One of the things I was excited for on my recent trip to Seville, a stunningly beautiful city in Andalusia in the south of Spain, was exploring its Jewish heritage. The city had a Jewish population dating from at least the sixth century, and walking tours of the old Jewish quarter are widely available. In…
First off, don't worry. I don't have the coronavirus - COVID-19 - at least not yet. I am writing this from Barcelona, a week into my stay in this stunning city. By the time you read it, I will be back home in Los Angeles. So what changed? I was supposed to be here another…
Like so many other things in this beautiful southern Spanish city, it appears disjointed at first, three distinct parts, none seeming to match the others, but all coming together in an imperfect perfection that just makes sense. It is an experience that matches the spirit of Seville just as jazz does for New Orleans, capturing…
It's hard to believe my month here in Portugal is coming to an end in just a couple of days, especially when I will be posting articles from Lisbon and its surroundings for at least a few more weeks! But alas, the time on my blog doesn't always match my real life, and so I…
I spent the first three months of 2019 in France, living, exploring, and discovering both an amazing country and myself. I can't even begin to describe how life-changing of an experience it was, to realize that I am able to thrive in a foreign country with a language and customs different from my own. I…
It's Saturday, Shabbat (the Jewish sabbath). The Synagogue of El Transito in Toledo, Spain is crowded, but there is no service taking place. Tourists mill through the sanctuary and the adjoining rooms of the Sephardic Jewish Museum. There is a group of local families gathered with a children's song leader, but they don't sing Jewish…
Introduction Madrid is the capital of Spain, and its largest city, but when it comes to tourism, Barcelona seems to get most of the love. That's unfortunate, as Madrid is a truly wonderful destination worthy of being on everyone's travel bucket list. I hope this guide will help you get the most out of your…
Whenever I travel to a new city, I like to take day trips if possible. After all, it allows me to see a bit more of a place! Whether awesome side adventures from my recent trip in Kyoto or my drive around the Michigan thumb from Detroit, I've tried to add these extra elements to…
Madrid is a city of more than three million residents, but most of the sights for tourists can be found in two districts: Centro for its historic places and plazas, and Retiro for its cultural attractions. If you are a lover of art museums, there is enough in Retiro to keep you busy for days,…
Madrid is a fairly large city. However, to a tourist's delight, most of the major sights can be found in just a couple of neighborhoods. Centro is one of those. Centro is the historical city. Puerta del Sol, one of the major squares in the neighborhood, was actually a gate into the old city at…