My 1978 “Hippie Trail” Journal: 500 Miles across Afghanistan, from Herat to Kabul
With the fall of Afghanistan, I’ve been reflecting on my travel experiences there as a 23-year-old backpacker on the “Hippie Trail” from Istanbul to Kathmandu. Yesterday and today, it’s a poor yet formidable land...
Lascaux’s Prehistoric Cave Paintings
As Europe starts opening up to travelers again, it’s more exciting than ever to think about the cultural treasures that await. For me, one of the great joys of travel is having in-person encounters...
Venuses Through History
As Europe starts opening up to travelers again, it’s more exciting than ever to think about the cultural treasures that await. For me, one of the great joys of travel is having in-person...
My 1978 “Hippie Trail” Journal: Herat, Afghanistan
With the fall of Afghanistan, I’ve been reflecting on my travel experiences there as a 23-year-old backpacker on the “Hippie Trail” from Istanbul to Kathmandu. Yesterday and today, it’s a poor yet formidable land...
My 1978 “Hippie Trail” Journal: From Mashhad, Iran, to Herat, Afghanistan
With the fall of Afghanistan, I’ve been reflecting on my travel experiences there as a 23-year-old backpacker on the “Hippie Trail” from Istanbul to Kathmandu. Yesterday and today, it’s a poor yet formidable land...
Cats of Athens
Athens is probably the first city in Europe, where we’ve seen the many stray cats belonging to the entire community. Lounging on an ancient pillar, looking out from the Parthenon or sleeping in the...
Barcelona Travel Guide — How to Visit Barcelona on a Budget
Barcelona finds its way onto most itineraries… and for good reason. It has a vibrant food scene, a plethora of unique historic architecture, great Mediterranean weather, beautiful beaches, and arguably the best nightlife in Europe. This Barcelona...
Afghanistan: Reflections from a “Trip of a Lifetime” (Literally) in 1978
While I know otherwise, I often find myself wondering if the name “Afghanistan” comes from some ancient word for “tragedy.”
Afghanistan is in the headlines yet again — swiftly, and with almost no resistance,...
The Mont Blanc Esprit de Corps
Hiking Europe’s Tour du Mont Blanc was a totally different slice of European culture for me: Coming upon a remote farmhouse-turned-thriving-cafe serving wonderful lunches…flowers and cows (with classic bells) scenically sprinkled throughout…and an...
Taking it Easy on the Tour du Mont Blanc
While the Tour du Mont Blanc is demanding, it’s not a particularly difficult hike. It’s just long, with lots of altitude gain and loss, and always scenic. On my recent trek around the mountain...