Barbara Weibel

Tiberius Bridge in Rimini, Italy - A 2,000-Year Old Masterpiece

Construction on Il Ponte di Tiberio (Tiberius Bridge) in Rimini, Italy, was begun in A.D. 14, when Augustus was the Roman Emperor. It was completed …

Montanara Gate in Rimini, Italy, Once Led to the City's Roman Forum

The city of Rimini, Italy is perhaps best known for its shallow beaches on the Adriatic. I found the beach strip to be a nightmare of lounge chairs …

A Different Kind of Italian Experience - Artisans and Ancient Traditions

There is a place in Italy where things are still done the old way. Where value is measured by the preservation of ancient traditions. Where life is …

Main Piazza of Mercatello sul Metauro, in Le Marche, Italy

The main Piazza of Mercatello sul Metauro, in the Le Marche region of Italy. I spent an idyllic few days here, wandering the commune and meeting the …

Senior Citizens Should Buy Their National Parks Passes Now

Senior citizens who plan on spending time in the Great Smoky Mountains or hope to explore the Everglades, should move quickly to buy a lifetime pass …

Ancient Streets in the Village of Mercatello sul Metauro, Italy

Ancient stone buildings mingle with brightly painted facades in the village of Mercatello sul Metauro in the Le Marche province of Italy. Located …

Beautiful Metauro River Valley in the Le Marche Region of Italy

The virtually unknown Le Marche region of Italy offers splendid scenery that rivals anything found in the more popular province of Tuscany. I found …

Making the Tagliatelle - An Authentic Italian Experience in Le Marche, Italy

One of the highlights of my authentic Italian experience in Le Marche, Italy, included lessons on how to make Tagliatelle pasta from scratch. The …

Palazzo Donati - An Authentic Italian Experience in Le Marche, Italy

I perused the equipment on the table in front of me with more than a little trepidation. Slicers, dicers, chef’s knives, and immersion blenders …

Through an Archway in the Tiny Village of Mercatello sul Metauro, Italy

Every lane offers postcard perfect views in the tiny village of Mercatello sul Metauro, Italy, located in the northeastern province of Le Marche. As …

Evening in the Main Piazza of Mercatello sul Metauro, Italy

The owners of Palazzo Donati recently invited me to stay at their restored Italian palace in the village of Mercatello sul Metauro, Italy. The tiny …

Montestigliano Holiday Farm in Tuscany, An Authentic Italian Experience

The deep-throated cooing of pigeons in the rafters roused me from a delicious sleep. I stretched and yawned before climbing out of bed to watch the …

Piero della Francesca Painting Being Restored in Sansepolcro, Italy

One the many joys of wandering around the Tuscan countryside is discovering astonishing artwork found in every village, no matter how tiny. During my …

PHOTO: Roses Climb a Wall at Montestigliano Holiday Farmhouse in Tuscany, Italy

Roses climb a wall at Montestigliano holiday farmhouse in Tuscany, which offers stays at an authentic working farm in the Italian countryside. One of …

The ultimate guide to Hong Kong: where English and Chinese cultures meet to create something unique

A restaurant built under a waterfall in a tranquil garden, serving vegetarian food cooked by Buddhist nuns is probably the last thing you expect to …

The Science of Why (and How) Travel Makes You a Better Person

By on in Travel Motivation 0<p>Maybe you’ve seen all the feel-good aphorisms about how travel improves your life for the better. Maybe your own …

Lesotho Is a Secret Mountain Bike Paradise

Ride a secret railway beneath London’s streets

Think Crossrail is the only development that’s connecting east and west London? Think again.<p>London’s Postal Museum (due to open in mid-2017) is …

Busing across Japan just got easier

TOKYO -- Taking a bus around Japan was not much of an option until now, due to industry rules that limit each bus operator to certain areas. But nine …

Where to go in August for culture

If the idea of crowded museums or pin-drop-quiet art galleries doesn’t float your boat, remember that cultural experiences come in all colours, shapes and sizes – and August delivers the lot.<p>Live like the locals in Papua New Guinea’s rainforest-clad mountains; be inspired by incredible architecture …

PHOTO: The Gorgeous Hilltop Town of Siena in Tuscany, Italy

The hilltop town of Siena is one of the most beautiful rural villages in Tuscany, Italy. In this view, the Siena Cathedral (Cattedrale di Santa Maria …

PHOTO: Palace at Montestigliano Luxury Holiday Farm in Tuscany, Italy

A centuries-old palace at Montestigliano luxury holiday farm in Tuscany, Italy, is drenched in shades of gold and burnt orange under the setting sun. …

Bologna, Italy – Beauty Without the Beastly Crowds

Alessandro greeted me with a huge smile. ” Hello! Welcome to al Bricco D’Oro.” I laughed and smiled back. “How did you know to speak to me in …

Thailand to Consider Requiring Visitors to Buy Travel Insurance

One of the many reasons travelers love Thailand: It’s a great place to stretch a limited travel budget.<p>But poor choices by some of those travelers …

These under-the-radar sculptures are the coolest thing you’ll see in Croatia

From the top of a grassy hill, a giant eye constantly stares down at the tiny village of Podgaric. It may sound sinister – like something straight …

PHOTO: Libreria Nanni Open Air Bookstore Under the Porticoes of Bologna, Italy

The porticoes of Bologna, Italy, were built between the 11th and the 20th centuries. Like most Medieval cities, Bologna’s porticoes were built to …

On board Viking Star, the luxury ship that will change your mind about cruising

“Being in a ship is being in a jail – with the chance of being drowned,” wrote Samuel Johnson. The good doctor doth protest too much, I mused over a martini in the soaring atrium of a ship cruising south through the mid-Atlantic.<p>In front of me a trio of classical musicians performed Bach’s …

These 7 luxurious trains offer breathtaking views for your next vacation

Long-distance train travel is a great way to see the natural beauty of a country.<p>Naturally, taking a train doesn't have to break the bank. But for anyone interested in splurging on comfort for trips that can last a week or more, there are several ways to ride in style.<p>Scroll down to see the most …

Photographing Gorillas in Uganda

Photographing gorillas in Uganda is not an easy task...specially when of them decides to decides to charge you in the dense rain forest. Read More >>

PHOTO: Skyline of Bologna, Italy, from Rooftop of Basilica di San Petronio

The beautiful skyline of Bologna, Italy, is best viewed from the rooftop terrace of the Basilica di San Petronio. The Basilca is located in Piazza …