Maybe you have heard the expression in a phrase such as, “She raced through the mall like a whirling dervish.” So what would that mean? It refers to the movement of men as they twirl around while in a trance-like religious state. It is possible to watch these real whirling dervishes in Istanbul, where the […]

It is hot in Rome in July, but is it possible to find a shady sanctuary with attractive gardens and a very large, inviting swimming pool? Yes! You can find this wonderful oasis at the luxury Hotel Parco dei Principi, which sits on a hill overlooking the city and borders the Borghese Gardens on one […]

Rome is such a popular city to visit for its history, art and culture that it always seems to be overrun with tourists.  This can make visiting the main historic sites difficult with long lines to get inside, especially at the Vatican.  However, here are some tips to give you a better visit. Plan your […]

Until recently, travel to Europe on a U.S. airline with a connecting flight on a European carrier has not resulted in any regular checked luggage or seat charges on the European airline.  But, that is changing. Instead of charging a separate luggage fee, British Airways is now selling a cheaper hand-luggage-only ticket to encourage weight […]

Barcelona and the surrounding area of Catalonia are unique in Spain for promoting and using the catalan language, as well as Spanish. When you see signs in catalan, the words look like a combination of Spanish and French. Many catalans feel they have their own identity which supersedes being Spanish. When the language was outlawed […]

London Heathrow Airport has a Fast Track Immigration lane for business and first class arrivals, but you must have a special pass to enter. Although you would expect the flight attendants to hand these out on the aircraft, along with the immigration forms, this does not always happen. A couple of years ago, we watched […]

If you live in the northern snow belt, you probably dream of a sunny, warm place to spend a week in February. Admittedly, London is not going to feel much warmer than Chicago, but it has many appealing activities that are easier to enjoy when there are not crowds of tourists competing with you for […]

When you hear your favorite music or view a beautiful painting, do you feel happy and uplifted?  It is wonderful how something beautiful can give you peace and serenity. There are a number of fascinating Impressionist paintings that I love looking at, and one of my favorite artists is Monet.  Of all the Impressionist painters […]