By Dirk Ebener - November 25, 2025 Bayswater Station opened in 1868, preserving Victorian charm within London. My December Journey In a few months, I’ll be in London’s December cold, using both old habits and new tools. I picture myself at a Tube map, tracing lines as I did on my first visit, but now with travel apps ready to get me from markets to pubs, from Christmas lights to hidden curry houses. I love using paper maps, but this trip will be a mix—the map for the big pict

By Dirk Ebener - October 28, 2025 Looking forward to the London vacation For over 40 years, travel has been my classroom, my adventure, and my sanctuary. I’ve crossed more than 60 countries—sometimes for business, sometimes purely for pleasure—but more often than not, blending the two. In the early days, I carried notebooks, paper maps, and rolls of film as I hopped between trade shows in Europe, street food stalls in Asia, and corporate boardrooms in the U.S. I learned quick

Cities have always been magnets for travelers. They are where history is etched into stone cathedrals, where skyscrapers scrape the sky, and where street food mingles with haute cuisine. For centuries, travelers have visited cities seeking inspiration, adventure, and flavors that carry the weight of generations. However, over the past two decades, the way we travel through these urban spaces has undergone a profound shift.

By Dirk Ebener - October 5, 2025 Travel books have always been more than stories—they are guides for the unknown. Travel books have...

Understanding this background sets the stage for appreciating today’s pub customs. The word “pub” comes from public house, a place meant to welcome all—something I’ve always appreciated. In the Middle Ages, alehouses offered weary travelers rest and sustenance, much as they do for me today. As London expanded, pubs became essential meeting spots not just for workers, merchants, and politicians, but also for people like me seeking connection. Some, like Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese

What sets London apart from other European capitals is its unparalleled diversity. Nearly 40% of its residents were born outside the UK, and over 300 languages are spoken here. This cultural richness is most evident in the food scene, where the city’s restaurants, markets, and cafés create a global dining map without ever leaving the Underground. Food here is not simply sustenance, it is the story of London’s people, each dish a chapter in the city’s evolving identity.

Tucked into the rock upon which Nottingham Castle stands, Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem is not just a pub—it’s a living relic. The sign above the entrance proudly proclaims its founding year as 1189 AD, the year Richard the Lionheart ascended to the throne and called for the Third Crusade. Though legend claims that knights preparing for their journey to the Holy Land would gather here for one last drink, giving the pub its curious name, the true origin of the tradition remains un

Final Thoughts: A Small Step That Makes a Big Difference At the end of the day, travel insurance is like carrying a backup credit card or an extra phone charger; it feels unnecessary until the moment you need it. And when you do, it can transform disaster into inconvenience, helping you return to the heart of your journey: exploring the world one bite at a time.