Travel Stories, Cruise Reviews, and Cultural Adventures

Planning a day trip from Buenos Aires? Discover why Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay, is one of South America's best-kept travel secrets. Wander cobblestone streets, explore a UNESCO World Heritage Site, enjoy waterfront cafés, and continue your adventure to Punta del Este and other unforgettable destinations in Uruguay.

NOW A QUAINT little tourist town in southwestern Uruguay, Colonia del Sacramento has a rich and stormy history.

The Dam Square is still the city's heart. But today this former barrier between the River Amstel and the “Southern Sea” is one of the few places in the center of town that you cannot sail a boat to. The last part of the river leading to the dam fell victim to land-traffic in 1922. The street that replaced it is called "Damrak," meaning “Last section of the river, leading to the Dam.” Today, a subway line is being built in the old riverbed.

Venice remains one of the world’s most magical destinations, where centuries of art, history, and culture rise from the water. Our visit revealed both the romance of the floating city and the growing challenges of over tourism, including new visitor taxes designed to protect this unforgettable Italian treasure.

Buried beneath the slopes of Vesuvius, Ercolano (in Italian) was once a thriving "vacation town" for wealthy Romans. Herculaneum or Ercolano -- is just 10 miles from Pompei, worth a sidetrip. Many believe it is better preserved and more interesting than the better known Pompei. The town next to it renamed itself Herculaneum (formerly Resina) in 1969 to reflect its connection to the "found city."

Step onto the sacred island of Delos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where mythology, ancient ruins, and Aegean beauty converge. Wander through marble streets, crumbling temples, and the legendary birthplace of Apollo, just a short boat ride from Mykonos.