Tag: bashful adventurer

What to Do in St. John’s, Antigua

Entering St. John's, Antigua. Photo credit: M. Ciavardini.

Skipping the Excursions on a Southern Caribbean Cruise? Here Is What to Do Instead Although the Brawny Sherpa and I find ourselves on a Southern Caribbean cruise—aboard to celebrate a major birthday of a friend—we are not really beach people.…

Things to Do in Basseterre, St. Kitts

Basseterre is the capital of the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis. Photo credit: M. Ciavardini.

A Self-Guided Walking Tour Full of History Provides Plenty of Things to Do in Basseterre The ease with which we slip into Caribbean cruising mode—taking it easy and not worrying too much—becomes evident on our very first disembarkation. The first…

Tips for Visiting Saint Mark’s Basilica

The Bashful Adventurer in Venice: The four horses at upstairs at Saint Mark's Basilica. Photo credit: M. Ciavardini.

The Basilica di San Marco Is the Crown Jewel of Venice—and Everyone Knows It   It is possible to travel to Venice without visiting Saint Mark’s Basilica—those crowds! the wait!—but why would you want to skip it (except for those…

Visiting the Mendocino Coast

The Mendocino Coast by Barbara Dorr Mullen remains a helpful visitor guide even though the second edition was published in 1972.

Getting Some Ideas from an Old 1972 Visitor Guide Visiting the Mendocino Coast for the first time, I quickly am reminded how little history of the Western United States I remember from any educational instruction on the topic. The details…

Finding Horace Greeley

Remembering Crazy Politics and Journalists Honored with Statues Visitors standing before the statue of Horace Greeley in Greeley Square Park at W. 32 Street between Broadway and Sixth Avenue might not know that, in addition to being the founder and…

What to Read on a Puerto Rico Vacation

Naomi Klein's book, The Battle for Paradise, addresses the challenge of transforming Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria.

Understanding Puerto Rico After Hurricane Maria   If your whole neighborhood were to somehow blow down, say via hurricane, who would get to decide how, and if, to rebuild? You probably would like to think that you would, of course,…

Copala Memories Then and Now

Artist Paul Modlin's chapbook on Copala, Mexico provides a brief, illustrated history of the town.

Artist Paul Modlin’s Chapbook on Copala, Mexico Offers History and Visuals Standing in the center of Copala, Mexico today, one cannot help but wonder what it once was: recently even, remotely, of course. Today, this very small town is a…

That Castle in Naples

The castle in Naples, Italy, pictured here in 1989, seems to be more of a fortress. Photo credit: L. Tripoli.

The Massive Castel Nuovo in Napoli, Italy Endures and Impresses   Heading south from Rome 29 years ago, my first stop is Naples where I cannot help but notice a certain domineering building on the waterfront: the Castel Nuovo, which…

LBI Restaurants Worth Visiting

LBI restaurants: For romance, head to the Gables. Photo credit: J. Ciavardini.

From Upscale Romance to Diner Breakfasts, LBI Restaurants Dish Up Some Memorable Meals Long Beach Island isn’t just for surfers and sun worshippers; foodies can find their place here, too. On the island for a family graduation party recently, we…