Over in the eastern India, in the state of West Bengal, the country's third largest metro area (pop 14.1 million) was founded in 1690 by the British colonizers as Calcutta, and was the capital of the Raj until 1911. Also dubbed "the City of Joy," i
As you've no doubt hear, the most famous of the United Arab Emirates is a city that must be seen to be believed. Record-breaking architecture stands alongside traditional quarters, while huge man-made islands jut out of the coastline. There is a d
Located on the main island of Honshu, roughly in the center of Japan and just under three hours by train from Tokyo, Osaka is spread across 221 square kilometers and has a population of 2.6 million. During World War II, air raids and bombings level
Also called Bombay, Mumbai is now the largest city in India, and one of its main economic lungs. The contrasts are striking, as everywhere in the country. Extreme poverty and wealth rub shoulders in sometimes indescribable chaos. It's hot, it's dus
A city of picturesque landmarks and cool rooftop bars, Budapest is ideal for newlyweds. A heavenly destination with a delightfully shabby-chic style, Hungary’s capital is a diverse blend of attractions spanning top-notch fine-dining locales and ce
The Duomo Is the World's Fifth Largest Christian Church
The city's main icon is outdone by only St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, the Basilica of Our Lady of Aparecida in Brazil, Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York, and the cathedral of Sevil
One of the all-time classic Christmas destinations is the city where Charles Dickens penned A Christmas Carol 175 years ago. And of course the London of today offers an enormous variety of holiday happenings and experiences, from the traditional
If you're heading to the historic city of Boston, get ready to enjoy a wide variety of popular attractions - and plan your itinerary in advance, to make certain you don't miss out on anything this vibrant metropolis has to offer. And remember to pi
Like so many European cities and towns, as of the last week in November, Catalonia's capital dons its Yuletide best and does its best to transform the dark, chilly days of winter into a festive celebration, lasting through January 6 (the "12th day
We were celebrating a friend's Big Birthday - one of those extremely round number birthdays - at a swell hotel in Greenwich Village, so what could possibly go wrong? Just one little thing, as you'll see.
Samson and Goliath, the huge gantry cranes of Belfast’s Harland and Wolff shipyard, still dominate the city skyline though the incessant din of heavy shipbuilding is now but a memory. The company, which once employed more than 10,000 skilled craftsm
Dubai, located in the Middle Eastern desert. is not well known for its parks and gardens. So it may come as a surprise that Dubai does in fact have several beautiful parks and gardens located throughout the city, and make a fabulous and inexpensive
Kashan is an ancient city of some 433,000 in north central Iran, some two hours south of capital Teheran, and its name is tied in the minds of Iranians to its carpets, silks and other textiles - but also golab (rosewater), with its annual rosewater
Great meals accompany great moments - they are usually inseparable. And the resort town of Tulum, on the Riviera Maya of Mexico's Caribbean coast, offers not just gorgeous beaches and the only seaside Mayan ruins in existence (above), but also myria
The last decade of the 19th century and the first of the 20th saw a spate of big cities - mostly in Europe and the USA - launch a new era of urban transit by opening underground rail systems. And we as travellers can be extremely grateful, as the
The City of Light is one of the world's top destinations for good reason - popular for its art, culture, cuisine, museums, and architecture from medieval to modern. Also known for its romance, Paris offers visitors an amazing holiday - really,with
Prague has been nicknamed the "City of a Thousand Spires." As you glance over its 1,100-year-old skyline you'll be rewarded with countless splendid views of lovely domed churches and soaring old towers that combine to make Prague one of Europe's a
Not for its ambrosial Ube (purple-yam) jam or the warm, English-speaking Igorots (the traditional peoples inhabiting the surrounding region). Not even for the glorious pine trees that hug the city or the smiling sunflowers that romance the hills, B
The capital of Georgia has become a formidable tourist destination in recent years. And of course when it comes to visiting, the first thing to think about is your hotel. The three top areas with the best Atlanta hotels are Downtown, Buckhead, and
We all identify Agra with the Taj Mahal. But this city of 1.6 million in Uttar Pradesh state noted for its monumental buildings of 16th and 17th century when it was the capital of the Muslim Mughal (aka Mogul) Empire is far more than that. For examp