Amsterdammers and tourists zigzag across tiny Muntplein dodging cars and bicycles. The square’s landmark is elegant Munttoren, Mint Tower. This imposing 15th century tower with its flashy spire was originally part of the city wall and for a brief period it was used as the municipal mint. Listen to...

Lighthouses, scenic beaches, a historic working harbor and a thriving artist’s colony. Recently, my crew — my husband and I, and our four teens (sons ages 21, 19 and 17 and our 14 year-old daughter_ — set off for an overnight trip to Gloucester, 35 miles northeast and less than an hour’s...

The last days of summer are fresh with clear autumnal air to follow soon. September heralds the end of the tourist peak season. Mornings and evenings are cool, but afternoon temperatures are pleasant. Cafés continue to have outdoor seating. The trees begin to shed their leaves and no longer hide the...

UNESCO has added Amsterdam’s Canal Belt to the list of World Heritage sites, because this part of Amsterdam is a showpiece of urban planning and architecture. Late 16th and early 17th century Amsterdam prospered and an ever increasing number of people settled in the city. To solve the housing shortage,...

Join the locals heading for Zandvoort beach, if you feel like a swim in the North Sea. In summer the resort is packed. A ten-minute walk away from the crowd, takes you to a quiet stretch of sandy beaches. Only the very brave go for a dip, because the sea is generally too cold for Go here to read the...

Now that it is August, it is time to plan all the things that you just “got to do” in Boston before Labor Day and the end of summer. Hit the beach one last time. Massachusetts boasts some spectacular coastline. The top New England beach pick for all-around  fun? The 40- mile  Cape Cod National...