From Romans to Moors to Portuguese kings, the proud little town of Evora -- set amid the cork groves of Portugal's Alentejo region -- has a big history. Just 90 minutes east of Lisbon, Evora has impressive sights -- Roman ruins, a 12th-century cathedral, and a macabre chapel of bones -- coupled with a laid-back local scene and a hearty cuisine that makes me think of Tuscany.

From the second century B.C. to the fourth century A.D., Evora was a Roman town important for its...

Shopping in Europe can be fun, but don't let it overwhelm your trip. I've seen half the members of a guided tour of the British Houses of Parliament skip out on the tour to survey an enticing array of plastic "bobby" hats, Big Ben briefs and Union Jack panties instead. Focus on local experiences, and don't let your trip become a glorified shopping spree.

-- As a fanatic about packing light, I used to wait until the end of my trip to...

Dear Globetrotter:

Welcome to the 517th issue of your monthly foreign-travel magazine. This is our 43rd Anniversary issue! Thank you, all, for subscribing, telling others about the magazine, patronizing our advertisers, submitting articles and trip reports to print or just letting us know what you'd like to see. It all builds into the final product: International Travel News.

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