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Mindfulness

Mindfulness

Belize it or not

Already popular with American retirees, the seductive beauty of Belize is now attracting an increasing number of European retirees looking to a Caribbean lifestyle as an antidote for years spent focusing on a career. It’s not the world’s cheapest retirement destination by far, but it’s certainly one of the loveliest. Establishing residency is far easier…

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Mozamb”eco”

With its grand colonial architecture and opulent rooms, how Polana Serena in Mozambique embraces sustainability. Sustainability is – thankfully – becoming better understood by many travellers who are, in turn, demanding better responsible practices from the hotels they visit. As a result, hotels are placing more importance on sustainability and working hard to improve their…

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The bones of religion

European churches are known to have some intriguing and creative architectural features, but a wall made of human leg bones is a bit more inventive than you might have expected. While excavating the grounds of Saint Bavo’s Cathedral in Ghent, Belgium, ahead of the planned construction of a new visitor center, archeologists discovered entire walls…

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Kyoto thatched-roof dwellings transport you back in time

Located 1 hour 40 minutes by bus from Kyoto Station, the town of Miyama offers a view into Japan's rich agricultural heritage. Designated a semi-national park, the town is home to some 39 thatched farmhouses where people still live today. Miyama spans multiple hamlets that are scattered throughout the mountains and valleys, about 50 kilometers…

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California

California is the largest state of the United States by population, and the third largest by area, located on its coast to the Pacific Ocean. California has natural attractions as well as theme-parks and bustling city life: Southern California is home to such popular attractions as Disneyland, Hollywood and the beaches in Malibu that inspired…

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Germany

Germany, (officially: the Federal Republic of Germany; German: Bundesrepublik Deutschland) is the largest country in Central Europe. It is bordered to the north by Denmark, to the east by Poland and the Czech Republic, to the south by Austria and Switzerland, and to the west by France, Luxembourg, Belgium and the Netherlands. Germany is a…

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Making friends when you travel, according to solo travellers

Along with taking in the beautiful sights, tasting the local cuisine and immersing yourself in the culture, meeting new people is one of the most exciting and enriching parts of travel. But for some, making friends as an adult can be an awkward, uncomfortable and, quite frankly, scary undertaking.   This article gives you usable tips…

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Nordic Too

Scandinavia  or, more broadly, the Nordic countries, is a European region north of the Baltic Sea. At almost 1.2 million square kilometres (463,000 square miles) it is the largest region in Europe, but home to only around 24 million people, accounting for a mere 4% of the population. Scandinavia consists of Denmark, Sweden and Norway.…

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In Pakistan, it’s always been “waste not, want not.”

The Memon predisposition towards frugality is iconic within Pakistan, but they celebrate their stereotyping as an achievement; a tribute to their enduring prosperity and resilience. The concentration ­and preservation of wealth, as the last vestiges of power and dominion that the displaced Memons clung to, has been integral to their quest for identity. And while…

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You can have your cup and eat it, too

Do you ever wonder why, with our human capabilities, we can't sometimes solve the apparently overwhelming problems of waste management,  recyclables,litter and the future of our planet?  Some organizations and individuals are taking this quite seriously though, and this article describes an airline that actually serves cups that are edible. It makes sense and hats…

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European rail sends its best, with love, to you

Inspired by its sister index, the European Consumer Airport Index, we looked at Europe’s 50 largest railway stations and ranked them in terms of passengers experience, ranked according to a mix of factors ranging from how crowded platforms are and accessibility to the number of destinations and cleanliness.

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Ireland. 200,000+ books. What’s not to like?

The Trinity College Library houses some of the world’s most precious manuscripts and artifacts dating back to 800 A.D. This colossal hall is a book lover’s paradise. Known as the Long Room, this magnificent chamber was built between 1712 and 1732 nearly 65 meters (213 feet) in length and home to over 200,000 rare books. Why so…

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