Tags: Venice

A Hand Crafted tour group enjoying a view of Burg Eltz in Germany.

Burg Eltz, one of the best preserved castles in Germany, sits nestled in a small river valley just off the Mosel River. The castle is still owned by descendants of the family that built it more than 800 years ago, and still furnished much as it was in the 15th century. It's not easy to get to by public transportation – you really need a car to explore this area. To reach the castle you have to park in a lot above the valley, then walk down or take a shuttle bus. The walk is worth the effort, if you are able. You have the choice of either a steep ¼-mile descent on a paved road, or a more gentle one-mile walk along a path. Both provide stunning views of the castle as you descend.

Tags: Burg Eltz, Mosel

Locals and visitors alike are upset about the new street lights being installed in Rome's historic core. The city is busy replacing old lights with much more energy efficient LED lamps, which the city estimates will save about $52 million each year in electricity. The problem is that the LED lights produce a bright white light – not the warm, yellowish glow that is more familiar to those wandering the streets after dark. One local has called it the difference between a “candlelit dinner versus the frozen-food aisle of your local grocery store.”

Tags: Rome

If you've ever wondered what the view is like from the cockpit of a passenger jet, check out the portfolio of photos by Christiaan van Heijst, currently a senior first officer for an air cargo company.

Tags: Photography

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