Columns

by Rick Steves

At Europe’s lively open-air markets and bazaars, bargaining for merchandise is the accepted and expected method of setting a price. Whether you are looking for door knockers or hand-knitted sweaters, seize the chance to bargain like a native. It’s the only way to find a compromise between the wishful thinking of the seller and the souvenir lust of the tourist.

Bargaining can be fun if you learn how to haggle. Among many good markets at which to...

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by Julie Skurdenis

Buenos Aires’ history stretches back almost 500 years. In 1536 King Carlos I of Spain sent Pedro de Mendoza to the Rio de la Plata in what is now northeastern Argentina to establish a fort. This fort was the first site of what eventually became Buenos Aires.

Forty-four years later, Juan de Garay “refounded” the city just a mile and a half from the original site, naming it Ciudad de la Santisima Trinidad y Puerto de Santa Maria de los Buenos...

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It’s time to SHARE! Today’s question is “How have your overseas travels affected your day-to-day living?”

For example, are you a tea drinker? There are people who order tea made in China, India, Japan, Nepal, Sri Lanka or Taiwan from Upton Tea Imports of Holliston, MA; 800/234-8327. Upton has 420 varieties of tea. (That’s just a mention, not a plug. I don’t know anyone there.)

There are those who order their smoked salmon from Iceland. And...

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Dear Globetrotter:

Welcome to the 426th issue of your monthly overseas travel magazine, where all subscribers are encouraged to share their experiences and opinions.

Before I get into the details of the travel news below, I would like to thank ITN Assistant Editor Mary Beltran and make it known that this column, as it is each month, is made possible only because of the massive amounts of research she does.

Mary scours the Internet news services and presents me with a...

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You’re winging your way across Europe, having the time of your life, when you make a simple mistake. You set your bag down as you slurp an extra-large gelato, and before you know it your bag is gone. Unfortunately, today’s the day you tucked your passport, credit cards and extra cash in your bag instead of in your money belt. That sinking feeling is the realization that — except for the euro or two in your pocket — you’ve lost everything.

Odds are this won’t ever happen to you, but if...

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Ornate wrought-iron gates lead to the less-formal second garden.

One cannot spend much time in the tiny multi-island nation of Malta without running smack-dab into the Knights of the Order of St. John.

Not literally, of course, since their 268-year stay ended 200 years ago. But evidence of their existence was left everywhere on Malta’s main island — also called Malta — as they went about transforming a limestone breadcrumb in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea into a prized jewel of mighty defenses and buildings of architectural splendor.

...

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Many ITN readers who are addicted to international travel find themselves, periodically, in discussions with relatives, friends and acquaintances who express not being able to understand the lure, attraction, charm, etc., of international travel, particularly to very adventurous, challenging destinations.

How should the international travel addict respond?

One thing is certain. It makes no sense to ever try to force your love of international travel down someone else’s...

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Dear Globetrotter:

Welcome to the 425th issue of your monthly overseas travel magazine.

If this is the first copy of ITN you’ve seen, all you need to know is that the bulk of the articles and letters you’ll read are written by subscribers to the magazine, travelers like you.

If you’re already a subscriber, then you know that, in addition to reading about interesting destinations, a terrific tour guide or two and maybe what a traveler learned the hard way, there’s...

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