Miguel’s long beard moves wonderfully up and down as he smiles. “Ask me anything,” he says. “Anything at all.” Over the next two hours, I do just that. We talk about his island home of Puerto Rico, the people, the politics, the food. We speak of his two sons, one still here and one in…
Now I understand what you tried to say to meHow you suffered for your sanityHow you tried to set them freeThey would not listen, they did not know howPerhaps they’ll listen nowDon McLean, “Vincent” It’s a bit of a surprise to me that Don McLean’s song about Vincent Van Gogh isn’t part of the Immersive…
Though this will be posted on Thursday, January 13, I am writing it on Tuesday, January 11, and as of today, I am still not 100% sure that this trip will happen, though it is only two days away. Omicron has taken the world by storm, and case levels that were around 150 per day…
At first glance, it’s a bit like Disneyland, a facade of “old Texas” eager to part swarms of tourists from their dollars. Ten dollars for parking, five to take a photo of your child on a longhorn steer, and unknown amounts to ride the electronic bull or try to find your way through a maze…
Editor’s note: Morocco has been at or near the top of my travel wish list for years. In 2020, I was supposed to visit from Spain, but had to cut my trip short due to the emergence of Covid on the world scene. It is lovely to visit vicariously through Sam, and his experience in…
Editor’s note: places like this, Rosie the Riveter National Historic Park, are what makes the national parks system so special. Here we celebrate the role women played in the war efforts of World War Two, a story I am so glad Christian is sharing with us today. For more of his writing, click here to…
Another year has come and gone. It is hard to believe 2021 is already over. (Read my year in review here.) I guess it’s time to preview 2022 here on The Royal Tour! A necessary caveat: all travel plans are subject to cancellation due to Covid. Omicron is ravaging the world right now, and the…
It wasn’t as bad as 2020; I’ll give 2021 that. While it began slowly, my March vaccination opened the world a bit, and I was able to take some wonderful trips, especially over the second half of the year. 2021 also was a big year here at The Royal Tour. We added some new guest…
Editor’s note: Like Sam, I also went to Hakone, spending a relaxing day in the hot - and cold - pools of a traditional onsen. Unlike Sam, I didn’t get to see even a glimpse of Mt. Fuji through the clouds. Next time! In any event, to read more of Sam’s adventures, click here to…
Editor’s note: I have only ever been through Buffalo, rather than making it a stop. However, after hearing all about TRT writer Mandy Meehan’s awesome experience there, it is now on my list as a destination in and of itself. Her first piece features an amazing looking architectural gem. For more of Mandy’s writing, click…