It was Ben’s birthday, so we headed to the best hotel of Japan’s top resort spot. We were only looking for great R&R, but we ended up with so much more…
Naha, Okinawa: Up close at the world’s largest tug of war (with VIDEO)
October 27, 2013 · by · 7 Comments
In 1995, the Guinness Book of World Records named it the largest rope in the world. How large is Guinness-large? Try 200 meters long (656 feet) and 2.2 meters thick (7.2 feet), for a whopping 43 metric tons of rice straw (94,799 pounds)! Now for a bit of background. It all began over 500 […]
Where to Go Next: Watch Leaves Fall in Portugal’s Douro
September 29, 2013 · by · 4 Comments
We know where to see the leaves turn this autumn: it’s the UNESCO-listed Douro River region of Portugal, whose undulating hills offer spectacular views and port wine.
Jericho: tales from inside the West Bank
August 26, 2013 · by · 8 Comments
You have followed us elsewhere, so why not to the West Bank? It’s probably not what you were expecting.
Independent reviews series: Parador de Carmona, Spain
August 11, 2013 · by · 6 Comments
For many years I dreamt of staying at the Parador de Carmona, until last April when Ben made it possible. And now? Now I just dream of returning.
Israel: Visiting the wine country of Galilee
July 25, 2013 · by · 10 Comments
Most tourists in the Galilee region of Israel come for one thing: a religious pilgrimage to the Holy Land. As for Ben and me? We were there for the wine.
The making of a boutique hotel in Koutsounari: independent reviews series
July 14, 2013 · by · 5 Comments
There’s a little stone village in Crete that just might be your favorite hotel someday….
Mountain villages of Crete, in photos
June 9, 2013 · by · 2 Comments
Our winding trip through Crete’s highland villages provided some of the best views of our trip. Our photo tour begins here…
Lasithi: A peek at Crete’s eastern, least-developed region
May 19, 2013 · by · 2 Comments
Lassithi, the least developed among Crete’s prefectures, should not be overlooked. We share the highlights of what we saw … and what we didn’t.
Dolomites of Italy: The coral reefs of heaven
April 7, 2013 · by · 6 Comments
Follow us to the Dolomites of Italy, where alpine mountain huts feed the appetite and glowing pink mountains feed the soul.
