by Julie Skurdenis

Coudenberg was one of the most important palaces of its time, comparable to the great royal residences in other European countries. On a hill overlooking Brussels, the Dukes of Brabant built a small castle in the 11th century. By 1250 that castle had become their main ducal residence as Brussels emerged as the political center of Brabant in what is now Belgium.

As the power of the dukes grew, especially after Philip the Good inherited Burgundy, so did their...

by Julie Skurdenis

This is a story about Cartagena’s Old Town, perhaps the most beautiful colonial-era city in South America. It’s located in northern Colombia on the Caribbean. Not surprisingly, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This is also a story that could be told in one word: walk. Or perhaps in a few words: walk, walk and then walk some more. Cartagena, whose full name is Cartagena de Indias, is without doubt a city that should be experienced on foot, not just its main...

by Julie Skurdenis (Second of two parts)

Early in our January ’09 trip to El Salvador, my husband, Paul, and I visited four of the country’s major archaeological sites: Joya de Cerén, San Andrés, Tazumal and Casa Blanca. We saved Cihuatán for last.

Cihuatán is special in many ways. It is El Salvador’s largest archaeological site, spreading over an area of more than one square mile. Excavation is currently in progress and, from everything we heard, Cihuatán is destined to become...