We have noted the popular fascination with Catherine the Great. While the Russian Empress may be among the trendier rulers from this period, historian Catherine Curzon points out that the Georgian era (1914-1837) was rife with “unique, eccentric and flamboyant monarchs.”…
An excerpt from The Tsarina’s Lost Treasure appeared in the Daily Beast! “A ghostly shipwreck, a lost masterpiece painting, a lustful tsarina, the news of the Vrouw Maria’s discovery stirred imaginations in the summer of 1999. It also sparked questions, namely:…
Somerville, Mass – Way back in 2013, I wrote about embarking on a new project with Daddio. We had this crazy idea to write a book together–not a guidebook, not an academic book, but a narrative nonfiction book. About a…
Somerville, Mass – The NEW Lonely Planet guidebooks to Moscow and Russia are here, as is the first edition of the brand new Pocket Moscow & St Petersburg guide. This is the culmination of the first half of my summer…
Somerville, Massachusetts – So we’re hunkered down in the Pink House, getting ready for the holidays, watching the snow fall and dreaming of warmer climes. When what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a box full of books covering…
“The cave was black. The weak beam of my headlamp lit only as far as my next step. But when our guide shined his powerful light on our surroundings, the space suddenly opened up. It was a vast cavern, hanging…
Somerville, Mass – Some goodies from Lonely Planet were waiting for me back in the pink house. These three beauties are the fruits of my labor from the first half of the year. Costa Rica, Discover Costa Rica and Central…
Bonaire – You didn’t think I would forget the B of the ABC islands, did you? Bonaire was my favorite of the three islands, though it’s the smallest and probably the least suited for children (at least until they learn…
Curaçao – As I finish my write-up, here’s another sneak peak – an excerpt from LP’s future (admittedly short) section on Travel with Children. Curaçao is an ideal destination for families, as there are sights and activities for kids of…
It’s true when they say that the best things in life are free. (Especially when you’re a kid! But that’s a topic for a different post.) Check out the NEW ultimate money-saving travel guide. My contributions are the sections on the…