This is the December 2019 issue

Features

Hasedera Buddhist Temple in Kamakura.
A month-long journey through Japan, by land and by sea
By Robert Ono
Appears on Page 6
 
A mother lion and one of her three 8-week-old cubs.
A spectacular Kenyan safari
By Carl Stoltzfus
Appears on Page 22
 
Our “meet and greet” with the leader of the pack.
An Arctic adventure to Norway and beyond
By David Nudleman
Appears on Page 39
 

Travelers' Intercom

A canal near our Airbnb apartment in the centre of Amsterdam. Photos by Alan T. Ramsay
Advice on visiting Amsterdam
By Alan T. Ramsay
Appears on Page 16
 
The Casino de Monte-Carlo faces the Place du Casino, featuring a fountain with a sky-mirror sculpture. Photos by Stephen Addison
Monaco tips
By Stephen Addison
Appears on Page 18
 
Couple’s experience with Azerbaijan guide
By Neil Johnson
Appears on Page 28
 
Guide for the Balkans
By David Reid
Appears on Page 29
 
An egret escort on the Amazon. Photos by Rosemary McDaniel
The Amazon with G Adventures
By Rosemary McDaniel
Appears on Page 29
 
Castel Fragsburg is nestled in the Italian Dolomites. Photos by Beth Habian
Hotel standouts in northern Italy
By Beth Habian
Appears on Page 31
 
Thali plate. Photos by Inga Aksamit
Quick-reference guide to food in India
By Inga Aksamit
Appears on Page 34
 
Lake Masek Tented Lodge. Photos by Jerry Vetowich
Tanzania with Galapagos Travel
By Nili Olay
Appears on Page 43
 

Calling All Readers!

Staying Healthy Abroad
Appears on Page 36
 

Calling All Readers! Call for Submissions

Experience Collections
Appears on Page 19
 

Columns

The essential elements of the French Riviera — azure water, blue sky, and endless sunshine — appeal to vacationers and artists alike in places like Nice. Photo by Dominic Arizona Bonuccelli
Beyond the Beaches: Art in the French Riviera
Rick Steves' Europe Supplemental

By Rick Steves

 
Hiding in a distant wing of Vienna's crowded Hofburg Palace, the Albertina Museum's 19th-century state rooms are usually empty. Photo by Dominic Arizona Bonuccelli
Finding peace in Europe's overlooked sights
Rick Steves' Europe Supplemental

By Rick Steves

 
Travelers who visit Paris in winter get to experience a less congested, more European Europe. Photo by Sandra Hundacker
Embracing Europe in winter
Rick Steves' Europe Supplemental

By Rick Steves

 
The picture-perfect setting of the Cinque Terre villages (in this case, Riomaggiore) draws millions of tourists annually. Photo by Dominic Arizona Bonuccelli
How to avoid crowds in Italy's Cinque Terre
Rick Steves' Europe Supplemental

By Rick Steves

 
The Schlosskirche (Castle Church, aka All Saints’ Church) in Wittenberg, Germany, is where Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses in 1517. The church also contains his tomb.
Results of EPA's tests for contamination in airliners' onboard water. Smartphone SIM card tip
Boarding Pass

By David Tykol
Appears on Page 2
 
The Geografile
The Geografile

By Bryan Henry
Appears on Page 38
 
Coimbra University’s King João's Library, in Portugal, has a spectacular ceiling and is one of Europe’s best surviving Baroque libraries. Photo by Dominic Arizona Bonuccelli
Academic adventures - Visiting Europe’s top university sights
Rick Steves' Europe

By Rick Steves
Appears on Page 47
 
Entrance courtyard of the Valtice château. Photos by Yvonne Michie Horn
Czechia - Lu & Tiree Chmelar Herb Garden
The Garden Path

By Yvonne Michie Horn
Appears on Page 48
 

Funniest Thing

Have it your way
By Karen Wagner
Appears on Page 44
 

Where in the World? Correct Answers