For many, Holland calls a distinct picture to the mind’s eye of a legendary little boy with his finger thrust bravely into a hole in the dike, determined to save the sleeping village. Along the edge of the dike there are cheerful tulips, and a windmill turns its sails on the horizon. Look, the boy’s…
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The Sound of Music and Changes of Heart (with reader comments)
This piece originally ran in our UnTours Quarterly newsletter. (You can sign up for all of our newsletters here.) We got a lot of interesting comments from readers. We’ve included the best of them at the bottom of my post. After watching my own daughter’s obsession with the film in the years since I lived…
Life Hack: 10 Tips to Make Your Life Like a European Vacation
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Stuck at home this summer? Yearning for the rich life of Europe? A little of that joie de vivre you felt last year in Paris or the dolce vita of past vacations in Italy? Upgrade your staycation or day-to-day life with these simple life hacks. Shop small. Shop local. Buy fresh bread at the bakery. Visit…
Sound of Music Reboot: My Favorite Things
Navigating life’s ups and downs, photo by Cathrin Baumbach At some point in my 20s, I learned to sing away the blues. One rough winter, I took to rewriting the lyrics to My Favorite Things. My list of favorites was a lot different back then, but singing about them is an uplifting habit that has…
7 Ways to Beat the Post-Vacation Blues
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It is never easy to return home from a vacation, at least not when you’ve had a good trip! Here’s a little wisdom to help you keep your post-travel blues at bay. Return to a clean house It may be hectic getting out the door, but if you can leave your home clean and orderly,…
Best of the Peloponnese: Top 10 Sights of Nafplio and Classical Greece
The Nafplio UnTour in Greece is one of my favorites. It’s the perfect example of what our founder Hal Taussig had in mind when he came up with the UnTour concept. The town is big enough to offer interesting museums and sights, a vibrant restaurant scene, lovely waterfront walks, two beaches and enchanting alleys. Yet…
Smart Guide to Barcelona: 11 Can’t-Miss Ideas for Your Stay
Ah Barcelona, such a dynamic, cosmopolitan city. However, it has not always been high on the traveler’s radar. Over the past 20 years or so, the city has had its own renaissance due largely to the 1992 Olympic games and is now full of life and things to do, see and, of course, eat. Below…
The Swiss Untour on TV! A perfect view of our Untour in the Alps
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This video aired on a show called Boomers on PBS. Though it is a few years old, it really captures the essence of the Swiss UnTour experience. Meet our clients the Kofflers and the Dunoffs on site in Switzerland, along with our staffers Jessica and Marianna. (Of course Marianna has retired since, but the “Queen…
Best of Tuscany: Making Wine and Friends on Anna’s Farm
Above: Anna Ginotti in the vineyards with her guests. This photo and all others below by UnTourist Michael Moss. Tuscany is one of our most loved and most popular UnTours for many reasons. While the scenery, the food and wine, the art and architecture, and the natural beauty all account for its special spot…
Top 10 Rome: Where to Begin in the Eternal City
You could spend a lifetime in Rome and just scratch the surface. Rome is a generous city, bustling with sights and offering something for everyone, from fashion and contemporary art to some of western civilization’s most important antiquities, grand baroque churches to quaint cobbled neighborhoods and cozy trattorie. There are so many ways to do…