A walk through Vienna, Austria became something else entirely when small brass markers in the pavement stopped me cold. This reflection traces my first encounter with Stolpersteine, memorials to Holocaust victims placed where they once lived. Read the Full Story.
In Sligo, Ireland a bronze family waits forever on the quay—one small reminder of events that sent more than 30,000 people from that port city toward places like Pennsylvania’s coal towns. Read the full story.
2025 was a full, difficult, and meaningful year—spent writing, traveling, podcasting, and chasing stories from Pennsylvania’s Coal Region to Ireland’s northwest coast and beyond. This reflection looks back at the moments, places, and people that shaped the work. Read the full story.
I recently reflected on Stanley Tucci’s “Tucci in Italy,” where each episode blends history, regional culture, and mouthwatering cuisine - from Lazio’s vineyards to Adriatic fishing villages. Tucci’s passion and storytelling took me back to my own Italian travels and inspired anew. Read the full story.
Discover how Rick Steves’ new memoir On the Hippie Trail reignited my passion and need for travel - tracing his 1978 trek from Istanbul to Kathmandu and exploring how adventure breaks down fear and builds bridges. My latest Monday Dispatch reflection on wanderlust and cultural connection, with some love for the late Anthony Bourdain. Read the full story.
Explore Eckley Miners’ Village in Luzerne County We stepped back in time at this preserved 1850s patch town - the filming site of "The Molly Maguires" – and learned more about patch towns in the Coal Region. Read the full story of our visit and how you can plan your own trip.
Journey through Pottsville, Pennsylvania, on a Saturday night with us! We explored history, architecture, and drank some local brew. From dinner at the Eagle Tavern to haunting views near the Schuylkill County Prison, experience how this Coal Region community with a storied past can be experienced today. Read the full story.
Discover how a brief 1871 civil war ignited Paris, leaving smoldering ruins and shaping France’s future. Follow my December 2024 travels through Paris and learn how this dramatic chapter still resonates in the City of Light. Read the full story.
Reflections on a busy year in 2024 with a huge thank you to you, dear readers, who have supported all of this! Let's share some stories from 2024, reflect on a memorable year, and get excited for new things happening in 2025! Read it all here.
In December 2023, travels in Italy brought us to Rome's Jewish neighborhood.