Articles written by Barbara Rogers

Its hilltop crowned by a castle, and a colorful Changing of the Guard ceremony heighten the impression of San Marino as the setting for a fairy tale.

Apr 11, 2012 - Barbara Rogers

Between the iconic sights of Barcelona and Bilbao, cruise passengers can discover Valencia, Alciante, Málaga, Cadiz and Vigo, plus a lot of golden sand.

Apr 4, 2012 - Barbara Rogers

Northern Spain may be a comparative newcomer to the mainstream cruise ship scene, but Bilbao's new cruise port has made the entrance a dramatic one.

Mar 31, 2012 - Barbara Rogers

Rising above the vineyards of Rioja, south of the coastal city of Bilbao, wall-encircled Laguardia is a postcard-perfect medieval town.

Jan 6, 2012 - Barbara Rogers

A million years of history unfold in the fossil record, human artifacts and strange inhabitants of a lava tube in the Canary Islands.

Dec 2, 2011 - Barbara Rogers

Museu Colecção Berardo opened in Lisbon, Portugal, in 2007, immediately placing alongside the Guggenheim in Venice and other modern art museums worldwide.

Sep 16, 2011 - Barbara Rogers

Madeira's must-see sights appeal to everyone, with natural wonders, fine wine, colonial history, art, beaches and walks in spectacular mountain scenery.

Sep 12, 2011 - Barbara Rogers

September and October are perfect for an Italian vacation getaway, with harvest festivals, saints' days and other fall celebrations.

Jul 13, 2011 - Barbara Rogers

High fortified walls surround Portugal's northernmost town of Valença, overlooking Spain from a commanding height above the Minho River.

Jul 4, 2011 - Barbara Rogers

Food and wine are as much a part of the experience of traveling in Italy as the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Grand Canal.

May 31, 2011 - Barbara Rogers

The beautifully restored Jardim Episcopal, the 18th-century baroque gardens of Castelo Branco's bishop, cuts an impressive green space in the city's center.

Apr 5, 2011 - Barbara Rogers

Far more than the final night's bonfires, Valencia's Las Fallas is a five-day extravaganza of fire and explosions enriched by artistry and solemn grandeur.

Mar 21, 2011 - Barbara Rogers

At midnight, the entire Spanish Mediterranean port city of Valencia seems to burst into flames as dozens of gigantic Las Fallas bonfires light the sky.

Mar 21, 2011 - Barbara Rogers

Wild, lonely islands ringed by pink and white sand beaches scatter in an emerald sea off the Italian island of Sardinia's fabled Costa Smeralda.

Mar 5, 2011 - Barbara Rogers

A full schedule of music, dance, theater and visual arts will feature Greek artists and artists who explore contemporary and historic Hellenic subjects.

Jan 31, 2011 - Barbara Rogers

Carnival in Venice may be the best known, but cities and towns elsewhere in Italy and in Malta, Cyprus and Greece also go wild just before Lent begins.

Jan 10, 2011 - Barbara Rogers

Southern Portugal's golden beaches may mean sun, sand and nightlife, but there's a richer local culture of fine arts, classical music, even an opera house.

Jan 1, 2011 - Barbara Rogers

Discos, clubs, dance venues, bars with live entertainment, jazz clubs, theaters and concert stages make nights in the Algarve as lively as its beach scene.

Jan 1, 2011 - Barbara Rogers

More than just another island in the sun, Madeira is a paradise of tropical gardens and dramatic scenery, highlighted by charming colonial towns.

Dec 15, 2010 - Barbara Rogers

Italy observes 150 years of unification in 2011, with exhibits commemorating the Risorgimento, the political movement and war that made it possible.

Nov 28, 2010 - Barbara Rogers

Wishing wells and fountains are rare in Spain, but rubbing a statue or even butting heads with one may bring luck or artistic genius.

Nov 13, 2010 - Barbara Rogers

Flying to Sardinia is easy, especially in summer, with short direct flights to the island from mainland Italian cities and several other points in Europe.

Nov 8, 2010 - Barbara Rogers

Sardinia lies only 72 miles off the coast of Italy, but seems like another world, with its high mountains, prehistoric ruins and glorious beaches.

Nov 8, 2010 - Barbara Rogers

Join Italians for the holidays as they shop at Christmas markets, savor seasonal foods and visit nativity scenes in Rome, Florence, Assisi and Naples.

Oct 22, 2010 - Barbara Rogers

Christmas markets, fairs, holiday lights and nativity scenes of the first Christmas fill Northern Italian cities and villages December through January 6.

Oct 17, 2010 - Barbara Rogers

Spain's highest peak, on the island of Tenerife, is only a small part of the volcanic cone that slid into the sea leaving a crater 10.5 miles in diameter.

Sep 3, 2010 - Barbara Rogers

Portugal's unique decorative style uses blue and white tiles to line the inside of churches and decorate entire outer walls with mural-like scenes.

Sep 1, 2010 - Barbara Rogers

Be careful buying name-brand knock-offs in Italy; that bargain could cost a lot more than the beach vendor is asking if the police catch you buying it.

Jul 17, 2010 - Barbara Rogers

Riding Lisbon's colorful vintage trams is not only a must-do Lisbon experience, but Tram 28 provides one of the best tours of the old city. Don't miss it.

Jul 14, 2010 - Barbara Rogers

Music and art have always flourished in Florence, capital of Tuscany, and the new Florens 2010 celebrates that tradition with concerts and exhibitions.

Jun 28, 2010 - Barbara Rogers

Better known today than any of Portugal's kings, Prince Henry the Navigator launched the Golden Age of Discovery that would bring Portugal a world empire.

Jun 27, 2010 - Barbara Rogers

Riverside parks and promenades, elegant plazas and lively cafes greet cruise ship passengers after a scenic arrival past monuments of Portugal's Golden Age.

Jun 27, 2010 - Barbara Rogers

Cruise ships dock right in the center, so skip the shore excursion bus tour and explore this compact and fascinating city on foot during a shore stop.

May 13, 2010 - Barbara Rogers

Explore the historic streets of the Medieval Castello quarter to discover the hidden secrets of this favorite Mediterranean cruise port on Italy's second la

May 13, 2010 - Barbara Rogers

Pope Benedict's visit to the Portuguese pilgrimage town of Fatima brings renewed attention to the scene of the 1917 visions of three shepherd children.

May 8, 2010 - Barbara Rogers

Travelers in northern Italy who prefer not to drive can enjoy a car-free week touring scenic Lakes Como, Maggiore and Lugano by boats and trains.

Apr 17, 2010 - Barbara Rogers

Holy Week through Easter Monday are marked by religious processions, music, food, fireworks and festivals in Catalonia, Valencia, Murcia and other regions of Spain.

Apr 1, 2010 - Barbara Rogers

Semana Santa is celebrated all over Andalucia with processions of statues from the churches carried through the streets for the entire week before Easter Sunday.

Mar 29, 2010 - Barbara Rogers

After visiting the most famous sights on Sardinia, travelers with a longer time to spend on the island, should not miss these natural, historic and cultural landmarks.

Mar 24, 2010 - Barbara Rogers

Spectacular coastal scenery, miles of white sand beaches, castle-topped towns and 7000 prehistoric sites are among the best experiences on Italy's Mediterranean island.

Mar 24, 2010 - Barbara Rogers

Throughout Italy, festivals celebrating arts and culture bring young musicians and renowned opera stars before enthusiastic audiences from June through September.

Feb 13, 2010 - Barbara Rogers

The European Union has granted the coveted TSG (Traditional Speciality Guaranteed) label to Neapolitan pizza made in the traditional way from all local ingredients.

Feb 9, 2010 - Barbara Rogers

Buildings by Santiago Calatrava, Frank Gehry and Renzo Piano have taken on a tourism significance up there with the Parthenon and great Gothic cathedrals.

Feb 1, 2010 - Barbara Rogers

Before choosing a ship or itinerary, learn the basics of Mediterranean cruising to find the best value, see the best places and make the most of the shipboard experience.

Jan 7, 2010 - Barbara Rogers

Divided between Italy and Switzerland, Lake Maggiore has history, scenery, a moderate climate and plenty of activities for tourists, who can tour it by car or by boat.

Jan 5, 2010 - Barbara Rogers

The recovery in Rome of a stolen miniature guitar made by Pablo Picasso has brought well-deserved attention to a Lake Maggiore town's Civic Museum of Contemporary Art.

Jan 3, 2010 - Barbara Rogers

Although the Italian rail system is good for travel between cities, renting a car and driving through the countryside and small towns is the best way to really see Italy.

Dec 12, 2009 - Barbara Rogers

See masterpieces by the world's greatest painters and sculptors, treasures of Renaissance and Medieval art and architecture, palaces, a castle and more - free.

Dec 7, 2009 - Barbara Rogers

Lisbon is a romantic beautiful Old World city for walking, from its busy riverbank to the hilltop castle. Add the palaces at Queluz and Sintra for a three-day getaway.

Dec 1, 2009 - Barbara Rogers

The Tuscan city of Florence, Italy is ready for Christmas, with markets filling several squares, nativity scenes in churches and thousands of lights along the streets.

Nov 29, 2009 - Barbara Rogers