David’s Bloggin’ About Europe

Join David on a trip around the Emerald Isle. His Taste of Ireland and Best of Ireland tour...

Italy gets more intense and robust the farther south one goes. Naples and the towns in and...

You’ve seen it in countless advertisements for the Prudential Insurance Company, The Rock...

David returns from 8-weeks on the road leading tours in Europe. In this episode, David shares a...

Contactless payments are the way to go, especially since the evolution of COVID-19 and pandemic...

Updated: September 30, 2022 In the United States, we’ve been raised on a tradition of tipping...

  When traveling abroad, a good traveler expects to run into cultural differences. With a...

Updated: September 2022 – by David & Charlotte McGuffin, Dawnielle Jacobson, Audra...

  Before the COVID-19 Pandemic, Europeans tended to use cash for their day-to-day spending much...

You’ll not get beyond the check-in counter at the airport without a valid passport… if...

The Musée du Louvre is the world’s largest and oldest museum. It houses famous works of...

I’ve visited the Lauterbrunnen Valley in Switzerland many times, but I’ve never...

David takes you on a walk inside Siena’s Cathedral. The Cathedral, known as the Duomo, was...

David takes you on a walk inside and out of Siena’s Cathedral. The Cathedral, known as...

Join David as he shows you around Florence, Italy and Mercato Centrale.  Then we’ll hop...

David is just back from 8 weeks on the road in Europe. Travel is back and people are flying...

A PRICE INCREASE is on the horizon. After three months on the road in Europe, two things are...

We’ve just wrapped up our first Tuscan Villa Vacation tour of the season.  Although...

I am flying back to Italy tonight. However, I packed in a lot of Exploring Europe in the days I...

EASTER in Europe & Scooter vs. CAR Over the years, I found myself in Europe on Easter...

Orvieto has a rich history beginning with the Etruscans where they named this town Velzna.  The...

Tonight we’ll look at David’s best destinations along his Germany, Austria, and Switzerland...

Tonight we’ll look at David’s best destinations along his Germany, Austria, and Switzerland...

Believe it or not, I visited Europe two decades before I explored New York City. But when I...

Auschwitz opened in 1940 and was the largest of the Nazi concentration and death camps. Located...

I’ll let you in on my sort-of secret find in Poland.   We were finishing up our dinner on our...

Sitting on a hill, perched high above the Danube River is Melk Abbey.  This Baroque version of...

I was in Chicago, Il over the weekend selling our tours at the Travel and Adventure Show. ...

I visited Kraków for the first time in December 2021.  In fact, Charlotte and I enjoyed Poland...

Paris, Venice, Switzerland, Bellagio, Zakopane, and Santorini are great destinations, and they...

February 1, 2022 Prague (S2E7) Situated on the Moldau River, Prague has long been a key city...

January 25, 2022 Castelrotto, Oberbozen, and Alpe di Siusi (S2E6) A visit to Bolzano/Bozen is...

January 18, 2022 7:30 PM ET. (S2E5) Bolzano, Italy Bolzano is smack dab in the middle of the...

January 11, 2022 7:30 PM ET. (Season 2, Episode 4) David and Charlotte talk about their...

I was in Strasbourg, France, and Zurich, Switzerland the last few days. Tonight, on Travel Talk...

COVID-19, the ensuing pandemic, variants, and travel restrictions have caused many Christmas...

Tonight’s episode marks show number 53, and the beginning of SEASON 2 of TRAVEL TALK TUESDAY. I...

The Amalfi Coast is hugged by a narrow road perched high above the crystal-clear Bay of...

Pompeii was a thriving Roman city of 20,000 people in 79 AD. Then, on August 24, Mount Vesuvius...

I call Sorrento the gateway to the Amalfi Coast. Perched high on a bluff above the Bay of...

I call Sorrento the gateway to the Amalfi Coast. Perched high on a bluff above the Bay of...

Recenly, I visited all five villages of the Cinque Terre, in one day.  This episode of...

Ischia is an island located in the Bay of Naples.  It is covered with mountains, lush...

PROCIDA is the subject of this episode of Travel Talk Tuesday. This tiny island is in the north...

Recently, I visited all five villages of the Cinque Terre, in one 10-hour day.  This episode of...

Recenly, I visited all five villages of the Cinque Terre, in one day.  This episode of...

On October 21st, 2020, we will participate in the first-ever Virtual Travel &...

Are you itching to travel in 2021? I am too! We’ve rolled out all twenty of our tours...

I’ve visited Dublin many times, in fact all my tours to Ireland begin and end in Dublin...

Since we cannot travel to Europe right now, I am bringing a bit of Europe to you. I yearn for...

The Pandemic and Exploring Europe Here it is mid-August, and I’ve not left the USA in...

October 4 – A walk around Trastevere – Earlier today, I took the Frecciarossa, the...

You have not heard from me for a while, but I wanted to write and let you know all is well with...

Since we cannot travel to Europe right now, I am bringing a bit of Europe to you. I yearn for...

Recently, I blogged about “pizza done right” and realized I did not have many...

The Coronavirus lockdown has disrupted the “normal” routine all over the world....

Read Episode 1 here. Charlotte’s Coronavirus Test Charlotte was sick with a fever,...

How it all began For some years now we have been promoting and selling our tours at travel...

March 16, 2020 –  The COVID-19 Coronavirus has spread across the globe faster and wider...

  Upcoming travel shows in Denver and Atlanta If you or someone you know lives in one of...

Paris is my most favorite city in Europe. Grand boulevards, boutiques and outdoor cafés, lavish...

Paris, Rome, Venice, Salzburg, and Tuscany are some of the most romantic destinations in...

Last call for scrapbook entries This is the last week to enter our virtual scrapbook contest....

  If you live in Boston, come meet David this weekend and be our VIP guest at the Boston...

Happy New Year! 2020 Travel Shows We’re kicking off 2020 with travel shows in Boston, Chicago,...

Christmas Markets of Eastern Europe Our Christmas markets tour to Germany and Austria has been...

14 December 2019 From the Munich Airport, it is a 50 minute S-Bahn (local train) ride into...

The Munich Airport’s (MUC) Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 are linked by a big outdoor covered...

13 December 2019 We arrived at the MUC Munich Airport this morning, and by 8:00, we were...

Edinburgh, the second-largest city in Scotland, is its historic and cultural capital. Just a...

A Brief History of Florence The powerful Medici family ruled Florence for most of the 15th...

Scotland and the Military Tattoo  Enjoy traditional music, great food and fantastic scenery on...

September 20, 2019- Today, I visited a previously undiscovered Roman-era amphitheater...

Check out David’s awesome pictures from the Best of Italy and Essence of Italy tours on...

Volterra’s History Volterra has been around a long time. The first evidence of a...

Our 2020 tour lineup is out, with 17 itineraries visiting 18 countries in Europe. Our tours...

Check out David’s awesome pictures from the Best of Italy and Essence of Italy tours on...

What to Do in the Cinque Terre The Cinque Terre—or “five lands”—is a loose-knit group of...

Our 2019 tour lineup is out, featuring updated itineraries for Ireland and the return of our...

  David is currently trekking through Italy on the Best of Italy and Essence of Italy...

Vatican City David shares his tips on what to see when touring the Vatican. The Grounds The...

Rome: Baroque City Center Explore some of the sites in Rome’s Baroque city center. Piazza...

Ancient Rome Read about some of David’s favorite sites dating back to ancient Rome. The...

I visited Rome for the first time in May 1977 while on a choral concert tour with my college...

Our website says: “We believe you can do, see and experience more on a group tour than if you...

We are offering discounts on our most popular Italy tours. See our tour comparison chart here...

Updated: April 2021 When booking an Exploring Europe tour, we only request a small refundable...

Notre Dame On Monday evening, a major fire erupted in the attic of Notre Dame. It blazed for 10...

On Monday evening, a major fire erupted in the attic of Notre Dame. It blazed for 10 hours,...

Dallas Travel Show This Weekend Looking for some weekend plans? David McGuffin’s Exploring...

Washington, D.C. Travel Show This Weekend Looking for some weekend plans? David McGuffin’s...

Philadelphia Travel Show This Weekend Looking for some weekend plans? David McGuffin’s...

Denver Travel Show This Weekend Looking for some weekend plans? David McGuffin’s Exploring...

Boston Travel Show This Weekend Looking for some weekend plans? David McGuffin’s Exploring...

Upcoming Travel Shows Over the next few weeks, we will be traveling the country to promote our...

Edinburgh I’ve been visiting Scotland for almost twenty years. Much of that has been...

Chicago Travel Show This Weekend Looking for some weekend plans? David McGuffin’s Exploring...

Christmas Markets 2019 Are you feeling the stress of that last-minute shopping and wishing you...

  Christmas Markets Tour This December, explore Germany and Austria in the offseason, avoid the...

Christmas Markets Tour Flights are selling at record low prices from the USA to Munich for the...

Best of Italy, October 14-27 Take $500 off when you sign up now. Visit the essential tourist...

Wines of Tuscany: White Wine To cap off my blog series about the wines of Tuscany, let’s talk...

Strictly Small Groups with David McGuffin’s Exploring Europe Tours I am making a change to my...

Christmas Markets Tour Flights are selling at record low prices from the USA to Munich for the...

Super Tuscans Super Tuscan… what is that supposed to mean? A new super hero, a WWF wrestler or...

Big Savings on Upcoming Tours If your schedule is flexible, join us on an upcoming tour and...

There are at least 40,000 restaurants in Paris!   So says the BBC in a 2016 report.  For me,...

Brunello di Montalcino Of all the DOCG wines produced in Tuscany, my favorite is Brunello di...

  Nobile di Montepulciano Nobile di Montepulciano is one of Tuscany’s oldest and most renowned...

Chianti A few decades ago, Chianti was the most recognizable Italian red wine in the United...

Wines of Tuscany Italy is synonymous with its amazing food and wines, and Tuscany is the heart...

2019 Tours We are working on our 2019 tour line-up and already have many trips available for...

Denver Travel Show This Weekend Looking for some weekend plans? David McGuffin’s Exploring...

Dallas Travel Show This Weekend Looking for some weekend plans? David McGuffin’s Exploring...

Congratulations to Our Tour Scrapbook Contest Winners! Congratulations to our 2017 Digital Tour...

Last Chance to Win a Free Trip to Europe There’s just over a week left to enter the virtual...

During the next nine weeks we will be crisscrossing the USA taking our Exploring Europe show on...

  If you missed the December 31 deadline, there’s good news! David has acquired 6 more...

Did You Know? David offers lots of discount opportunities to tour alumni through various...

Christmas Markets of Germany and Austria If you’re looking to get into the holiday spirit,...

David and Charlotte are wrapping up 58 days on the road: five tours across eight countries!...

Take advantage of our $100 early-bird discount when you sign up for a 2018 tour before October...

I would like to thank you all for your concern as Hurricane Irma passed over Florida. Charlotte...

We’ve added two more tours to our 2018 line-up! See below for details on The Best of the Med...

We have been working hard on our 2018 tour lineup, and we are pleased to unveil our newest...

If you’ve poked around davidmcguffin.com recently, you may have discovered we’ve been sneaking...

The Dollar is Sinking The U.S. Dollar has fallen to a six-month low against the Euro and is...

Terrorism and Travel Summer is rapidly approaching and people are gearing up for their...

Christmas Markets Tour This Christmas season, why not celebrate in some of Europe’s most...

Multi-Country Tours Our multi-country tours allow you to make the most of your European...

David’s Blog: Exploring Europe by River In a three-part blog entitled “Viking River Cruise…who...

Thanks to all tour alumni who submitted a photo for my 2017 Exploring Europe Calendar.  All...

Big Savings on Two Italian Tours Italy off the Beaten Path – April 5-17 The Best of Sicily –...

  In the United States, we’ve been raised on a tradition of tipping cabbies, hotel staff,...

Save Now on 2017 Tours Our 2017 tour line-up is available now! Book your tour by December 1st...

Get the Lowdown on Bathrooms in Europe When traveling for the first time, the cultural...

Take the small roads for a local experience It’s great to see the famous sights and big cities...

Day 68 Alpe di Siusi The Alpe di Siusi is the largest alpine meadow in Europe. Located in the...

Day 61 Volterra Volterra is my favorite Tuscan hill-town. Its cute, cobbled streets, medieval...

Edited: September 2022 When traveling outside the United States it is very likely you’ll...

Day 56 The Capuchin Monastery The Cinque Terre is a popular tourist destination in Italy. If...

New Tour: London and Paris City Tour Experience two of Europe’s most famous capitals this fall....

Construction on the Colosseum began in 70 A.D. and it took only ten years to completely finish...

Day 49 Santorini Sunset The Greek island of Santorini is known for its fantastic views at...

Everybody goes on vacation from time to time.  For some it is the payoff for a year...

Day 42 Delphi About 2500 years ago, kings and other important people traveled to this remote...

New Italy Tour: Italy off the Beaten Path Join us on this brand new tour and take advantage of...

Day 33 The Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge The Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge stretches across to a...

Day 26 The Duomo of Milan This massive church is the fourth largest in Europe (after St....

Day 19 The Duomo of Siena It was an enlightening experience to visit the interior of...

Day 13 Church of Santa Maria del Popolo Most tourists miss this church. Next time you are...

Day 9 I’ve headed back to Rome for the first time this year. The non-event here is that...

100 Days of Travels in Europe   Today marks Day 9 of 100 days of leading tours and researching...

The Ponte Vecchio, or “old bridge” spans the Arno River in Florence, Italy.  There has been a...

CASA GALA – Montecatini Alto It is amazing what a chef can do with simple food, especially when...

Montacatini Terme is a spa town located between Florence and Pisa.  For many, it provides more...

Agriturismo MARCAMPO Volterra is my favorite hilltown in Tuscany.  Years ago, arrived in town...

Today, I joined my friends Moreno and Manuelle for another trek in the woods, this time in...

2/100 Days in Europe Le Marche region of Italy I try to put in 5 miles a day (not counting...

I arrived in Europe early this morning to begin 100+ days of leading tours and researching new...

Kicking off 2016 with St. Paddy’s Day in Ireland We’re kicking off our 2016 tour season with...

Congratulations to our 2015 Digital Tour Scrapbook winners and thanks to all who submitted an...

You Dream it, We’ll Plan it Exploring Europe offers a variety of destinations and tours, but if...

Ireland and Wales with David McGuffin Nine months in advance, my husband, Gary, and I (ages...

    Online Tour Album Scrapbook Contest Deadline Today   All entries for the...

Travel Shows across the USA Over the next six weeks, we will be devoting some time to traveling...

    Online Tour Album Scrapbook Contest Deadline Approaching There is less than a...

Thanks to all tour alumni who submitted a photo for my 2016 Exploring Europe Calendar.  All...

NOVEMBER 13, 2015 Last Chance to Save $100 There are still two days to take advantage of the...

NOVEMBER 1, 2015 Save $100 when you book a 2016 tour by November 15 There are a lot of great...

I’ve struck off on my penultimate flight to Europe for the year.  I’ve decided to put myself on...

  SEPTEMBER 18, 2015 Start planning next year’s European vacation today Our 2016 line-up...

  AUGUST 28, 2015 Discounts on all Remaining 2015 Tours As we gear up for the exciting new...

“David McGuffin Explores” Video Series – Spotlight on Italy Italy has it all: good wine,...

  AUGUST 21, 2015 Christmas Markets Tour Have you started planning your Christmas...

  JULY 10, 2015 Did You Know? David offers lots of discount opportunities to tour alumni...

Italy has it all: good wine, great food, generous hospitality, mountains and beaches, small...

David McGuffin’s Exploring Europe Tour and Travel News June 5, 2015 Grüß Gott from...

May 22, 2015 Among the many attractions of the City of Light is the Louvre. It is one of the...

Congratulations to our 2014 Digital Tour Scrapbook winners and thanks to all who submitted an...

 May 8, 2015 Spotlight on Italian Cuisine: Tuscany I tend to find that cuisine in Tuscany...

UPDATED: JANUARY 2020 These smartphone travel tips will help you save money and get the most...

Your Adventure Starts in the Kitchens of Rome One of the best things about traveling on an...

APRIL 3, 2015 Skopelos is an island on the eastern side of Greece, in the Aegean Sea. The...

Value added tax or VAT  for short, is added to most purchases within the European Union. Each...

Greetings from County Cork Ireland. I’ve spent the last few days with the Niceville high...

MARCH 20, 2015 Greetings from London! Charlotte and I are here leading a tour of 130 students...

 MARCH 2015 Each week we will be featuring an Exploring Europe destination in addition to...

I am writing today from the island of Ortigia near Siracusa, Sicily. I am a little more than...

  Charlotte and I wish you a Merry Christmas and joyous holiday season! Your Adventure Starts Here!

Name your price for a David McGuffin tour departing in February or March 2015. If your offer is...

    THANKSGIVING 2014  A friend living in Italy sent this photo of an advertisement posted on a...

I was reminded that today is the 25th anniversary of the FALL OF THE BERLIN WALL.  Many recall...

I’ve been busy the last few months with several projects designed to promote David McGuffin’s...

Book your seat on any 2015 David McGuffin tour, and automatically save $100 per person.  We are...

Enjoying the opportunity to sleep in! We slept in this morning, knowing there would be plenty...

Christmas Markets in Europe Christmas Markets spice up the winter holiday season with an extra...

  Leaving Ireland I’ve been in Ireland for more than a month and although I love the...

I’ve struck off on a two-week adventure in Greece and I hope you’ll share it with...

Why do sheep have patches of color painted on their wool? Farmers “paint” their sheep for...

My Facebook Page is growing every week and at the moment I have 889 “likes”.  A...

Ireland is fast becoming my most popular tour destination.  I’ve just returned home from...

A few years ago Alain Maurel, my friend and bus owner, suggested I visit Vézelay.  He told me...

I am smack dab in the middle of my Best of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and France tour.  I...

The Berlin Wall, a 96-mile-long barrier, was erected in stages around West Berlin in 1961.  The...

From early in my life, I had heard stories about The Cold War, East Germany, and the East and...

ScotteVest Evaluation I mentioned a few days ago that I was testing a ScotteVest to determine...

Tom Hickinbotham submitted this photo taken in one of the Cinque Terre villages.  Even though...

In the past few months I’ve visited Paris on three occasions with three very diverse groups. ...

Washcloths are an American icon, but they are not generally found in other parts of th...

Today we explore St. Nicholas Cathedral in Galway, Ireland. The Cathedral was constructed...

In Galway, the River Corrib is famous for its salmon ladders. I decided to stop and watch a few...

My friend Asa Jernigan told me some years ago about a beautiful lake near Salzburg he had...

Travel Question of the Month – JULY 2014 “I’ve been doing some reading about Italy...

Last Thursday morning, I walked out the doors of my Paris Sorbonne area hotel to temperatures...

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY TO MY DAD! Today, I am in Paris showing my favorite city to several of my...

Cassidy traveled with David on three of his “educational oriented tours.”  Now...

Traveling without electronics is near impossible in today’s world.  Twenty years ago, the only...

Take a 60 second break from your routine! My favorite alpine destination is the Lauterbrunnen...

Take a 60 second break from your routine! At David McGuffin’s EXPLORING EUROPE we provide...

Take a 60 second break from your routine and Explore Europe!

by Audra Dupuis My fist trip with David McGuffin’s Exploring Europe was a six-day trip to...

Last summer, Charlotte and I spent a lot of time traveling around Ireland. While making our...

Charlotte and I are gearing up for a trip to Germany and Austria to visit a few European...

When taking a photo where there is a primary subject, the primary subject should often occupy...

Dave Davis is a friend who has traveled on several tours with me. He is an avid photographer...

Finding a suitable and quality dining spot in Venice has always been a challenge for me. There...

Dave Davis is a friend who has traveled on several tours with me. He is an avid photographer...

In the summer months, VENICE can be gruling.  Hot, steamy, crowded with tourists, and very...

Dave Davis is a friend who has traveled on several tours with me.  He is an avid photographer...

I’ve dedicated the last seven days (about 70 hours) to improve the appearance and appeal...

Recently, while traveling in the UK, I decided to take an informal survey on tipping/gratuity...

IRELAND has changed a lot in the last fifteen years. Recently, while traveling in Ireland, I...

When we Americans conjure up images of Ireland we often think of rolling green hills, rock...

A few days ago I left a very warm Florida bound for the Emerald Isle. After a short overnight...

95% of the time, I personally know my bus drivers and they and I have worked together for many...

A couple of weeks ago I struck off for Rome for what I now call my tapas tour. Tapas are little...

This morning I loaded a group of 41 faithful tour members on to a bus, one last time, and off...

VOLTERRA- I arrived back in my favorite Tuscan hilltown yesterday afternoon. Volterra is...

ROME- My flight landed at 6:30 a.m. at Rome’s Leonardo DaVinci Airport. No long lines...

I am up at 4:00 a.m. this morning getting in the “mood” for travel. Later today, I...

I’m chronicling my first European Band Tour in 1997. This tour was instrumental in formulating...

Liguria, and especially the Cinque Terre, were hit by heavy rains on October 25.   As a result,...

 I’m chronicling my first European Band Tour in 1997.  This tour was instrumental in...

I’ve discovered a couple of very good bloggers originating from the Cinque Terre region. ...

I’m chronicling my first European Band Tour in 1997.  This tour was instrumental in formulating...

Special photographs often depend on the perspective from where the shot is taken.   The image...

I’ve always been a little sentimental about memories. When I was a kid, I remember...

  I came across this video account of the clean up in Vernazza.  Although in Italian, the...

It appears there is a “semi” orchestrated effort to begin the clean up in Vernazza...

 One of my favorite destinations, the Cinque Terre, was devastated by heavy rains, flooding,...

For much of my life, I’ve packed my travels into the summer months. Like many, this is...

We’ve just completed an extensive video project chronicling the experiences on a recent...

Hey, what do you think about this promotional video?

Here is a bit of video I shot as the Eiffel Tower was putting on its show!

Podere Marcampo is a newly constructed agriturismo located on the road towards Pisa, about four...

There has been a tradition in Italy for many years in which two lovers secure a padlock to...

A couple of days ago, Charlotte and I visited Lucca, one of the few places in Tuscany...

We began the tour early one morning in Glasgow, Scotland.  By the early afternoon, we had...

I like to eat fish, but often the European menu does not describe the selection in terms tha...

Flight delays seem to jump on me like the plague this year.  Charlotte and I are heading to...

I took my final “student educational tour” in 1999.  This trip was a bit different from my...

I’ve grown to enjoy cooking over the years.  I remember my first crack at it was when my wife...

Candice Brown, a former student, has family who live in France.  Luckily, Candice and I were...

A few days ago we experienced unsually perfect weather in Scotland… 65 degrees F, few...

Recently, I’ve been reading two of Ken Follett’s novels, Pillars of the Earth and...

There are several scenic train routes running through the Alps of Switzerland. The...

I think Steinbeck said it like this, “The best laid plans of mice and men often go...

Sixty kilometers southwest of Toledo stands a vast and wide-open plain on which is planted...

My friends and I stayed in Segovia last night.  A small medieval town of about 60,000, it...

Belém is located about 6 km west of Lisbon, on the Tagus River. Its name is derived from the...

  Jason Duckett is a friend who has traveled to Europe many times with me.  He i...

Fado in Coimbra is different than that of Lisbon.  In Coimbra, Fado centers around the...

England has Oxford, France has Le Sorbonne, Florida has Gainesville and Portugal has Coimbra. ...

Arrived here on a Friday afternoon, just as the local school was getting out for the summer...

Updated:  November 28, 2015 I preach packing light After each trip, I always seem to find some...

For me, one of the delights of European travel is purchasing something “over there” that is not...

 I’ve been calling Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland my alpine home for the past 15 years.  Tucked...

The Mercato de San Miguel has long served as central Madrid’s one-stop...

Just by luck, I happen on a CARNEVAL celebration weekend in Zurich.  Yesterday, the old city...

Questions about airline ticketing and the TSA’s Secure Flight Program often  come up when...

Today, I am off to Europe for a few weeks of tour guiding. Before I get there and start to...

  For some reason I am much more aware of fashion when in Siena than in other parts of the...

Exploring Europe’s travel philosophy is simple…inspire people to have fun traveling...

Have you ever been lost? Not the kind of lost where you really don’t have a clue where...

It used to be that the most expensive part of a Europe trip was the flight. Once arriving one...

I ran across this piece while listening to NPR.  It give a great insight into music composition...

Updated: November 28, 2015 Carry-On Luggage: TSA & EU Regulations by Natalie LaRosa The...

I am back home after a summer of traveling in Europe. Over the past three months, I have...

I discovered Cinque Terre Residence in March 2005 and have been staying here at least once a...

Charlotte and I are vacationing in the Cinque Terre.  We love this place and seem to come back...

Charlotte and I are vacationing in the Cinque Terre.  We love this place and seem to come back...

This week Charlotte and I are exploring new, for us, little niches of Tuscany.  Last summer, I...

I got a Facebook message today from a friend who is taking his wife to New York in a couple of...

Last month I was on a train in Italy when I received an incoming call from an “unknow...

Last month, I posted a YouTube video showing how easy it is to break into a locked suitcase....

Charlotte and I spent Valentine’s Day in New York City.  Valentine’s dinner found...

I am a tour organizer who travels to Rome at least a couple of times a year, but yet it seems...

We arrived in ZURICH, SWITZERLAND by way of an overnight flight from Atlanta and were greeted...

I was happy to visit with my friend, Hermann Weidenger, at his hotel in Ruette, Austria.  After...

Charlotte and I are flying today to Zurich, Switzerland hoping to experience Christmas cheer in...

I’ve been dining at Bern’s Steakhouse in Tampa, Florida, since 1984.  On that first...

This morning, I heard a NPR story featuring three restaurants in Paris.  Paris is loaded with...

UPDATED: December 2017 Obtaining your passport is one of the most important things to consider...

Updated: November 28, 2015 There are many places where you need to use cash (bills or coins) in...

UPDATED: November 3, 2016 by David McGuffin Prepaid debit cards are available everywhere!  Go...

On a recent trip to Ireland my group and I did some shopping at the Saturday morning market in...

Historically, people have always butchered my last name.  It’s pretty simple, and...

Recently I’ve been traveling around Ireland.  Today is July 31.  At my home in Florida I...

Dublin — I revisited Fleet Street the last two night because many of you suggested places...

Last night I went in search of some real Irish Traditional music in Dublin. I am staying in the...

I’ve spent today in the Cinque Terre, one of the destinations on my 2010 Thirsty Traveler’s...

I think I’ve posted about this subject before, but it bears repeating.  Every time I...

When flying I carry-on my bags so they will be with me always and won’t get lost.  Today,...

I’ve put the final itinerary together for my “Thirsty Traveler’s Tour”...

THE MOSEL RIVER VALLEY I first experience the lazy Mosel River in April 2003.  It was one of...

Updated: November 25, 2022 I love to travel by train; it is relaxing, stress-free, convenient...

I’ve got a special place in my heart for Ireland.  Maybe it’s because I spent some...

I’ve had some time lately to sit around and do a lot of nothing.  That was good for about...

Driving from my home to the airport a few days ago, I decided to make a comparision of driving...

Last night I packed my bags for a quick trip to Germany and Austria. I’ll only be gone...

We woke up this morning to crystal clear skies, snow-covered streets, and temps hovering around...

We woke up in Varenna this morning to cloudy skies and sputtering snow.  I had a terrible night...

I know you will find this hard to believe, but we slept away the afternoon. By the time I woke...

Charlotte and I hopped on a Delta jet bound for Milano yesterday.  Today, we are enjoying the...

  OK, I’ve finally given in to Starbucks.   For ten years now, I’ve shrugged...

When traveling in Europe, I think half the thrill is experiencing good food and good drink with...

When traveling in Europe, I think half the thrill is experiencing good food and good drink with...

When traveling in Europe, I think half the thrill is experiencing good food and good drink with...

When traveling in Europe, I think half the thrill is experiencing good food and good drink with...

When traveling in Europe, I think half the thrill is experiencing good food and good drink with...

FREE REFILLS on sodas, sweet tea, and any other beverage is definitely an American thing. ...

BIDETS Most of us Americans get a kick out of an encounter with a bidet.  To many, it’s...

TUBS and SHOWERS Bathing is necessary and we tend to take it seriously. I mean, how many of you...

TOILETS Public Toilets – for clarity’s sake let’s define a public toilet as...

Traveling in Europe for the last thirty years has given me a virtual catalogue of bathroom...

A few years ago I was hiking in the Alps near Interlaken, Switzerland.  I was doing a little...

Here’s the scoop on ICE in Europe.  Simply put, “There is no scoop!” Until...

European customs, eating and drinking habits, and the general way of life differs greatly from...

Saturday I flew on Delta Airlines from Jacksonville, Florida to Pisa, Italy.  Th...

FINALLY I GET TO DO A LITTLE EXPLORING OF MY OWN: I arrived just an hour ago at my pension i...

I’ve been writing about my experiences planning and leading tours in Europe. This was brought...

For the past few weeks I’ve been traveling around Europe with one of my tour groups. A...

Last night I was in Paris for the second time in a month.  Every tour group has its different...

I’ve been writing about my experiences planning and leading tours in Europe. This was...

I’ve been writing about my experiences planning and leading tours in Europe. This was...

I’ve been writing about my experiences planning and leading tours in Europe. This was...

Recently, I’ve been writing about my experiences planning and leading tours in Europe....

A couple of days ago, I wrote of my experience in Siena while walking to the main town square...

Recently, I’ve been writing about my experiences planning and leading tours. This was...

Maybe I need to modify my European wardrobe.  For years I’ve preached that guys wear...

In the last post I talked about planning a tour.  This was spurred by a comment at my church...

I returned home yesterday from a three week stay in Europe where I visited Italy, France, and...

Recently I’ve been writing about my travel experiences in Venice and the “slow...

I took my group to Murano today.  Murano is an island in the Venice lagoon and is most famous...

It is 5:30 on a Monday afternoon.  While writing this entry I wanted to experience life on the...

With the Lido experiences mentioned in my last post you’d think I would never want to...

My first few trips to Venice were spent on the Lido. As a young teacher, I enlisted a group of...

Staying on the Lido is like becoming a part of the neighborhood. Our hotel is in a residential...

I flew into Milan this morning and was off and “running” by nine.  It’s an...

The other day, I took a few people to San Remo.  As soon as I drove into the parking lot, I...

It’s not often that I get fooled, but this morning I was completely caught off guard by a gypsy...

Avignon.  Yes this is a historic place that should be on the “to do” list of anyone...

An IBIS Hotel Avignon, France I’ve marketed my Exploring Europe tours with the slogan...

Bonnieux, France I arrived at the very quiet and almost desolate NICE airport at 8:30 this...

Updated: November 28, 2015 These days it is nearly impossible to travel without a credit and...

Well I’m on my way to Europe!  I began my journey this morning by leaving my home at 8:00...

I always get excited when it comes to getting ready to travel. Yes, there is that hectic period...

June 10, 1997 After all the travel yesterday it was nice to sleep in a bit before breakfast....

David’s note – If you are just tuning in, let me get you up to speed here. Back in...

David’s note – If you are just tuning in, let me get you up to speed here.  Back in...

After lunch we walked back to the bus, gathered up everyone, and headed out of town. Originally...

  I’ve not always been the confident and savvy tour leader I am today.  There was a...

“June 9 cont…. After all the traffic associated with the strike we finally made it...

June 9, 1997 This is our last few hours in Paris.  I am sitting here finishing my breakfast and...

“June 8, 1997…  After the concert we packed up and had some free time (3 hours) to...

“June 8, 1997 (continued)…  Vincent helped Sarah find the bus in the huge parking...

I’m chronicling my first “Big Group Band Trip” to Europe in 1997 and trying...

I’m chronicling my first “Big Group Band Trip” to Europe in 1997 and trying...

I’m chronicling my first “Big Group Band Trip” to Europe in 1997 and trying...

I’m chronicling my first “Big Group Band Trip” to Europe in 1997 and trying...

I’ve always been a little sentimental about memories.  When I was a kid, I remember...

After a flight up from Madrid, we arrived at Paris’ Charles de Gaulle airport by...

David’s note: This Journal entry was originally written in June 2007 details my adventure...

David’s notes:  This was originally posted in July 2007.  I always thought I was good at...

We’ve found that August is the month for the Italians to take off work and go to the...

Normally, when I fly to Europe I am in the working and touring mode.  That’s to say that...

I’ve been home here in the States for about a week.  I’ve had to make some mental...

Europe is full of economy and discount air carriers.  Almost every major city has a reliable...

Yesterday my friends and I rode the train up from Rome to Venice.  We have been blessed all...

Tonight we just finished a 10 day tour of London, Bath, Madrid, and Toledo with a group of...

Hey everyone! Since I have never been to Portugal before I had no clue what to expect. The only...

A few days ago we joined up in Lisbon for my first tour of the summer.  This is a pretty easy...

The flight to Edinburgh was completely full.  But that did not matter.  I watched a bit of the...

I’m sitting here at the Atlanta airport with my travel partner, Natalie, waiting for our...

My friends Dennis and Linda sent these pictures of our rural France dining experience. ...

I’m in my “European Planning Mode”, and last weekend I took two days to...

Book as much of your trip in US dollars as possible. Search the Web, make some calls, ask your...

Last night I had a fun time visiting with friends at a Carrabba’s Restaurant. We...

“Gubbio, what is there?” That was the response of my tour group as we floated out...