This is the February 2020 issue

Boarding Pass

The 26-foot-long, stone-arch Tanners’ Bridge, or Tabak Bridge, is an 18th-century Ottoman footbridge in Tirana, Albania. The river it crossed was diverted in the 1930s.
Latest on the UK's Brexit. Also, China-visa hitch with Nepal-to-Tibet travel.
By David Tykol
Appears on Page 2
 

Features

Binglingsi Shiku, aka Thousand Buddha Caves, with sandstone peaks rising above the Liujiaxia Reservoir.
Exploring the ancient Chinese Silk Road
By Yvonne Michie Horn
Appears on Page 6
 
A view of Tallinn, the capial of Estonia.
Pursuing the path of the Vikings on a tour through Eastern Europe
By Denzil & Jennie Verardo
Appears on Page 20
 
Our accommodations at Pench Tree Lodge.
A most unique safari in India
By Fran & Judy Pease
Appears on Page 36
 
Our little group, after a lesson on hat making.
A voyage to the not-often-visited Austral Islands
By Seth Sherman
Appears on Page 40
 

Travelers' Intercom

Restricted websites in China
By Tony Leisner
Appears on Page 14
 
Patio of Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild — Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, France. Photos by Stephen Addison
Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild
By Stephen Addison
Appears on Page 14
 
Georgia hotel’s mountain view
By Jim Delmonte
Appears on Page 16
 
Visit to North Sumatra
By Beth Fox
Appears on Page 27
 
Guide in Kolkata
By Norm Dailey
Appears on Page 28
 
Ray Bahde with <i>Himbeerkuchen</i> at <i>Café Stephan’s Dom</i> — Passau. Photos by Wanda Bahde
Despite health issues, enjoyed travel
By Wanda Bahde
Appears on Page 30
 
We had lunch at a <i>cachaçaria</i> (serves the distilled sugarcane spirit <i>cachaça</i>) by Baía Formosa, eastern Brazil. Photos by George Stoll
Cariri Ecotours in Brazil
By Anne Stoll
Appears on Page 43
 
Disinfecting where possible
By Carolyn Moser
Appears on Page 44
 

Calling All Readers!

My Lug Zipliner shoulder bag can convert to a backpack. Photo by Merle Orozco
Recommended carry-on bags
Appears on Page 33
 

Calling All Readers! Call for Submissions

Ultimate Packing Lists
Appears on Page 17
 

Columns

A jubilant pilgrim on Spain’s Camino de Santiago marks the end of her journey in front of the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela. Photo by Rick Steves
How to feel the spirit at pilgrimage sites in Europe
Rick Steves' Europe Supplemental

By Rick Steves

 
If booking same-day tickets to Dublin’s Book of Kells, you’ll find few crowds at the side-entrance ticket kiosks. Photo by Rick Steves
What's new in Ireland for 2020
Rick Steves' Europe Supplemental

By Rick Steves

 
Canterbury Cathedral, a masterpiece of English Gothic architecture, will soon have a new welcome center. Photo by Dominic Arizona Bonuccelli
What's new in Great Britain for 2020
Rick Steves' Europe Supplemental

By Rick Steves

 
Consider skipping the Colosseum’s crowded interior and just enjoying it from the outside. Photo by Cameron Hewitt
What's new in Rome and Naples for 2020
Rick Steves' Europe Supplemental

By Rick Steves

 
The 26-foot-long, stone-arch Tanners’ Bridge, or Tabak Bridge, is an 18th-century Ottoman footbridge in Tirana, Albania. The river it crossed was diverted in the 1930s.
Latest on the UK's Brexit. Also, China-visa hitch with Nepal-to-Tibet travel.
Boarding Pass

By David Tykol
Appears on Page 2
 
penguin
The Geografile
The Geografile

By Bryan Henry
Appears on Page 26
 
Betty James Travel Insurance Strategy update
Eye on Travel Insurance

By Wayne Wirtanen
Appears on Page 46
 
Kuressaare Castle as seen from our window in the Ekesparre Boutique Hotel — Saaremaa, Estonia. Photos by Julie Skurdenis
Estonia - A bishop’s castle in Old Livonia
Focus on Archaeology

By Julie Skurdenis
Appears on Page 47
 
Uluru, aka Ayers Rock, a sandstone monolith in Australia’s Northern Territory, draws many a tour group. Photo by Gail Keck
Group-travel mode and genre changes
Far Horizons

By Randy Keck
Appears on Page 49
 

Travel Briefs

New ‘smart’ train in China
Trade gift cards for miles
Renew passport with app
Scan your passport on AA app
Saudi Arabia allows mixed dining
Switzerland hiking maps
‘You decide’ Stockholm tours
Photograph bears in Slovenia
Guided Czechia hikes
Lake Lucerne paddleboats
Greek rack railway
Historic Florence doors on display

Funniest Thing

Excuse eliminated
By Loren Parks
Appears on Page 44
 

Where in the World? Correct Answers

'Big Seated' sculpture (Würzburg, Germany)

 

News Watch

MidEast travel warning
US Embassy in Iraq attacked
Somalia bombing
New Zealand volcano erupts
East Africa floods
Jakarta flooding
Natural disasters in the Philippines
Australia bushfires
Kazakhstani plane crash
India citizenship protests
Strikes in France
Lebanon protests
Samoa measles outbreak
Current advisories

Tours

BALTIC CAPITALS
BATTLE OF THE BULGE/EAGLE’S NEST
DECORATED CAVES OF PYRÉNÉES & RHÔNE VALLEY
ADVENTURES IN ASTURIAS
E-MTB TOUR CROATIA
WALKING & CRUISING WESTERN LYCIA
TRAVERSING THE ANCIENT TEA HORSE ROAD”
CLOUD FORESTS OF RIO MAYO & ABRA PATRICIA