Fighting a cold on a late December morning at the Roman Baths in Bath, England, I sniffle as I stand on worn stones laid in the first century A.D. when the Romans constructed this massive bathing complex. Before me isRead more
Ancient Walls, Outdoor Wonders, and Family Wines in Lucca, Italy
Standing on a broad, tree-lined pedestrian promenade in Lucca, Italy, we’re stories high atop 40-feet-tall red brick walls. Centuries old and remarkably intact, they measure an incredible 2.5 miles long and 100 feet wide at the base. These massive walls,Read more
Majestic Biltmore House Showcases Gilded Age Grandeur
Although it’s summer 2018, I’m thinking about my trip to Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC, as if it’s Christmas Eve 1895. On that date, George Washington Vanderbilt welcomed family and friends for the opening of his new 175,000-square-foot country homeRead more
Oscar de la Renta Fashion Exhibit Enchants with Glamour and Romance
My fingers are itching to fondle the rich, carnation-red ruffles on the silk organza gown by Oscar de la Renta that Beyoncé wore in the March 2013 issue of Vogue magazine. I’m mesmerized by his pink cocktail dress in silkRead more
Small and Mighty Mecca of Modern Architecture in Columbus, Indiana
Morning sun glints off the Robert Stewart Bridge as we drive on Indiana State Road 46 above the White River at the entrance to Columbus, Indiana. Like a giant fan, four fire-engine-red steel supports connect 40 steel tension cables spreadRead more
Botanical Printing by Monique Risch Takes Clothing Back to Nature
Monique Risch is standing at the gas cooktop in her kitchen, intently stirring the contents of a large, deep pot when I enter the room. I peek in and see an orange-red liquid slowly simmering. Knowing her garden produces anRead more
Art of Reading Tours Marry Art and Literature at The Mint Museum
I’m hopeful Mr. Darcy will magically materialize and join our Art of Reading tour at Mint Museum Randolph. The Art of Reading tour is a free program that draws connections between art and literature, two of my passions. Our guide, docent Debbie Struble, spearheaded developmentRead more
London’s Historic Borough Market Beckons Food Lovers
Bundled against London’s late December chill, the woman staffing Kappacasein’s cheese stall at the Stoney Street entrance to Borough Market, London’s oldest food market, assembles our order of two toasted cheese sandwiches. For each, she begins with two thin, rectangular-shapedRead more
Europe
In hopes of inspiring your own journeys through Europe, here’s a full list of stories I’ve shared from around the continent: Belgium Belgium: A Country for Chocolate Lovers Beyond Belief in Brugge England Ancient Mysticism and Man-Made Marvels Revealed inRead more
Candace Rose Rardon Perfects the Art of Travel
Visualize the life of Candace Rose Rardon: Visiting and living in 50 countries, 19 of them in one year alone. Hiking solo on a 220-mile pilgrimage through rural Turkey. Driving an auto-rickshaw 2,000 miles across India. Bathing an elephant inRead more