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Augsburg, Germany and Jakob Fugger the Rich

Wed, 22 May 2013 11:47:13 +0000

Mozart's city, Augsburg, has a lot going for it. It's on the Romantic Road. There are lots of museums stuffed into historic residences, so you get a sort of 2 for 1 deal, museum with antiques. There's a university and a Roman Museum, too.

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Foz Côa - It's Not Just Rock Art

Tue, 21 May 2013 12:59:53 +0000

What could be better than a cozy b&b, a great meal, and a visit to a famous rock art engraving site at night, when flashlights can provide the glancing, dancing light that brings the animal figures to life? Fiona Maclean describes it all for you: A Passion for Portugal - Rock Art in the Foz Côa Valley.

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Discounts on High Speed TGV Service in France

Fri, 17 May 2013 03:23:10 +0000

Rail Europe is offering 30% discounts on TGV tickets purchased between May 14 through 5:59 pm ET on June 10, 2013 (when you enter coupon code FAST30 during checkout). Go to the Rail Europe TGV Booking Page to check out the offer.

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Where to Stay in Portugal

Wed, 15 May 2013 12:15:30 +0000

For my money, Portugal is the most innovative country when it comes to lodging options. We've long touted the unique opportunities available in Pousada stays, where you might find yourself in a former convent like Convento de Belmonte, where you can eat at a highly rated restaurant serving the most amazing local food presided over by chef Valdir Dudek Lubave, then step out into the Roman ruins at the front of the building or just go back to your room and gawk at the amazing views of the Serra da Estrela mountain range.

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Saint Remy de Province: In the Footsteps of Van Gogh

Tue, 14 May 2013 02:16:49 +0000

Without the amazing contribution of Vincent Van Gogh, who painted some of his finest works while a mental patient there, Saint Remy might have been a sleepy backwater in Provence. Today the small town is alive with art and artists. See the hospital where Van Gogh spent his time in Saint Remy, as well as the abandoned Roman village that became the new town, over which the artist likely trod in making his art: Saint Remy de Provence Map and Guide.

Following in the Footsteps of the Great Artists of Provence

Sun, 12 May 2013 12:31:58 +0000

Provence Escapes is offering a very interesting art tour this fall. Judi Janofsky, travel writer and one of the owners of Provence Escapes explains:

"This is the year of the painters. We'll explore Aix-en-Provence where Cezanne lived, with visits to his home, studio and the quarry where he painted, and to St. Remy, where Van Gogh, committed to an asylum, painted his provocative Starry Night and many of his best known pieces".

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Guide to the Festival of Sant'Efisio

Fri, 10 May 2013 12:47:10 +0000

You may never have heard of it, but the Festival of Sant'Efisio is Sardinia's largest festival and longest procession, a four day event that stretches from the Islands capital of Cagliari to the ancient Roman settlement of Nora. It's colorful watching the initial day's parade through Cagliari, with decorated ox carts, colorful costumes, and the saint in his golden carriage. All in payment for Saint Efisio's intervention in Cagliari's plague. See what you'll likely see in next years festival if you plan a trip: Illustrated Guide to the Festival of Sant'Efisio.

Rail Pass Discounts for 2013

Sat, 04 May 2013 09:53:10 +0000

Back in the old days, travel via train in Europe was simple. You bought a rail pass. There was one kind. It was good in all the countries that signed up to offer it. You flashed it at the conductor and that was all you needed to do. You went where you wanted, when you wanted.

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Sardinia and Sant'Efisio

Fri, 03 May 2013 12:51:11 +0000

If you're tired of going to museums all the time to look at amazing handicrafts like jewelry making, weaving, embroidery, and lace making, why not consider a trip to the Island of Sardinia? We've just witnessed the Sant'Efisio celebration in Cagliari, featuring over 3000 people in traditional costume like you see above; a more colorful parade you'll never see.

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Can You Love a City's Cuisine to Death?

Sat, 27 Apr 2013 04:59:29 +0000

Would you trade a place serving good, honest, local cuisine for an international food court with cuisines determined by a gaggle of Michelin-starred chefs? This is the question posed by Istanbul Culinary Backstreets today, as another tradesmen's restaurant has been lost to a "development" which has as its not-quite-fleshed-out centerpiece a high end food court. Is expensive mall food coming to dominate what was once a sought-after culinary destination?

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