Bonn doesn’t get much love from the tourist community. It seems to always be passed over for the larger Cologne, about thirty minutes north by train. Well, that’s a shame. Bonn, while smaller than Cologne, has a lot going for it, and the price differential between staying here versus in Cologne itself makes it -…
It is, without a doubt, a beautiful afternoon in Los Angeles. Warm - it is in the low 80s at noon on this July day - but with a gentle breeze, it is the sort of day you just want, you just need, to be outside. The sky is a deep blue, and I am…
Romerberg has become one of the symbols of Frankfurt. The fairly small square is fronted by buildings seemingly out of the Middle Ages, the traditional German style that represents what so many people think of as truly European. The old city hall is gilded in gold - or something with a golden appearance, as I…
Seattle, Washington. The unofficial capital and most important city economically in the Pacific Northwest. Or, for many who have never been, that city way up there in the corner. Well, it might be in the corner of the continental US, but Seattle is worth visiting, even though its location can make it a bit of…
There’s an excitement in the air that can only come from people hungrily waiting for food, searching rows of stalls for the next morsels on which to dine. The music is loud, just barely drowning out the sound of my stomach rumbling. It is hardly 5pm, and already the place is crowded, although the line…
This might be the most recognizable market in the world. Seattle’s venerable Pike Place Market opened in 1907, and has been continuously operating ever since. A mix of fruit stands, crafts, specialty treats, restaurants, and the famous seafood vendors who will throw a fish over your head, it is one of the most visited attractions…
Editor’s note: we are so lucky to have Hedy Maessen here at The Royal Tour. While over time she will share her world travels with us, her focus so far has been on her home: The Netherlands. That insider view is one that sets us apart! For more of Hedy’s writing, click here to visit…
It is an unexpected way to start my day, but perhaps it shouldn’t be. I came into United Bread and Pastry to pick up some traditional Filipino treats, perfect to begin a day of exploration here in Los Angeles’ Historic Filipinotown. As always, I introduce myself, say that I’m a writer doing a story on…
Editor’s note: I was fortunate to spend a full month in Lisbon in early 2020, prior to the onset of Covid. Like Sam, I loved the city, and you can click here to read my guide to it, which in turn links to other in-depth articles about specific neighborhoods and aspects of life in Lisbon.…
How much of my story came from this place? Would I still be the same person had I grown up elsewhere? How much of this city is in me? Or I in it? Brand Boulevard has certainly changed in the forty-one years since my birth, though it is still - and probably always will be…