All Discussions (229)
The Philippines' Baguio city an under-the-radar gem
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
Read more…8 of Atlanta's top luxury lodgings
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
Beyond the Taj Mahal: 6 things about/places in Agra, India you may not know
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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
Istanbul's two great mosques: Hagia Sophia & the Blue Mosque
The two buildings look across the crowded square at each other. Like Istanbul itself, they both divide and join the citizens and their history. Represented within these two great landmarks is the core of the city’s heritage. If the buildings were pe
Read more…São Paulo - Latin America's 'Big Apple'

Perhaps the closest thing Latin America has to New York City (and in fact also has the Big Apple beat population-wise by several million - nearly 12 million/21 in metro area), São Paulo is a vibrant - some might say slightly crazy - and skyscraper-
Is Split Croatia's most underrated city?
Europe - and the world - tempt with many amazing travel destinations, but Croatia in some ways is in a class by itself. Known for its stunning coastline, mouthwatering cuisine, and intriguing culture, Croatia should be one of the countries for your
Enjoying Dubai Marina and its dhow cruises
The Arab world's most famous capital of glitz in the desert is full of man-made wonders surrounded by dramatic dunes and great beaches. And with all the breathless chatter about towers such as the Burj Al-Arab and Burj Al-Khalifa; the Dubai Mall and
Why Nicaragua's capital Managua is very much worth a visit
In recent years, Central America has become a major destination for adventure and ecotourism, beaches, and culture, and lately the star of its largest country Nicaragua, has been on the rise - the bad old days of post-earthquake trauma
Read more…The historic mystique of Cartago, Costa Rica

As we all know, the capital of Costa Rica is San José. But it was not always thus. A bit over an hour's drive to the west is a city dubbed the "Vieja Metrópoli" (Old Metropolis). The first successful settlement by the invading Spaniards, in 1563, Ca
Top 10 free/low-cost things to see/do in Lisbon
Especially for travelers to Europe on a budget, there's no better place to hang out than the capital of Portugal, considered one of the continent's most affordable countries. But even apart from that, it's a romantic city with amazing history, cultu
Yokohama is positioning itself as Japan's premier seaport destination
- 190 cruise ships to dock in Yokohama in 2019
- New Shinko Pier with its five-star Yokohama Grand-operated hotel to open November 2019
- Bay Bridge Skywalk to reopen during large ship dockings
- APA Hotel & Resort Yokohama Bay Tower to open September 20
Amazing Isfahan: Iran's 'half of the world'
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Also spelled Esfahan, this city in central Iran - a five-hour drive or hourlong flight south of Tehran - is the country's top tourist destination for very good reason. Dating back as far as 2700 BCE to the pre-Persian Elamite civilization, Iran's th
How to spend a great day and night in Las Vegas
Las Vegas is in the center of attention among numerous travel (and of course casino) enthusiasts all over the world, but where are you going to start your fascinating journey once you’ve landed in the heart of Sin City? Here are a few tips and trick
Read more…When in Cape Town, why Robben Island is a must
A short boat ride out into the Atlantic Ocean from Cape Town, just over five square kilometres (2 sq. miles) in size, sandy Robben Island (robben being Afrikaans for seal) was always remote and largely uninhabited (except at one point for a whalin
Read more…Shiraz, Iran's city of art, history, and gardens
One of Persia's oldest cities, and now one of Iran's most beautiful as well as its fifth larges (pop. 1.7 million), Shiraz in the country's southwest (a ten-hour drive from capital Teheran, or an hour-and-twenty-minute flight) is a city of history a
History/culture in Cuba's 3rd city, Camagüey
There's no other Caribbean island that's quite the total package like Cuba, with not just enticing beaches and verdant landscapes but history, culture, and friendly people. And though many visitors don't get beyond splendid capital Havana and the
Read more…5 of the top attractions of Seoul
Recently I chose South Korea's capital (pop. 10 million, metro area nearly 26 million) for a vacation because of its mix of modernity with traditional - skycrapers and a dynamic urban scene on the one hand, sacred Buddhists temples,
5 ways to have a fun evening in family-friendly Gatlinburg, Tennessee
A resort town of barely 4,000 permanent residents in Tennessee's Great Smoky Mountains, this together with nearby Pigeon Forge, Sevierville, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the eastern USA's top tourism nexuses, a mix of natu
7 (mostly) offbeat tips to get the most out of Edinburgh
Edinburgh is Scotland's most sophisticated city, filled with quirky, come-hither nooks and activities that will fascinate you. And here are seven places and things that will make your visit here even cooler!



