During the Nazi occupation of France, 14-year-old Colette Marin-Catherine joined the French resistance alongside her family. ‘We were playing cat and mouse. And playing with fire. Or rather, fire was playing with us,’ Marin-Catherine, now 92, recalls.
Sadly, not everyone in her family would live to see France liberated. Her brother Jean-Pierre was just 17 when…
History
If you yawn because you think you've seen every kind tourist haunt, here's a place that's really smoking!
There is nothing remotely Elysian about the Phlegræan Fields; nothing sylvan, nothing green. The Fields, which lie on the north shore of the Bay of Naples in Italy, are part of the caldera of a volcano that is…
It will com as no surprise that Hong Kong is big - nearly 8 million people call it home. And, as a central hub for global business, it needs to be world class (which it is) and have the facilities to be a part of the crème de la crème of world leaders, which it…
A king who offended the all-powerful Emperor, and then rebelled against him, but failed. How do these dramatic events in China's history link to the finding of 4000 buried miniature terracotta warriors discovered in Jiangsu Province, China? The ancient city of Pengcheng was located near today's Xuzhou in Jiangsu province, and the museum displays 190…
Hope springs eternal, and this idea almost made it. But the winds of change, and the tides – literally – sealed its fate. It’s a long and winding tale.
The Hotel Haegumgang is a floating hotel that began operations in Queensland, Australia, was moved to Vietnam, and is currently docked at Mount Kumgang on the east coast of North Korea. According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, it…
If you are one of those "I've seen it before and I've done it before" tourists, we may have something for you, especially if you find the Cold War alluring.
Ukrainian travel consultant Yulia Kulyk would like to tell you a little bit more about the Soviet era in modern Ukraine. Ukraine today is an…
Thailand has everything you want from a holiday paradise – golden sandy beaches, year-round warmth, exotic cuisine and culture, friendly people and a low cost of living. It’s also easy to get to from anywhere in the world and has close and friendly ties with the West.
Thailand was part of the “hippy trail” from the 1960s…
At the time of this writing, visiting Iran may not be an adventure that can easily be undertaken. But, as always, that will change - and you should not miss the ancient and beautiful city of Yazd. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Yaz is located in the middle of the Iranian plateau, 270 km southeast…
Having created the artwork for all of Ill Considered’s previous albums, the Dutch artist Vincent de Boer took on a unique project to invert the role of music and images in his collaborations with the London-based improvisational jazz ensemble. First, Boer hand-drew thousands of images to create an abstract animation, with the visuals giving the…
The country of Malta has been very successful in its efforts to manage Covid-19. It is one of the safest places to be right now, and it is cautiously opening up its borders to responsible travelers. But, Malta is still a mystery to many. And here's your chance to discover all of its wonders. The…
You may not have heard of him, but there may have actually been a James Bond, of sorts.
Bond loves women, style, intrigue, action and women. And so did Richard Sorge, a German journalist and Soviet military intelligence officer who was active before and during World War II and worked undercover as a German journalist in…
Here, our intelligent and inquisitive readers, is a short piece that will not tax your brain. And, hopefully you'll enjoy it. In January 2021, a video of a particularly amusing flight announcement began circulating. The recording, captured at Munich Airport, has an automated airport voice announcing that passengers on flight LH 2222 to Toulouse should…
If you're a fan of ancient history, like we are, you'll certainly be familiar with how the Romans changed the world in so many ways. Certainly, as you travel through Europe, the evidence is plain. But as you head east, you will also be surprised and amazed at how far they conquered and what they…
Here is a place that might be new for you - Lamu, Kenya. Almost forgotten in time, Lamu Island is a port, city, and island just off the shore of Kenya in the Indian Ocean approximately 150 miles from Mombasa. It is a part of the East African country of Kenya. Lamu was founded in…
A visit to one of Ireland’s many stunning castle hotels is at the top of many travelers’ lists. A stay at a castle hotel is an ornate trip back to the glory and decadence of times gone by. Within a stony castle hotel in Ireland, you’ll find a warm Irish welcome, surrounded by idyllic Irish…
The United States of America is a place of many contrasts. But, do you think it as of an ancient civilization that - 1000 years ago - had that parties that went on for days? Likely not. Thats Mexico, isn't it? Cohokia, was home to the largest pre-columbian city north of Mexico. The city was…
One of the biggest pleasures of traveling Europe is the food. Every country has traditional and unique dishes to try, giving us the inspiration to spice up our own home cooking. While we can't get out to Europe's food markets to pick up culinary ideas and souvenirs, let us help you to taste your destination…
Europe is often looked upon as a model of efficiency. With nearly 750 million people living in a relatively tight space, they need to be. But, Europe has also been the mother of invention there. Spain created the spacesuit. Iceland created the power transformer. Ireland created the submarine . . . and more. One modern…
Like so many worthy things, the game of chess continuously phases in and out of our collective consciousness. It certainly has its allure, and once you're couched in the skills that you need, it is always there for you. And, in many ways, it's an international language. But did you know that there is a…
Some 2,700 years ago in the ancient city of Sam’al, in what is now modern Turkey, an elderly servant of the king sits in a corner of his house and contemplates the nature of his soul. His name is Katumuwa. He stares at a basalt stele made for him, featuring his own graven portrait together…