Trains, planes and automobiles. There's no getting around getting around. In this day and age, trains are the past, present and future. There can be only a few competitors to rail when it comes to sustainability and simple common sense. That's why they are the default mode of transport in so many countries. Mother Europe…
The Thinking Traveller
As if you need any encouragement to visit the glorious island of St Lucia, we have further tasty reasons might you might want to stay at a certain place - Fond Doux Eco Resort. The reason? Chocolate. Located within the UNESCO World Heritage site of Soufriere Saint Lucia on a historic 19th-century working cocoa estate,…
The IATA Travel Pass is a mobile application under development allowing travelers to simply and securely store and manage certifications for COVID-19 tests or vaccines. The information through the IATA Travel Pass can be shared with border authorities requiring testing or proof of vaccination as a condition of international travel during and after the COVID-19…
If you're a fan of our site, then you'll know that we reciprocate that with you. Thank you! You'll also know how much we love to travel and how much aircraft factor into this. Modern planes (and, to be honest, even older planes) are complex beasts, over-engineered to provide that maximum safety for passengers. They…
Every country has names for people who may not be the smartest, or the brightest. Some of these are in jest - some are not. One such name is "pea brain" which is hopefully self-descriptive. This article is somewhat related, but more intelligent. It's about pea-sized brain organoids, and what they reveal about consciousness, the…
We recently watched a fascinating documentary about Kumamoto Castle on the Curiosity Stream channel. This impressive Japanese dwelling for six generations of Japanese monarchy has survived battles, earthquakes . . and more earthquakes, the most recent by another Kumamoto Earthquake in 2016. The last quake unearthed unexpected damage to the building, to the point of…
A traveler's dream is to find an honest, unspoiled and inexpensive place to go. As the world gets smaller, this remit gets harder to fill. But, read below about Namibia. You might be delighted.
"Arguably Namibia’s main attraction is nature—it’s a country of spectacular scenery and plentiful wildlife, from camping amidst the stunning orange dunes of…
When people outside of Asia think of Buddhism, they tend to think about just philosophy and meditation. Buddhists are often said not to have gods, wars or empires. Their religion isn’t about ritual or belief, but a dedicated exploration into what causes suffering and how to end it through meditation and compassion. Although there’s some…
Emirates airlines, one of our affiliate partners, are known for their fleet of top-of-the-line aircraft: one of the youngest fleets in the world made up entirely of Emirates A380 and Boeing 777s. Emirates fly to over 135 destinations every year. But, the prevailing winds are blowing, and for a number of reasons. First, aircraft of…
Regular readers of this site will know that we are history freaks: the older, the better - and the more amazing. In every corner of the world, historical delights can be found around every corner. But, some locations in the world specialise in history: their efforts to delight and inform visitors range from the basic…
We're really happy to welcome Lastminute to our family of travel providers.
One of the earliest travel "warehouses," Lastminute.com established the template for how self-serve holiday shopping can be. And they still have a broad offering, with accompanying great prices.
Lastminute are a publicly traded multinational Group and operate a portfolio of well-known brands such as lastminute.com,…
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…
Chances are, if you're on our website, you love to travel and see the world. But, as of this date, with the Covid 19 pandemic still not yet under control, you're concerned about venturing out. Well, our affiliate friends VRBO have an interesting concept - it's called Affirm. From their site: With a unique selection…
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…
Chances are good that you've heard of the National Geographic Society. It is an American pay television network and flagship channel owned by National Geographic Partners, a joint venture between The Walt Disney Company and the National Geographic Society. The operational management is handled by Walt Disney Television. Their programs are known around the world.…
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…