When planning a small group tour, a considerable amount of research needs to be put into the trip before we can bring travelers to a destination.  So this week Linda and I will be on the road putting together plans for several different trips.  We'll be visiting Germany, Austria and Italy.  For the details of our itinerary, read today's blog post.

One of the most popular requests The Traveling Professor gets is "take me to an authentic Italian restaurant".   I'm not exactly sure what that means but I can tell you what I think it means:  Momma is cooking in the kitchen and she is using vegetables she has grown in her own garden, meats and cheeses from the farm, wines from her own vines, and sauce she has made with her own hands.  It is served up family style with everyone sitting around the table.   Read my blog post to find out about  the best places to eat an authentic meal in Italy.

Paris is a mecca for dining.  There are all kinds of foods in all kinds of settings.  But then comes the time where a special place needs to be found.  In today's blog post The Traveling Professor gives you 3 elegant Paris restaurants.  They are perfect for a celebration or a romantic Paris dinner.  Bon Appétit!

On our small group tours to Paris of course we visit the great sites like the Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, Orangerie and Notre Dame.   But Paris, being a city of discovery, has other attractions that would be famous in their own right if not overshadowed by the aforementioned, world-famous sites.  Check out the blog post and find out what else to visit on your next tour to Paris.

For me, Padua is my favorite city in Italy whether traveling alone or on my small group tours to Italy.  First of all it has the historic Scroveni Chapel.   There is the famous Cafe Pedrocchi as well as the university where famed scholars like Galileo taught.   The Basilica of St. Anthony, destination of many pilgrims is located here.  The markets are the best in Italy, if you ask me.   It is located within a short train ride from Venice, Venezia, Verona, Lake Garda, Treviso and other great spots.  And best of all, it lacks the crowds of tourists found in many other Italian cities.  In other words, it is authetic.  Here are my tips for where to stay in Padua.

The Traveling Professor regularly travels to Florence on his small group tours to Italy.  Florence is of course a popular destination. Hotels in Florence can vary in terms of price, location, and quality.  So for the benefit of The Traveling Professor readers, here are my top 3 picks for moderate hotels in Florence.

Being a frequent traveler, there are lots of good travel items I come across.  It could be luggage, maybe travel clothing, a good travel deal, an electronic device or even a good book.  What I will be doing every month on The Traveling Professor website is presenting a “Travel Product of the Month”.  I hope you find it interesting!

The Traveling Professor has put Copenhagen on the itinerary in the past 2 years.  It has quickly grown to one of my favorite as well as our small group tour's favorite spots.  It is cool in the summer and has plenty to offer in terms of food, culture, museums, and people watching.  Take a look at my blog post and see what I like most about Copenhagen and how you can enjoy it too.

The Traveling Professor has spent the last several blog posts giving advice to air travelers on how to make the most of buying tickets, maximizing their award miles, getting the best itinerary, and using their elite status.   The last series of blog posts today gives general, but important tips to air travelers.