Berlin nurtures a true bike culture.

Bikes weave around cars, whirl down sidewalks, and lean against every building. Clusters of bikes are chained to every available post, sign, and handrail.

These humble vehicles are a quintessential part of life in Berlin. Because they’re so embedded in the lifestyle, they reflect a lot about the city and its citizens. Chipped paint, baskets, and even the chains used to secure the bikes speak of the people and the place.

In addition to a vibrant bike culture, Berlin and northeast Germany are striking places for...

Berlin nurtures a true bike culture.

Bikes weave around cars, whirl down sidewalks, and lean against every building. Clusters of bikes are chained to every available post, sign, and handrail.

These humble vehicles are a quintessential part of life in Berlin. Because they’re so embedded in the lifestyle, they reflect a lot about the city and its citizens. Chipped paint, baskets, and even the chains used to secure the bikes speak of the people and the place.

In addition to a vibrant bike culture, Berlin and northeast Germany are striking places for...

At over 2,500 years old, Rome is more than the capital of Italy. It is the center of artistic creativity and a cultural complex that arguably outstrips any other location on earth. Ancient monuments like the Colosseum continue to capture our attention while institutions like the Vatican Museums spur intellectual interest.

The heartbeat of Rome is found in every traveler’s soul. The rushing crowds on the main avenues can be left behind by ducking down a side street. After a block or two, enter one of the small neighborhood streets where children play ball and...

If only two words could be used to describe Rome, no pair could be better than “creativity” and “culture.” Even the most casual visitor is swept into the city’s dizzying array of ancient sites, stunning artwork, and new surprises around every corner.

The Eternal City is the capital of Italy, and perhaps its most striking travel destination. The historic city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that charges every vacation with the energy of the Roman Empire founded on the Seven Hills.

An exploration of Europe cannot be complete...

For centuries, Assisi, Italy has been the focus of spiritual activity. The ancient city might be best known as the birthplace of Saint Francis, yet the tangled streets offer much more than a pilgrimage.

Situated in the Province of Perugia, the compact city perches in Monte Subasio National Park on the Apennine Mountains. The views from nearly anywhere in the ancient city are spectacular. Mists rise up from the olive groves early in the morning. Soon the rays of the sun pierce the air and slant across the valley below.

Walking trails wander for kilometers...

Assisi was the home of several saints, including Agnes of Assisi, Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows, Rufinus of Assisi, Vitalis of Assisi, Sylvester of Assisi, and St. Francis himself. The pink stones used to build many of the Franciscan buildings were quarried from Monte Subasio, the mountain on which the city was built.

Since the residents of Assisi have continued to hold onto their traditional lifestyles, the town offers so much more. High atop a slope overlooking Assisi is the imposing Rocca Maggiore, an imperial fortress reconstructed by Cardinal Albornoz and...

Assisi was the home of several saints, including Agnes of Assisi, Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows, Rufinus of Assisi, Vitalis of Assisi, Sylvester of Assisi, and St. Francis himself. The pink stones used to build many of the Franciscan buildings were quarried from Monte Subasio, the mountain on which the city was built.

Since the residents of Assisi have continued to hold onto their traditional lifestyles, the town offers so much more. High atop a slope overlooking Assisi is the imposing Rocca Maggiore, an imperial fortress reconstructed by Cardinal Albornoz and expanded by Popes Pius...