You surely must know of Vienna, but what do you really know? Its rich history in art, music and dynasties has been documented over many decades and in countless publications. But - perhaps no surprise to some - it is also a buzzing, vibrant city of the 21st century. Read on to find out more…
Special Interest
Ohio, in the United States, is one of those places that can surprise you. Primarily focused on agricultural endeavors, it does feature three large metropolitan areas: Columbus, Cincinnati and Cleveland. But, it's mostly farmland. So, it's not surprising that Ohio can hold some . . surprises. One such feature is the Great Serpent Mound.... The…
Imagine walking across a bridge suspended over the rainforest canopy, paddling through creeks in search of monkeys and river otters, climbing to the very top of a giant kapok tree or swimming in a black-water lake, threading your way through trees in search of the world’s tiniest monkey… Sacha Lodge can show you how. This…
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…
Monty Python notwithstanding, the legend of Arthur, king of the Britons remains an enduring, fascinating and unresolved story. Dozens of films have been made, and yet, his legend is still shrouded in uncertainty. One thing about him that has more ground - literally - is where his infamous castle lair was located - generally accepted…
I'm getting vibes.... We'd like to introduce you to West Bohemia, a region filled with charm and chances to dig deeper into Czech culture. West Bohemia – two hours west of Prague – includes three cities that are all about health and wellness: Karlovy Vary - the well-known wellness destination of free-flowing mineral springs, founded…
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…
The United States of America was one of the first to develop cross-country, high-speed motorways. Coast to coast, the country is 2800 miles wide / 4,800 km. It traverses flat land, challenging mountains, vast oceans and scorching deserts. Kicking off in 1947, the highways are still impressive, but are showing their age. That being said,…
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.…
Egypt Is building a 394-foot (120 meters) Ferris Wheel on the Nile, and some people are not too happy about that. The Cairo Eye, Africa's tallest observation wheel will open in Egypt in 2022. The location of Cairo Eye is to overlook the Nile River in the heart of Cairo approximately to the key Egyptian…
Friends will tell you that you have to go to these ‘world famous sights’. But we’re here to tell you that sometimes, your friends are wrong. Reserve your precious holiday time for the best these destinations have to offer, not the overcrowded, overpriced tourist traps. Here are some of the most overhyped sights in Europe…
If ever there was a need to use tender, loving care, it's when you work in place with some of the most precious and irreplaceable paintings, sculptures and artifacts. Of course, in this case, we're talking about The Louvre in Paris. The Musée du Louvre had a record 10.2 million visitors in 2018—an increase of…
Abydos one of the oldest cities of ancient Egypt, and also of the eighth nome in Upper Egypt. Considered one of the most important archaeological sites in Egypt, the sacred city of Abydos was the site of many ancient temples, including Umm el-Qa'ab, a royal necropolis where early pharaohs were entombed. These tombs began to…
You can't make this stuff up.... Twenty six employees of Thai Airways are accused of faking their own deaths to collect a death benefit, but still going to work and continuing to collect a paycheck. It’s a small example of one of the four reasons Thai Airways was on the verge of collapse even before…
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…
...gotta get a rain check on.* Where street art is everywhere, the sea is never far, and you can skip leg day for hiking up the city’s steep hills...Valparaíso, or Valpo to the locals, is a maritime city overlooking Chile’s Pacific coastline, about 90 minutes from the nation’s capital, Santiago in South America. While brimming…
Every so often - including now - "news" pops up about the legendary / notorious Los Angeles Cecil Hotel. Located in downtown LA, the neighbourhood is populated by characters that might appear in a Tom Waits song. It's not for the nervous. The Cecil (now known as "Stay on Main") has a history of unfortunate…
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…
This a little-known, but fascinating place in Greece. The city of Pavlopetri (Greek: Παυλοπέτρι), underwater off the coast of southern Laconia in Peloponnese, Greece, is about 5,000 years old, making it one of the oldest submerged lost cities, as well as the oldest in the Mediterranean sea. Pavlopetri is unique in having an almost complete…