The Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Other Images of Istanbul
There have been many times many times in our travels when I have been speechless. Looking up at this ceiling in the Blue Mosque of Istanbul is one of them. … Read more
Tom Bartel
St. Olav’s Way, Hiking in Sweden and Norway
The St. Olav’s Way starts in Selånger, Sweden, and ends at Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, Norway. It follows the road Olav traveled in the summer of 1030. It has been a pilgrimage route since the 11th Century.
What to Do in Assisi, Italy
Before your tour of Assisi, take the time to learn a little about the two saints, Francis and Clare, that make this Umbrian town the attraction that it is.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Cyprus
There are three Unesco World Heritage sites in Cyprus. Included is one prehistoric site, one classical era site, and some medieval churches.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in South Korea
The following is a list of UNESCO World Heritage sites in South Korea, with links to posts about the ones we have visited. South Korea has 13 Unesco World Heritage … Read more
A Day Trip from Rome to Hadrian’s Villa
When you visit Rome, don’t neglect to take some of the easy day trips to other significant attractions. The Roman Emperor Hadrian’s Villa (Villa Adriana in Italian) in Tivoli is … Read more
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Belgium
The tiny country of Belgium has 13 Unesco World Heritage sites, including the only museum, The Plantin Moretus Museum in Antwerp, to hold that distinction. With 13 Unesco World Heritage … Read more
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Australia
There’s a great variation of UNESCO World Heritage sites in Australia, from the Sydney Opera House to the Tasmanian Wilderness. We’ve visited a few of them, but because of the … Read more
Welcome to the Jungle: the Mindo Cloud Forest, Ecuador
Traveling through Ecuador from Quito to the Mindo cloud forest can be both breathtaking and discouraging. From drab cityscapes to littering along the highway to the gorgeous, colorful cloud forest: here’s the journey.
A Golden Hour Bali Tour with Agung Rai
Unlike your typical tour guide, Agung Rai didn’t feel the need to fill every moment with commentary. In fact, other than the basic introductions, he didn’t say too much at all until we’d left Ubud proper and made it out into the rice paddy and jungle countryside.
Then he pulled the well used Toyota SUV off to the side of the road and shut off the engine. We were in the middle of no particular place and he got out of the driver’s side and beckoned us to do the same. After we’d walked a little ways from the truck, he said, “Listen to the water.”
The best advice I’d got in Bali since, “Try the curry.”
