Every year since 1985, the cultural grand poobahs of the European Union have designated one to three of the continent's cities as Capitals of Culture, focusing not only on their own cultural offerings but also allowing them
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Set on a high plateau in the center of the country and surrounded by rolling countryside, this low-rise, sprawling city of 3.3 million is one of Africa´s fastest growing - and it´s highly underrated, ending up surprising more than a
Tradition and modernity blend seamlessly in this stunning southeast Asian city/state of just over six million inhabitants. Within its 736 square kilometres (284 sq. miles) there’s something on offer for every traveller, from iconic skyscrapers to
Located near the bottom of the west coast, one of the world´s smallest and more unassuming capitals (above and top, with a population of just under 20,000) is a mostly charming, very small-town-feeling collection of largely wooden, low
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Whatever your politics, the capital of the United States is a delight to visit, with a charming, attractive cityscape on a distinctly human scale and bursting with culture, history, and even romance. And it doesn´t have to be a wallet-bu
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This oil-rich little emirate (pop. just under nine million) on the Persian Gulf was last big in the news as the object of invasion by Sadam Hussein´s Iraq just next door. And though its far less touristed than most of its Gul
Nestled on the Costa del Sol, Spain´s southern coast, the picturesque city of Málaga beckons travellers with its unique blend of Andalusian charm and coastal beauty. From its rich history and vibrant culture to its stunning beaches a
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Most major cities and many towns in LatAm of course pull out all the stops to ring out the old and ring in the new. But a few are particularly special for a truly unforgettable NYE experience. And here are five excellent examples:
"Beantown" has just been in the headlines in recent days thanks to its hometown Celtics basketball team making history by winning a record-breaking 18th NBA championship title. But the capital of Massachusetts is also a venerable and perennial
In the United Arab Emirates Islam is of course the main religion, but Dubai especially is a world city, with many non-Muslim residents, and has embraced the more secular trappings of the Yuletide season making them a vibrant part of Duba
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"Overtourism" is a hot topic these days in the travel sector, and the popularity of a number of destinations continues to burgeon, cities especially in Europe such as Amsterdam, Barcelona, Dubrovnik, Prague, and Venice have
Among the many allures of Argentina´s capital is a vigorous shopping scene, with thousands of options from huge malls like Galerías Pacífico to funky local street markets and international brands to quirky indie offerings. Top shopping
If you ever saw the comedy series Portlandia, which ran from 2011 to 2018, you know this city of 653,000 (metro area 2.1 million) is bike-friendly and full of food carts/trucks, indie bookstores, farm-to-table restaurants, an embarrassing number
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The world´s second largest religion, Islam, is practiced by an estimated 1.8 billion people on every continent, and an estimated 3.6 million mosques worldwide, ranging from the humble, workaday and even primitve to the spectacular i
nantonov
This might not be the first place that springs to mind when it comes to a summer getaway, but when the summer sun kisses Scandinavia´s smallest country, all of it blossoms into a captivating and welcoming paradise, with its peak in Jul
Among the many allures of the City of Angels are its beaches, serving up a Baywatch vibe of "endless summer" all year round, and here are eight choice examples, from Malibu to South Bay.
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RAndrey
Estonia´s second largest city (a bit over 97,000), astride the Emajõgi River a bit over two hours south of Tallinn by car or train, was founded in the 5th century and has long been known as an intellectual/cultural powerhouse (and home to
"Charm City" (population around 586,000), the state of Maryland´s biggest, hasn´t always has such a charming reputation in recent years, but urban renewal has made a huge difference, and crime is limited to neighborhoods well away from areas m
Every March 17th, the 5th-century Romano-British missionary who converted the Celts to Christianity, then became a bishop and eventually Irland´s patron saint is celebrated in more countries than any other national holiday, and of
Though most famous for Carnival, golden beaches, and world-famous landmarks, the real heart of Rio de Janeiro, for those in the know, lies in its downtown, most notably in Saúde, Gamboa, and the surrounding neighbourhoods hard by the port
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