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When I’m in Italy, I generally eat only Italian food. I doubt there’s another country in Europe (except France) that could hold my palate’s interest so easily.

Italians are passionate about food. Cuisine is like a religion, and it’s the quality of the ingredients that’s most sacred. They tell me French cuisine is the art of making a fine sauce to cover the taste of mediocre ingredients. In Italy, they say, “La miglior cucina comincia dal mercato” (“The best cuisine starts from the market”). 

When a chef comes out to chat with diners, ingredients are often the topic of...

Way back in my student travel days, I discovered a handful of completely offbeat sights that remain among my favorite places in Europe. From sculptures of salt to sculptures of marzipan, from a wall dedicated to love and freedom to chapels decorated with bones, a carefully balanced tour of Europe mixes famous must-see sights with quirky, less familiar places like these.

At the remarkable Wieliczka Salt Mine, just outside Krakow, Poland, there are sculptures of salt that look good enough to lick. A tour of the mine complex -- which spreads over nine levels...

Fresh from researching London, Bath, York and Edinburgh, I’ve discovered some new restaurant deals and confirmed some previous favorites.

In general, I found British portions huge. Rather than getting two appetizers, two main dishes and two desserts with wine for $70 each, a couple can order two appetizers, split a main dish, split a dessert and drink tap water. You’ll probably fill up fine, enjoy the same atmosphere and get out for $30 each.

Don’t be shy about sharing. I find waiters sympathize with budget travelers these days; they accommodate our cost-...