Amsterdam at 750: Still the City of the Future
In 1275, no one could ever have imagined that a simple dam on the Amstel River would become a city that pioneered so many elements of modern life in the 21st century. As Amsterdam marks ¾ of a millennium, travel lovers with 20/20 hindsight can celebrate the European capital’s contributions to shaping our world today, as well as what continues to make it a beacon for visitors. The Dutch capital marks its official start by that 13th-century document granting it city...
Celebrate Jane Austen's 250th Birthday in Britain
If the famous line, "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife,” makes you smile affectionately and fantasize about the green pastures, elegant architecture, style and social intrigues of Regency Britain, you are not alone. For two centuries, Jane Austen’s witty, observant and kind novels have delighted readers and inspired travelers to discover the world of the author and her cast of beloved characters. This ground-breaking female...
When is the Jamaican Rum You're Drinking Not Jamaican?
It’s only champagne if it’s from Champagne. Ham from Parma is equally exclusive. And now, some rum producers in Jamaica are causing quite a ‘stir’– working to tighten rules that identify varieties of the Caribbean’s most famous spirit by ‘appellation’ or geographic origin. Champagne, Parma ham, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and many other foods, wine and spirits work to get these designations to protect the authenticity, heritage and production methods of a uniquely-produced regional food or drink. The appellation or GI (Geographical...
What's the Castle Capital of the World... Outside Europe?
Castles top the list of sights we want to discover when we travel. They let us walk in the very footsteps of history, where battles were won and lost and epoch-changing events took place. Castles were inhabited by history-makers and doers of deeds that became the basis for fairytales and legends that defined the romance of centuries past. As defensive fortifications, they were often extraordinary structures built in extreme landscapes, and we marvel at the ingenuity and craftsmanship that managed to...
Big Changes at the World's Most Popular Museum!
More people visit the Louvre in Paris than any other museum in the world. The French President has announced a sweeping renovation plan for the iconic institution, to the tune of about 800 million euros over the next decade. It’s hard to believe that the last time the Louvre had a makeover was over 30 years ago! That’s when I.M. Pei’s glass pyramid was added to the courtyard to serve as the museum’s main entrance. Remember when that contemporary glass pyramid in...
Slainte! This City in Scotland Celebrates 850th Anniversary
Scotland’s so-called ‘Second City’ takes center stage in 2025 as it celebrates its 850th birthday. If you’ve only been to Edinburgh, it’s time to put Glasgow on the top of your Scottish travel list and discover its history and the thriving, vivid, cultural hub of modern Scotland on the River Clyde that’s even a UNESCO City of Music. Far bigger than Edinburgh, Glasgow’s size exploded during the Industrial Revolution, which led to its reputation being compared negatively to Edinburgh’s perennial medieval...
Blockbuster Britain is the ‘Reel’ Star of Film-Inspired Travel to the UK
If you’re like 9 out of every 10 people planning to travel to the UK, you’re keen to visit a film or TV location during your trip. And it’s no wonder; while many Hollywood productions are filmed in a studio set, some of the most iconic UK productions have been filmed in a real-life setting, where you can walk in the footsteps of your favorite fictional film characters! Visit Britain is shining a spotlight on ‘screen tourism,’ with a fun and...
Hotel in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Villa on the French Riviera Celebrates Anniversary of The Great Gatsby
It’s been a hundred years since the masterworks of American literary luminaries living in France in the roaring 20s epitomized and inspired the modern era of American travel to Europe. Between F. Scott Fitzgerald and close friend Ernest Hemingway and others, we have a treasure trove of accounts of the glamour and allure of life after WW1 in Europe, including Paris and the French Riviera, where the F. Scott and his wife Zelda Fitzgerald owned a seaside villa and held...
Scotland’s Cool-Weather ‘Coorie’ Culture
Denmark has ‘hygge,’ and Scotland has ‘coorie.’ Eons of winds off the North Sea and a bracing climate have given both countries enticing traditions for staying cozy and cheerful year-round. And if you travel to Scotland outside the sunny summer months, you can immerse yourself in Scottish nature and elements of Scottish culture you can only truly appreciate when there’s a chill in the air. Like the Danish ‘hygge’, the closest word in English to the Scottish Gaelic word ‘coorie’ may...
Beyond the Nightclubs: World Heritage Reasons to Visit Spain’s Balearic Islands
Before Ibiza earned its reputation as the world’s hot spot for beach club nightlife and its electronic dance music scene, the Balearic Islands stayed under the radar of all but the most in-the-know of European travelers. Now the secret’s out – but there’s so much more to these four Mediterranean islands off the coast of Spain than global celebrity DJs and beautiful people having a beautiful time. In fact, this enchanting archipelago, made up of the islands of Mallorca, Menorca, Formentera...