Many travelers are captivated by the grandeur of major historic cities—Paris, London, Edinburgh, Madrid, Prague, and Vienna—but there’s something truly special about smaller destinations that exude historic charm without being overwhelming.

In these more compact cities, history feels alive, as if you've stepped back in time.

As the host of The Historic Traveler blog, I wanted to highlight three of my favorite lesser-known historic gems: Taormina, Italy; Český Krumlov, Czech Republic; and Killarney, Ireland.

I have the best book to share with you today! Shari Leid's new travel memoir, Table for 51: Lessons Learned from Sharing Meals Across America, published by Capucia Publishing, shares her incredible series of journeys across our country. It's also an inspiring call for us to reach out, connect, reflect, and grow. 

Uncertain times, shifting times, and at this writing, winter storms of all sorts, as well.

And yet...there is Valentine’s Day.

Also, at this time of year in the United States, and at other times in other parts of the world, there are (official edicts aside), celebrations of Black history and story.

Celebrations and reminders of love of all sorts, and resilience of all sorts -- both well needed as time and circumstance continue to shift.

“Hope is the boldest act of imagination I know” - Edith Eger

As a new month unfolds, we get the chance to begin again. 

Shifts and changes continue, in politics, in social life, in world events and in personal lives.

Music continues to offer ways to connect and to create through these changes. The natural word does too, whether that is the angle of light down a city street, the turn of a leaf falling in a forest, or a skein of stars across a night sky.

At times, musicians turn to images and ideas from nature to think and talk about ideas of connection and reflection in changing times.

This lovely, fascinating, gorgeous new edition of The World Beneath: The Life and Times of Unknown Sea Creatures and Coral Reefs, written by Dr. Richard Smith and published by Apollo Publishers, is a must-read.

I am so happy to share a funny, interesting, and (joyfully) timely book! The Detroit Lions: An Illustrated Timeline, written by Dave Birkett and published by Reedy Press, is an excellent read and visual treasure.

The holidays are already a special time of year; when you add in all the cultural components and traditions that we hold onto through our families that have been passed down through generations, it adds something rather special to the holidays…because it’s filled with deep meaning. 

We’ve officially turned another calendar page. Whether you’re shocked, surprised, ready, still full of cheese, excited, nervous, or already on your way, amidst the fireworks and fanfare, January has arrived. 

How will you greet 2025?

It is December at this writing, a season of darkness and light, of looking forward and looking back.

There are many journeys each of us makes in the course of a day, not to mention across a week, a month, and a year from January to December.

These may be physical journeys to a new land to explore, down the street to help a friend, across a room to greet a stranger.

They could be journeys of thought, imagination, storytelling, learning, and reflecting on changes brought by these.