Long hidden behind the shroud of Soviet secrecy, the fall of communism revealed a country wracked by infighting and political instability. Throughout the '90s Romania slowly, and sometimes clumsily, reinvented itself, remerging in the 21st Century as one of Europe's newest democracies and, as of January 2007, one of the newest EU member countries.

CRUISING, GRAND ITALIAN STYLE

“You must eat before you go to your cabin,” said the smartly attired greeter on the Carnival Corporation Italian luxury liner Costa Mediterranea.

He was, in fact, telling us that our stateroom was not ready for our immediate occupancy, but it sounded like every cruise we’ve been on – “food glorious food” and plenty of it keeps a smile on the face.

Iceland’s Ring Road: The Ultimate Road Trip

A farmhouse near the Ring Road in Iceland. Photo: Jehad Nga for The New York Times

CHALKIDIKI

My Paradise on Earth