Author: Aaron

Insatiable explorer. Resolute eye-opener to my kids. Closing in on 60 countries. After tapeworms and hostage situations, my third-biggest travel phobia is to get home and learn that I'd been just around the corner from a UNESCO site, but -- whether for lack of awareness, planning or basic competence -- missed it. And so although I'm certainly capable of relaxing on a beach, my tendency is to move swiftly while doing my best (as one friend described it, borrowing from Thoreau) to "suck the marrow" out of everything along the way. So this site reflects that general preference. Besides, the big, beautiful world is beckoning, the clock is ticking, and I don't know many folks with more than a month or so of vacation each year. Are we really going to spend all of it harvesting lavender at that abbey in Provence?

Eight Great Free Things to Do in London (Not Counting the Museums)

Aaron September 30, 2026

London rewards the traveler willing to wander, duck through an archway, or enter an exclusive hotel with the vaguely purposeful expression of someone who’s left a scarf in the lobby. Here are eight free diversions that reveal the city beyond its galleries, ticket counters and double-deckers.

Five Canal Towns Not Named “Venice” to Enjoy Near Venice

Aaron August 4, 2026

Beyond Venice’s crowds lies a constellation of canal towns—Comacchio, Chioggia, Murano, Burano and Treviso—where authenticity, craft and daily life unfold with quieter charm. Here, beauty exists not in grand landmarks, but in the accumulation of small, enduring details.

Enjoy the Chemin du Roy from Montréal to Québec City, Mais Ne Dilly-Dally Pas

Aaron July 8, 2026

It would be unfair to compare this renowned route along the St. Lawrence River to the cities that bookend it and conclude that it lacks a certain je ne sais Québéquois. After all, the Chemin’s towns, small detours and continuous river views work in concert to create a subtle sense of continuity that’s easy to miss if you rush through. But this journey really is about its destination, Old Québec.

Following the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs, from Marrakesh to the Sahara

Aaron November 5, 2025

From Marrakesh’s opalescent dusk to the silent grandeur of the Sahara, this four-day journey unveils a route across central Morocco as a living mosaic of scent, sound and story.

Loreto to Ravenna: A Pilgrim’s Drive Along Italy’s Northwestern Adriatic

Aaron September 2, 2025

As we near the northern bend of the Adriatic, a splendid quartet of towns unfolds along the road, each one focusing a different lens on Italy’s long story of faith, art, struggle and endurance. Together, Loreto, Urbino, Rimini and Ravenna trace a journey both intimate and immense.

Quick Tips on Five Baltic-Region Capitals, Part Four: Exploring Helsinki by Foot and Ferry

Aaron June 16, 2025

Discover Helsinki on this walking tour that sweeps you from panoramic cathedral views and bustling harbor markets to leafy boulevards, whimsical Art Nouveau gems, and tranquil seaside sanctuaries. Immerse yourself in the city’s vibrant local life, rich history and creative spirit in an unforgettable day culminating with sunset treats at a waterfront café.

Why You Already Love Abruzzo But Just Don’t Know It Yet

Aaron April 30, 2025

Medieval hilltop towns, ancient churches and craggy castles around every bend, all nestled among national parks and majestic peaks that peer down on an azure coastline. And the food – ah, the food! It’s baffling to consider that this glorious region lies two short hours east of Rome, and yet so many of us who claim to know Italy reasonably well and love it madly have no idea it exists.

Embracing Porto’s Heart: A One-Day Walking Tour of Essential Landmarks and Hidden Gems in the Ribeira District

Aaron March 3, 2025

Portugal’s second city boasts a rich historical tapestry, which spans from Roman times to its pivotal role in the Age of Discovery. This Porto walking tour focuses on the UNESCO-listed Ribeira district, also known as “O Coração do Porto” (Porto’s Heart), and can be enjoyed in one day.

Eight Days Driving Planet Iceland’s Ring, Days 5 & 6: Mývatn, Akureyri and the Troll Peninsula

Aaron December 20, 2024

By now, you’ve noticed that Iceland continues to outdo itself. The next leg of our itinerary keeps the streak alive with a basalt-column canyon, Europe’s mightiest waterfall, a miniature Yellowstone, the world’s northernmost municipal botanical gardens, and adorable Icelandic horses.

How to Spend One Day in Bogotá

Aaron August 16, 2024

In vast a city of seven million people that dates back well beyond its Spanish founding in the 1500s, there’s going to be a lot to do. If for whatever reason you find yourself with a single day available for Bogotá, here’s how to make the most of it.