recommendations.
03/25/03 - Guido Veloce: Shopping
in Europe - Buying Cheap Wine
Did you know that you could just drive up and pump your own wine in Europe? Guido
tells you what to look for.
03/15/03 - Verona Italy Travel Guide
Besides Juliet's famous balcony, Verona Italy has a lot going for it. We list
many of the top attractions have a virtual tour of the city through photographs.
03/14/03 - European
War Memorials, Holocaust sites, and Battlefields you can Visit
Here are some easily visited sites in Western Europe that remind us of the horrors
of
war
and the origins of dictatorial powers.
03/12/03 - European Travel Safety - Tips
for a Safe Trip to Europe
Is Europe safe? Well, it's likely to be as safe as you're prepared to make it--and
we have tips to minimize the hazards and scams that tourists might run into as
they travel in Europe.
03/12/03 - Safety and Debate
in Times of War
Guido takes
on the issue of whether or not Europe is safe for tourism as America Girds
for war in the Middle East. Europe is not Texas, Guido argues, and Europeans
are likely to think differently than Americans when it comes to such things
as war. Talk to them--they'll probably want to talk to you.
03/02/03 - Volunteering in Europe Guide
Want to do more on your European vacation than stare at objects in a museum case?
Why not dig up ancient artifacts, rebuild damaged marine habitat, or teach
English? After you look over the list of projects, read this guide to make
sure you get a match between you temperament and the volunteer project you
choose.
03/05/03 - Guido Veloce - European
Place Names
Is Wales England? Guido digs into the meanings behind European place names after
a reader asks him to educate travelers on the differences between the United
Kingdom and England. Not content just to admonish his readers, Guido goes on
to explain the problems with having the word "United" in your nationality.
02/26/03 - Paris Interactive
Map and Travel Guide
Confused about the layout of Paris? Here's a map showing the "arrondissements" that
spiral around the Seine with tourism notes on each. And if you're thinking of
going there--we have all you need to know about travel to the City of Light.
02/25/03 - Guido Veloce - Charming
and Cheap European Hotels
Guido talks about the difference in hotels and hotel services between the US
and Europe. If you're looking out for funky charm, here's what you might find--from
floor numbering to bathroom oddities, from gigantic keys to different ways
to write common numbers.
02/18/03 - Guido Veloce - Pork
Butts and Clams
Guido talks about odd food combinations, sticking his literary fork in a variety
of things, including Francis Ford Copola's pasta bowl, then veers off on a discourse
over the Italian sport of butt-pinching.
02/17/03 -
Venice - The Historic Naval Museum
A cheap day out in Venice, where you'll see the very foundation of Venetian
power as well as the transportation systems that have evolved to make travel
around Venice easier.
02/17/03 - Hotel
Reina Victoria - Madrid Hotel Review
A guest review of this interesting hotel in the heart of Madrid with pictures
of Madrid and flamenco dancers.
02/17/03 - Hostellerie
de Crillon le Brave
- Provence France Hotel Review
Luxury digs in the heart of Provence.
02/12/03 - Belgium - Europe's
Best Kept Travel Secret?
Here's a place that's compact enough that travel between interesting
cities is kept short and sweet. And there's the world's best beer and chocolate.
What could be more romantic?
02/05/03 - Guido Veloce Explains Europe to You
This week Guido takes on
salad dressings, why you won't get meat on your peperoni pizza, and why you
might not get coffee in your morning "latte."
02/04/03 - Tarascon, the French
Pyrenees, and the paths to Prehistory.
Looking for an off-the-beaten-path destination in France? Head off to the pyrenees
and see a spectacular prehistoric painted cave, a prehistoric park and museum,
watch the tour de France (or bike parts of the route yourself) or kayak down
the Ariege river. We'll tell you about the fabulous cuisine and why it's good
for you, and give you a couple inexpensive places to stay as well.
01/28/03 - Hiking
Trails in Europe
From the
Epath network of long-distance trails that criss-cross Europe to pilgrimages
and urban walks, here is a survey of what's available on the web for European
hikers, trekkers, ramblers and walkers.
01/21/03 - The
Abruzzo - Beauty and Nature in Italy's Backcountry
Tired of big crowds consisting of mostly American tourists? Just head east out
of Rome to come to Italy's rustic heart, and in just a few hours you'll be in
one of Italy's best kept secrets - The Abruzzo. Featured: The Roman settlement
of Albo Fucens, scenic drives, the parks, and
the rustic cuisine of the Abruzzo.
01/14/03 - Romantic
Europe - Solitude and Luxury in Sexy Places
Sexy hideaways, romantic restaurants, solitude without loneliness--travel Europe
with an eye toward the good life. Rent a houseboat named for the godess of love,
eat at a restaurant that only serves two.
01/07/03 - Exploring
the Wine Regions of France
Here's what you need to know about touring France's wine regions, including a
map of the regions, tips on wine tasting and tours, and a more detailed lood
at one of France's premier wine producing areas: Burgundy.
Wait! There's Even More!
Archive of Travel Articles written in 2002, still kept as current as reasonably possible.