Biking in Denmark - Part 1

 

Biking around Denmark’s scenic Fyn (Funen) Island, I made many art discoveries, including in the town of Faaborg. This creative mural by Els Cools references the city’s bell tower. (In the foreground are mini bell tower sculptures in flowerpots, an art installation by Bruno MacDonald.)

As I bicycled along serene country roads on Tasinge Island in Denmark, I found a delightful abundance of nature around each and every turn. (This is the estate of the 17th century Valdemar’s Castle.)

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Cyprus In Pictures

Cyprus brims with treasured sights, some at the end of jungle-like trails, others found only by navigating through stone archways or up steep staircases. My journey took me to 12th and 13th century castles, a wine museum in the small village of Erimi, Paphos in Northwest Cyprus that's most noted for
its UNESCO World Heritage sites, and hiking through a nature preserve in the Akamas Peninsula. This short YouTube video slideshow captures a small slice of my trip.

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Luxembourg In Pictures

The tapestry of Luxembourg City undulates up and down the hills and valleys that bedeck the small country's capital. Dramatic defensive walls left over from the 17th century twist and turn over this landscape that melds together remnants of antiquity as well as the contemporary. Beyond the City of Luxembourg, the country's pastoral setting includes vast acreage in the Moselle Valley devoted to grape growing. My short YouTube video slideshow presents a short snapshot of my treasured finds from my trip to Luxembourg.

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Under-The-Radar Sights in Budapest

Wandering Budapest's leafy street recently, I made plenty of discoveries. Most of them had very little to do with the Danube, the Citadel and other signature sights that garner all the attention. And, even when I did visit a well-traveled path, I did so with a slightly different focus. The whole point was to see Hungary's capital as if I were a local. Sure, it was my first time in Budapest, but, I prefer to be surprised. And, I don't find it all that appealing to visit on-the-radar venues that are iconic. After all, I'm all about what I term the "Who knew?" factor.

The recent article I wrote for the Huffington Post offers a look at Budapest with surprises galore; a Budapest that represents a locals view. Make sure to check out the accompanying slide show that illustrates some of the curiosities I stumbled upon.

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Castle Building in Southern France

How could a volunteer trip that involved helping rebuild a medieval castle turn into a lesson in Zen? That's what happened to me when I journeyed to a town not far from Avignon to spend a week with the group La Sabranenque that's noted for its restoration wook. I just guest blogged about this enlightening experience for Got Saga. They wanted to know about my favorite travel story that I enjoy telling and retelling. This is definitely it.

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Radio Show: Travel Treasures in Cyprus

On my recent trip to Cyprus, I blogged about the wealth of treasures that would make me return to this tiny country. Now, Pat Boyle at the Travel Show on KPAM 860 Radio in Portland, Oregon interviewed me on my journey. Listen to this interview and you'll learn why the Cypriots are known for their hospitality, what was my favorite castle, and why mealtime was so special.



Listen to my interview on Cyprus by clicking on the audio player below:

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Portugal's Alluring Alentejo Region

You have to give it to those Romans -- they certainly knew how to pick their vacation spots. The Alentejo region in Portugal was considered their favorite. Just an hour from Lisbon, the region has plenty to satisfy my love of everything medieval. But the roads snaking through this region are to be enjoyed as well: rolling and twisting ribbons that wind past lush olive groves, well-tended vineyards and gnarled cork oak groves. Atop the hilltops, I spied many a fortified whitewashed village to explore.

The Alentejo region, Portugal's largest, has never seen the kind of tourist traffic that flocks to the Algarve or other regions. I've visited the Alentejo many times and have written about it in the print media over the past several years. But now we're seeing an increased interest in the Alentejo with features appearing recently in the New York Times and the Boston Globe.

Here I'll take you to some of my favorite spots in this region that I hope will remain relatively unspoiled:

1. In Castelo de Vide, I wandered the narrow streets that are lined with colorful blooming flowers and discovered the old Jewish Quarter with the oldest synagogue in the country.

2. A former Knights Templar fortress provides spectacular views of the countryside from the 13th century keep in Monsaraz. Here, I walked the schist-lined street flanked by centuries old houses to the Sacred Art Museum to view a lovely 15th century fresco.
3. The walled city of Evora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has something for everyone, from foodies to history buffs. Some of the most striking sights include a 16th century aqueduct and a Roman temple that has survived, and my favorite: the macabre Capela dos Ossos, a chapel that's entirely constructed from ceiling to floor of human bones. (An appropriate venue to meditate on the frailty of life.)
4. Marvao has one of the best preserved castles in the country where I wandered the battlements, towers and vast courtyards.
5. It's easy to spend the entire day in Serpa that's noted for its array of museums. The Watch Museum displays more than 1,000 time pieces, an Ethnographic Museum provides exhibits of equipment used in regional occupations, from shoemakers to blacksmiths, and the Archeological Museum has artifacts that date to the Stone Age. Serpa is also well known for its cheese production. In fact, I visited several artisanal producers and tasted the queijao de Serpa.

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