Most visitors to Florence make a beeline straight for its most famous sight: the Duomo. The fourth largest church in the world (behind St. Peter’s in Rome, St. Paul’s in London, and the Duomo of Milan), it dwarfs the city around it, although perspective makes it seem a bit smaller from the square immediately surrounding,…
There are few, if any, landmarks on the planet more recognizable than the Leaning Tower of Pisa. It is unique, and not only for its tilt, which is somewhere between 4 and 5.5 degrees after having been stabilized in the early 2000s. It represents a distinct architectural style, Pisan Romanesque. And it caters to one…
Shockingly, Florence existed before the Renaissance. There was a city here before the art and culture that would come out of Florence would change the world. There were buildings; there were people. And while little of that is a draw for tourists, it is important to talk about what Florence was prior to the official…
For years, whenever I was asked if I liked everywhere I traveled, my stock answer was, “Except Naples. Naples sucks.” I spent a single day in Naples in 2009 as part of a western Mediterranean cruise, and while I only really saw the city between the cruise terminal and train station (on my way to…
Editor’s note: I have to admit that my experience in the Twin Cities is rather limited, having only been here for a wedding as an adult, and to visit the Mall of America as a child. Perhaps it is time for a return trip, especially to eat some of the amazing food Sam describes in…
Rome has more than 900 churches. Yes, more than 900! This is the most of any city in the world, and it isn’t especially close. It is an overwhelming number, and given how many of them are considered beautiful or important - or both - seeing churches can become an all-consuming part of a trip…
Rome is a difficult city to sum up. It is so many different things all rolled into one. Ancient imperial city. Seat of one of the world’s major religions. European capital. It is old; it is new. It is, above all, overwhelming, in a chaotic but kind of perfect way. Perhaps no place serves as…
Editor’s note: Like Sam, I also visited Savannah and Charleston in a single trip. However, my opinions are a bit skewed since I had a beautiful day in Savannah and nothing but rain in Charleston. Regardless, both are great, and it is wonderful to have these articles back to back from Sam Spector. For more…
While Los Angeles certainly has its frustrations, it is a place that is unlike many others, and has so much that I love. Walkable neighborhoods, quirky vibes that change every mile or two, cultural diversity matched by few cities on the planet, and great food - these are some of the hallmarks of my hometown.…
Editor’s note: I have loved reading Sam’s adventures through the Balkans, since it is a part of the world I’ve only seen a bit of. For these, and all of Sam’s awesome trips to more than 60 countries, make sure to click here to visit his index page and spend some time wandering the globe…