europe – Wilkes/Kinsman dispatches

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo

February 5 – 12, 2026 Valladolid was a very good stop, and one that we had somehow missed in the past. It has a nice small town vibe, along with a number of interesting local sites to visit, and it’s easily walkable. But now it’s time to take a cab to the train station atContinue reading “Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo”

Mérida, Yucatán

January 22 – 28, 2026 We had a fine revisit to the jungle city of Palenque, and now it’s time to board the new Tren Maya to see what all the hype and the fuss are about. Traveling by train is comfortable and safe and more energy efficient than almost anything else, except walking orContinue reading “Mérida, Yucatán”

Milan, Italy

July 27-31, 2018 We depart from Trieste for Milano, our final stop during this 2018 season on another fast Trenitalia Frecciarossa. It’s our favorite way to travel. We don’t rent cars in Europe when we can settle into nice seats with a table and large windows, and watch the countryside go by – the farmsContinue reading “Milan, Italy”

Rotterdam, Netherlands

October 7 – 11, 2024 Alas it’s time to leave Bordeaux. One last check of the departure board shows our train heading for the Montparnasse station in Paris is waiting on track number 7 and soon to depart. We stash our bags and find our seats for a fine ride north, with a last lookContinue reading “Rotterdam, Netherlands”

Bordeaux, France

October 1 – 6, 2024 It’s a gorgeous fall day as our train departs Perpignan and the balmy Mediterranean coast for the Atlantic city of Bordeaux. Pretty farms and small villages pass by our window, and they seem to suggest we should return someday to enjoy more of their fresh produce, savory cheeses, and outstandingContinue reading “Bordeaux, France”

Collioure, France

Sept 26-30, 2024 The narrow lanes, fine art, good food and student energy of Montpellier have kept us well entranced, and yet the time has come for us to depart. We’ll grab a last cup of strong coffee just inside the old stone city gate before we emerge onto the street and toss our bagsContinue reading “Collioure, France”

Montpelier, France

Sept 20-25, 2024 Dolceacqua has been a sweet and picturesque little town, and well worth the restful almost-week we spent there. But now we’re off for a different experience. We’re heading to the ancient university city of Montpellier, in southern France. The rocky Ligurian coast of Northern Italy passes by our train windows, andContinue reading “Montpelier, France”