New Year’s Eve in Spain or Latin America is, not surprisingly, one of the prime party evenings of the year. It’s also pretty much inconceivable without the famous ritual of the “12 uvas de la suerte,” or twelve grapes of fortune. Basically, amid much merry-making and toasting with Catalan cava (sparkling wine) or Asturian sidra (sparkling apple cider), revelers pop fresh grapes into their mouths – one for each month of the year, and one at a time for each stroke of midnight (this is not always
Starting to thing about sun, sand and sea or action, adventure and adrenaline for next spring and summer? It might not be an easy choice, but luckily, some places have it all.
Croatia has long been a hidden gem for travellers. In recent years, it’s become one of the most popular destinations in Europe due to its fantastic climate, stunning scenery and gorgeous beaches. A private holiday home will allow you to enjoy the very best that Croatia has to offer. And if you’re looking for a more adrenali
While the Great Depression gripped most of the world in 1931, Milton S. Hershey built an opulent hotel atop Pat's Hill overlooking his chocolate factory in Hershey Pennsylvania. The Hershey Hotel is truly a testament to the fact that greatness marches to the beat of a different drum. But eccentricity borne by wealth alone doesn't explain why Mr. Hershey went ahead with such an extravagant project during hard times. Faced with the decision of either employing his town's construction workers or pr
by Javier Pereira
One of the first things we learn in school about geometry (more specifically, plane geometry) is that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. Obvious, right? And yet…
The fact is, this obvious truism is only true in two dimensions, as on a flat map, which is how we usually think of the world. But when it comes to spherical geometry – and, unless you’re a Flat Earther, our planet is more or less a sphere – that’s simply not the case.
If you’ve ever tried to fla
At New Year‘s, Brazil is party land. The New Year‘s Eve celebration on the Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro is renowned, but it‘s not only there that they celebrate this very special date to the full. A party is held in Salvador de Bahia with such a fantastic atmosphere that it is second to none – on a par with the Copacabana!
In fact, it is the preferred destination of many tourists and particularly Brazilians who do not hesitate to head for this wonderful place because they know that they
This fall marks 500 years since Spanish explorer Vasco Núñez de Balboa “discovered” the Pacific Ocean while traipsing across the isthmus of Panama. That event changed mankind’s concept of geography and the world, and Panama has played a key role in world events more than a few times in the centuries since, as well. But from my admittedly more modest perspective as a traveler, over the years I’ve found at least a half-dozen really great reasons to travel to Panama as often as possible:
Panama C
In Costa Rica for Christmas there are plenty of events and activities happening. Find out the best things to do during the holiday season in Costa Rica, from parades and fairs to sparkling Christmas trees and traditional foods.
Eat a Tamale: Like the rest of Latin America, tamales are an essential part of the Christmas holidays in Costa Rica. Tamales in Costa Rica are made from corn flour and are filled with ingredients such as potatoes, rice, vegetables, garlic and onions, and shredded pork or
The story of Amorgos Island is a tale of beauty. Folklore has it that adjacent islands in the Cyclades told a tale of a neighboring island where only beautiful women resided. This tale of omorfos (beauty) was folklore about the less traveled Amorgos Island.
The Main Port of Amorgos – From The Aegialis Hotel & Spa
Amorgos is one of the most alluring Greek islands in the Aegean Sea, yet unfortunately remains undiscovered by most travelers to the islands. This is a shame, as this island sanctuary lea
Wellsboro, PA reminds us of the quality of life and friendly folks of Bedford Falls depicted in Frank Capra’s classic 1946 Christmas flick, “It’s a Wonderful Life.”
For one thing, Wellsboro has a wide grassy median down the center of Main Street (like in the movie), and rows of romantic old Victorian gas lights that lend a warm glow to the quaint town at dusk.
In our minds’ eye, like Bedford Falls, Wellsboro is a great example of the best of 1940s Americana. Safe, clean, with well-maintained sta
You will find Plovdiv at an hour’s distance from Sophia, Bulgaria. It’s the second most populated city of the country, built on both banks of the Maritsa River. The very first impression is pure urban as you approach the city -- multi-floor flats, concrete and steel.. However, things quickly get quite different!
Plovdiv bears in its arms lots of archaeological sites, 30 of which have been categorized as extremely important ones. The visitor has a chance to visit the ancient theater, the Ottoma
Spain's mix of the modern and the traditional is second to none, in my opinion, but around the holidays, tradition naturally comes to the fore – and nowhere more in the case of Christmas than in the nativity scenes that pop up all over the country, in public and private.
Montar el belén, literally “setting up the Bethlehem,” as crèches are known, is, like decorating the Christmas tree for others around the world, still a Yuletide ritual for many Spaniards, and public examples also abound thro
Incorporated in 1829, Waterville Valley is a New Hampshire village at the end of a winding scenic road just 15 miles off I-93, 2 hours from Boston surrounded by over 40,000 acres of White Mountain National Forest under a dramatic backdrop defined by 4000 foot mountain peaks.
You're as far as you want to be from anything resembling the hectic everyday world. The skies are dark enough at night to rediscover the constellations, a characteristic that served Curious George authors Margret and H.A. Rey
Irish coffee – that delicious hot drink combining coffee, good whiskey and cream – has become such a classic nowadays, that it hardly raises an eyebrow anymore. In fact, one might say that it has fallen out of fashion even. But once you try it, especially on a wet and cold evening, you will quickly become a fan! Why am I mentioning it here now? Because it was invented here in Foynes, at the airport, now the Flying Boat Museum. Legend has it that in 1942, a flight had set off for the United State
Calm seas and abundant marine life in the spectacular Pacific Ocean at Quepos and Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica create an ideal environment for fun activities.
For instance, now through the end of December is humpback whale-watching season in Costa Rica; and you can nearly always see large pods of dolphins while out sailing, boating or kayaking.
Quepos is a top spot for world-class sportfishing in Costa Rica,, and where the April World Offshore Fishing Championship brings in hundreds of internation
by Miguel Martínez Rabanal
As a resident of Mexico City, a lover of Mexican food, and a passionate defender of the arts of the kitchen, I have been finding that if there’s one thing that defines this town in the second decade of the 21st century, it’s the heady feeling of constant change. Inevitably, this dynamism has also had a transformative effect on Mexico City dining in particular as well as, one could argue, on Mexican cuisine in a larger sense. In the capital of Mexico’s dining scene, t
In the summer, of course, the third largest of the Balearic Islands is arguably the party capital of the world, throbbing practically 24/7 from its beaches, yacht marinas, and discos to the cobblestone lanes of its ancient cities and towns. But as winter approaches and Ibiza’s population shrinks from millions closer to its usual year-round 133,000 or so, temperatures remain mild but the pace slows (somewhat to the relief of the locals), and visitors can better appreciate and enjoy the traditio
On the train from Cuzco to Machu Picchu, thinking about my upcoming climb up the picture-postcard peak of nearby citadel Huayna Picchu, known as “the young mountain,” I realized I'd left my hiking shoes behind! But I'd traveled great distances to climb Machu Picchu’s highest peak, so even a lack of proper footgear wasn't going to stop me. Perhaps I would be the first person to hike this majestic peak in Hugo Boss loafers - maybe I could get Hugo to pay me for bringing his brand to the top of an
Tozeur is the largest Tunisian oasis, and one of the most charming towns in the country. This can be seen in the winding streets in the center of the town, with its characteristic brick designs, in the suq, not as overwhelming as many other Maghreb and Arab markets, and in its vast palm grove, with a surface area of more than 1,000 hectares and live demonstrations of the date collection, the main local product.
This is Tozeur, in the Djérid region, in Southern Tunisia, which in December hosts
Above: One of the Abbey of Our Lady of Guadalupe's sumptuous fruitcakes, awaiting an evening snack down.
The “Fruitcake of God” that is produced from the hands of monks at Our Lady of Guadalupe near Carlton, Oregon in the heart of Willamette Valley wine country is changing the minds and palates of fine food fanciers around North America. Whereas fruitcake has gotten a bad name – and perhaps rightfully so when you are thinking of the dry, citron bitter fruitcake that seems to be a decade old righ
Kayaking (or boating) through the Tamarindo Wildlife Refuge in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, is an exciting experience. You never know what animal or bird you’ll suddenly come upon next. Maybe a snowy white egret. Maybe a giant, toothy American Crocodile. Maybe a curious howler monkey lazily lounging in a tree.
The refuge spans 953 acres and is located between the Guanacaste surf town of Tamarindo and Playa Grande, which is part of the Las Baulas National Marine Park, one of the largest Leatherback
