Columns

March 2019 issue | Appears on page

Loving Lyon: France's culinary capital is off the tourist path
By Rick Steves
Try some traditional cuisine in one of Lyon’s bouchons — simple, cozy bistros filled with character.

Straddling the mighty Rhone and Saone rivers between Burgundy and Provence, Lyon has been among France's leading cities since Roman times. With cobbled alleys, pastel Renaissance mansions, Paris-like shopping streets, evocative museums and renowned cuisine, it's relaxed, welcoming and surprisingly untouristy. Just two hours from Paris by train, Lyon makes an easy one- or two-night stopover.

Regarded by many as France's foodie...

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March 2019 issue | Appears on page 2

Most-visited cities and most expensive cities. Outlook for commercial space travel. Remembering Philip Wagenaar
By David Tykol
Toes of the 46-meter-long reclining Buddha at Wat Pho temple in Bangkok, Thailand. The figure was built with bricks, shaped with plaster, then gilded.

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.

If you're reading ITN for the first time, having received a free sample copy, we hope...

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March 2019 issue | Appears on page 35

The Geografile
By Bryan Henry

Azerbaijan was the first Muslim country to extend suffrage to women, in 1918.

March 2019 issue | Appears on page 40

The Geografile
By Bryan Henry

Borneo is the world's only island divided between three countries: Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia.

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March 2019 issue | Appears on page 48

Emergency medical evacuation
By Wayne Wirtanen

There are basically two types of overseas emergency-medical-evacuation policies. First is the type of coverage supplied by Divers Alert Network, or DAN (Durham, NC; 800/446-2671, www.diversalertnetwork.org).

DAN is primarily designed for scuba divers, but anyone can join. Their basic coverage is called "DAN Membership," and for a year's protection the cost is $35 for an individual or $55 for a family (including spouse or domestic partner and children under 24 in school and...

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March 2019 issue | Appears on page 49

Embracing solo travel is empowering for women
By Rick Steves
Carrying yourself with confidence is one of the keys to a successful solo travel experience. Photos by Dominic Arizona Bonuccelli

I've been inspired over the years by female colleagues and friends who happily and safely travel solo overseas. There are challenges but also many rewards awaiting women who venture out on their own.

Whether it's due to concerns about loneliness or safety, many women put off their travel dreams because they don't want to do it by themselves. But traveling with the wrong person can make you feel lonelier than traveling alone. When you're solo, you're more...

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March 2019 issue | Appears on page 50

Winter self-drive - Portugal’s Algarve (First of three parts)
By Randy Keck
Painters whitewashing in traditional style in Porto Côvo, Portugal. Photos by Randy Keck

From late November to early December 2018, my wife, Gail, and I did an 8-day, self-drive exploration of Portugal's sun-blessed Algarve holiday playground.

The enviable mild winter climate makes the region a highly popular part-time and full-time retirement destination for thousands of British expats and other Europeans. We were there to discover the off-season heart, soul and pulse of this desirable stretch of gorgeous Atlantic coast some 280 kilometers south of the...

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February 2019 issue | Appears on page

What's new in Eastern Europe for 2019
By Rick Steves
Vienna’s Schonbrunn Palace is a world-class sight with crowds and lines to match, but those with Sisi combo-tickets can enter without a reserved entry time.

The history, art and culture of Eastern Europe are often complicated for Westerners. But it's easier than ever to enjoy this area, where there is plenty of good sightseeing news in its leading cities.

Prague is buzzing with sightseeing changes. After a seven-year renovation, the National Museum reopened with eight permanent exhibits covering topics from evolution to the Czech Republic's 20th century. Admission to the museum, which towers...

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