Trebinje, Republika Srpska

destination

Trebinje

When you’ve had it with the crowds, cruise passengers ,and Chinese tour groups in Dubrovnik, take the 45 minute trip to Republica Srpska (within Bosnia and Herzegovina) and enjoy the quietude and break from the hustle and bustle.

Greece, GR

destination • experience

Meteora

Meteora is one of those interesting areas of Greece that is on the tour group route. Monasteries built upon pinnacles and buttes in a very remote area. Beautiful views and orthodox icons and art for the few monasteries that allow visitors. Kalabaka is the secular town beneath these sites that I found to be laid back and full of great restaurants.

McMurdo Station, Antarctica

destination • experience

McMurdo Station

Spent 2.5 years here, off and on, over six years. Lived an worked here in “Mactown” It’s hard to get here in any vessel other than military aircraft. It’s easier and far more visually interesting to take a ship to the Palmer Peninsula from Chile or Argentina.

Štúrovo, Nitra Region

destination • experience

Štúrovo

Sturovo is a small town across the Danube from Esztergom, Hungary. The border used to be controlled, but now both Slovakia and Hungary are in the EU. Not much to see here. Bratislava would be a better choice if you had the time.

Yangon, Yangon Region

destination • experience

Yangon

Modern day Burma (Myanmar) is what Thailand looked like 50 years ago. My last trip to Asia needed to include it for me to begin to understand the complexities in this country. So many ethnic tensions and corruption issues. But the people I met were sweet and kind. Interesting history and probably an unfortunate future. We’ll see.

Kotor, Kotor Municipality

destination • experience • shopping

Kotor

An easy day trip from Dubrovnik, Kotor is a much smaller and less crowded version of Dubrovnik. It has its own interesting history. And now, cats roam freely throughout the city. Spend the time and visit.

Thessaloniki, Greece

destination • experience • shopping

Thessaloniki

A seaport and a trading city in the north of Greece. Lots of Greek and Roman ruins amongst the markets near the waterfront. If you’re looking to get away from Athens but stay in Greece, this could be a good option. Plenty of bars and restaurants near the waterfront.

Tirana, Tirana County

destination

Tirana

The last Stalinist holdout in Europe, Albania is slowly recovering from years of neglect and now corruption and mafia control. The educated elite are leaving for Western Europe for higher wages and quality of life. Albania is still worth a visit, though. At first blush, you see emerging modernity. A shallow scratch beneath the surface brings you back to the systemic troubles.

Phnom Penh, Phnom Penh

destination • experience

Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum

A sobering visit to a site of the Khmer Rouge Genocide. There’s more to Cambodia than this sadness, but you must balance tourism with historical reality.

destination • experience

Lake Ohrid

Sitting between Greece and Albania, Lake Ohrid is a beautiful and quiet destination that is worth a stay. From an ancient walled town to an abandoned fortress on the hill, to a beautiful lake, it captures what old Europe was - and still is here.

Mostar, Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina

destination • experience

Mostar

Sure, there’s an old bridge over the river in the old town. Be sure to see it while you’re here. But, there’s another history, recent though it is, of the Balkans conflict when the former Yugoslavia broke up. Not too far from the old town is the outskirts of Mostar that still show the scars of war.

Ljubljana, Ljubljana

destination • experience

Ljubljana

Slovenia is an easy reach from Austria or Italy and was the most western of all the Yugoslav Republics. Old town is beautiful and has sidewalk cafes and restaurants. A funicular can haul you up to the castle where you’ll have spectacular views.

Esztergom, Hungary

destination • experience

Esztergom

I was interested in driving into Slovakia on a free day in Budapest. You can take a train to Bratislava but we had a late start because of the need to do laundry. We chose to hire a driver and car to drive us to Esztergom, which sits on the Danube along the border of Slovakia. Before both of these countries became part of the European Union, the bridge between these countries was one of the major thoroughfares. Now, it’s a backwater. But Esztergom hosts the largest Eastern Orthodox basilicas in Europe. Not much else worth seeing in town.

Thua Thien Hue, Vietnam

destination • experience

Thua Thien Hue

Hué was the capital of Vietnam from 1802 to 1945. The Citadel in the Imperial City is the central attraction here. It also was the site of a major battle between US forces and the North Vietnamese during the Tet Offensive in 1968. During that battle, much of the Citadel was destroyed. Today, the Vietnamese are slowly reconstructing it. It's a beautiful location rich in history.