Every March 17, the world is invited to be Irish in honor of St. Patrick, the fifth-century missionary and bishop who brought Christianity to Ireland and reputedly rid the entire island of snakes. Whether you’re celebrating by attending a parade, slow-cooking some corned beef and cabbage, toasting this rich heritage with a shot of Jameson’s Irish whiskey, or simply donning something green, this is the day to appreciate everything the Emerald Isle has to offer. If you’re in Dublin on this holiday, you’ll be lucky to be part of the annual celebrations. But even if you miss it, this lively city offers plenty for the other 364 days of the year. Read more about my top five things to see and do in Dublin >
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Shopping at the Five Best Indoor Markets
During periods of pleasant weather, many of us flock to outdoor markets — to New York’s bountiful farmers market in Union Square, for example, or the irresistibly charming Christmas markets scattered around Germany, or the open-air Marigot Market on the French side of St. Martin. When the weather doesn’t cooperate, however, we still have the option of patronizing indoor markets to purchase our produce, our earrings, our leather-bound journals, our fancy corkscrews, our locally crafted pottery. Not only do they provide an opportunity to pick up the perfect gift, or souvenir, or components of a fine meal, they also offer the chance to mingle with locals, both the vendors and their customers. Read more about my top five indoor markets from around the world >
Share my story:
Top 5 Yellows
It may elicit groans and sighs of dismay from children when a yellow school bus pulls up on the first day back to class in September, but it will also make millions of parents secretly smile. In fact, at least to me, yellow remains the most joyful color. Whether it’s the daffodil fields of Oregon, the Yellow Mounds in Badlands National Park in South Dakota, or the predominant color in the ceramics and pottery made in Orvieto, Italy, yellow is bound to add a little cheer to your day. These are my top five occurrences of yellow from around the world. Read more >
Share my story:
Crashing a Constitution Day Parade in Bergen, Norway
Watching a parade, like Zurich’s Sechseläuten, is always fun and provides a pleasant sense of local tradition. Being in a parade, however, takes on a deeper meaning as you immerse yourself in the native culture. And when I got to march through the streets of Bergen, Norway, late at night in a torch-lit procession to celebrate Constitution Day, simply because I asked a friendly Norwegian what was going on, I felt like I belonged there, like a member of an extended and warm family, even though I don’t have a drop of Nordic blood in my body. Read more >
Share my story:
Top 5 Things to See and Do in Wyoming
Traveling to Wyoming at peak season in the summer seems a little masochistic, especially if you’re visiting the incomparable national parks. With only a few main roads in the parks, an elk or bison traffic jam could easily delay you for hours, and that’s a huge amount of time to lose when there’s so much to see. A trip to the Equality State largely centers around nature and the outdoors, and the best time to appreciate it all is autumn: The summer crowds have returned to school and work, facilities remain open before closing up for the winter, and the reds and yellows of quaking aspen, dogwood, and golden larch trees stun you with their brilliance. These are my top five things to see and do in Wyoming. Read more >
Share my story:
A Dark and Stormy Afternoon in Historic Bellefontaine Cemetery
The first rural cemetery west of the Mississippi River also happens to be one of the most historic, in terms of those who are interred here. This premier cemetery in Missouri is the final resting place for many who have become household names, and even more who deserve to be. If not for them, Americans might be flying the Stars and Bars instead of the Stars and Stripes, might not be purchasing hotdogs (or a Bud) at baseball games, might not have attended kindergarten, and might not have ever traveled over land to the Pacific. Add to the fascinating list of people who changed the course of a country a fierce thunderstorm that made the afternoon look like night, and Bellefontaine Cemetery became one of my favorite sites in St. Louis. Read more >
Share my story:
Benvenuto!
When I first began to travel in earnest, my goal was to see every country in the world. Given the restrictions of a full-time job and a middle-class income, however, that dream soon evaporated. Nevertheless, I’ve managed to visit a fair share of locations throughout the world. And no matter where I’ve been or what I’ve done — whether it’s hiking in the Andes, butchering the Icelandic language, or sipping a mint julep on the veranda of a Louisiana plantation house — my journeys continually expose me to the beauty of this world and, in the process, hopefully make me a better global citizen.
These are my stories.
Swiss Camels and an Exploding Snowman
While wandering around the streets of Zurich, the last thing I expected to see were a few camels being led by Bedouins. I also didn’t anticipate joining thousands of other people who were waiting to set fire to a straw and cotton wool snowman. But this was the Sechseläuten, and everybody loves a parade. Read more >
Venice Churches Without Masses
The Basilica di San Marco is stuffed to capacity from morning to night, and with good reason — it’s simply stunning. But once I ventured away from Venice’s main attraction in the Piazza San Marco, I found other houses of worship that are just as noteworthy. The best part? I had them all to myself. Read more >
Halfway between Santa Fe and Taos, in the small town of Chimayó, New Mexico, I happened upon a family-owned restaurant that does everything right. Combining traditional and contemporary New Mexican cuisine, Rancho de Chimayó serves up just about the best meal you’ll find in the Land of Enchantment. Read more >
Situated on the South Fork of the Snake River in Rigby, Idaho, the six-bedroom log and stone Blue Heron Inn is the perfect place to immerse yourself in total tranquility. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to spot blue herons flying by, but you’ll always be guaranteed an inspiring sunrise and a delectable breakfast. Read more >
Grand or humble, long or short, vehicular or pedestrian, steel or stone, bridges have long held an allure for me, with their promise of spanning a gap and leading me elsewhere. These are my five favorites. Read more >
Stephen Travels 