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The Thinking Traveller

The Thinking Traveller

Napa mapper

The most famous wine region in North America, Napa Valley produces wines that rival those from the Old World’s most revered regions—but that’s not all it has going for it. This 30-mile stretch of Northern California has also proven to be one of the most beautiful to visit, with year-round sunshine and pleasing temps. Notoriety…

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OK Tours!

Those in the know, know that Central Europe is still a hidden secret in many ways.  And one of the most beautiful and modern is Prague, in the Czech Republic.  If you have not explored this part of Europe, then you are missing a treat.  The Czech Republic is not a geographically large country, but…

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Being in the here and now

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…

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Towers of Pain? Never!

Chile is one of the most picturesque countries in the world, and yet is not bursting at the seams with tourists.  So that means that you have the chance to explore in comparative solitude. So that you know, Chile is is a long, narrow country along the southern half of the west coast of South America,…

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Abu Dhabi do!

You see it in films, and it is the stuff of legends - the sands of the Middle East.  Camel rides are one-of-a-kind, but if you need something with a bit more adrenalin, how about this? Abu Dhabi’s impressive desert dunes offer off-road driving enthusiasts a once-in-a-lifetime driving experience, but never go out into the desert…

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Do you want Samoa?

Who better to ask about travel ideas than travel professionals? Our partner, Viator, asked its staff on where they would like to travel next.  There were lots of ideas, but Samoa struck us as a top idea.  Here's what they said: Sāmoa "I’ve been dreaming of going to the Cook Islands since moving to New Zealand two…

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Remember to Garden Your Reservations

One of the most important things you can do after you buy an airline ticket is “gardening” your reservations, especially when you book travel far in advance. I take the term gardening from Nicholas Kralev, tending to the bookings — checking up on them, and doing minor maintenance. Some common things that happen to reservations between the…

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Living with the locals

Throwing yourself into a new culture can be one of the most daunting yet rewarding parts of travel. Here are some things to consider if you're about to check-in to a homestay and check out a place with a community-run operator. When traveling, it’s easy to just see the veneer of culture without really getting…

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True gratitude is a communal emotion, not a wellness practice

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…

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A range of possible futures

I have a confession. As a physicist and psychiatrist, I find it difficult to engage with conversations about consciousness. My biggest gripe is that the philosophers and cognitive scientists who tend to pose the questions often assume that the mind is a thing, whose existence can be identified by the attributes it has or the…

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Sleeping your way through Europe

The national railway companies of Austria, Germany, France and Switzerland have announced new overnight train routes linking some of Europe’s largest cities. The new routes are intended to offer a more sustainable option for travelers to enjoy the continent’s beautiful and historic metropolises.  Some stations are spectacular, in more ways that one. In a press…

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