The Alley Cat https://thealleycatblog.com Insights on Travel & Culture Fri, 22 May 2026 15:23:28 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 A Journey to the South Caucasus https://thealleycatblog.com/a-journey-to-the-south-caucasus/ Sun, 11 Jan 2026 17:07:32 +0000 https://thealleycatblog.com/?p=7965
The South Caucasus and surrounding countries. Courtesy of Pond 5
The South Caucasus and surrounding countries. Courtesy of Pond 5

Recently we asked ourselves:  Are there any travel destinations left in the world that are refreshingly unfamiliar? Where the language, culture and cuisine are unlike any we’ve come across before?

We found such a place last fall when we visited the countries of…Continue Reading]]> Leni Riefenstahl—A Memoir https://thealleycatblog.com/leni-riefenstahl-a-memoir/ Tue, 30 Dec 2025 22:09:18 +0000 https://thealleycatblog.com/?p=7994

Leni Riefenstahl (1902-2003) was one of the most provocative and controversial women of the 20th century. Her 600-page memoir, published in 1987, is riveting. A German-born dancer, actor, mountaineer, scuba diver, photographer, writer and film director, she excelled in all her endeavors.

But Riefenstahl’s life was tainted by…Continue Reading]]> Burnsville, NC : A Mecca for the Arts https://thealleycatblog.com/burnsville-nc-a-mecca-for-the-arts/ Mon, 18 Aug 2025 14:06:24 +0000 https://thealleycatblog.com/?p=7850 At the center of Burnsville’s town square is a statue of Otway Burns, a naval hero of the War of…Continue Reading]]> UNCSA: a World-Class Conservatory https://thealleycatblog.com/uncsa-a-world-class-conservatory/ Sun, 17 Aug 2025 17:35:46 +0000 https://thealleycatblog.com/?p=7745  

Former American Ballet Theater Principal, Gillian Murphy, as a UNCSA student circa 1995 © Charles & Mary Love

 

In 1990, we had good reasons to move from New York City to Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Mary Herbert wanted to be near her ailing grandmother.…Continue Reading]]> Featured Images: The Viking Isles https://thealleycatblog.com/the-viking-isles-featured-images/ Sun, 17 Aug 2025 17:35:16 +0000 https://thealleycatblog.com/?p=7808  

 

Mulafossur Falls, Faroe Islands

 

Dranganir Sea Arch, Faroe Islands

 

Northern Fulmar gliding by Mulafossur Falls, Faroe Islands

 

Continue Reading]]> Travel Destinations in Black & White https://thealleycatblog.com/travel-destinations-in-black-white/ Sun, 17 Aug 2025 17:34:44 +0000 https://thealleycatblog.com/?p=7705 Although much of our photography has been in color for commercial purposes such as illustrating magazine stories, our first love is black and white photography, which we’ve exhibited and sold through galleries over many years. Accordingly we share with you just a small selection of  some of our more recent favorite images.

 

Continue Reading]]> Overtourism Out of Control https://thealleycatblog.com/overtourism-out-of-control/ Sun, 17 Aug 2025 17:34:02 +0000 https://thealleycatblog.com/?p=7733
Tourist crowds in Istanbul

Travel is not what it used to be.

Popular destinations are being overwhelmed by ever-increasing numbers of visitors, more than residents and infrastructures can handle. Beaches and museums are overcrowded, coral reefs are being trashed by careless divers—…Continue Reading]]> Charlotte Arts Anniversaries https://thealleycatblog.com/charlotte-arts-institutions-celebrate-anniversaries/ Sun, 02 Feb 2025 15:57:39 +0000 https://massive-stage.flywheelsites.com/?p=7677 Uptown Anniversaries

Charles and I travel less during the winter months, preferring to attend events close to home. Fortunately, we haven’t had to travel far this winter to quench our thirst for fine music and art. Three of our favorite Charlotte arts organizations celebrated important anniversaries in 2024—and will be offering…Continue Reading]]>