Men Who Like to Travel - David Latt

The Trump Administration changed the regulations covering travel to Cuba. Travel is still legal though considerably more restrictive.  Most dramatically, no U.S. citizen may engage in commercial transactions with Cuban military entities. Since all hotels and restaurants are government-owned, the only stays legally allowed are in private homes available for rent.  Known as casa particular,  these homes, like Air B&B, can be spartan or comfortable but they are far less available than rooms in hotels.     With this change, the U.S. seeks to put a strangle-hold on the Cuban economy. The situation is similar to what it was during the height of the Cold War, which was when I first visited.  If you find a way to visit Havana and I hope you do, here is my article about why you should want to go and tips to help you while you are there. ________________________________________________________________________ Over almost twenty years, I visited Havana three times, accompanying my

Moving into the colder months, be sure to carry an umbrella or rain coat when you visit Amsterdam. Don't let the rain stop you from renting a bicycle. It's still the best way to see Amsterdam. A city on a uniquely human-scale, there's so much to see in Amsterdam, focusing day trips in a single area will help you enjoy the city at a leisurely pace.    MUSEUMPLEIN AND DE PIJP Amsterdam is home to dozens of great museums, not the least of which are the  Amsterdam Historical Museum  (Kalverstraat 92) , the inspiring  Dutch Resistance Museum  (Plantage Kerklaan 61), the  Filmmuseum  (Vondelpark 3), the  Foam-Fotografiemuseum  (Keizersgracht 609), the Royal Palace (Dam), and the remarkable  Hermitage Amsterdam  (Amstel 51).  For a day trip, three of Amsterdam's best museums are conveniently within a block of one another in the  Museum Plaza  (Museumplein) just south of the city center.   The  Stedelijk Mus

In pursuit of a week-long adventure in  Japan’s heartland   Shoryudo Region ,  I sped west from Tokyo on the  Tōkaidō  Shinkansen . The train’s path followed the  Old Tōkaidō Road  (the 'eastern sea' road), used for centuries to travel between the governmental capital in Edo (modern Tokyo) and the Imperial capital in Kyoto. I was on my way to  Aichi Prefecture  which hugs the Pacific coast and offers a rich experience with culture, history, nature and culinary deliciousness. I settled into my seat on the train, happy to be in Japan where public transportation makes it easy to explore all parts of the island nation. For intercity visits under three hours, I'll always take  the 200+ mph Shinkansen.  Called the "bullet train" for good reason. Stand near railroad tracks as a Shinkansen passe s and it feels like a jet on wheels is streaking by. Inside, when I'm  sitting in a comfortable seat, reading a book or snacking on a bento box, I forget how fast