Blogs

David Paul Appell



by Inka Piegsa-Quischotte

 

Across the world, throughout the spring of 2020 we've all been living through a global public-health emergency unprecedented in our lifetimes. But now, after the extraordinary measures due to the coronavirus and COVID-19 which closed borders and shut down tourism in most countries of the world, Spain is among those which have flattened the pandemic curve enough to return to "normal" as of 1 July, welcoming back foreign visitors - from most other c

You’re enjoying an adventure for the senses as you journey through the soaring Alps Mountains in Switzerland.  You immediately understand why the magnificent view that surrounds you in Colorado inspired the words of “America the Beautiful.”   You channel Harry Potter during a ride over the towering viaduct that the Hogwarts Express crossed in the popular film series.

These and other equally dramatic, experiences can be yours while you travel no farther than the chair in front of your computer. 

Daniel Schwen

Back before, during, and after the American Revolution (1776-1983) and the years leading up to it, New York City was as now the largest and one of the most important cities of the nascent United States of America – and in fact even served as the independent country’s very first capital, from 1789 to 1790. So it goes without saying that the Big Apple is home to a number of military and political landmarks that were absolutely key to the beginning of the USA’s national history. So

viennetta

Virtually every country distills its own brand (or various brands) of high-proof aguardiente (firewater, often a type of brandy) from various crops. But in South America, few have established a mystique as potent as pisco, the artesinal grape brandy of Peru. And though it's widely exported these days, there's nothing like experiencing this smooth spirit on its home turf - distilled here since the 17th century - including a swing through the areas where it's produced, several hours sou

Fujisan Mishima Tokyu Hotel restaurant

The Mount Fuji Mishima Tokyu Hotel is about to open at the south exit of Mishima Station on the Tokaido Shinkansen - Hikari and Kodama lines. About 45 minutes south of Tokyo and just under  than two hours north of Kyoto, it's an easy stop between these two other bucket-list destinations in Japan.

The hotel offers a great location, with spectacular views of Mt. Fuji and a 20-minute drive from Mishima Skywalk - the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in Ja

GNTO

With much of Europe about to open up their borders in July to visitors from various other countries, the message is clear. Yes, it may take some spunk to leave the safety and comfort of your home, but during these past three-plus months of stay-at-home life, much of the world has adapted to a “new normal” and the principles of how to stay healthy even during an an ongoing  pandemic - including traveling in as safe a manner as possible.

Those eligible should consult the new European Union

Tijon.com

There I was in my white lab coat, examining 40 vials and trying to determine which combinations to mix to get the best outcome. Admittedly, I wasn’t performing some important scientific discovery or creating a medical breakthrough, but it felt almost that significant. What if I screwed up, made ridiculous choices as to the most effective ingredients and came away with an awful smelling product. Yup, I was making perfume at the Tijon Parfumerie & Boutique on the French side of the Car

Nabin K. Sabkota

At a height of around 1,400 meters (4,600 feet) up in the Himalaya Mountains, the capital of Nepal (pop. 2.5 million) remains an exotic magnet for travelers from all over the world looking to quench their wanderlust, whether they visit independently or with Kathmandu tour packages. And for very good reason this is dubbed "the city of temples" - most of them of the 80-percent-majority Hindu religion but also sites very important to Buddhism, especially as this region is hel

While we do continue to dream of international travel, with the flair of the exotic and unknown, we often crave easier trips that blend the immense beauty of the American outdoors with wonderful culinary explorations. To that end, ever since I moved to Atlanta a few years ago, with Bourbon Country in Kentucky within an easy half-day drive’s reach, I had been craving a hop in the car for a spin around the Bourbon Trail. For us, winters are all about either red wine or whiskey – and how can we

Since we were about to embark on a Canadian rail journey, a visit to the Drake Street Roundhouse, in Yaletown, Vancouver, was almost inevitable. Yaletown used to be a huge railway complex, and was where the trains to Vancouver used to terminate. But all that remains nowadays is the Roundhouse. This is a really ingenious arrangement, consisting of a railway turntable, with tracks radiating from it like spokes on a wheel.

The locomotive could be turned on the turntable to a selected track, then

bowie15

In these trying times, we can all use a laugh. And when it comes to travel, the general public can usually be relied upon for prime material. I just recently again came across a clipping that came out several years ago, in which a survey by the Association of British Travel Agents revealed 20 of the most ridiculous complaints by holidaymakers. So check out the following - some are merely ill informed, while others are silly, and still others downright jawdroppingly stupid. To whit:

1. “I

The capital of Austria boasts an extraordinarily rich history and plenty of attractions, thanks mostly to its legacy as the centre of the Austro-Hungarian Empire of the late 19th and early 20th century, but of course going back much further. So whether you're a Mozart maven or cutting-edge architecture aficionado, Wien has enough to keep you occupied for days on end. But if you happen to be here for only a day or two

For day trips outside town, you'll want to rent a car. But worry not, as there

We first glimpsed the atolls from five miles high: Turquoise patches stitched onto a green sheet, and the even darker green of the rain forest and mangrove swamps.

Cairns is a thriving city with a population of about 145 000, spread out without congestion across a strip of plain between dense tropical forest and the Pacific Coast of Australia's Queensland state. It boasts an international airport, and so is ideal as the first or last port-of-call for the visitor to Australia. And though it does

Lee Howard

by Lee Howard


The foothills of the world’s highest coastal mountain range, the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, meet the Caribbean at Tayrona National Natural Park, Colombia’s second most visited national reserve. The promise of dramatic scenery where the jungle slopes down to the sea lures a mix of visitors (especially from Barranquilla, just over two hours’ drive west or Cartagena, some four hours away) fanning out along sandy coves enjoying a break from the city.

Beach life is the

LeeMNichols

Home to 10,000 eateries from humble to haute, the Lone Star State's biggest city has in recent years been evolving into a foodie powerhouse, fueled by the addition of multicultural cuisines from 70 countries to its traditional base of good old Southern cooking (with lots of things drenched in gravy and cheese) and mucho Tex-Mex. So when in Houston, here are the top seven most iconic dishes to look for in 2020:

Barbecued Brisket

Arguably, when it comes to chowing down, brisket is king

If it’s your first time hiking and, not knowing what to expect, you find yourself packing everything you can think of, and that's understandable - preparation is in fact key, and as a beginner you’ll have lots to prepare for before reaching the peak. On the other hand, overpacking can weigh you down and even become a liability, especially on a long trek. So read on to know what things are of the utmost importance and what things are less so, so you can start reducing the load of your rucksack.

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Located in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, Agra is one of our country's most popular tourist destinations for good reason - its lovely monuments and legacy of the Mughal Empire - especially during its 17th-century golden age - the most legendary of which of course is the Taj Mahal.

On a recent visit here, I checked into the fine, low-cost Bhawna Palace, one of the best low-cost hotels in Agra, in the northwestern Sikandra district - one of its busiest and poshest. I then beguil

Did you known that Jacksonville (population around 904,000) is the Sunshine State's most populous city? It also happens to be one of the state's most attractive. This clean, progressive, and modern metropolis on northeastern Florida's St. John's River is a great place to visit, and a great place to live, from its amenities to its surprisingly low cost of living and excellent job availability. However, beyond beyond its lifestyle, a city with little to keep you occupied during your free time sti

nedomacki

 by Felice Hardy

In the delicious blend of old and new that are Central Europe and Eastern Europe, many amazing destinations once locked away behind the "Iron Curtain" of the 1940s through 1980s have of course become favourites of international travelers - particularly the likes of Prague and Budapest. But others have definitely remained a bit more under the proverbial radar both in terms of tourism and general world presence, and the Czech Republic's immediate neighbour to the south

Kaippally

When you think Dubai and the UAE, it's mostly manmade marvels that spring to mind - the Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Mall, Palm Islands, and the like. But there is a more "eco" side to the Emirates, as well - and not just parks and gardens like Dubai's Zabeel and Mushrif Parks. Outside the shiny canyons of glass and steel, the desert awaits - some of which has been set aside as nature reserve and beyond desert safaris by camel, jeep, and ATV, there's also a significant amount of ecotourism