I took the Overseas Adventure Travel trip Sicily’s Ancient Landscapes and Timeless Traditions and gained tremendous depth and insight into Southern Italy and Sicily. I’ve written about much of it, but there were some additionally special moments on that trip. OAT also offers another trip , Southern Italy and Sicily that includes some of theContinue reading “Exploring Southern Italy and Sicily”
Category Archives: Europe
Getting Lost in the Historical Landscapes of Bohemia
I have been traveling for over 50 years, and I get lost everywhere I go. I admit it freely. I adore geography, but don’t count on me or even follow me with a street map in my hands. But give me history on a trip, and I get lost in the learning in a wayContinue reading “Getting Lost in the Historical Landscapes of Bohemia”
Finding Peace, Love, and a Pub in Prague
Travel is the color of love. It’s the one event in our lives that is a tapestry of the sights, sounds, smells, foods, music, colors and local people. Every trip I take must be divinely inspired. At the end of whatever the road, there is always a surprise to learn from, a joy to experience, orContinue reading “Finding Peace, Love, and a Pub in Prague”
Enjoying the Taste of Tuscany at Home
When I was on the Overseas Adventure Travel trip, Tuscany and Umbria: Italy’s Rustic Heartland, I experienced more food and wine delights then I ever have on any other trip. Or rather, delights that were explained and enumerated, not simply enjoyed at mealtimes. Our trip to the Pruneti olive oil facility in the Chianti regionContinue reading “Enjoying the Taste of Tuscany at Home”
Enjoying the Floral Surprises of Spello, Italy
When I was on the Overseas Adventure Travel trip Tuscany and Umbria; Italy’s Rustic Heartland, we stayed in Spoleto while on the Umbria portion of the trip. We had an optional evening of folk music in the nearby town of Spello, but the flowers that graced that walled in city was music to my eyes.Continue reading “Enjoying the Floral Surprises of Spello, Italy”
Discovering Michelangelo’s Marble in Carrera
When I took the Overseas Adventure Travel trip Tuscany and Umbria: Italy’s Rustic Heartland, I expected many things the region is famous for, all of which I experienced. But it is the unexpected discoveries that remain with a traveler, and which turn an excellent trip into an outstanding one. So it was in Carrera, anContinue reading “Discovering Michelangelo’s Marble in Carrera”
Exploring Two Basilicas in Italy, Two Synagogues in Prague
I recently embarked on two sharply different trips with Overseas Adventure Travel. It was supposed to be a 5-week exploration or Eastern and Central Europe with two different OAT trips. However, thanks to the pandemic, the war in Ukraine and my own post pandemic flexibility, I returned to Italy just a few months after myContinue reading “Exploring Two Basilicas in Italy, Two Synagogues in Prague”
Enjoying Parmesan Cheese, Balsamic Vinegar, and Prosciutto in Parma
On the Overseas Adventure Travel trip Tuscany and Umbria: Italy’s Rustic Heartland, we were treated to many fabulous food experiences, including learning how some of their great food is made in Parma. While on the pre-trip prior to the main trip, we learned and saw first-hand how Parmesan cheese and their additionally famous Balsamic Vinegar areContinue reading “Enjoying Parmesan Cheese, Balsamic Vinegar, and Prosciutto in Parma”
Listening to Tuscany’s Most Famous Musical Sons
Tuscany. Land of food and wine. Balsamic vinegar. And world class composers, conductors, and singers. The musical aspect of Tuscany was a sheer delight for this former musician, when I took the Overseas Adventure Travel trip to Italy, Tuscany and Umbria: Italy’s Rustic Heartland. The native sons we learned about from Tuscany were Luciano Pavarotti,Continue reading “Listening to Tuscany’s Most Famous Musical Sons”
Discovering Italy’s Capitol of Chocolate in Umbria
I took the trip Tuscany and Umbria: Italy’s Rustic Heartland with Overseas Adventure Travel. It was undeniably a foodie tour which highlighted the geographical beauty of the region, the culture, and without a doubt, the food. After we left the beauty of Tuscany, we drove through lush vegetation as the regions changed from Tuscany toContinue reading “Discovering Italy’s Capitol of Chocolate in Umbria”
Learning About Refugees in the Prague Train Station, Platform 1
While on the Overseas Adventure Travel trip Jewels of the Bohemia, I was extremely interested in meeting some of the Ukrainian refugees, in whatever form was possible. I understood it was a sensitive situation, and certainly I did not necessarily expect many to speak English. My trip leader accommodated my unusual request at the endContinue reading “Learning About Refugees in the Prague Train Station, Platform 1”
Understanding Stolpersteine Across Europe
When I was in Europe recently with Overseas Adventure Travel, I took the Central Europe trip Jewels of the Bohemia. On that trip, I finally saw the memorial stones to those lost in the Holocaust that I had heard so much about over the years. They have a German name, stolperstein, or stolpersteine for theContinue reading “Understanding Stolpersteine Across Europe”
Traveling to Explore a Deeper Truth
I’ve always known that when we travel, if we are paying attention, we can explore a deeper truth about humanity, history, and even how geography helps us get to the bottom of this truth. On the Overseas Adventure Travel trip to Central Europe, Jewels of the Bohemia, I saw both the best and the worstContinue reading “Traveling to Explore a Deeper Truth”
Ukraine Has Not Yet Perished
As a traveler, my heart is broken as the war in Ukraine rages on. I had to move the dates for my Baltic Capitols and St Petersburg trip three times because of the pandemic. I wasn’t so sure their Covid recovery rate would allow the trip to go this year, but Putin did what CovidContinue reading “Ukraine Has Not Yet Perished”
Reflecting on Volcanoes, Pomegranates, and Moorish Heads in Sicily
During my recent trip with Overseas Adventure Travel called Sicily: Ancient Landscapes and Timeless Traditions, I came away with many great learning experiences. But three of them which were unexpected were seeing and experiencing such a magnificent volcano, the cultural influence of pomegranates and pinecones, and the story behind the all-pervasive Moorish Heads. Mt EtnaContinue reading “Reflecting on Volcanoes, Pomegranates, and Moorish Heads in Sicily”
Learning and Discovery in Sicily’s Last Arab Casbah
One of the most intriguing parts of the Sicily trip I rook with Overseas Adventure Travel called Sicily: Ancient Landscapes and Timeless Traditions, was the time we spent in the old Tunisian Casbah in the fishing port of Mazara del Vallo on the West coast of Sicily. Our day wandering the Casbah and enjoying theContinue reading “Learning and Discovery in Sicily’s Last Arab Casbah”
Learning in Italy about the Sweetness of Doing Nothing
In Italy there is the concept of dolce far niente – the sweetness of doing nothing. The Italians claim to be masters at it. I enjoyed some of it on my own during rainy days in Matera in Southern Italy and other times in Sicily. I much prefer the Italian description rather than the AmericanContinue reading “Learning in Italy about the Sweetness of Doing Nothing”
Olive Oil Production in Southern Italy and Pure Italian Joy
I learned a lot when I was in the Puglia region of Southern Italy as part of the Overseas Adventure Travel trip Sicily: Ancient Landscapes and Timeless Traditions. The pre-trip to the main Sicily trip is in the “heel” of Italy, and includes exploring the ancient city of Matera, and the more modern city ofContinue reading “Olive Oil Production in Southern Italy and Pure Italian Joy”
Visiting Sicily’s World War Two Landing Museum
On the Overseas Adventure Travel trip Sicily: Ancient Landscapes and Timeless Traditions, one real highlight for me was visiting the World War Two Landing Museum. This museum documents the invasion of Sicily by allied troops in 1943, an event that was a turning point for Sicily in the war and marked the beginning of theContinue reading “Visiting Sicily’s World War Two Landing Museum”
Exploring Sicily and Traveling thru Time
Time travel. That is what Sicily was with Overseas Adventure Travel, on their trip Sicily: Ancient Landscapes and Timeless Traditions. For me, it had been exactly two years of no international travel due to the pandemic, so this added to my sense of time. In Italy it would have felt like traveling back in timeContinue reading “Exploring Sicily and Traveling thru Time”
Traveling to Observe Burial Rites and Graveyard Customs
I have come to learn throughout my travels that tourists are interested in graveyards. This would surely not be my first point of entry in any country, but I have visited them. One time in Aruba on an island tour, we strolled around the graveyard and I had a premonition about my father’s impending death,Continue reading “Traveling to Observe Burial Rites and Graveyard Customs”
Visit Ljubljana, Slovenia and Take a Music Walking Tour
If planning a trip to any of the Eastern European capitals that were once part of the former Yugoslavia, one must-see city is Ljubljana, Slovenia. It is charming beyond belief, everyone speaks beautiful English, and it sits at the crossroads of more cultural influences than most people are aware of. Besides the influence of theContinue reading “Visit Ljubljana, Slovenia and Take a Music Walking Tour”
Visit Liverpool and See the Original Beatles Drum Kit
Planning a trip to Liverpool can be fun, especially if you are a Beatles fan, where Liverpool now brings in over two billion a year as the capital of Beatles tourism. Most people make the trip as part of a longer trip to Europe in general or the United Kingdom in particular. The Liverpool portion of thisContinue reading “Visit Liverpool and See the Original Beatles Drum Kit”
Exploring Turkey and the Cats of Ephesus
Turkey has many magical wonders to visit, many fascinating sights to behold. One of the most mysterious however, is when visiting the ruins at Ephesus. One thing that will astonish visitors in addition the biblical history and the astounding library on the premises, are the cats! So many cats at Ephesus! What is the story behind allContinue reading “Exploring Turkey and the Cats of Ephesus”
Visit the Adriatic in the Autumn and Winter to see Stunning Colors and Sights
For travelers who do not get to experience autumn colors in the fall or holiday markets in the winter, one great way to do this is to visit the former Yugoslavia in Central Europe in October or November. The beauty of Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Slovenia is breathtaking in the fall, and the winter ChristmasContinue reading “Visit the Adriatic in the Autumn and Winter to see Stunning Colors and Sights”
Visit Bosnia and see Vestiges of the Bosnian War
Bosnia and Herzegovina, or just Bosnia for short, is a fascinating tourist destination, newly emerging as a country to visit after years of war. Signs of the war from the 1990’s are everywhere, with bullet holes remaining in many of the buildings in Bosnia’s largest city of Sarajevo, as well as other cities where the war tookContinue reading “Visit Bosnia and see Vestiges of the Bosnian War”
Visit Iceland in the Fall and Enjoy Northern Lights and John Lennon Peace Tower
Iceland in the fall has some great things to see that cannot be seen in the summer, all having to do with lights. To two that you want to take in are the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) and the John Lennon Peace Tower. I was on the Overseas Adventure Travel trip, Untamed Iceland, in October 2016. In addition to seeingContinue reading “Visit Iceland in the Fall and Enjoy Northern Lights and John Lennon Peace Tower”
Travel the World Against the Evil Eye
There are cultures on every continent that have amulets of good luck as part of their cultures. Pick a county and you will find a way to avoid bad luck as part of the country’s customs and history. But one country where I saw this literally everywhere and in the most colorful of ways was Turkey,Continue reading “Travel the World Against the Evil Eye”
Rethinking Genocide in Turkey as a Traveler
gen·o·cide /ˈjenəˌsīd/ the deliberate killing of a large number of people from a particular nation or ethnic group with the aim of destroying that nation or group “a campaign of genocide” Definitions form Oxford Languages I was heartened to hear President Biden declare that nearly a century after the systematic killing of the Armenians inContinue reading “Rethinking Genocide in Turkey as a Traveler”
Explore New Ways to Travel with Farm stays and Home stays
International travelers are being exposed to a new concept in accommodations around the world: farm stays and homestays. Put simply, this is like Air B n B with an extra twist, since the family actually engages with their guests and gets to know them, even arranging activities for them in some cases. Farm stays areContinue reading “Explore New Ways to Travel with Farm stays and Home stays”
Explore Illustrious Istria
For travelers with a true wanderlust, Istria and the Istrian Peninsula can be a revelation. It can be explored from both Croatia as well as Slovenia, and both sides of Istria are unique. It also has a beautiful Adriatic coastline in Trieste, which is a very industrial Italian city, and one where locals from theContinue reading “Explore Illustrious Istria”
Explore Iceland: High winds and empty spaces
Iceland is a vast amount of small land. That is right. Vast in its smallness, a land of contradictions. A land where people live in harmony, but not necessarily near any neighbors. It is rich in the soil from the volcanoes, yet also rich in empty and barren land. There are dark and murky watersContinue reading “Explore Iceland: High winds and empty spaces”
Enjoy Three of Europe’s Most Beautiful Destinations
Dubrovnik’s Adriatic Coast Dubrovnik, Croatia has a coastline along the Adriatic which is part of the Mediterranean. It is part of the former Yugoslavia, but there are many vestiges of a Venetian influence, when Venice was not part of Italy. And geographically it’s just across the Adriatic from Italy. So it is no surprise that thisContinue reading “Enjoy Three of Europe’s Most Beautiful Destinations”
Enjoy the Beauty of Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik, Croatia is possibly one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Its dramatic and rugged coastline that juts out into the Adriatic will surprise the unprepared traveler with a jaw-dropping reaction at the first sight of its magnificent beauty. Many tours only stay one or two days to give tourists a chance to glimpseContinue reading “Enjoy the Beauty of Dubrovnik”
Enjoy Pomegranate Seed Oil From Turkey
Turkey is known for many things and many kinds of wonderful foods that are typical of the Middle East and Balkan countries. They have baklava, various types of kabobs, and many wonderful teas and coffees. But a first time traveler there will be surprised to learn about a secret that is a pure joy onContinue reading “Enjoy Pomegranate Seed Oil From Turkey”
Do personal and cultural interactions make a difference in travel? Yeah, yeah, yeah….
I was on a back to back trip with Overseas AdventureTravel in October and November 2015 for nearly six weeks. This included about two weeks of solo travel as well as the organized tour. The two trips I took are among the most popular OAT offers in the area. They were Turkey’s Magical Hideaways, with eight daysContinue reading “Do personal and cultural interactions make a difference in travel? Yeah, yeah, yeah….”
The Smart Traveler: Look for Europe Border Changes
With the rise of so much terrorism worldwide, and no way to stop it any time soon, the European Union is considering bringing back passport controlled borders. Depending on the tourist’s country of origin, in some cases, that might also include a needing visa. In some cases, it might just mean a photo ID. The Syrian refugeeContinue reading “The Smart Traveler: Look for Europe Border Changes”
Learning about the Indomitable Spirit of the Icelandic People
They say if you want to make God laugh tell him your plans. On the Overseas Adventure Travel trip, Untamed Iceland, we were not only on the road less traveled, but true to the OAT travel philosophy, we met locals who truly embodied the spirit of the harsh and unforgiving nature of the country. But they did so withContinue reading “Learning about the Indomitable Spirit of the Icelandic People”
Adventures of a Passionate Solo Traveler
They say if you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans. That has certainly been true during some of my travels, either independently or with a group, but always traveling solo. I’ve had a number of unplanned adventures during my travels which certainly added to the experience. Some were a bit scary, but allContinue reading “Adventures of a Passionate Solo Traveler”
Exploring the Many Faces of Istanbul
I explored Istanbul with Overseas Adventure Travel on their tour Turkey’s Magical Hideaways, and some on my own after the tour of Turkey and the Mediterranean concluded. I found the Istanbul portion of the tour to be a great orientation with a focus on historical and religious sites, but certainly not all that Istanbul hasContinue reading “Exploring the Many Faces of Istanbul”
Travel the World with Passion 