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On top of Rigi Kulm
I would never just show up and demand anything, no matter how American I might be
Siena Style
You can spend an entire day in this square, and lots of people do, moving with the shade from one side of the square to the other.
My Tuscan Routine
Ready for the Renaissance?
Who would you want to be - the poor guy getting flogged by the toad-man, or the one being pulled to the sky by a gaggle of naked Florentine angels?
Firenze Noir
At night, the sculptures' shadows speak, filling in the sordid details so that you learn the real stories.
One Night in Frankfurt
It was as charming a space as anywhere I've been. And home to our Grüne Sosse experience.
Biking Along the Mosel
Biking along the Mosel river is a great way to see the German countryside.
Way Down Upon the Rhine
Play Captain while cruising the Rhine!
Schwarze Katz
Zeller Schwarze Katz is the lifeblood of the Mosel, as important as the river for which the valley is named. It comes in three varieties, from sweet to dry-ish, and filled with light, pleasing fruit flavors and a mild effervescence.
Do the Pompidou
The Pompidou is one of the leading museums of modern and contemporary art in the world.
Sex and the Louvre
The Louvre is known for its massive collection, spanning from ancient Egyptian to the neo-classical period, and for its most famous works, such as the Mona Lisa. But it also houses some of the most sensual and downright sexy art ever created.
Bay Area Weekend
…you will have had a great weekend. You will be rested, sun-kissed, and well-fed. Try to keep that relaxed feeling as you finally deal with real life and get ready for the workweek ahead.
Night of the Dragon
The largest Lunar New Year parade in the United States.
Obras Maestras de Madrid
Madrid is home to many masterpieces, artistic and culinary.
Not-so-Angry Birds
It is also where Marissa and I spent a night - at the very same inn - almost 20 years ago, on a road trip down the coast from Seattle.
Spanish Food Porn
I was able to freely express my love while I was in Spain. Since I am back home I am finding myself living not quite in shame, but in a state of shyness.
La Mezquita de Córdoba مسجد قرطبة
The cacophonous combination of religions, customs and beliefs is what make the Mezquita so special to me. Take the picture above, with the Moorish arches framing the crucifix. Trust me, that was not in the original design. But it is striking, and beautiful, mostly because it wasn't planned. Like history itself, it just happened.
Duende Defined - Sevilla
Good looking people, young and old, out late into the night. Side streets and alleys filled with bars and restaurants, each with chairs and tables spilling into our path like wine from upended bottles.
Ronda and the White Hill Towns
This was the bus ride of my life, as it wound its way through the tiniest alleyways and sharpest turns I have ever seen.
Alhambra قصر الحمراء
The Alhambra is one of Europe's most popular sites, and each room gets quite crowded. But if you wait a little while there is a quiet moment after one crowd shuffles out and before the next shuffles in. During that time you can almost feel like you live there.
Granada
I won't forget the city of Granada, either. It straddles the hills around and across from the Alhambra and bathes decadently in the Andalusian sun. Its stone alley ways are filled with young college students and hippies, with dogs wandering around and guitars playing down long narrow streets.
Will Clint Eastwood be waiting for us,
an open bottle of whiskey in his hand?
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There is no way to get to where we think we need to be without swimming through that crowd.