Gathering your things ahead of time is actually the courteous thing to do.
Mindfulness
Even as we approach our "sunset years," it's clear that most of what we used to be is still with us. Our playfulness. Our sense of humour. Our love of life. Our desire to travel. Seeing live music and enjoying it just as much as we did when we were…
We don't need to spend too much time discussing how proud, clever and efficient (not to mention kind) the people of Japan are. Similar to the Koreans, the Japanese strike a balance between efficiency and personal pride, for the good of all. As a refresher, Japan is an archipelago, or string of islands, on the…
Like many modern, progressive countries, Japan has its eyes wide open when it comes to the environment and what we need to do to save it. In addition to Japan's willingness to live in smaller, more sensible dwellings, they are also world leaders when it comes to rail versus auto travel. And, this…
Soon enough, this post will transform into a travelogue about a place in Texas, USA. But, for now, we simply want to say goodbye to a true gentleman and legend, Harry Belafonte, who passed away last week at the ripe old age of 96. Ninety-six. If you're of the same age as…
Boy, you read the news every day and it seems like there is an endless parade of people who make flying miserable. Here are some examples. Prepare to be amazed. "I was on a flight with really bad turbulence. It went on for about 10 minutes, and then the old lady next to…
If you've been around a while, like we have, you'll surely have noticed that the world is not necessarily heading in the right direction . . again. It seems like - just a few years ago - anger and despair, wars and dictatorships were on the way out and "humanity" was on the…
Does trying to book a flight on an airline sometimes feel like witchcraft? That is, you poke around on dozens of travel sites, pull out your calculator, plug the figures into your spreadsheet, compare with other sites and then end up with different costs as you go from site to site? (Don't blame…
I believe in miracles! Where ya' from? Even though they take things quite seriously when in comes to the environment, incarceration, living clean and being kind to each other, the Swedes are no sour-pusses. And a good example is the talking garbage bins in Malmö. Poke them in the right place…
If you're a history lover like we are, you search for "must see" locations, or even those that could be considered off-the-beaten trail. And, there are so many choices, that you will likely run out of breath or out of money before you even consider yourself "informed." This post highlights a beautiful, but haunted…
Thailand is so many things to so many people. Historically known as Siam and officially the Kingdom of Thailand, is a country in Southeast Asia, located at the centre of the Indochinese Peninsula, spanning 513,120 square kilometres (198,120 sq mi), with a population of almost 70 million. The country is bordered to the…
Never ones to not think big, the Saudis have the will and the resources to think beyond. They ask "what if we could start again? THE LINE rethinks everything we know about how people live, work and play. A 170 km-long vertical city, designed around people, rather than cars. A revolution in urban living. A…
Our travelers are demanding more authentic local experiences and as travel professionals we have the opportunity to make a positive change for the long haul. The Meaningful Map of North America was created by Tourism Cares to connect travelers and travel professionals to social and environmental impact experiences and opportunities throughout the United States and…
Yes: travel and flying in particular does cause carbon emissions. However, tourism also creates one out of every 10 jobs globally. Many of these are in remote corners where communities play a crucial role in protecting delicate ecosystems and ways of life. Others allow those on the margins to gain independence in societies where that…
The unthinkable is happening in Europe. Yes, it's true. In Spain, Barcelona will be banning smoking on all its beaches - and the rest of Spain could follow. To be sure, this is a disaster to a large swath of the European population, as smoking can often define being a European. …
As the world gets smaller and the world gets richer, in general, travel is usually the first thing on everyone's list. For many countries, tourism has always been there and always will be there and provides sustenance to the inhabitants of those places. Sure, it's not always easy but sometimes you do what you have…
Who here knows of Langkawi? It's in Malaysia and it's a treat to all of the senses. Known as the Jewel of Kedah, Langkawi is a treasure trove of natural wonders. Escape the city life and cruise along the waters of the Langkawi UNESCO Global Geopark, or discover the diverse wildlife in the park…
For many, this article will be a refresher. But, if you've not been to Thailand (or even if you have) there is always something new to explore. With astonishingly great food, a tropical climate, fascinating culture, majestic mountains and great beaches, Thailand is a magnet for travellers around the world, and quite rightly…
Even in these "enlightened" (we won't use the word "woke") times, where everything is visible and almost instantaneous, there are still some elements of being human that are inhuman. We all need something every so often and sometimes we need to look in alternative place. We're talking about the need for "love" in it's most…