John Flores and Michael Leitz, both retired educators from San Francisco, moved to rural Spain and bought a 120-year-old house for less than $50,000 due to the high cost of living in San Francisco. They chose Spain for its climate, lifestyle, and their personal connections to Europe. After living in Valencia for three years, they found a fixer-upper in the historic town of Xativa through Idealista. They faced challenges such as navigating the Spanish property market and legal system, language barriers, and cultural differences. The renovation took six months, and they are now happily integrated into the local community.

The article is a travel guide to Costa Brava, a region in northeastern Catalonia, Spain, known for its rugged landscape, coves, and beaches. It highlights the area's popularity among tourists and locals, including its cultural significance with ties to Salvador Dali. The 'Dali Triangle' is mentioned, comprising Cadaques, Figueres, and Pubol, which are significant due to Dali's influence. The article suggests a road trip to explore various villages, each with unique attractions such as art galleries, historical sites, and natural parks. Cadaques is noted for its artistic vibe and proximity to Cap de Creus National Park. Figueres is recognized for the Dali Theatre-Museum, while Púbol is home to the Gala Dali Castle House. Roses, Girona, Begur, Tossa De Mar, Blanes, and Lloret De Mar are also described as must-visit locations with their own historical and cultural offerings, including beaches, botanical gardens, and medieval architecture. The article provides practical tips for travelers, such as weather considerations and local cuisine recommendations.

Monaco, known for its luxury and wealth, is also a leader in sustainability and responsible tourism, with initiatives like the white paper by the Tourist and Convention Authority and awards for Monte Carlo Beach. The principality offers a rich combination of history, architecture, art, gardens, and world-class events. Highlights include the Musee Oceanographique's Polar Mission exhibition, Christian Louboutin's shoe exhibition at the Grimaldi Forum, indulgent experiences at Spa Metropole by Givenchy and Cinq Mondes Spa, the Yacht Show 2022, the Garden Club's flower competition, National Day festivities, and the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters tennis tournament. Monaco is accessible from Nice and offers public elevators for easy navigation.

Grenada, a West Indies island, is celebrated for its spices, rum, and waterfalls, distinguishing it from other Caribbean islands. The island's charm is attributed to its vibrant waters, aromatic spices, rum flavors, and friendly locals. Accessible by plane or ferry, the best time to visit is between mid-December and mid-April. Highlights include the traditional breakfast 'doubles,' Grand Etang National Park, House of Chocolate, Underwater Sculpture Park by Jason de Caires Taylor, River Antoine Rum Distillery, sailing at Grand Anse Beach, and the Hash House Harriers' weekly event. Visitors are reminded to drive on the left side of the road.

The article lists nine of the best children's museums around the world, highlighting their unique features and educational value for both children and adults. Museums mentioned include Unibacken in Stockholm, the Toy Museum in Munich, the Museum of Illusions in Zagreb, the Children's Museum in Indianapolis, Musée Des Enfants in Brussels, Papalote Museo Del Niño in Mexico City, The Toy Museum in Istanbul, The Strong National Museum Of Play in Rochester, New York, and the Children's Museum in Atlanta. The museums offer a variety of interactive and educational experiences, from hands-on exhibits to historical displays, catering to the developmental needs of children and providing valuable insights for accompanying adults.

Germany's North Sea Coast features the North Frisian and East Frisian Islands, each with unique attractions and activities. The islands offer experiences such as walking the Wadden Sea's tidal flats, enjoying the beaches and dunes, staying in traditional thatched cottages, savoring local Frisian cuisine, watching seals, relaxing at Europe's largest Thalasso therapy spa on Norderney, and experiencing the vibrant nightlife on Sylt. The region is accessible by ferry, with international airports nearby in Hamburg and Bremen, and is recognized as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site.

Finland's Wild Taiga, located in the east on the border with Russia, offers a variety of experiences that blend wilderness and culture. The region is known for its dense boreal woods and wildlife, including wolves and wolverines. Visitors can engage in activities such as snowshoeing, husky safaris, and learning about the Kalevala epic and Karelian culture at the Jumineko Information Center. Other experiences include berry picking and glamping in a haybarn. The area is accessible via Finnair flights to Kajaani, with Kuhmo being a central town for these wilderness adventures.

The European Capitals of Culture for 2022 are Kaunas, Lithuania; Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg; and Novi Sad, Serbia. These cities were chosen by the European Union for their exceptional cultural heritage and will host a series of cultural events to promote European unity and culture. The initiative, which began in 1985, aims to highlight the diversity and cultural richness of different European cities. This year's capitals will feature various events, including street art, museums, and festivals, to draw attention to their unique cultural offerings.

The article presents a list of seven ski resorts around the world that cater to all levels of skiers. The resorts include Cortina d’Ampezzo in Italy, Mzaar Ski Resort in Lebanon, Geilo in Norway, Niseko in Japan, Erciyes in Turkey, Aspen in Colorado, and Saariselka in Finland. Each resort is described with its unique features, such as Cortina d’Ampezzo's history with the Winter Olympics and its upcoming hosting in 2026, Mzaar's proximity to Beirut, and Aspen's celebrity presence. The resorts offer a range of activities and amenities, from skiing and snowboarding to après ski scenes and wellness treatments.

The article showcases nine ice castles around the world that offer a variety of winter experiences, including tunnels, slides, and festivals. It highlights the Kemi Snow Castle in Finland, the JungfrauJoch Ice Palace in Switzerland, and the Harbin Ice Festival in China, among others. Some castles are open year-round, while others are seasonal. The article also mentions ice castles that are currently closed but may reopen in the future.

The article describes ten unique Christmas traditions from around the world, including hiding brooms in Norway to ward off witches, roller skating to church in Caracas, Venezuela, the 'pooping logs' of Catalonia, Spain, the Krampus in Austria, decorating Christmas trees with spider webs in Ukraine, traditional Greenlandic Christmas treats, feeding the dead in Portugal, the old witch La Befana delivering presents in Italy, wearing red underwear for good luck in Spain, and burning the devil in Guatemala.

Travel writer Inka Piegsa-Quischotte recounts her three-day journey through the Swiss Alps, detailing her experiences in Lausanne, Montreux, Vevey, and Geneva. She describes luxurious accommodations, cultural landmarks such as the Olympic Museum and Chaplin's World, and dining experiences. The narrative includes personal anecdotes, such as swimming in Lake Geneva and witnessing a sunset dinner cruise. The article serves as a travel guide, offering insights into the region's culture, history, and attractions.

Turkey offers a variety of underground sites that provide insights into its history, culture, and art, including entire towns, cisterns, churches, and tombs. Notable locations include the Basilica Cistern in Istanbul, built by Byzantine Emperor Justinian, and Derinkuyu, the largest underground city in Cappadocia. Other significant sites are Dara Cistern and Necropolis in Mardin, Pluto's Gate in Denizli, Kaymakli in Cappadocia, an underground church at Nevsehir Castle, and the Myra Necropolis in Demre. These sites, built intentionally and not due to natural disasters, offer cool retreats from Turkey's summer heat and are accessible to visitors through tours or independent exploration.

Costa Cálida, known as the 'warm coast', is a 155-mile-long coastline in southeast Spain, ideal for visiting in the fall due to its warm weather and water temperatures. The region offers sandy beaches, rocky coves, watersports, golf at La Manga Golf Resort, and historic monuments. Murcia province hosts fall festivals, and the cities of Murcia and Cartagena are rich in history with Roman and Art Deco sites. The countryside also offers nature parks and hiking opportunities. Local cuisine features rice dishes, suckling pig, and fresh seafood, complemented by regional wines.