Whether you're a serious athlete or a weekend warrior, those who like to keep their heart pumping while sightseeing have plenty of great options in Europe. From scenic jogs through Stockholm to paddling a boat in Hyde Park to biking through bustling Amsterdam, active travel can be better travel.

Biking not only provides a workout; it's an efficient way to get around. On a well-fitted rental bike, I feel local, efficient, and even smug --...

If you want to eat like a local -- enjoying tasty local specialties economically -- picnic. While I'm the first to admit that restaurant meals are an important aspect of any culture, in Europe I picnic almost daily. This is not solely for budgetary reasons. It's fun to dive into a marketplace and deal with locals in the corner grocery or market. And Europeans are great picnickers. Many picnics become potlucks, resulting in new friends, as well as full stomachs.

To busy...

Dear Globetrotter:

Welcome to the 470th issue of your monthly foreign travel magazine.

Fred Koehler of Orange, California, wrote, several months back, “The ITN shelf in my bookcase reached maximum capacity recently. Begrudgingly, the oldest year required removal. It seemed unpatriotic to throw the issues in the recycle bin. They sat around for several weeks until an answer came to me as we prepared for a garage sale.

“During the sale, each shopper received...