Eat & Drink

Secrets of Ghent

Most of us in the U.S. remember the name “Ghent” from the Treaty of Ghent that finally ended the War of 1812 with the British. At the time, communication was slow, and Gen. Andrew Jackson ...

Down in Austin, Franklin is the king

Pinnacle of Texas BBQ.

As Waylon Jennings once sang, Austin, Texas, is "the home of Willie Nelson, it's the home of Western swing..." And today, it's also home to the famed Franklin BBQ. This will not be your "off ...

Marrakesh

Sensory overload in a bustling North African must-see.

Our first excursion in Marrakesh was to find the medina where all the souks (shops) were located. Moroccan taxi drivers are on the fast pass to meet Allah. No wonder they have a call to ...

NYC: In Search of America's First Pizzeria

Red-and-white tablecloths with Dean Martin music in the background. It sounds like every other pizza joint in the United States – and it's got every possible cliché you can think of when it comes to ...

Tasty Prince Edward Island

A visit to foodie heaven.

Prince Edward Island, Canada, is called the birthplace of Canada – it was the site where they became a confederation in 1864. In 2014, they will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Charlottetown Conference leading ...

Desert Inspiration in Palm Springs

It makes an ideal place to write, says local author Edward Cozza.

Dreams. Patterns in the clouds. Drug-fueled hallucinations. A life thoroughly well-lived. There are many answers to the question: where does a writer find their inspiration? But for some, it's all about the location. Some places ...

Istanbul Spice Market

Making my way through thick crowds of people slowly walking, talking on cell phones and holding shopping bags, I found the mounds of spices in the marketplace in Istanbul, Turkey. I'd arrived to buy various ...

Ol' Tennessee Smokies

Breathtaking vistas, Southern charm, BBQ and moonshine.

Lots of tourist amenities have sprung up around Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the most visited national park in the U.S., and it’s no wonder. The stunning scenery and wildlife have attracted people to the ...

Celebrate Amsterdam

Excuse to visit: 2013 is the legendarily tolerant city's jubilee.

Though it can be fairly said that Amsterdam is always ready for a party, this year the city is really celebrating. 2013 is the 400th anniversary of its famous canal ring, now a UNESCO World ...

Laos: Same, Same but Different

Immersion in a Hmong mountain village.

It was still dark outside when the roosters' crows aroused me from my slumber. Surrounded by a mosquito net in an unfamiliar cabin, the aching of my body from the previous day's excursion reminded me ...