On this grey afternoon, as we strolled through quiet streets in a quaint old Minneapolis neighborhood, a flash of sparkle suddenly caught my eye. Intrigued, I tugged Paul’s hand and drew him into a narrow alleyway. In this nondescript and unnoticed space, an artist has created a dazzling three-dimensional mosaic mural. The mosaic features two phrases: “Reach for the stars” and the final lines of a meaningful poem, “The Summer Day” by Mary Oliver. “I don't know exactly what a prayer is.I do...
12 days ago • 1 min read
Rathausplatz Christkindlmarkt - Vienna, Austria Across the continent from Empress Sisi’s estate in Greece, to her imperial palaces in Austria, the festive season is officially underway in Europe. Traditional Christmas Markets are open daily in the capital, Vienna. Elegant Christmas lights sparkle in every district. Ethereal classical music and carols resound in every neighborhood. (we can’t help but wonder if Empress Sisi found the formal court ceremonies and opulent palace extravagances more...
19 days ago • 1 min read
What’s the view outside your window today? The view outside our window is entirely unexpected this early in November. Just the other day, a glorious autumn was underway: Blue skies and golden sun. Green lawns. Crimson and amber leaves. But today, a snow plow rumbling down the street serves as the soundtrack to the winter scene. Looking out the window as I write, suddenly Shakespeare’s Sonnet 73 comes to mind: “That time of year thou mayst in me behold / When yellow leaves, or none, or few, do...
26 days ago • 1 min read
Sometimes, in travel and in life, there’s a meaningful moment when you think: This is history. Not in a class you’re taking. Not in a book you’re reading. But in a moment you’re experiencing. Paul and I had that very thought when seeing the hand-crafted replica canal boat Seneca Chief on her Erie Canal Bicentennial Voyage across New York State. Right here, right now, this is history. This moment represented the culmination of years-long research, planning, and collaboration between the Erie...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Last week we wrote to you about the new European Entry Exit System (EES) that launched on October 12th, 2025. In return, we received some good questions about travel logistics for the Schengen Area overall, the operational EES, and the upcoming European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) in particular. So let’s dive into your frequently asked questions about European travel logistics for the 29 Schengen States. 1) Who can travel without a visa within the Schengen Zone? For...
about 2 months ago • 2 min read
You’re likely familiar with the European Union’s upcoming program for visa-free countries: the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS). The EU originally planned to roll out ETIAS in 2025; however, the target date is now Q4 2026. However, another new EU entry program launched on October 12, 2025: the European Entry/Exit System (EES). Similar to the ETIAS, the EES is a digital registration system specifically for citizens of visa-exempt countries at the point of entry and...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
The carefree spirit of late summer lingers in the gentle warmth and golden leaves of early autumn. Still, Reader, now is the time to begin planning your holiday travel, especially your holiday flights. Remember those days when last-minute airfares would offer irresistible deals on unsold seats? Paul and I do. We gladly took maximum advantage of travel opportunities that suited both our pocketbook and our schedule. Alas, those days are gone. And remember those rumours that booking flights on...
2 months ago • 1 min read
The Empire State’s brand-new bridge opened on June 13th, 2025, in the 19th-century town of Brockport, New York. The serpentine bridge gently curves around the existing guard gate and gracefully spans the Erie Canalway. The stair-free design incorporates slopes, promenades, and landscaping to make the Brockport Pedestrian Bridge and environs accessible to everyone. It’s a fitting (and fabulous) demonstration of the Erie Canal’s two centuries of ongoing transformation, connection, and...
3 months ago • 1 min read
All roads lead to Rome. Because in the 1st century AD, Emperor Augustus raised the Golden Milestone monument in the Roman Forum, marking the origin of all roads. The Roman Empire’s most strategic road, the Via Appia in Italy becomes the Via Egnatia upon crossing the Adriatic Sea. The Via Egnatia runs the entire length of the Balkans. It connects Rome to the great cities of Thessaloniki and Constantinople – the “New Rome” founded by Emperor Constantine, now modern Istanbul. And everywhere...
3 months ago • 1 min read