“History is a lie!” — Robert Walpole, British Prime Minister For aficionados of true crime cold cases, the disappearance of the sons of King Edward IV, the “two princes in the tower” is truly epic stuff. The year is 1483. King Edward IV has just died and his sons, Edward V and Richard, are installed … Read more
Planning a trip to Paris? Welcome to one of my favorite cities and one of Europe’s most cultured and cosmopolitan spots! Paris is the star and the backdrop of so much great history, art, and literature. It’s a city that appeals to all different passions — museum lovers, history buffs, epicureans, devotees of royalty and … Read more
Here’s my guide to tacky tourist traps and overrated sites to skip in Paris. Sometimes, you have to gush over a lauded must see attraction. And sometimes you need to levy justified criticism, to give readers the real lowdown on a particular site. I’ve written a “what to skip” post for decoding Lisbon and London. … Read more
Beyond the famous Louvre and its glittering I.M. Pei Pyramid, Paris is home to a wealth of lesser-known yet equally enchanting museums. These hidden gems offer a chance to peek into artist studios, explore themed collections, and admire art in situ within grand palaces, all while avoiding the usual crowds. Most tourists in Paris tend … Read more
Need a break from the hurly burly of Paris? Claude Monet’s house and gardens in Giverny are the perfect bucolic destination. Just 50 miles northwest of Paris, Giverny is an easy day trip or weekend getaway from Paris. Giverny is a one-of-a-kind pastoral paradise, born from a great artist’s obsession. It’s a must see site … Read more
Ready for a French fairytale? Here’s my guide to the prettiest towns in historic Normandy. Many of these pretty Normandy hamlets are easy day trips or weekend getaways from Paris. Parisians refer to Normandy as the “21st Arondissment” and its beautiful coastline as the “Parisian Riviera.” Normandy is also easily accessed from England. Some of … Read more
Ready for a French fairytale? Here’s my guide to the 30+ of the most beautiful towns in Northern France for your bucket list. Northern France is a wonderful travel destination and one of the best places to road trip in France. Some of these beautiful towns in northern France can even be done as day … Read more
Looking for some excellent museums to put on your art bucket list? Here’s my guide to 30 of the world’s best small museums. Despite their size, these small museums have giant art collections. Great art often hides in less famous sites. These little gems preach quality over quantity. They boast magnificent — and sometimes overlooked … Read more
Looking for something cool to watch on TV? Here’s my guide to the 30 best films and documentaries for art lovers, culture vultures, and cinephiles in general. If you can’t go to a museum and don’t want to gaze at virtual museums on your computer, movies are the next best way to cyber experience art … Read more
Looking for some unusual things to do in Paris? Here’s my guide to discovering hidden gems and secrets spots in Paris. I love Paris. I’m a Francophile of the highest order and it’s my favorite city in the world. Paris is cultured, sophisticated, and lives up to its hype. I’ve visited many times, and wish … Read more