If you are visiting Indonesia for the first time, I wholeheartedly recommend scheduling a visit to the temples of Prambanan and Borobudur in central Java. These two remarkable temples were buried for hundreds of years beneath layers of vegetation and were discovered during Indonesia’s period of British rule (1811 – 1816), by surveyors working [...]
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Postcard from South Africa: The Protea
This lovely, exotic specimen is a protea, the national flower of South Africa. I also recently saw this in the wild in the magnificent Fynbos Region near Hermanus, which is part of the small but incredibly diverse Cape Floral Kingdom. -A.H.
Sightseeing: Archaeological Ruins in the Peloponnese
The Peloponnese contains some of the most evocative archaeological sites in Greece. The hilltop citadel of Mycenae was at its height from 1600-1100 B.C., and its astonishing Treasury of Atreus boasted the tallest dome in the world for more than 1,000 years. Epidaurus dates from the fourth century and is the most aesthetically refined classical theater. With seating [...]
A Side Trip to Scenic Taxco, Mexico
Driving an hour south of Cuernavaca, Mexico, through countryside bursting with blue morning glories and giant yellow marigolds, we reached the red roofs and cobbled streets of unspoiled Taxco. The city, which tumbles picturesquely down a hillside, is justly famous for its silverwork, but offers much to sightseers, as well. The breathtakingly ornate 18th-century [...]
The Imperial City of Hue, Vietnam
Having missed Hue on previous visits to Vietnam, I was determined to make it a priority on my most recent one. The seat of the Nguyen dynasty from 1802 to 1945, the city is full of splendid imperial sites, most notably the Citadel and the royal tombs. It is also charming for other reasons, [...]
The Moving National WWII Museum
One of New Orleans’ most fascinating attractions, aside from the city itself, is the ever-expanding National WWII Museum. Indeed, some visitors travel to New Orleans with the sole purpose of visiting the well-organized galleries of this museum in the rapidly gentrifying Warehouse District. Displays proceed chronologically, starting with a vivid illustration of the relative military [...]
Guided Tours in New Orleans
As rewarding as it is to meander through New Orleans’ French Quarter on your own, it can be fascinating to explore this historic city with a guide. On my recent visit, I booked two very different guided tours, and both proved to be enlightening. Mrs. Harper and I first embarked on a two-hour walking [...]
Luxury Foreign Travel: Andrew Harper’s Ireland
Countless words have been used to try to capture the spirit and the essence of Ireland. Indeed, this island to the northwest of continental Europe has inspired and produced some of the most renowned poets and writers of the past century. Yet, Ireland’s dramatic scenery, warm and generous people, and near-perfect blend of the [...]
The Great Estates of Virginia
As much as I appreciate Virginia wines, I do recommend giving your palate a break from time to time and visiting some of the state’s potently historic plantation homes. Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello is easily the most famous of these, its Palladian-style façade decorating the back of the nickel. Touring this well-restored mansion and gardens, [...]
Valencia, Spain: The Hidden City
Though it’s Spain’s third-largest city with a population of nearly a million, Valencia rarely figures on tourist itineraries. I rather contrarily hope it stays that way, since it’s a real charmer and one of the most fascinating cities in Europe. Not only is the Old Quarter enchanting, the new districts of town showcase some of [...]
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