On my two previous trips to Switzerland's tiny-but-touristy Zermatt, I failed to catch a glimpse of the glorious Matterhorn mountain that draws so many to the burg at its base for... — Updated 2/19/2020

To travel as a pilgrim is to experience "travel with a purpose"-to go beyond tourism and connect more deeply with a place, a culture, or a faith. Travelers considering pilgrimages i... — Updated 2/12/2020

Ireland is more than an "Emerald Isle." It's an isle filled with cultural and historic wonders...and lately with lots of tourists, too. And at many of its top sights, reservations... — Updated 2/5/2020

Britain, while engulfed in Brexit politics, is constantly investing in first-class projects to share its heritage - and, in so many ways, Britain's heritage is linked to our... — Updated 1/29/2020

Rome is nicknamed "The Eternal City" and nowadays it could also be referring to the lines you'll wait in. The city (along with Naples) is better organized than ever for the huge... — Updated 1/22/2020

Nighttime's the right time - and reservations are smart any time - when it comes to seeing the great sights in Northern Italy. With all the crowds heading for the same few... — Updated 1/15/2020

Though visiting Paris' Notre-Dame cathedral won't be possible for the foreseeable future following a devastating fire, there are plenty of fine examples of Gothic cathedrals - and... — Updated 1/8/2020

For scenes straight out of a box of old-fashioned Christmas cards, head to England. Many classic Christmas trappings, from caroling to mince pie and wassail, have been part of Engli... — Updated 12/18/2019

With its romantic coastline, inviting beaches, and reliable sunshine, southern France's Riviera region has been a tourist destination since the 1860s. A hundred years ago,... — Updated 12/11/2019

Seeing the top sights in Europe's big cities can be intense. It's hot, it's crowded, and your dream of having a quiet moment with the Mona Lisa is shared by around six million... — Updated 12/4/2019

Every time I travel to Europe in the off-season, I find myself enjoying a cool and comfy tranquility - and not missing the heat and crowds that so often come with peak season. But e... — Updated 11/27/2019

When I first came to the Cinque Terre, then an isolated stretch of the Italian Riviera south of Genoa, it was a classic "back door": a string of five pastel-hued hamlets, gently... — Updated 11/20/2019

Strung along the Danube River, three capital cities - Vienna, Bratislava, and Budapest - make up a triangle of enjoyable urbanity at the heart of central Europe. Each of these... — Updated 11/13/2019

With a rich culture, friendly people, affordable prices, and a salty setting on the edge of Europe, Portugal understandably makes a rewarding destination for travelers. Bustling... — Updated 11/6/2019

Sampling Italian cuisine is sightseeing for your palate. The tour plan: Start with fresh ingredients and talented cooks, mix in a city's personality, and add a happy dining crowd.... — Updated 10/23/2019

Picture this: Half-timbered towns with tall cathedral spires, thatched-roof cottages dotted among green rolling hills, fat happy cows, and drifts of gnarled apple trees. This is... — Updated 10/16/2019

From church domes to bell towers, fanciful rooftops to sky-piercing monuments, Europe is full of climbable structures. While most lead to impressive views, the best also offer... — Updated 10/12/2019