My first few nights and early mornings in Richmond, Virginia, were shockingly cold for early November. That put me in the mood for something warm and cozy for dinner. And I found it on a quiet corner of downtown in the form of Irie Ting Jamaican Grill. Read about it >
Author Archives: stephentravels
Unmistakable Urban Profiles
Sometimes, in order to get the best view of a city’s skyline, you have to be outside the city. But not always—sometimes the best view comes from the top of a tall building right in the heart of it. Either way, many cities around the world boast beguiling skylines that cannot be mistaken for any other and simply cannot be missed, whether it’s the high-rise profile of Hong Kong or the low-rise beauty of Dubrovnik, Croatia. Read about the top five skylines >
Share my story:
Lunch at the Lake of Love
The historic core of Bruges, Belgium, one of the best preserved medieval cities in Europe, throbs with tourists throughout the day. I was still confronting packed restaurants and cafés, waffle and chocolate shops, even at the southern edges of the core. But then I spied a romantic waterside castle, with outdoor tables that didn’t seem overly populated. The umbrellas indicated food service, so I crossed a little bridge and was soon enjoying a tasty lunch at Minnewater Castle along the Lake of Love. Read about it >
Share my story:
Luxembourg Luxe: Staying at the Grand Hotel Cravat
I had been to France. I had been to Germany. Now I was in Belgium, the third and final country that surrounds Luxembourg. It was now or never for this small European nation, so I tacked on an extra five days for my vacation and based myself at the four-star Grand Hotel Cravat in Luxembourg City, one of the prettiest and smallest European capitals. Read about it >
Share my story:
Belgian Specialties at Balto’s
It’s a little touristy, but it’s touristy for a reason—the Grote Markt (Large Market) at the heart of Antwerp is simply gorgeous. Guild houses from the 16th and 17th centuries frame the cobblestone square, anchored by the impressive City Hall and featuring the curious Brabo’s Monument and Fountain, with the massive Cathedral of Our Lady overlooking it all from a couple of blocks away. There are plenty of restaurants here to choose from, each with outdoor seating, partially covered for inclement weather and open-air for days when you just want to linger outside. I was here for dinner, and I happily settled in at Balto’s, located in a beautifully restored historic manor house. Read about it >
Share my story:
It’s All in the Curious Details
If you’ve been following my blog for a while now, and I hope that you are, you know I have a passion for architecture. I’ve written about castles, cathedrals, mansions, and so many other buildings and their fascinating stories. While I love looking at the entire structure as a whole, sometimes there’s an engaging little otiose detail that may elude me on first glance. Thank goodness for that second look, when these curiosities, thoughtful and often playful, grabbed my attention and made me appreciate the imagination of those who created them. Although some have lost their raison d’être to the mists of time, others can tell an entire history. Read about the top five architectural curiosities >
Share my story:
¡Viva España!—in Belgium
Across the cobblestone street from a church completed in the 15th century and next to a Belgian chocolate shop, I headed to dinner during my second night in Brussels at the internationally recognized and lauded Hispania, an upscale Spanish restaurant with a fine pedigree, including the Michelin-star chef. There would be plenty of time for Belgian waffles, beer, chocolate, and other national specialties later on, but this night was all about Spain. Read about it >
Share my story:
Invest Some Time in a Buffalo Bank
The Buffalo Savings Bank building, in downtown Buffalo, New York, is always pretty: during the day, or when it warms up with the setting sun in the evening, or when the inside lights glow through giant arched windows at night. That was impressive enough, but when I stepped inside to take a look, it quickly became one of my favorite bank buildings in the world. Read about it >
Share my story:
Snack Time
At some point during the day, you’re feeling peckish. It’s too early or late for a full meal, but you want something to tide you over while you go on the next hike or visit the next cathedral. For me, these unanticipated little hunger pangs occur suddenly, and that’s when I just start looking around for whatever’s at hand that seems like it would fit the bill. In this way, I’ve discovered some local places that I easily would have overlooked—and that I heartily recommend. Read about them >
Share my story:
Underrated Zagreb’s Best Buildings
With good reason, visitors to Croatia flock to and concentrate on its gorgeous Adriatic coast and such unmistakable cities as Split and Dubrovnik. But there’s more to this country than its enviable coastline, verdant islands, and pristine beaches. A simple detour east brought me to Zagreb, one of the most underrated capitals in Europe and one of its most surprising, filled with great (and uncrowded) restaurants, fun markets, tons of museums, and striking architecture. Read about the top five buildings in Zagreb >
Stephen Travels 