There is a difference between a country and a nation. A country is a political entity made up of a government and laws. A nation, on the other hand, is a people with a common identity. Sint Maarten is a relatively new country, having existed as an autonomous constituent country within the Kingdom of the…
A bottle of French wine is on the counter of my room when I check into Grand Case Beach Club. It’s a lovely touch, and a first reminder that here on the tiny divided island of St. Martin, the “French side,” as Saint-Martin is affectionately called, is fully a part of France. Yes, this -…
Editor’s note: After an amazing review of Old Delhi, here Sam Spector provides us with a tremendous glimpse at the other part of the city: New Delhi. And don’t miss his recommendation for his favored meal in India! For more of Sam’s writing, click here to visit his index page. In my last article, I…
It’s a rainy and cold day in Pisa’s Piazza del Duomo, where I stare at the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The weather is only just barely cooperating, and it probably won’t start truly pouring for a few hours. Such is life in Tuscany in January. Few tourists My last trip was in late summer. It…
Barcelona is an incredible place. For most visitors, it is highlighted by the allure of Spanish beaches, a dining scene that is diverse and affordable, and more cool architecture than any city deserves to have - especially the buildings of Antoni Gaudi. (Click here to read about Gaudi and here to specifically learn about Sagrada…
As a writer, I’m rarely lost for words. I pride myself on being able to take in an experience and distill it out onto paper (screen) easily, efficiently, and relatively well. And yet standing here inside the “forest” of columns inside the unique Basilica of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, I can only come up…
Ten years ago, in June of 2016, I tried to take my own life. That’s still a hard statement to write. While I’ve been open about my struggles with my mental health, and even about my suicide attempt, it’s still a difficult thing to talk about so publicly. But this article isn’t about that night,…
Editor’s note: As we explore writer Sam Spector’s trip to India together over the coming weeks, you’ll hear me say this a lot: I am so grateful for Sam’s visit and writing since I am taking my own first trip to India in November. So you can bet that I’m eagerly writing down his recommendations!…
As of this writing in 2026, I’ve now spent a month or more in each of five French cities, and multiple weeks in Paris. And as of this writing, I can confidently state that while each of them has offered something wonderful, and each of them has been great, Toulouse is my favorite. It’s a…
Anywhere you go in France, you are bound to have good food. Fresh baguettes, the very best cheeses, great wine, rich stews, and more… all of these make France one of the best - if not the absolute top - food destinations in the world. Here in Toulouse, in France’s southwest, you’ll of course find…