Category Archives: Family

Yesterday’s arrival in Athens brought me for a second time into a city stamped, more deeply than any in the ancient world, with the imprint of lofty human aspirations. In some places the mark of the ideal shines gloriously. In … Continue reading →

Since arriving late Tuesday morning in Istanbul, our days have been full. From Serkeci station, we took the tram a short ride to the Sultanahmet stop, luggage in tow, and walked only a block to the Hotel Arcadia. We checked … Continue reading →

Budapest, the modern union of the two ancient cities of Buda and Pest, is laying claim to new stature among Europe’s great cities. So says the mayor of Budapest, and public relations overstatement aside, I believe it. Of all our … Continue reading →

We’re in Bucharest on the executive floor of the J.W. Marriott overlooking the “people’s palace” that Ceauşescu ostentatiously built. I am rather ashamed to stay in such a nice place after walking around the city all afternoon yesterday. It’s quite … Continue reading →

Our long overnight rail travel from Budapest to Bucharest is underway. The “Ister” leaves Budapest Keleti daily at 19:10 and arrives at Bucharest Nord at 11:38 the next morning. We left right on time, and I’m hopeful we’ll arrive at … Continue reading →

Today is Thursday and we’re bound for Vienna. Already having passed through Salzburg, our Austrian-operated Railjet train winds its way through the verdant springtime hill country, and we should disembark shortly after two o’clock. Yesterday, our third and final day … Continue reading →

Triomphe. Our second day in Paris brought us triumph even though we began inauspiciously. After a splendid breakfast at the Marriott, we walked the couple of blocks to the metro station and inadvertently bought weekend day passes for the metro … Continue reading →