Author Profile: Teresa Markle

San Sebastián de La Gomera is a town in the Canary Islands that demands you slow down and wander aimlessly in its historic quarter. No turn is wrong because you want to get hopelessly lost in La Gomera’s capital. Pause at a public square to look at the city’s steeped walls and imagine yourself sipping coffee at sunrise. Look up at the open wooden balconies and pretend to flutter your fan. Bend down to pet the black cat you discovered lazily sleeping in the Spanish...   view more

Mdina is the Silent City that whispers its secrets when you visit Malta. Residents deserted the city after the 1565 Great Siege of Malta. The name Mdina comes from the Arabic word madīnah which means “town” or “city”. From the moment you enter the main city gate, you are enclosed in its fortified walls. Whether you rode in a karozzin (a horse-drawn carriage) or walked across the bridge, you are transported back to the times of the Romans, Greeks, Byzantines, and...   view more

If you love outdoor sculptures and the beach, you will love the Malecon sculptures in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The translation for Malecon is an open-air promenade. Metal sculptures line the one-mile concrete boardwalk in the Old Town. Nine different sculptors created iconic works featuring sea horses, lovers, and unicorns, among other subjects. Twelve statues by world-renowned artists also line the...   view more

Cesis is a small Latvian town that is home to a 13th-century castle. Cesis Castle is the heart of this town in northeastern Latvia. Its red turret sits stop the stone fortress, like a sporty...   view more

Exploring Boston’s Literary District was a dream come true when I returned to Boston for my “Now Vaccinated!” vaca from Washington DC. As an English major in college, I was always obsessed with 19th-century female novelists. They blazed the way for women to have careers in a time when most occupations were prohibited. And they permanently saved a record for the modern-day reader about their...   view more

Downtown Bar Harbor, Maine melds two worlds—island beach retreat and wilderness getaway. Once a summer colony for America’s richest families, Bar Harbor boasts millionaires’ mansions on West Street. Now families flock to stay at the 5-star hotels and inns and hike at Acadia National...   view more

DC’s Dupont Circle neighborhood is eclectic. Its architecture spans the robber baron Gilded Age to trendy 21st condo renovations. It’s a little like visiting your eccentric Great Aunt Matilda. Some things seem a tad outdated and moldy. But it’s also a real community—home to independent retailers, restaurants, bookstores, tea stores, galleries, Tarot card spiritualists, and a farmers...   view more

My Philadelphia city tour clearly showed the city deserved its moniker as “City of Sisterly Love.” It offered me history, art and the best tomato pie on my recent trip. Frankly, I never even thought about making a trip to sightsee in Philadelphia, pre-pandemic. It was just a city I waved at on I-95 en route to its International Airport. But now that I am grounded due to the pandemic, I choose to explore Philadelphia’s Parkway Museum District. It stretches from the City Hall to the...   view more

Mayfair is an exclusive London neighborhood named after its old-time “May Fair.” In 1686, King James II granted permission for this two-week fair; it was held at Shepherd Market (a small precinct in Mayfair). Crowds flocked to this rural area between the 17th and 18th centuries for this May annual fair. They came for drinking, eating, and entertainment, including bare-knuckle fighting, women’s foot racing, and puppet shows. The authorities banned it in 1764 because it was too...   view more

San Cristóbal de La Laguna is a UNESCO World Heritage site located on the island of Tenerife in the Canary Islands. It was the last place that I visited on my seven-day Canarian...   view more

Chicago’s architecture is the number one reason to visit this midwestern U.S. city. And there is no better way to understand the sweeping accomplishments than to book an architectural walking...   view more

Hoi An Ancient Town melds multiple cultures—Chinese, French, and Japanese—through its architecture and styles. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999. Lantern-lit streets are the iconic image for the “City of Lanterns.” You can even take a class to make your...   view more

Dog-friendly Annapolis welcomes you with open arms. (Please, no jumping!) If you are a dog owner looking for a destination that combines history, charm, beautiful scenery, and special places to visit with your pooch, look no further than Annapolis, Maryland! This picturesque city is located on the Chesapeake Bay. Come enjoy its vibrant culture and historic...   view more

Old Ellicott City (OEC) is an old mill town founded by Quaker brothers. It has survived countless floods (including Hurricane Agnes). If you’re visiting Washington D.C. or Baltimore, schedule a detour to “the town with a river and seven...   view more

If you can only devote two days to visiting the Smithsonian museums, don’t despair. I have the itinerary for you! You can see all nine Smithsonian museums in Washington DC. PLUS admission is free to all Smithsonian...   view more

Erice is a quasi-Alpine village nestled on an Italian island in western Sicily. The Association “I Borghi più Belli d’Italia” recognizes it as one of Italy’s Most Beautiful Villages. This designation spotlights those small Italian towns showcasing Italy’s History, Art, Culture, Environment, and...   view more

There are 11 reasons to enjoy Basel, Switzerland. But it can really be summed up in one word: CULTURE. This is a hardworking Swiss city that knows how to enjoy the arts, nature, and history. As it has been over three decades since I visited Basel, Switzerland’s third-largest city, I didn’t know what to expect. I had 48 hours to explore the medieval Old Town plus its bustling cosmopolitan...   view more

Discover DC neighborhoods. Roam the streets and alleys of DC’s historic and eclectic neighborhoods. See 300 years of different architectural styles – Federal, Victorian, Queen Anne, Beaux-Arts, Romanesque, Brutalism, and 20th Century Revival...   view more

James Joyce Centre celebrates the life and times of Ireland’s most famous and enigmatic writer. For anyone who has struggled to read his opus, Ulysses, it can be an insurmountable mountain to climb. But I came to Ireland to learn about Joyce’s early life. The natural place to start was this museum located at 35 N. Great George’s...   view more

Hilo is a laid-back hippy Hawaiian city with 10 funky things to do during your stay on the Big Island, known as the Island of Inspiration. If you are lucky enough to fly into Hilo International Airport, you can easily do a whirlwind tour before you check into your...   view more

Time travelers should head straight for the Logan Circle neighborhood of Washington DC if they want to be transported back to the late 19th century. Most of the homes on Logan Circle were built during a 25-year period from 1875 to 1900. You’ll feel dizzy if you try to jog around the Logan (traffic) Circle while looking up to examine the Logan Circle homes. The houses are so...   view more

Even if your main pursuit is museum-hopping in the nation’s capital, tourists should devote a day exploring one of these Top 10 Washington DC Gardens. Whether you are chasing a cool place to rest on a hot muggy city day or hunting for a snowy retreat, garden time is zen...   view more

Brookland is a Washington D.C. neighborhood christened “Little Rome.” It earned this moniker decades ago because the Catholic University of America and the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception are located here. With its wide streets, open spaces, century-old residences, and kids riding bikes, Brookland could be mistaken for a town in the suburbs. But the neighborhood is located less than four miles from the U.S. Capitol (via North Capitol St...   view more

“Asheville’s sweetest neighborhood” is one of the slogans for historic Montford in North Carolina. If you loved watching The Gilded Era on HBO, then you might want to check out this neighborhood as well as Asheville’s arts district, food scene, and the Grove...   view more

Discover Edgy St. Pete by staying in its Edge District. I came to this West Coast Florida city looking to soak up the sun on its beaches, which straddle the Gulf of Mexico. I found a funky St. Petersburg neighborhood where local businesses—including coffee shops, restaurants, book shops, and...   view more

The hashtag for Washington DC is #MyDCCool. What is cool is how Washington DC is the hometown for 700,000+ residents. I interviewed three female tour guides who identified their secret places to visit in Washington D.C. The list includes historical homes, museums, and D.C. neighborhoods. I predict these 11 DC places will probably end up on your list of #MyDCCool after reading this...   view more

I chose Clearwater after an exhaustive search of beach towns on the West Coast of Florida due to its proximity to white beaches, blue waters and isolated state parks. Whether I drove to Honeymoon Beach, took a ferry to Cadesi State Park or bicycled to Sand Key, I had endless options to explore over my 10-day...   view more

Strolling down the downtown Tampa Riverwalk, I marveled at the “other Florida” I discovered on my East Coast Road Trip. No nightclub Miami vibe here. Forget Mickey’s Orlando getaway. Just West Florida charm. Tampa is a city that straddles two worlds—its century-old Ybor City Cuban heritage and its skyscraper...   view more

Gulf beaches, thriving local art scene, waterfront walks, botanic garden and the historic Kenwood neighborhood head my list of 10 things to do in St. Pete Florida. If you are expecting a retiring kind of place, think again. You’ll be running around crazy whether you visit for a day or spend a long weekend in St. Petersburg. Plus it is a short drive from Clearwater or...   view more

Georgetown is a bee hive of streets running parallel to M Street and crisscrossing Wisconsin Avenue; multi-storied rowhouses dressed in pink, yellow, blue and green doors, with Disneyesque landings festooned with flowering pots. But this is no made-for-TV stage front. Georgetown architecture dates back to the 16th century. A particular thrill is to stumble on a “half” street. Slum housing that was condemned in 1935 as a result of the Alley Clearing Act have been redeveloped with bakeries,...   view more

Exploring Chincoteague town in Virginia is my post-pandemic escape in May. The island features a historic Main Street, wharf-side restaurants, a wildlife refuge, and a national seashore. Plus it is the home of Misty the Pony! If you are looking for a beach town with high rises and 24/7 activity, Chincoteague will bore...   view more

On the Pacific side of Mexico, you can step back into the colonial life and times of San Sebastián del Oeste. Founded in 1605, this historic village is nestled in the hills of the Sierra Madre mountain range. Silver miners settled the town. Visitors can see the miners’ original homes and shops. In addition, the historic church features paintings, statues, and...   view more

Historic Hendersonville, North Carolina will provide top-tapping fun for visitors during the summer. Come lay down on a quilt or bring a lawn chair and enjoy Music on Main. The weekly concert is held every Friday evening from June through mid-August. The location is the Visitor Center stage (located at Main Street and Barnwell...   view more

Black Mountain, North Carolina is known as the “Little Town that Rocks.” And I can’t imagine a better way to spend a day than sitting in one of the hand-painted rocking chairs in this mountain...   view more

Step back into maritime history when you visit Beaufort, North Carolina, and enjoy a treasure chest of free things to do. This Crystal Coast gem – the third oldest city in the Tar Heel State and originally known as Beaufort Towne – will beguile you. Dating back to the 1600s, Beaufort was a fishing village and port of safety. It is the perfect day excursion if you want a break from your beach vacation at Cape Lookout, Harkers Island, Atlantic Beach, or Emerald Isle, North...   view more

Most visitors move quickly between the Smithsonian museums, checking off highlights like the Natural History Museum and the Air and Space Museum. But just steps away, the National Mall holds quieter, lesser-known spaces that add depth to your...   view more

Northern Italy has no shortage of famous cities. Venice draws crowds for its canals. Florence attracts travelers searching for Renaissance art. Verona offers romance and Roman ruins. Yet Padua surprised me more than I expected. Padua was the first stop on my 7-day solo train trip through the heart of Europe. The all-day train journey started in Bari in southern...   view more

Trieste, Italy, is a city you understand on foot. Start at the canal, follow the footsteps of writers, and end at the grand square where the city meets the...   view more

Napier is known worldwide as the Art Deco Capital of New Zealand. In 1931, an earthquake and fire shattered Napier in minutes. The city chose speed, optimism, and design over despair. Builders rebuilt Napier in less than two years. Architects embraced Art Deco, the era’s modern language of optimism in the...   view more

Walking along the perimeter of Christchurch’s historic Arts Centre, I encounter a sequence of murals that quietly document the city’s recovery after the earthquakes. Painted on temporary construction walls and freestanding concrete slabs, these works transform what could feel like barriers into an open-air...   view more

Atlanta’s Cabbagetown feels like a neighborhood caught between two worlds. Historic mill cottages line narrow streets while giant murals stretch for blocks across warehouse walls. One moment, you are admiring wildflower gardens beside porches. Next, you are walking through a railroad tunnel covered in layers of graffiti and street...   view more

Looking for free things to do in Washington, DC that go beyond the Smithsonian museums? While the Smithsonian is an incredible part of any visit, the nation’s capital offers more. Why not visit the city’s gardens, historic neighborhoods, walking trails, waterfront parks, iconic memorials, and hidden gems? Most don’t require an admission...   view more

With world-class collections spanning Asian treasures, Renaissance masterpieces, modern installations, and presidential portraits, Washington, DC offers one of the finest concentrations of art museums in the United States. This self-guided two-day itinerary takes you through eight outstanding museums on and near the National Mall, including four Smithsonian museums and the National Gallery of...   view more

If you only have three days in San Francisco, I still recommend you dedicate half a day to this adventure. Why? There is something timeless about approaching Sausalito by water. The town was never meant to be seen from a highway first. It was meant to rise slowly into view - white boats rocking in the harbor, hillside homes stacked like a Mediterranean postcard, and sunlight glinting off the bay. I swear I thought I was docking at a Cinque Terre village in...   view more

Santa Fe is nicknamed The City Different. City officials chose this nickname to differentiate this Southwestern town from the “City Beautiful” movement inaugurated after the World’s Fair in 1893. The fair’s neoclassical “White City” showcased an idealized urban environment that many saw as a stark contrast to the industrial cities of the...   view more