With roughly 2.5 million visitors every year, the archeological site Pompeii is easily one of Italy’s top tourist draws. And good news travelers: It’s entirely possible to reach Pompeii on a day-trip from Rome. Be forewarned, though: A quick trip this is not. (Thanks Yoda!) You must be willing to spend about four hours traveling […]
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Amsterdam’s much-heralded VOC Cafe is a bar worth cozying up to, and I do mean cozy. This charmingly Old World Dutch pub occupies a space in the “Schreierstoren,” or Weeping Tower. Once upon a time, the Dutch East India Company scoured the globe for rich trade goods and ripe colonial pickings. Meanwhile, the wives of […]
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One of the most highly trafficked tourist destinations in Rome, attracting more than 20,000 tourists a day in summertime, go ahead and budget for a Vatican splurge. Instead of throwing elbows in the Sistine Chapel, throw some money at the problem with pre-booked Vatican tours. You’ll consider it the best splurge of your trip. That […]
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Feeling drained from the Roman heat? No sweat! Take a trip to northern Rome and explore the “cool” (both literal and figurative) Catacombs of Priscilla. While not as popular as the Catacombs of San Sebastiano or San Callixtus, the Catacombs of Priscilla prove well worth any savvy traveler’s time, an especially satisfying outing for ancient-art […]
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Amsterdam desserts… Can you feel the bad jokes brewing? I refuse to lower myself to such low comedic depths and make such an obvious marijuana-munchies joke. But this is where we discuss one of the finer points of eating out in Amsterdam, and Europe in general: dessert time. So, if you have any jokes you’d […]
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In my humble estimation, there are two types of European travelers: Those who unlock the massive benefits of city sightseeing passes and those who wait in long lines and overpay for attractions. However, buying a sightseeing pass is anything but straightforward. You’ve got to do some math to figure out if the pass will pay […]
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It’s no secret the Ancient Romans loved a good bath. Indeed, we probably wouldn’t have spas today had it not been for those hot-water-worshipping Romans. Sadly, many first-time tourists to Rome miss the ruins of one of the city’s most opulent public baths: the Baths of Caracalla. However, travelers to Rome “in-the-know” consider its relative […]
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Everyone knows Rome is the epicenter of the Catholic faith. But the Italian capital also claims Europe’s oldest Jewish Ghetto, located along the Tiber River. In 1555, Pope Paul IV forced Jews to live in this walled-in quarter because the area reeked of fish, frequently flooded and was prone to diseases. Nice guy, huh? It […]
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Of all the classic Roman recipes, few command the loyalty of both travelers and locals like cacio e pepe, “cheese and pepper.” Indeed, it reigns supreme as Rome’s undisputed king of comfort food. For thousands of years, Romans have sustained themselves on this very simple, yet oh-so-satisfying, cheesy pasta dish. Most historians believe cacio e […]
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No matter where you go in Rome or the Vatican, you’re not far from a Michelangelo masterpiece. Although the Pietà, Moses and Piazza del Campidoglio are worth your time, Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel frescoes remain his most iconic works. LIKE FREE BOOKS? Get a free Paris ebook when you subscribe to my free, monthly email newsletter, […]
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Are you as hyped as I am for the eighth season of Game of Thrones? Unfortunately, the fantasy epic draws to a much-anticipated, though bittersweet conclusion this year. However, after nine years of gorgeous costumes, compelling dialogue, nail-biting storylines and superb acting, the one aspect that truly makes GoT feel more like a movie than […]
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In Rome, you don’t find the gelato…the gelato finds you! But seriously: No matter where you turn in the Eternal City, you’re bound to run across well-established gelaterie serving up this creamy and (somewhat…) nutritious treat. Of course, every Roman has his/her opinion on which gelateria is the BEST IN ROME. But there’s one walk-up […]
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The fascinating archeological site Ostia Antica is only 15 miles southwest of central Rome. Yet, delightfully, most tourists don’t even know it exists. At Ostia Antica you won’t have to deal with the hordes of tourists found at Pompeii and the Colosseum. Instead, you’ll have space and solitude to appreciate a remarkably intact Roman city. […]
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Though only open since 2010, Distillery ‘t Nieuwe Diep has already established itself as a beloved Amsterdam institution. This craft distillery in Amsterdam’s far-east Flevopark calls a former pumping station home. (Recall that Amsterdam sits precariously on reclaimed and below-sea-level land.) LIKE FREE BOOKS? Get a free Paris ebook when you subscribe to my free, […]
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It’s safe to say Rome’s Pantheon has stood the test of time…literally. Although the site’s use for religious rites dates as far back as 750 BC, we can thank Emperor Hadrian for the Pantheon we see today. Consecrated around 126 AD, Hadrian built the Pantheon in homage to the many Roman gods. Indeed, “pantheon” literally […]
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In recent years, Trastevere has become one of the hottest foodie districts in Rome. If not all of Europe. Indeed, the restaurants in this area are so popular that it’s becoming increasingly difficult to find decent values. Or even a table. There are, however, a few exceptional Trastevere trattorie that have yet to be discovered […]
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Ever felt the urge to shoulder a backpack and hike from village to village in rural France? Eating baguette-picnic lunches and Provencal dinner feasts? Walking among vineyards and stone villages? So have I. And in March 2019, I satisfied that exact urge with a six-day trip hiking France. From Gordes in Provence’s Vaucluse region, I […]
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Stroll through Rome’s Testaccio Market and you’re bound to come across a long line in front of stall #15. Although it has been around for less than a decade, Mordi e Vai has quickly become the go-to joint for people in need of a quick panino fix. In fact, this humble lunch counter has attained […]
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Despite a prime location between the Colosseum and Termini Station in the eastern Monti neighborhood, Trattoria Morgana has yet to catch on with tourist hordes. *breathes sigh of relief* This means you’ll get a fantastic meal in an authentic trattoria for a reasonable price. What’s on the Menu? Whether you’re looking for an old standard […]
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Sometimes it’s difficult to find an authentic meal at a reasonable price in Rome’s touristy areas. However, even in the tourist-restaurant-saturated Campo de’ Fiori area, a good meal can be had. Enter Osteria da Fortunata. This family-run restaurant serves up fresh salads, handmade pastas, decadent desserts and otherworldly oxtail. Although the Campo de’ Fiori market […]
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