Travel in Italy is not without its challenges, or it would not be Italy. The day we were planning to go from Milan to Como, there was a train strike. We hired a car which of course was much more expensive than our train tickets, but it was comfortable and actually worked out well because it was a rainy day and it would have been challenging to drag our suitcases to and from the train station or secure a taxi or taxis given that we were four people with luggage. The regional t

Padua is a delightful ancient city rich in culture, art, and history, making it a nice destination for travelers especially after the hordes of tourists in Venice.. Among the numerous attractions this fascinating city offers, two key highlights stand out, drawing visitors worldwide: the Scrovegni Chapel, famous for its stunning frescoes by the renowned artist Giotto, and the carefully maintained Botanical Gardens, cherished by nature lovers and scholars alike. The first stop,

When we planned this trip to Italy, we focused on the north, as we have visited Rome, Florence, Amalfi and Sicily in the past. Specifically, we wanted to check out the Dolomites and selected Backroads to take us through them. Backroads has many tour options that are either single activity or multi-activity. We chose to do a hiking tour, but they also have other multi-activity tours that include biking and kayaking. We were extremely happy with choosing Backroads as the tour

Visiting St. Mark's Basilica in Venice is an absolute must-see for anyone who finds themselves exploring the enchanting city of Venice. This architectural masterpiece, with its intricate designs and rich history, offers a glimpse into the opulent past of the Venetian Republic. As I stood before its magnificent façade, I was particularly struck by the striking similarities it shares with the grand mosques of Istanbul, many of which were formerly cathedrals during the time of t

Ancient Corinth is located between two seas (the Corinthian and the Saronic gulfs or the Aegean and the Ionian seas) and between the land of the Peloponnese and that of mainland Greece had a decisive impact on the ancient city’s development and its long-lasting life. Below is a view of the Corninth Canal that separates the mainland from the Peolponnesian Peninsula: The ruins of ancient Corinth, including the remarkable Temple of Apollo and the expansive Roman Forum, stand as

On our first day in Athens, we did a walking tour of the old town. While the Acropolis loomed above, our focus was on the ancient agora. We climbed up Muses Hill to get a stunning overview of Athens. The expansive plateau of the ancient agora served as a gathering place for the citizens of ancient Athens to socialize and discuss contemporary issues. The term "agora" comes from the greek verb meaning "to congregate". This ancient city, with its court of law, gymnasium, temples

Arriving into Budapest on the Danube was very lovely as you get an immediate preview of the castle, churches, parliament and several of its bridges. Here again, much of it has been rebuilt since the war, but it still has an old feel to it. We are not in San Diego. Budapest consists of two cities that united in late 1873. Pest lies on one side of the Danube, and Obuda on the other, merging to form Budapest. Buda houses the palace, as well as the offices of the prime minister a

When we decided to tour Germany, my goal was to gain a deeper understanding of modern Germany and to visit a concentration camp firsthand. I wanted to hear from Germans about the post-war rebuilding years and to be assured that such events would never repeat. I left feeling confident that it wouldn't happen again in Germany, though we all recognize how unpredictable our world is and that world peace isn't imminent. Interestingly, it wasn't until the '60s that Germans began to

Munich, established in 1158, serves as the capital of Bavaria, one of Germany's 16 states. Throughout its history, Munich has been a significant center for culture, politics, and economics. The city boasts numerous historic buildings, although many were destroyed by Allied bombings during WWII and have since been reconstructed, similar to other cities we've visited on our tour. We like to begin our visits to each city with a half-day tour. Once again, we chose ToursByLocals.

Our guide Gabi took us around for us to see firsthand the sites favored by Hitler for his parades and speeches. Hitler had a particular fondness for Nuremberg, where he constructed or planned several grand structures. Our first stop was the Hall of Honors, initially built to commemorate WWI soldiers, but repurposed by Hitler as a stage for his large gatherings. Despite its name, it is not an actual hall but an outdoor pavilion bordered by posts that once held flames for the d