Picpus cemetery Paris
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5 less crowded sights in Paris: Michael’s list

On a first trip to Paris most visitors go through the checklist of "must-see" attractions: The Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and Notre Dame are usually the most popular. But there are many less crowded sights in Paris. Imagine strolling…
Paris canal Saint-Martin
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5 less crowded sights in Paris: Larissa’s List

Last week Michael wrote about some of his less crowded sights in Paris. We both love the nooks and crannies of the City of Light, and fortunately there are plenty of them. My suggestions are a little less grim than his—I prefer…
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Caution! Don’t order a Black and Tan at Irish pubs in Dublin!

If you don’t want to get tossed out of Irish pubs in Dublin (or anywhere in Ireland, really) then don’t order a Black and Tan. I wish I had read that before we went there. Brush up on your Irish pub etiquette before visiting the Emerald…
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Hidden sights in Sofia, Bulgaria

If you are planning a holiday to Sofia it is worth checking out some of the gems that are tucked away in this beautiful city. The Bulgarian capital is increasingly popular with tourists from Europe, so if you want to avoid the crowds on your…

A “Bazaar” Experience: Buying a rug in Turkey

I love Oriental rugs, visions of Ali Baba and his magic flying carpet have always mesmerized me, so I was excited to visit Turkey; one of the best places in the world to buy a carpet. But buying a rug in Turkey intimidated me.  I'd…
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Free things to do in Venice, and a few cheap ones

One of the biggest misconceptions of travel is that everything to do in famous cities is very expensive. But with a little exploration, a visitor can find free things to do, cheap eats and low-cost stays, even on a long weekend in Venice. So…

London ghosts, the burial spot of Benedict Arnold

We love finding secret spots in a big, touristy city like London. Not far from the murky River Thames lies the burial location of Benedict Arnold; the most notorious traitor of the American Revolution. The American general…

The Benjamin Franklin House in London

In 1757, Benjamin Franklin left his hometown of Philadelphia for a move to England, where he represented the diplomatic interests of the American colonies. His stay turned into a nearly 16 year London sojourn as he mediated disputes…

Free things to do in Porto, Portugal

Porto, Portugal’s second-largest city, attracts travelers indulging their passions for culture, history, art, great food and more. Fortunately, after all that indulging there are plenty of free things to do in Porto. By doing a little research…

Free things to do in Rome, if you want to

Guest post by Davide Vadalà ~ If you are traveling to my hometown of Rome on a budget you’re in luck because there many free things to do in Rome. It's an open-air museum where you can visit most of the “not to be missed” attractions…

Free things to do in Edinburgh, Scotland

Free things to do in Edinburgh Edinburgh, Scotland’s beautiful capital city, is the second most popular UK destination for overseas visitors. More than one million visitors hit the streets of Edinburgh each year to enjoy the city’s culture,…
basilica cistern roman ruins istanbul

The Basilica Cistern: A cool oasis under the streets of Istanbul

In Istanbul, visitors flock by the thousands to the most popular sights; the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sofia. But mere steps away from these two icons is the Basilica Cistern, a lesser known attraction that is quite intriguing in its own right;…
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Secrets hidden in the fog of Dartmoor, England

We sought a break from the bustle of London at a remote cottage perched on the edge of Dartmoor; the legendary, perhaps haunted, bog in southwest England that achieved fame in novels such as The Hound of the Baskervilles. Our visions of long…
how to drive on the left
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7 tips for how to drive on the left side of the road

With a little planning it's easy to drive on the left side of the road. On our around-the-world journey we spent more time driving on the left side of the road than we did on the right; doing so in Ireland, the UK, Australia, New Zealand and…

The Good Friday procession in Malta: a Photo Essay

The Good Friday procession in Malta is an epic event, with several parades around the Mediterranean island clocking in at two plus hours. This is one of country's most important public holidays; Malta basically shuts down for this event. We…
Rocky Mohammad Lebanon Abu Dhabi
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How to travel: 14 Travel Myths Debunked (Part 2)

This week we tackle travel myths and misconceptions related to destinations. In our many years of travel to 70 countries, we've learned to take what we read in guidebooks with a grain of salt and form our own opinions. Some places were…
Kokorec best sandwich turkey
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The 11 best sandwiches in the world, which one costs only 35 cents?

Sandwiches are one of the universal foods, they're cheap and convenient. We ate way too many of them on our trip and offer up the 11 best sandwiches in the world. 1) Shawarma in Jerusalem A shawarma is a Middle Eastern sandwich made from meats…
Bistecca alla fiorentina sign

Free things to do in Florence

Beyond its main sights like the Uffizi Gallery, the statue of David,  and the Duomo, there are many free things to do in Florence. Here are five of my favorites. Mercato Centrale Don’t miss the Mercato Centrale, a huge indoor food market.…