Lonely Planet announces: Two of Europe's biggest rail operators are merging to create a combined high-speed network that serves the UK, France, the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium. Cross-Channel high-speed rail service, Eurostar, is joining forces with the French-Belgian rail operator Thalys to expand services across Europe. For travelers, this merger gives them a greater choice of simplified journeys on a single ticket. Thalys already serves France, the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium, but it doesn't currently have operations in the UK. ... read more

I am most happy to be home now. Three weeks is just a bit too long, at my age. Two weeks would be perfect. Trip locations: Frankfurt, Athens, Belgrade (Serbia), Cycling cruise on Dalmatian coast in Croatia, Dubrovnik, Montenegro, Paris, and back to Frankfurt before a nonstop to SFO and home. I much prefer to use a Eurail pass, but flights are both plentiful, and cheap. Most city hopping on planes in Europe is not more than 100 Euros!!! But it is a hassle, no matter how you view it. Speaking of which, the dollar has great purchasing power right now, with a Euro running about $1.05. And it was even better in Croatia, and Serbia!! I changed my mind about the worst tourists, as I saw very few Chinese tourists. I think the Brits are ... read more

One of the more interesting places in Frankfurt is an "old town" area called Romer or Romerberg. I may a short visit on my last visit here, in between my side trip to Mallorca, and my flight home last October. With more time, I am in search of some delicious sauerbraten. My last visit here did not result in sauerbraten that could be called superior to what we get back home. And believe me, I have had sauerbraten all over Germany and Austria. The sauerbraten at the old Chef Burger in Pleasant Hill is far superior, as of today. But first, a bit about Romer. The iconic square is home to great medieval buildings and historic markets. I would call it a mix between the old and the new. Romer has been the city hall since ... read more

While hardly an expert on a city that I have a rather checkered past, staying out in a neighborhood is great!!! Very few tourists, mostly locals and working folks. No, we are not celebrating a 16th birthday. Maybe some multiple of 16. I am referring to the 16th Arrondissement (of twenty) of Paris. There are twenty in Paris, for those of you unfamiliar. The 16th includes the Arch de Triomphe, and several well-known museums. But as you are aware, I am not here for the museums. I have only one reason for being here, the famous French Open. The 16th is rather a high rent area or one of high society's favorite places, comparable to Chelsea and Kensington in London, or Charlottenburg in Berlin. It has the third highest income following the 3rd, and Neuilly-Sur-Seine, both ... read more

Definitely not one of my favorite cities, Paris is nonetheless in the hearts and minds of many of you. Perhaps my reluctance to embrace this city started in the 70s, when France and Paris specifically, were very anti-American due to the deGaulle years. Yes, it has become infinitely better over the years, though I find a kindler, gentler France when I head out to the countryside. Places like Loire, Bordeaux, and Champagne are certainly more welcoming than Paris. So, why not take a rather irreverent look at the City of Lights? Over 9 million people visit the Louvre annually, making it the most popular museum in the world. Only 35,000 pieces are on display, though their collection numbers over 460,000. If you allowed 30 seconds to view each piece, your visit would last 35 days! The ... read more

Another country straddling the east and west is Montenegro. And sitting just south southeast of Croatia, it might be a good place to spend a few days. Landing in Dubrovnik, I am so close to Montenegro, why not? Montenegro has been independent since 2006, with a vote ending the Union of Serbia and Montenegro, both remnants of the former Yugoslavia. The split was brokered by the EU to stabilize the area, and prevent further Balkan skirmishes. Montenegro means "black mountains", and borders Croatia, Serbia, Kosovo, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Half of the country is covered by dense forest. They also enjoy an Adriatic coastline, and the Tara River Canyon, the deepest and longest in Europe. With a relatively small population (633,000), and only 5333 square miles, Montenegro is relatively small (about the size of Connecticut). ... read more