One of my very most prized travel souvenirs is a vintage kilim, about 75 years old, which I bought more than a decade ago in the otherworldly medina of Fez, Morocco – with its black-and-yellow zigzag motif, it evokes exoticism and the quintessence of
Both Spain and Mexico are known for their rich ceramics tradition stretching back centuries (that of the latter dating back to the Aztecs, Mayans, Olmecs, and other Amerindian civilizations, and on the Iberian peninsula at least to the pre-Roman-Empi
Few people I know aren't impressed by emeralds - their mystique, and their deep, striking, verdant splendor. What I’ve found fewer people are realize is that by far the majority of the world’s supply of them (well over half), as well as the purest qu
What lovelier (and tastier) way to learn the nuances of a foreign culture than rubbing shoulders with the locals, tasting the flavors of their land? Well yes, there is literature and art and music, but we certainly can’t appreciate those on an empty
Livres! Libri! Libros! Books! Yes, technology is certainly changing the way many of us read, but the mystique and history of old-fashioned pages between covers remain very much an allure to many others, and for traveling bibliophiles there still are
It only takes a bit of sunshine to inundate Firenze with tourists. Florence is one of the most visited cities in the wold, and rightly so given the wealth of its historical offerings and the charm of the city itself. Few tourist destinations have so
Why in the world should you settle for all those cheesy malls and resort gift shops, the cruise-terminal complexes and hyper- commercialized downtowns clogged with cookie-cutter perfume, watch, and T-shirt shops? If you know where to look, it’s still
One of the most popular day tours from San Jose, Costa Rica, is the artisans town of Sarchí.
Called the “cradle of Costa Rican handicrafts,” Sarchí is visited by both tourists and locals alike for its more than 200 stores and small family-operated wo
Bangkok’s rich culture has more intriguing aspects than its extravagant nightlife. If you are booking Bangkok flightsespecially to experience the rich culture of the city, make sure floating markets are there in your itinerary. The most popular float
Visitors to Sapa should not miss Sapa's Bac Ha market, a highland market famous throughout the northwest region
Along the way, visitors will see the high mountain, the terraced fields and encounter each ethnic group laughing gurglingly and leading ho
The City of Light has many things to offer besides welcoming locals, famed French cuisine and the Eiffel Tower. A bustling city year-round, this tourist hot spot is home to some very exclusive restaurants and shops, also custom-made finds or 'bespoke
Fortnum & Mason, a venerated and historic London landmark, was proclaiming its affection for the then upcoming Royal Jubilee with a tribute focusing on a grand theme called “The Queen’s Beasts”. Talk about wow factor! Not only were these colourful cr
Paris is of course one of the world's premier shopping destinations, and if you know where to go, it doesn't have to be stratospherically pricey. Furthermore, but there's more to French shopping than the City of Light. Check it out! More info in Eng
Read more…Rome and especially Milan are still two of the world's premier fashion and shopping capitals. Prices of course can be stratospheric but don't always have to be. Strategies, tips, suggestions...
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