A Halong Bay Cruise
In Vietnam's northeast, a 3½-hour drive from Hanoi through the verdant rice field of the Red River delta, “Descending Dragon Bay” has been twice recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site of Vietnam. First was in 1994 for the outstanding beauty of its seascape, covering more than 1,500 square kilometers of more than 1,600 towering, jungle-clad, vertical limestone islets, hiding many cave such as Sung Sot and "Surprise Cave" - all of it a breathtaking sight any time, and
Honeymooning in Australia is wonderful, and you may have considered spots like Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Great Barrier Reef, Phillip Island, the Blue Mountains, perhaps the Yarra River or Byron Bay. There are a lot of places in Australia that get a ton of honeymoon buzz, but there are also quite a few other picture perfect and romantic destinations - some of which may not have occurred to you - that deserve to be on your bucket list. Here are ten examples:
Hamilton Island
Year after year, Hamilt
Our Southern California Wine Review Council recently enjoyed wines made with Italian grapes from both Italy and New Mexico. Reviewers were assigned wines and then tasked with creating food pairings to share with the group (we often find food pairings selected for one wine are paired as well or better with another wine). As wine reviewers, we discuss and decide which wine garners our most appreciation, although I think we’d all agree the true enjoyment is found in the gastronomic journey and th
If this was not in fact the highest point in Dublin, it certainly felt like it. After climbing the 198 steps to the top of Glasnevin Cemetery's Daniel O’Connell Tower (below) - Ireland's highest round tower - I was able to gaze over the entire city, laid out almost like a map. It stretched from the western limits, past the airport to the north, by way of the Hill of Howth, the Irish Sea and the Liffey River mouth round to the Dublin Mountains in the south. This amazing revelation was the culm
Founded on Florida's Gulf coast in 1888 - and, yes, named after the famed Russian city (on a whim of one of the city's founders, who actually flipped a coin to decide the matter with his co-founder) - "St. Pete" has fairly little in common with its larger Slavic namesake. But one major exception is that in both you could spend days on end exploring a wealth of fascinating museums. In addition to the classic Florida sun and nearby beaches that it's known for, the ever growing arts scene and art
The last time I visited Buenos Aires, one of the most memorable days of the trip, was spent, ironically enough, in Uruguay. A comfy, Buquebus high-speed ferry ride away across the wide, murky Río Plata (one to three hours, depending on the ship, as well as a 2½-hour drive from Uruguay’s capital Montevideo) lies a small city that's home to the loveliest Spanish colonial old town in South America’s Southern Cone (and one of the most fetching on the entire continent, well deserving of its
As in Islam, in the Hindu religion there are pilgrimages (yatra) which each of the faithful should complete once in a lifetime to cleanse themselves spiritually and achieve Moksha (salvation). The greatest is the Char Dham Yatra (Four Abodes Pilgrimage), to temples in Puri (Odisha state), Rameswaram (Tamil Nadu), Dwarka (Gujarat), and Badrinath (Uttarhand).
But there is also an important yatra just in Uttarakhand state, India's northernmost, in the Garhwal Himalayas bordering Nepa
by Tom Bunn
Some who fear flying are concerned about in-flight panic. Others are worried about crashing. A few seriously question whether they will be alive at the end of a planned flight. When someone expresses genuine belief that his or her flight may not make it, I’m surprised. Why would a person have such an expectation?
It’s not based on history. Here in the United States, for example, we’ve gone for years without a crash by a major carrier. In addition to history, experience is a factor. My
Once travel is back on the menu, lovers of the "Old Continent" might want to get a new perspective on a number of beloved countries by experiencing them from the water. A European river cruise can be a dream come true for those of us who want to explore Europe at a relatively slow but steady pace, with typically 50 to 70 cabins (but some up to 200); superior onboard dining reflecting local cuisines; and a plethora of chances to see historic landmarks - either on your own or in organized shore
Whether if it’s your first or tenth time, a visit to Dubai always brings a sense of joy and ends up being a mesmerizing experience. With all its fascinating modern buildings, awesome beaches, beautiful man-made islands, and massive malls, Dubai still maintains its rich culture, traditions, and heritage. From the desert safari to simply enjoying a musical evening at the world’s largest dancing fountain, there’s a lot to see and do here. Here are the top half dozen musts:
stellalevi
The United States's sprawling, second largest urban area is a great all-round destination for every type of traveller young and old, from fun-seeking singles to parents in search of family fun with their little ones. The kid appeal starts with the theme parks, but there's a lot more for mum and dad to like about Los Angeles, as well. Let's have a look...
But of course the world's most famous just has to top the list! Located in the suburb of Anaheim,
Besides being one of Asia's and the world's premier financial hubs, Hong Kong is also one of their most visited destinations for both business people and leisure travelers. Always teeming with people and full of exciting things to see and do, the city may appear overwhelming to first-time visitors. But especially if you're watching your wallet, this post will help provide some tips on where to stay, where to go, and what to do to make your first trip to this magnificent and unique place easier.
When it comes time to think of the next ski season (which in the Southern Hemisphere's Andes actually starts in early June, though it will likely be altered this year by coronavirus measures), you may find you need new warm clothing for hitting the slopes. And for skiers and snowboarders, gloves are especially crucial, for skiers grasping ski poles and snowboarders keeping hands and arms out for balance (it goes without saying that they're great for ice climbers and other winter-sport practi
Italy's largest island is in some ways like a world unto itself, packed with amazing, art, architecture, history, cuisine, mud baths, and of course lovely beaches bathed in turquoise waters. Sicily's magic has been shaped by civilizations including Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Spaniards, and Norman French, and it's all waiting for you. And though of course a wide variety of accommodation is available, one of the best ways to get the most enjoyment out of your visit is luxury S
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by José Juan Adamuz
What’s it like to be in the presence of the world’s largest waterfalls system? Well, in three words: wet, wild, and wonderful. These wonders of nature formed as the Iguazú River hurtles off the Paraná Plateau in the form of hundreds of waterfalls, at a rate of 1,500 square metres (gallons) per second, mark the local border between Argentina’s Misiones state and Brazil’s Paraná state (with Paraguay’s Ciudad del Este right nearby, as well). And let me tell you, these p
The capital of India's southwestern Maharashtra state is also the entire country's most populous, with a population of 21 million. Situated on the coast of the Arabian Sea, it's famous as a business and especially cultural hub - among other things home to the legendary Bollywood film industry. The best time to visit is winter, December through February, you'll find a wide variety of hotels to suit your budget, and there's something for everyone here; it's worth noting as well that Mumbai is a s
photos: María José Cortes Llamas
For visitors, this enormous country is packed with appeal for anyone and everyone, from history, culture, dining, and shopping to some of the most amazing ecotourism experiences on the planet. Hikers and other fans of the great outdoors will be in heaven in the wide open spaces out in the American West (and even no small few along the Eastern Seaboard), starting with a network of national parks which though under increasing siege these past couple of years is st
“There are no unsacred places; there are only sacred places and desecrated places.”
― U.S. novelist, poet, essayist, environmental activist, & cultural critic Wendell Berry
If you’re a "seeker," who travels in part to deepen your religious and spiritual life, you'll want to read this post to learn more about the 13 most spiritual and sacred places that you can visit once travel starts opening up again. These pilgrimage spots are not merely example
As in other areas, Portugal has been somewhat underrated in terms of its scenic appeal, but this small southern European country is filled with winding routes that take you through beautiful landscapes, breathtaking beaches, and small whitewashed villages. In short, fertile territory for renting a car and taking some magnificent road trips.
On top of that, road trips in Portugal tend to be relatively short - hence they're especially well suited for families looking for adventure but without commi
Out in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Africa, this French-, English-, and French Creole-speaking tropical-island country has been compared to heaven on earth, and has been moving up the vacation radar especially thanks to its splendid beaches and diving and gorgeous white-sand beaches with clear sapphire waters. But it also has much more to offer: hiking in the lush hills, impressive ecotourism, and cultural landmarks from Hindu temples (Mauritius is Africa's only majority-Hindu country) to
