Of course, when one is in Tucson, Arizona, one must have Mexican food for dinner at some point. Downtown Tucson has lost a few of these restaurants over the past year or two, but in 2024, a new arrival opened its doors. La Chingada serves up traditional Mexican dishes with a modern twist, and the husband-developer and wife-chef team have created a buzzworthy place that attracts all kinds of folks. Read about it >
Author Archives: stephentravels
Natural History Museums That Will Rock Your World
If you have children and want to take them to a museum, chances are that the best choice is a natural history museum, filled with items that would certainly entertain and, hopefully, educate them, from giant whales to massive dinosaur skeletons to glowing minerals. And if you don’t have kids? These museums are just as fascinating for adults, and I’m never disappointed by their exhibits of every aspect of nature on Earth that exists above, beside, and below me. Read about the top five natural history museums >
Share my story:
Live Like Royalty in a Hotel Owned by a Baron
When a baron and baroness own a hotel, you can much pretty rest assured that you’re going to be treated to a good deal of luxury. At Le Plaza Hotel, that comes in the form of spacious and immaculately kept rooms, a giant breakfast spread, attentive service, and architectural grandeur. And for a very affordable price, I upgraded to a junior suite in one of the last independent hotels in Brussels as well as one of its oldest and most historic. Read about it >
Share my story:
Legendary Legends
What better way to spend a frigid winter day than curled up by a fire listening to a great legend? Granted, it was not a winter day when I learned about these terrific stories, nor was I seated next to a fireplace. Nevertheless, these are tales that have stuck with me for decades, tales that breathed even more life into some of the most memorable places I’ve been. Read about the world’s top five legends >
Share my story:
Nearly 200 Years of Food and Drinks in Luxembourg City
The oldest eating establishment in Luxembourg? Of course I had to go there. I found it along one side of a square that leads to St. Michael’s Church and the bridge that accesses the historic Bock Casemates. Since 1842, Ënnert de Steiler has been serving up beer, mixed drinks, and generous portions of food in a building that predates it by nearly 500 years. Read about it >
Share my story:
Art Deco Gems of Albert Anis
Nestled comfortably between New York and Tulsa as one of the best Art Deco cities in the United States, Miami Beach also has one of the country’s best historic districts. The short-lived Art Deco movement in the United States lasted only about 15 years, until World War II virtually killed it. But before this terrific style was beginning to fade, Miami Beach, rebounding from the devastating Great Miami Hurricane of 1926, capitalized on this architectural trend. Many of its now iconic buildings, especially the low-rise hotels, owe their very existence to one man, architect Albert Anis. Read about his top five works >
Share my story:
Three Decades of Italian Excellence
I had my choice of dining options when I was staying in downtown Tempe, Arizona, all within walking distance from my lovely hotel, Tempe Mission Palms. The most convenient, and by far the best, turned out to be directly across the street. If I lived here, Caffe Boa, a combination Italian restaurant / wine bar, would definitely be my go-to place for dinner. Read about it >
Share my story:
Feeling Blue
Suffering from the winter blues? Then turn your attention from the figurative blues to the literal ones and you’ll be much happier. Around the world, the coolest color has the ability to awe us. It’s also the color that can best calm us down. Just look at the sky or a tranquil sea and you’re already feeling better. But nature doesn’t hold a monopoly on blue. There are some outstanding manmade objects that equally do the trick. Read about the top five blues >
Share my story:
History + Arizona’s Best Breakfast
When you’re in Tucson, you can come to Coronet in the evening for dinner, or at night for a cocktail or two. I found myself here for breakfast, thanks to a glowing recommendation from the friendly folks at the Southern Arizona Heritage & Visitor Center. I wish I could go back and thank those people for the suggestion—this was the best breakfast I had during my three weeks in Arizona. Read about it >
Share my story:
As Straight as the Arrows That Almost Killed Him
If Cupid should hit you with an arrow, consider yourself lucky. If anyone else does, it’s going to hurt. A lot. And if multiple arrows pierce you, good luck. St. Sebastian should know. A courageous captain of the Praetorian Guards in the Imperial Roman army during the 200s, St. Sebastian, in the Christian canon of gruesome martyrdoms, suffered this particular form of torture for being a devout Christian, yet he didn’t die from his arrow wounds. Rather, he survived, aided by a pious woman, only to be clubbed to death shortly after for some bold lèse-majesté against Emperor Diocletian. Despite his ultimate fate, the saint, whose feast day is celebrated on January 20, is almost always pictured as an archer’s target practice. Read about the top five depictions of St. Sebastian >
Stephen Travels 