Only 2 days ago we arrived in Plovdiv on a Bulgarian National Rail (BDZ) train from Sofia. Our train ride of a bit under 2 hours took us past the blue-gray outline of the Vitosha, Rila and Rhodope mountain ranges which could be seen in the distance. We had seen only small villages clustered near the train stations we passed along the way. At stations such as Vakarel and Belovo the rusting vintage railcars on siding tracks evoked images of Bulgaria's past. Though we were on a "Fast Train" to Plovidiv, we made several stops and usually a uniformed station master would appear with signal sign to give our train engineer the "all aboard." As we got closer to Plovdiv, it was clear that this was a city with not only a much larger population but ... read more

Although we travel a couple of times per year, trips to destinations in our own country have been more limited in the last several years. We had both wanted to visit the great State of Texas but somehow, we had always put off a visit there. And, while I had never been to the “Lone Star” state, as a young child my husband had been through the ‘panhandle’ with his parents when they took long driving trips every summer. Texas is famous for many things and places: being part of the ‘Wild West’; the famous Battle of the Alamo where the Texans fought for independence from Mexico; being the home of the notorious outlaws Bonnie & Clyde as well as the famous Texas Rangers who finally ended the pair’s robbery and murdering spree; vast oil fields; ... read more

My Mother and I always delighted in hearing the whistling of trains as they passed through our town and even more so when once the train brought the circus to town. My first train journey of any length was as a child when my Mother and I traveled by train from the southeastern United States to Canada. The overnight journey included meals in the dining car and sleeping in a Pullman car sleeping bunk that had been made up by a Pullman porter. The train whistles, and the clackity-clack sound of cars on the rails is still a sound I love, and traveling by train in Bulgaria recently brought back all of those warm memories. The state operated rail system in Bulgaria is the Balgarski darzhavni zheleznitsi Holding and is known as the BDZ (БДЖ) for ... read more

Over the past 15 years or so I’ve been to NYC on a good number of occasions but mostly for day trips and rarely for a weekend. My family and I have enjoyed many Broadway plays, Radio City Music Hall, the ballet, a museum or two, and some fun restaurants. One event I’ve been wishing to attend has always been just out of reach for one reason or another. That event is the “New York Times Travel Show,” and this year my wish was fulfilled! Now a fixture on New York City’s winter events calendar, each January brings the much-anticipated travel show to those of us seeking travel destinations inspiration. Staged in the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, this marked the 16th year that this 2-day event has been held. Last year's show topped 30,000 in ... read more

Over the course of two weeks, our tour covered a distance of approximately 980 km and traveling through Albania, Montenegro, Croatia and Slovenia. Three of these countries would be new to us. We spent two days in Albania which was only enough to give us a taste of the country before moving on to Montenegro. Again, we had not had much time in the country of Montenegro though it truly deserved more time to explore. However, it was long enough to appreciate its varied geography ranging from the high, lush green Bjelasica Mountains and national parks down to its golden beaches on the Adriatic Sea. Montenegro produces some excellent wines, honey, and figs which explains why dried figs are sold in farmers markets everywhere. As past experience has taught us, tour schedules are not often varied ... read more