Croatia: Red Roofs and Blue Waters

Welcome to Croatia!  Formerly part of Yugoslavia, Croatia features stunning coastal areas, historic buildings, and a charming, hybrid Eastern European and Mediterranean culture.  We spent almost a week exploring the "Pearl of the Adriatic," Dubrovnik, as well as the ancient Roman city of Split and the surrounding coastal areas.

Sarajevo: A Rose by Any Other Name...

Welcome to Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina.  We spent two days exploring the city, which, during the 1990's, suffered through the longest siege in military history.  But now, the kebabs are back on the grill, the bazaars are back in business, and the city has returned to being a friendly, lively destination for travelers.   You can still see many "Sarajevo Roses"--flower-like scars of mortar shell explosions on the pavement--but there are now more actual roses flowering in this vibrant city.  Click the link to read more.

Turkey: Blue Waters and Ancient Ruins

We explored the southwestern portion of Turkey, which features the stunning blue waters of the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas and the incredible Greco-Roman ruins of Ephesus, Aphrodisias and Hierapolis.  Click the link to read more about our visit, to see a photo of me looking crazed as I leap off a two-story boat, to see videos of two very different Roman-style gladiator duels, and to learn of the departure of a beloved member of our traveling gang.

Istanbul: Crossroads of the World

Welcome to Istanbul, Turkey!  My home state of Indiana used to refer to itself as the "Crossroads of America."  Istanbul, which sits at the intersection of Europe and Asia and has been the capital of four separate empires--Roman, Byzantine, Latin and Ottoman--could justifiably lay claim to the title, Crossroads of the World.  We spent a few days exploring the palaces, monuments, mosques, bazaars and restaurants in this incredible city.

Greece: Ancient Temples, Blue Waters and Economic Woes

Welcome to Greece!  During our brief, two-day visit, we toured the ancient ruins around Athens, sailed across clear blue waters to the island of Aegina, ate delicious Greek food, and witnessed a protest march related to Greece's economic crisis.  Click the link to read more.

Communism in Central Europe

In Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic, each country's respective communist government fell nearly simultaneously in 1989.  Although each country has since embraced capitalism, the lingering effects of communism are still felt today.  During our visits to the three countries, we toured museums, sites and memorials related to the former communist governments.  Click the link to read more.