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  • Travels with Alison Weir  Show me something I can’t see on my own, introduce me to someone I could not meet. That is the trip I will take. So many wonderful travel suppliers can provide all the comforts imaginable, but it is the access they offer that separates the good from the exceptional.  Alison Weir’s tours are exceptional. Do the Tudors […]
  • A Travel Writer in the Trump Era Last September I was in a small taxi heading to Lalibela, Ethiopia. Sitting in the front seat taking pictures, my driver asked if I was American. After I said yes, he asked if I thought Donald Trump would be elected President. I said no I did not think he would win. He smiled and said […]
  • About Viking Cruises: What I Meant to Say Leaving the port of Le Havre, France onboard Viking Sea. Returning to my cabin after another exciting Viking Cruises‘ christening in Koblenz, Germany, I found a letter, asking if I would consider being interviewed.  I emailed the Viking video team that I would be happy to share my thoughts on Viking and cruising.  (This is […]
  • Discovering Palestinian Design in Amman, Jordan On my last trip to Jordan, I was fortunate to view an extraordinary collection in a private home in Amman.  This exquisite collection  documents a Palestine that many never knew. Travel to Jordan is always magnificent. It is a traveler’s paradise of a warm and welcoming people, World Heritage sites, history, natural history and the […]
  • Exploring Petra There is so much to see in Petra beyond the iconic Treasury. Like the majestic Temenos Gate, Roman 2nd century AD. On my recent Azamara Club Cruises cruise from Rome to Dubai, I asked many fellow passengers why they chose this itinerary? The almost universal answer was to see Petra. One of the new “Seven Wonders […]
  • Jerusalem and the West Bank What happens when you tour Jerusalem and the West Bank with an Israeli and a Palestinian guide?  Dual narratives? Yes. Disagreements? Yes. Acrimony? None.  Travel and politics, done well. Samir and Yuval, our Palestinian and Israeli guides, at the site of Herodium, looking out over the West Bank. Standing atop the ancient site of Herodium, at […]
  • The Ultimate Safari…in One Morning   “Watching the crossing of the Mara River this morning surpassed all my previous safaris…combined.”  Author Jared Diamond September 9. 2016 Let me back up. Our private jet group had landed in Kenya from Ethiopia the day before Jared’s safari of a lifetime. Greeted on the runway by the Masai and our guides, we were […]
  • When in Rome…Beyond the Top Ten Sites Beyond the Colosseum many exciting, less visited, world class sites are waiting for you to explore in Rome.  Here are a few of my top finds.  Hint: they include Michelangelo, the Borgias and Mussolini. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Slow down, relish the moment, savor the tastes and dig a little deeper […]
  • Luxury Travels…. in Tudor England The author at Hampton Court Palace. Travel is always enlightening.  Sometimes it is exceptional.  But when all the stars align, it becomes extraordinary. My travels through Great Britain with author and historian Alison Weir have been extraordinary.  Here is why. Many geographic destinations may seem more exotic and I have visited almost all, from Easter […]
  • Visiting Mount Vernon after the Nice Attack           Visiting the home of our first president, George Washington, the day after the tragic attack in Nice, I am reminded of our long history of friendship and support. George Washington planted this beautiful fleur de lis boxwood parterre in his Upper Garden in recognition and thanks for France’s critical support for […]