It happens to all of us: we just get sick and tired of it. We see no escape. We feel boxed in, with no hope. And it feels like there are no options. Is all of the world like this? Cities are all the same, are they not? Dirty, gritty, chaotic and grim. Maybe yes,…
Mindfulness
How do we find out what really matters in life? One way might be to ask those who are dying. They might occupy a perspective that allows them to see better what’s trivial and what’s truly significant. The prospect of imminent death might carry them above petty squabbles and the pursuit of money and status,…
Digital platforms provide a variety of technology-enabled tools that enhance market transparency, such as real-time monitoring, ratings of buyers and sellers, and low-cost complaint channels. How do these innovations affect moral hazard and service quality? We investigate this problem by comparing driver routing choices and efficiency on a large digital platform, Uber, with traditional taxis.…
Traveling by car and staying in hotels and bed & breakfasts is a great way to go, but when you really want to get to know a place, renting a motorhome in Europe is tough to beat. These days, lots of travelers are foregoing staying in hotels for vacationing by motorhome, and there are plenty…
A devastating loss can shatter the façade we put up for others, exposing our deepest, rawest self. A work of art can do the same. Don’t show off! Don’t pretend to be, be!’ The piercing voice of my stern ballet teacher with the stick and the square glasses still echoes in my mind. These two…
Some people have all the luck. An infamous €57million French chateau that was built illegally in the Côte d’Azur has been definitively condemned for total destruction, in what is expected to be the final stage of a 15-year-long court case. Chateau Diter was built by Montreil-born property developer Patrick Diter between the years of 2000…
Known as a wellness and Ayurvedic destination, Sri Lanka is once again welcoming international tourists after reopening its borders. Anantara Kalutara Resort is launching signature treatments created by French chiropodist and “foot virtuoso” Bastien Gonzalez, called the Pedi:Mani:Cure Studio. The treatments are performed by chiropodists and specialized therapists using the premier Bastien Gonzalez product line…
Hoshinoya Kyoto is a beautiful Kyoto ryokan, situated away from the crowds, in an place of tranquil scenery that continues to bedazzle travelers. Arashiyama is one of the most singular of scenic locations in Kyoto. Many international tourists who visit hope to to see the seasonal scenery, and the locale is brimming with visitors year-round.…
‘Your answers on this questionnaire suggest moderate to severe depression,’ I said gently. ‘Can I ask how long that’s been going on?’ My client, a middle-aged, widowed military veteran with chronic back pain, looked taken aback. ‘Depression?’ he repeated, in a voice of disbelief. ‘No, that can’t be right. I can’t be depressed.’ ‘I’m sorry,’…
Ein Hausboot ist gut = A houseboat is good As arctic temperature froze rivers and lakes in northern Germany, workers at houseboat charter companies were already gearing up for what they expect to be a busy summer season. "I think that big trips abroad and flying will still not be the dominant type of vacation…
There is an urgent need today for the citizens of a democracy to think well.’ These words, which could have been written yesterday, come from Thinking to Some Purpose, a popular book by the British philosopher Susan Stebbing, first published in 1939 in the Penguin ‘Pelican’ books series, with that familiar blue-and-white cover. This little…
If you haven't been to India, do yourself a favour. Indescribable sights, unforgettable food, and lovely, lovely people. So how about this, as an incentive? The Indian government is giving travellers the chance to explore India without costs for the next two years. Too good to be true, right? Well, there is one condition: you…
Please welcome our latest partner, One Day University.
One Day University is an education company that brings the best professors from across the nation to present entertaining, inspiring versions of their best lectures to lifelong learners.
Their entire library of 400 fascinating classes is available to members, with new talks streaming live every day.
Every…
Some airlines and airports now offer rapid COVID-19 testing to accommodate travelers required to show a negative test at their destination. But what happens if a traveler tests positive before a trip? Travel insurance comparison site, Squaremouth, breaks down three things travelers need to know about COVID-19 testing and travel insurance. Things are changing on…
Please welcome our new contributor, Beyond Adventures. With an incredibly diverse past, she has lots of topics to choose from. Today, it's all about technology. "My day starts with coffee or tea, a slice of toast with jam, and fruit while catching up with the world via social media. My gotos? Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and…
Our partner Scott's Cheap Flights knows a lot about travel: they have been providing stellar deals since 2009. So, they have as much at stake with Covid-19 as anyone. "This post highlights some of their research on what to expect when it comes to vaccines, in particular. Last week I wrote to you about what…
Our partner OMIO has developed a new Open Travel Index, a handy way to determine if and when you can travel point-ot-point. You can stay updated on the latest travel regulations for your destination based on your current location including border status, quarantine restrictions and testing requirements, as well as find out what safety measures…
Many spiritual teachers have emphasised the notion of being fully present ‘in the now’. Proponents of meditative practices of various sorts tout meditation as a way of immersing oneself fully in the present moment, and not attending to the past or future. The spiritual teachers (including prominent authors) and proponents of meditation typically point to…
Cienfuegos means one hundred fires. And that will surely be the number of flames that light your heart and your soul when you visit this most exquisite city in Cuba. Cienfuegos was founded in 1819, when French colonists settled in around the most spectacular and natural bay in Cuba. Bringing their elegant, classical architecture, wide,…
In March 2020, Europeans started gathering on balconies and by windows to cheer, applaud and show gratitude to their healthcare workers providing life-saving services during the pandemic. The regular cheering and clapping became a symbol of hope: human solidarity triumphing over fear and enforced isolation. Contrast that scene with another. Following the remission of her…