The Traveling Professor's Blog

Italy Trip Report: The Tuscan Hill Town of Siena

Fri, 18 May 2012 05:00:00 GMT

We are well into our small group tour of Italy and Tuscany. The weather is a delight, the crowds are not overwhelming at all, we have accomplished quite a bit and we are still going strong. Today is a day trip to one of my favorites -Siena. It sits atop a hill in Tuscany, protected by a thick stone wall. It is one of the prettiest towns in Italy with plenty of charm and history. Read the Traveling Professor's blog post to find out more about our adventure in Siena and about our dining and wine experience at an authentic enoteca.

Italy Trip Report: Pisa and Galileo

Thu, 17 May 2012 05:00:00 GMT

The weather has been cooperating nicely on our small group tour of Italy. Cool breezes in the day and dry weather. Temps in the 70's. We've managed to avoid the big crowds in order to maximize our touring opportunities. Today we stayed in Florence for the morning then took the pleasant one-hour train ride out to Pisa to the Field of Miracles and the Leaning Tower of course. It was another great day in Italy. Read about it in today's Traveling Professor Italy trip report.

Italy Trip Report: Florence, Tuscany and the Oltrarno

Wed, 16 May 2012 05:00:00 GMT

We've been enjoying our time in Florence with our small group tour to Italy. We've visited some of the more well-known and intimate areas of Florence. We have broadened our horizons by taking a car ride to some of the smallest and charimatic towns of Tuscany. It is hard to believe that we have accomplished so much in only a few days here. Read The Traveling Professor's trip report and get a status update of what we have been up to in Italy.

Italy Trip Report: Michelangelo, Chocolate and Gelato

Mon, 14 May 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Today was our first day of our small group tour of Florence, Italy. We have a group of 9 travelers with us this week and a full program of activities in this Renaissance city and Tuscany/Chianti. We started off with a walking tour of the historic district of Florence. It was more exciting than we thought it would be and we learned (and tasted) a few things too. Check out the blog post to find out more about our first day in Florence.

An Itinerary for Peru and Machu Picchu

Thu, 10 May 2012 05:00:00 GMT

The Traveling Professor started taking adults on small group tours of Peru and Machu Picchu last year. It is the type of trip that takes meticulous planning and research. However, it is one of those journeys that stick in the mind of a traveler forever. The culture of Peru is so different and fascinating from what can be found in the U.S. and Europe. The food in Peru is amongst the best in the world. Nothing comes close to the beauty and grandeur of Machu Picchu, especially the way we see it. Take a look at the week-long itinerary that is a good introduction to Peru and Machu Picchu.

Favorite Paris Churches

Tue, 08 May 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Paris is the home to some of the most historically significant and grandest churches in all of Europe. Whenever we take a small group tour of Paris we are sure to stop by at least a few of them. The most famous church in Paris is of course the Cathedral of Notre Dame. Notre Dame overshadows many of the other important churches in Paris but there are others that should be seen when taking a tour of the City of Light. Read The Traveling Professor's blog post to find out his favorite churches in Paris.

How to Visit the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel

Tue, 01 May 2012 05:00:00 GMT

One of the most popular destinations on our small group tours to Italy is Vatican City and the Vatican Museum tour, which culminates with a visit to the Sistine Chapel. There are right ways to visit Vatican City and the Vatican Museum and there are wrong ways. To make sure a visit goes the "right way" take a look at The Traveling Professor's blog post on visiting Vatican City. One note: the Vatican Museum is open evenings every Friday from May 4 to July 13.

How to do Carry-On Luggage on an International Trip

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 05:00:00 GMT

I just heard another story from a friend today, "Alitalia Airlines lost my luggage". Needless to say, it spoiled his trip of a lifetime to Italy. The airline promised him over and over again that his luggage would arrive in a day or two, but it never did. He spent the vacation in dirty clothes and without a camera, some important medications, and other personal items. He also never got a chance to give those gifts from America to his relatives in Rome. Whenever we take a small group tour to Italy, Paris, or Peru, I always advise travelers to carry-on their bags for that and other reasons. Read the Traveling Professor's blog post to find out more.

Normandy Invasion Beaches On Your Own

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Whenever I take a small group of people on a tour of Paris, I like to offer a 2 day extension of our trip to the Normanday Invasion Beaches. Of all the tours I have taken, nothing has impacted me personally more than my visits to Utah Beach, Omaha Beach, the American Cemetery in Normandy and the surrounding areas. Everyone reacts differently to their visit, but I can tell you this: everyone who has traveled with me to the Normandy Invasion Beaches has had their emotions stirred like they have had in no other travel destination. We usually take an organized group tour when we go to Normandy, but in this blog post I will tell you how to do it on your own.

My Top Picks for Art in Paris

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Paris is well-known for its number and variety of world-class art museums. Of course everyone is familiar with the most famous museum in the world, the Louvre. However, there are quite a few other gems in the City of Light that are well worth visiting on your next trip to Paris. I have a tough time deciding between Musée de l'Orangerie and Musée d'Orsay. But there are other gems in Paris too that are overshadowed by these superstars of the art world. Take a look at my blog post and see what my favorites are for the best art museums in Paris.