KRIS AND TOM’S STORY
After a 30-year career in publishing, Tom Bartel and Kristin Henning shed their last publication, their house, and most of their possessions. In 2010, they gave their dog to their daughter and set out on a journey to see the world. Kris and Tom combine a love of culture with a love for the outdoors. Their travels vary between long stays in such cultural cities as London, Barcelona, Rome, and Beijing, detours to UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and spurts of hiking or biking in Europe, Australia, Asia, or through the National Parks of the United States.
Travel Past 50 reflects Kris and Tom’s appreciation of international cultures and active soft adventure. They’ve hiked in Spain, biked in Brittany, trekked through the Guatemalan jungle, and crawled over the glaciers of Patagonia. They’ve also spent months in London going to the theater, a summer in Rome studying Latin, three months in Florence studying art history, and have visited nearly every major museum and church in Europe. It’s a diverse curriculum, and one we hope you’ll like.
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OUR TRAVEL BLOG
We’ve traveled to more than 65 countries since 2010. Read all about it.
The Cave Churches, and More, of Matera, Italy
Matera at twilight on a drizzly evening. The lights provide the only color, and this was the only view of Matera we got on the first night. Matera, in the province of Basilicata, is right in the arch [...]
Unesco World Heritage Sites in Russia
This is a list of Unesco World Heritage Sites in Russia, with links to posts about the ones we have visited. Russia has 28 Unesco World Heritage sites.
Where to Stay and Eat in Puglia
Stay a little longer in Puglia and get to know the local food and wine, neighborhoods, and daily routines from the comfort of your home base.
Castel del Monte, Andria, Italy
Sometimes we go out of our way to visit places so you don't have to. This was the case with Castel del Monte, near Andria, Italy. Read about it, but don't go too far out of your way to get there.
Brookgreen Gardens, Sculpture in Myrtle Beach, SC
When it comes to the attractions of the Myrtle Beach, South Carolina area, I'd have to list my favorite as Brookgreen Gardens Sculpture Garden.
Things We Loved (and Didn’t Love) on Our Italy Bike Tour through Puglia
Our cycling in Italy covered seven days. During that time we slept in seven different towns and managed to average 55 kilometers a day (35 miles/day), for a total of over 350K, or 200-plus miles. We loved the biking and the great introduction to Puglia.
The Porticoes of Bologna, Italy
The historic center of Bologna contains more than 38 kilometers, or 24 miles, of covered walkways called porticoes. The porticoes are on the tentative list to be designated as a Unesco World Heritage site.
Views of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
I just love a little abstract splash of color on the beach. There are lots and lots of attractions to Myrtle Beach, and you can't really see them all in just a few days. Speaking of an [...]