Living in France I’ve taken a lot of flack from my European friends. I don’t know how many countless cathedrals and towers and old ruins I’ve dragged them to, bearing their complaints and whining all the while. Why, they wondered, was I so intrigued with these old buildings and towers? It’s different when you’ve grown...

The legendary Venice Carnival started last Saturday, and will rage for 10 days before culminating in Fat Tuesday, on February 16th. The streets and public squares of the city will be packed with seemingly endless live entertainment. Grab your masks and sit back and enjoy music and dancing, trapeze and tightrope walkers, acrobats, theater performances,...