Dear Globetrotter:

Welcome to the 525th issue of your monthly foreign-travel magazine, your connection to other world travelers who want to share what they’ve learned while on the road, in the air or out at sea.

Covering destinations outside of the US, this magazine prints subscribers’ experiences, observations and candid opinions. If you have a recommendation or a travel tip to contribute or would like to request information from other travelers, email editor@...

In the valleys 290 miles southeast of Mexico City, one of Mesoamerica’s earliest civilizations, the Zapotecs, developed. Living off the land, hunter-gatherers first appeared in these valleys about 10,000 years ago. By about 5000-4000 BC, these early settlers had begun to cultivate the land. The first important settlement identifiable as Zapotec, San José Mogote, can be dated to between 1450 and 1150 BC. By the 8th to 7th centuries BC, this settlement had expanded to include dozens of...

I've spent the last several decades exploring Europe from every conceivable angle. And this includes checking out Europe the way millions of people do -- from a cruise ship.

I'm not out to promote or put down cruising. For some people it's a great choice, and for others it's not. On the plus side, cruising can be economical, with transportation, a room, and meals all included in one price. It can be ideal for those who want their vacation logistics...