In the south of the Kempen region, Geel is a city that was much venerated by Medieval pilgrims. This was all for Dymphna, a 7th-century Irish princess supposedly martyred here. She was beheaded by her mentally ill father, who was struggling with the death of his wife and lusted for her because of her resemblance …
Cape Canaveral is known the world over for its decades-long ties to space exploration and the space industry. The city itself is a short way south of the namesake space force station, and the Kennedy Space Center. You can reach both with ease, although I should point out that there are restrictions on who can …
On the banks of the languid Durme River, Lokeren is a small city in the East Flanders. Lokeren’s greatest asset is the nature found effortlessly close city centre. From the train station you can hop on a bike, and Waasland’s immense cycle network can do the rest. Within touching distance is the largest nature reserve …
Named for a ford on the River Zenne, the city of Vilvoorde is about 10 kilometres north-east of Brussels and linked to the capital by the Brussels-Scheldt Canal. Vilvoorde gained city rights as long ago as 1198, and for decades until the end of the 20th century was associated with heavy industry. That chapter closed …
The oldest city in Highlands County, Avon Park was incorporated in 1886 and lies an hour south of Orlando. In the early 20th century the city came to the fore as an upscale tourist destination. At that time, the Jacaranda Hotel attracted a number of prestigious guests including Hollywood actors and sports stars. I’m happy …
Home of the international playing card manufacturer Cartamundi, Turnhout is also unofficial capital of the Kempen region, a landscape of heathland, dunes and fens in the north-east of Belgium Turnhout had ties with the sport of hunting for hundreds of years, and a stag still adorns the city’s coat of arms. The Dukes of Brabant …
The largest city on Belgium’s coast is imbued with a royal flair that goes back to the middle of the 19th century when it became Leopold I’s resort of choice. Belgium’s aristocracy followed suit, and Ostend’s lofty status is confirmed by its genteel parks and regal monuments like the Sint-Petrus-en-Pauluskerk and the seafront colonnade, the …
Crossed by the east-west Hallandale Beach Boulevard, Pembroke Park is a humble town in the Miami area. Something I should point out about this town is that almost half of its residents live in mobile homes. Despite having a residential character that feels distant from Miami’s glitz and glamor, Pembroke Park is just minutes from …
On Anastasia Island, this shorefront city was incorporated in 1959. As the name tells you, it’s right next to St. Augustine, officially the oldest city in the United States. While St. Augustine’s many wonderful sights are moments away, I’ll focus mainly on what you can do by the shore. That means, hanging out on the …
Across San Carlos Bay from Fort Myers, Sanibel is an island destination, adored for its sublime beaches, unblemished nature, and all-round upscale vibe. The island has a peculiar shape, a bit like an upturned boomerang. This results in an unusual abundance of shells accumulating on Sanibel’s beaches. Indeed, it’s one of the best places in …