Although Eurodisney Paris has lots of fun rides and attractions, unless you’re the best parent in the world, it’s probably not real high on your list of things to do in Paris. If you’re like many people, shopping is at or near the top.

But if you can find a volunteer to go with the kids to Disneyland Paris Resort, you can spend the day at La Vallee Village, the outlet mall that’s just a few minutes’ walk from the Disney park entrance. If you’ll have the kids in tow, there’s a play area for them at the Village. Read more…

Everyone knows that the French make incredible red and white wine. But their rose wine is also fantastic, albeit sometimes misunderstood.

When I told a friend that we loved the rose wines we drank on our recent trip to France, she turned up her nose and said, “Isn’t that like Kool-Aid?”

The truth is that most American roses, if you can even find them, aren’t very good. We went to the California wine festival yesterday in Santa Barbara, and of the 350 wines they poured, probably fewer than 5% were roses. Of those, only one was even slightly dry. Read more…

Around 500 BC, the Etruscans discovered a plateau of volcanic tufa high above the valley and founded the town that would become Orvieto. Today, it has one of the most spectacular settings in the region.

The top attraction in Orvieto is the Cathedral or Duomo. Construction of the church began in 1288 and employed more than 350 architects, painters, sculptors, and mosaic artists. It blends both the Gothic and Romanesque styles beautifully. Read more…

Liguria is one of the most enjoyable places in Italy for travelers. From glamorous Portofino to sleepy fishing villages, the province offers a wide range of experiences. And wherever you choose to go, you’ll likely have terrific food – pesto is a specialty here – and fabulous coastal views.

The area has long attracted poets and painters, including Shelley and Lord Byron. And thanks to the Rick Steves guidebooks, the five towns of the Cinque Terre were discovered by Americans decades ago. Read more…

Eurodisney Paris, AKA Disneyland Paris Resort, is easy to reach from almost anywhere in Europe. If you’re going there or to Walt Disney Studios, you have plenty of options in all price ranges.

If you’re flying to Paris and going straight to Disneyland from there, Air France uses a VEA shuttle bus from Roissy/Charles de Gaulle (CDG) Airport. The shuttle is included if you purchase your air as past of a package through Disney. During peak times, the shuttles leave three times an hour, seven days a week. The trip takes 40 minutes and costs 18 euros, 15 for children. Read more…

We’ve recently returned from Provence and the French Riviera, and Arles was one of our favorite spots. The city first flourished under Roman rule – and there are several impressive sites dating from Roman times, impressive medieval architecture, and delightful squares where you can enjoy a meal or a glass of wine.

Virtually everything is within walking distance. And Arles hotels and restaurants provide great value for money. Read more…

We’ve just finished two weeks of driving around the South of France, and for the most part, it was a very pleasant experience.

After picking up our rental car at the TGV station in Avignon, we visited St.-Remy-de-Provence, Arles, l’Isle sur la Sorgue, Fontaine de Vaucluse, Gordes, Roussillon, Bonnieux, Lourmarin, Aix-en-Provence, Cap d’Antibes, Antibes, Juan-les-Pins, Cannes, Sainte-Maxime, Saint-Tropez, and Bormes-les-Mimosas, without any trouble. Read more…

Avignon is one of the most interesting cities in France. In 1309, Pope Clement V disliked all the politics in Rome and decided to move the Papacy to Avignon. A couple of subsequent Popes chose to remain in Avignon, and in 1335, Pope Benedict XII began construction of the Palais des Papes, which dominates the city today.

It’s an imposing place, and surprisingly secular. After the revolution, it was used as a prison and later a barracks, so most of the Papal splendor is long gone. Read more…

As far as we’re concerned, no visit to Paris is complete without spending some time in its marvelous flea markets. Always a place of incomparable style, Paris has produced exquisite art, decorative objects, and fashion, as well as wonderful, whimsical souvenirs. And flea markets have it all — from the sublime to the silly.

If you’re looking for something truly unique for a special gift, or a treasured memento, check one out. Take cash, keep an eye on your wallet, and de prepared to do a little bargaining. Read more…

Although it’s now part of Croatia, the Istrian peninsula is very Italian in feel. The Italian town of Trieste is less than 15 miles away, and Venice is just across the Adriatic.

Fans of Lidia Bastianich know that the chef grew up here and many of her recipes combine Italian tradition with local ingredients. Truffles are a specialty of the region. Read more…

While you’ve probably heard of Santorini and Mykonos, you may not have heard of Skiathos. It was first developed in the 1970s and today, its sandy beaches, quaint villages, and vibrant nightlife make it a popular vacation destination. And Skiathos hotels take advantage of the stunning scenery.

If you’ve ever seen a calendar with photos of the Greek Islands, you know that the water here is crystal clear and absolutely gorgeous. Read more…

One of the five Cinque Terre villages, Manarola has some of the best hotels in the area. Few views are more breathtaking than the first glimpse of the town on the path from Corniglia. From here, the village is almost vertical with pastel houses piled on top of one another. Surrounded by black rock, the emerald bay beckons you to take a dip.

Winemaking, fishing, and producing olive oil are the order of the day here. And you’ll have plenty of opportunities to sample all three. Read more…

Unlike Paris, where department stores were part of Baron Haussamans’s grand plan, Rome’s grandi maggazzi aren’t all that grandi.

They’re actually pretty small – the big stores are in the new shopping malls on the ring road that runs around Rome’s perimeter. But you can certainly find whatever you’re looking for in Rome’s department stores, and many are located near Via Condotti were luxury labels like Versace and Dolce & Gabbano are located. Read more…

Opened in 2002, ten years after Eurodisney Paris, Walt Disney Studio is adjacent to the Disneyland Paris Resort. It’s a terrific attraction in its own right, so plan to spend two days here – one at Disneyland and one at the studios.

Like Disneyland, which is divided into four “lands,” Walt Disney Studios is divided into four studio lots. The entrance recalls the original Disney studio in California with a replica of the old water tower and studio gates. Read more…

When we first went to Spain in 1997, the food was nothing to write home about. If you substituted the word “ham” for “spam” in the Monty Python sketch, you could describe pretty much every menu we encountered.

Until we got to Barcelona. The food there was wonderful, making the most of Mediterranean seafood, herbs, and produce.

The Catalonians have always preserved their culture, and their culinary traditions are a big part of that. Read more…

Piraeus isn’t exactly the most scenic city in Greece, but if you’re trying to catch an early-morning ferry to the islands, or getting in late, it’s a convenient place to overnight.

It’s been the port of Athens since ancient times, and the commercial port since 1834. There are actually three harbors here, so make sure you know which one your boat leaves from and leave yourself plenty of time to find the berth. Read more…

Trieste is a beautiful city that’s as much Austrian as it is Italian. It practically straddles the border between Italy and Slovenia, and much of its history is tied to the Hapsburg Empire. You’re just as likely to find paprika in the dishes here as garlic.

It’s been an important port since Roman times, and a rival of nearby Venice for centuries. Today, you’ll find everything from medieval to modern buildings in Trieste. Read more…

Known as mercato delle pulci, Rome’s flea markets have their roots in ancient times. They’re a great way to experience an authentic slice of Roman life. And you’ll often find a one-of-a-kind item that becomes a treasured souvenir or a thoughtful gift.

Most visitors to Rome who enjoy flea markets and antique shops know about the Porta Portese market. With 4,000 vendors, it’s one of the biggest flea markets in Europe. Read more…

Paris has exceptional hotels everywhere. But many of the inexpensive hotels in Paris are in neighborhoods that are out of the way. Although the Paris Metro is very convenient, taking it deprives of one of the great joys of visiting Paris – stumbling across marvelous little hidden treasures as you walk.

For our money, a centrally located hotel is well worth the extra cost. When you stay near the things you want to visit, you don’t have any transportation costs, you don’t waste any time getting from here to there, and you just feel fresher after a nice walk than you do after being on a subway. Read more…

If you’re coming from La Spezia or Portovenere, Riomaggiore is the first town you’ll reach in the Cinque Terra. Part of the Cinque Terra National Park – which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site – Riomaggiore is picture-postcard pretty with pastel-colored houses clinging to terraced clifftops and an aquamarine harbor.

It’s best known for the Via dell’Amore or Lover’s Path, a coastal walk with unforgettable views of the sea. Read more…