Meeting Don Quixote
Many countries have their own special folk hero. In Australia, it is the bushranger Ned Kelly; in Spain – or at least in the southern region…
Say “salud!” with sangria
If there’s a drink that’s synonymous with Spain, it’s sangria. With a base of rough red wine (some say the rougher the better), sangria signals party…
Holy Toledo!
“Holy Toledo!” Have you ever wondered how that saying came into being? I’ve always thought it had something to do with Toledo, Ohio, in the United…
Moments in Madrid
Such is the nature of my job – and of bus tours – my first trip to Spain’s capital was all too brief. Over nine days,…
Gifts & gimmicks…as I head to Spain
Travel writers are often on the receiving end of small gifts and gimmicks from tourist boards and marketing companies plugging a particular destination. Sometimes these can…
Courage and creativity…it’s a ‘deadly’ combination
Visitors to Australia may see little of its indigenous culture, unless they seek it out or include Central Australia on their itinerary. An Aboriginal busker playing…
A tale of three bridges
Once upon a time, I held a record, of sorts. For a few days in 2005, I was the first woman in the world to have…
Shimmying in Sydney
Tinkling coins are the sign you’re doing it right. That’s the first thing I learn at my first bellydancing class. The coin belt tied around my…
Starting in Sydney
Sydney Harbour must rank as one of the most beautiful in the world. And on a sunny day, with blue skies, there are few better ways…
Made in Taiwan
Made in Taiwan. Once upon a time it seemed that almost everything came with the label “Made in Taiwan”. And frankly, that was all I knew…
A Glass Half Full 