Emerging from the poor districts of Havana and Matanzas in the 19th century, today rumba is one of Cuba’s most popular art forms. Influenced by African and Spanish traditions of music and dance, its distinctive, syncopated sound requires masterful musicianship and fierce passion from its performers. But, despite being born of marginalisation and oppression, modern…
If you're an inquisitive pathfinder, likely your dreams and your aspirations take you all over the map. But the world is a rather big place. Wouldn't it be great to be able to spend time being there rather than online, planning? Well, have we got news for you. We'd especially like to feature our affiliate…
As the world gets larger, it also gets smaller, as it gets richer. Overall world income is increasing, with the resultant buying power of a newly richer population. People travel more, which can often change their outlook. Uprooting and landing somewhere else is no longer an activity only for the rich. The world is mobile.
As…
Ahh, sugar. Can't live with it, can't live without it. Can't get enough of it. More dangerous than gunpowder.
But we can't resist. And, with that in mind, let's all plan a visit to Hershey, Pennsylvania, home of Hershey Chocolate.
You can, of course, send your pulse skyrocketing while you're there, but it is actually a rather…
Some people have all the problems. For example, they live in Paris, not so far from Gare de Nord. They opt to take a night train. Luxurious, fast and totally European. But, they wake up suddenly, only to realise that they're in Venice, not three stops down. Tsk. Such problems. All jokes aside, European rail…
The time has come for no more excuses. We all know it has. Netflix and Amazon have served us well, but it's time to put down the remote and . . . . walk. Let's face it, "power walking" doesn't sound all that fun. But, fortunately, you don't need to wear ankle weights and pump…
Food fans are aware of where food has gone in the past decade or so. Between blow-torched puddings to accompaniments made of foam, our ancestors wouldn't know what to make of it all.
However, one constant that has always remained with chefs everywhere is the inexhaustible desire to have a Michelin star on the door. This…
The Pacific Northwest in the United States is rather beautiful, especially if you don't have a problem with rain. It rains a lot here. Spring, summer and parts of autumn are lovely, as well, but rain is a defining term for this part of the world. And, as we know, rain fills the land and…
Does imposing the death penalty lower rates of violent crime? What economic policies will lead to broad prosperity? Which medical treatments should we allow and encourage to treat novel diseases? These questions have a few things in common.
They bear important consequences for us all, and so policymakers and the public would like to know the…
We will keep this post short and sweet.
It's a video from Airbus describing their new look, specifically for the Airbus A220. As you may or may not know, the A220 is a plane actually manufactured by Bombardier in Quebec, Canada. However, Bombardier fell into financial distress and now Airbus and the government of Québec have…
When people say "get away from it all", that often means driving to the local Holiday Inn. That is fine, of course, but where can you really go with that phrase? We have a suggestion for you - a gasp-worthy one. The Mashpi Lodge in Equador. Deep in the forest, this sumptuous complex will bring…
These days - especially during the Covid-19 pandemic - you sometimes don't you if you're upside-down or right-side up. You're glued to the television and, after a while, you'll wonder who that person is who is sitting next to you. Your partner? Or is it you? In 2021, it looks like we’ll still be swapping…
We periodically write about Wales, the oft-forgotten member of the United Kingdom's family. The country sits in the background, reinventing itself over and over. Once known only for coal and sheep, Wales has been transforming into a destination, as both of those means of putting food on the table are diminishing. The natural path is…
Here's a puzzle for those who look to get to the root of complexity or confusion. In this case, the question is - have you ever seen the travel patterns of flights from Asia to the United States? They never go straight across the Pacific Ocean to get to, say, Los Angeles. They take an…
At its heart, Russia is a fabulous place. With so much history, expansive terrain and the sheer diversity of its population, its lure as a place to visit is often obscured by politics and other kinds of maneuvering. When we talk about history, we must remember that the Soviet era is now history, too. And,…
Asia has so many wonders, and so much rich and deep history.
One that is well-known, but not always on at the top of everyone's list is Mount Phou Si in Laos. It is a 100 m high hill in the centre of the old town of Luang Prabang in Laos.
It lies in the heart of…
We are writing this post when - it appears - the the Covid-19 pandemic is starting to abate, and that many of us can, once more, open our doors, step outside and begin to enjoy life again. And what can be more life-affirming than getting out into nature, and breathing in the air? That is…
Levi Jed Murphy smolders into the camera. It’s a powerful look: piercing blue eyes, high cheekbones, full lips and a razor-sharp jawline – all of which, he says, cost him around £30,000. Murphy is an influencer from Manchester in the UK, with a large social media following.
Speaking on his approach to growing his fans, he…
When you land at an airport, there often only seems to be two states of being once you arrive: "run-run-run" or "languish-for -hours."
How many times can you walk up and down the concourse before losing your mind? Or how fast (and how far) and which gate do you need to run to in order to…
Chances are, when you think of visiting Europe, you usually will choose France, Italy, Spain or - recently - Croatia. They are the natural choices. But it's likely that you haven't given too much thought to Albania. While not a full member of Europe yet, many Europeans consider it as such. The country is Southeastern…