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The Madeiran archipelago, together with those of the Canaries, Azores, and Cape Verde, comprise Macaronesia, "the Fortunate Isles", to which the gods of Greek mythology brought the heroes when their adventurous lives were over. They are volcanic in origin, their hard, basalt mountains rising above Atlantic deeps, unconnected to the European or African continental shelves.

Madeira’s mountains provide a spectacular backdrop to the airborne approach to the island. The runway at capital Funchal's

by Felice Hardy

I daresay snow sport will come to no one's mind when contemplating the fascinating North African country of Morocco. But more adventurous types might know that the high, craggy Atlas Mountains sweep across a goodly swath of this country, giving rise not just to a robust trekking and climbing scene, but even some pretty good skiing and snowboarding, with the season running January to early April - and what's more, even within convenient distance of Marr

India is an enormous and ancient country packed with history, culture, and nature. Many first-timers opt for the classic Golden Triangle circuit, including the "greatest hits" destinations of capital city Delhi as well as Agra and Jaipur; these days many also add Khajuraho and Varanasi to their itinerary. Here are some of the top triangle highlights which await them:

Delhi

Grandiose India Gate, rising 42 metres (138 feet) Rajpath ceremonial boulevard in the middle of the city, is a monument b

Just imagine this scene – you are lying in a hammock, a gentle sea breeze in your hair. Your favorite book in your right hand, freshly open coconut in the left one. You turn your gaze to the white-sand beach with beautiful turquoise water. You hear nothing, just some local kids playing in the coconut forest on the other side of the island. The other side of the island is mere 50 meters away. That is right, you're on an island - and one you can stroll leisurely around in about nine minutes! Th

Union Hmong Kitchen

Planning a trip to Minnesota´s biggest city? If so, you should be aware that the city is full of great restaurants you'll want to try, many of them now world-class and reflecting increasing diversity from across the world. When you arrive in Minneapolis, make sure to pick up your rental car at the airport when you arrive. In my experience driving is the best way to get around the city of Minneapolis. I’ve had good luck with USARentalCars.com, but you can rent with any big n

"Take nothing but pictures. Leave nothing but footprints." You might have seen this sign at tourist destinations but the question is, do you really implement it? Many people ignore this sign, walking away leaving behind a trail of litter at the time of departure. Very disturbing, when carelessness like this destroys the very ecosystem they have come to enjoy, and creates health issues thanks to decomposition of waste left behind. Minimizing such waste is not difficult or onerous, and here ar

Today marks the 528th anniversary of the fall of Islamic Granada to the armies of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, marking the culmination of the Reconquista from the Moors - whose Umayyad Caliphate forces had swept into the Iberian Peninsula from North Africa in 711, overrunning the Visigothic kingdoms which had inherited the peninsula from Roman Hispania and establishing a European Islamic realm known as Al-Andalus, which ended up enduring for centuries. Here’s a quick and hugely simplifie

Garofoli Winery, one of the oldest family-owned winemakers in Italy's Marche region, dates back to 1871 and still specializes in 100-percent single vineyard Verdicchio, a drier white varietal ranging from still to sparkling renowned for distinctive purity and verve. Way before the Garofolis  took over, the winery's origins are rooted in the Middle Ages catering to local pilgrims streaming into the nearby Basilica della Santa Casa. The Bascilica still remains Europe's most visited pilgrimage chur

Shoko Shimabakuro

Celebrated by the Japanese according to the Gregorian calendar only since 1873, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day have evolved their own unique set of customs. Let me share a quick primer on Shōgatsu in Japan with you - it's a festive time of year to visit!

kumikomini

In the days leading up to New Year’s Eve, many Japanese engage in osoji (cleaning), their equivalent of spring cleaning, with the idea that this is a good time to purify their environment to begin the new

Like a gigantic throat which was carved out of the earth by the Apurímac River, this natural wonder is located between the Apurímac region and the Cuzco region in southern Peru. It is considered to be one of the deepest canyons in the world.

The incredibly tall sides of the canyon were carved out over millions of years by the mighty Apurimac, an Amazon River tributary which flows from the Apacheta Ravine on the Misti Volcano in Arequipa, nearly 200 miles southwest. The people who live along th

Justin Brown



Did you know that California's second largest city sees, on average, nearly 36 million visitors every year? As a matter of fact, it’s considered one of the top travel destinations in the states. So what’s bringing all of these people to San Diego each year? Perhaps it’s the warm weather, or maybe the beautiful beaches. Although the weather is wonderful and the beaches are beautiful, I think tourists flock here especially because of all the great activities it has to offer - eno

If you're planning to take your pet with you on your next vacation, keep in mind that a little advance preparation goes a long way! In order to make sure the two of you have fun and stay safe on your travels, it's important to ensure that your dog or cat will have everything he or she needs to remain calm, comfortable, and happy for the duration of your trip together. Here are some tips for traveling with your pet hassle-free, whether by air, land, or sea.

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If you're flying

Also called Bombay, Mumbai is now the largest city in India, and one of its main economic lungs. The contrasts are striking, as everywhere in the country. Extreme poverty and wealth rub shoulders in sometimes indescribable chaos. It's hot, it's dusty and the streets swarm with people, day and night. Mumbai is an unusual city, and one you should absolutly experience during a visit to India. To help you prepare, we've selected 10 top sites and activities to discover:

Marine Drive

Marine Drive (t

Jennifer Blount

This double-island country in the West Indies is famous for its 365 white-sand beaches, sailing, and excellent cuisine. That said, there are plenty of other adventures to make you feel alive, both on land as well as in and on the water!

Snorkel/Dive Antigua’s Coral Reefs - Practically surrounded by vibrant coral reefs, Antigua is a great place for Caribbean snorkeling. there are more than 40 dive sites, some in relatively shallow water and others in the deeper, more complex unde

Oh.Barcelona.com

Like so many European cities and towns, as of the last week in November, Catalonia's capital dons its Yuletide best and does its best to transform the dark, chilly days of winter into a festive celebration, lasting through January 6 (the "12th day of Christmas", also eagerly awaited by all the children of Spain for the visit of the gift-giving Three Magi).

So you're looking for a holiday getaway next year, the mix of culture, history, dining, shopping, and nightlife is supercha

Magnus D

 
One of the all-time classic Christmas destinations is the city where Charles Dickens penned A Christmas Carol 175 years ago. And of course the London of today offers an enormous variety of holiday happenings and experiences, from the traditional Victorian of Dickens' era to cutting-edge modern. Here are just a handful of London Yuletide highlights...

Holiday Lights

First off, of course, is the fact that from mid November through early January much of the city is awash in bright co

I remember when I first went camping. I was fairly young and my mother helped me pack. Needless to say, I was the kid with the biggest backpack in our group, I never got to wear all the clothes my mother had packed for me, and my backpack was so heavy I almost fell on my back. It was a traumatic experience, believe me, but it taught me over-packing wasn't something a smart girl should practice. Not even for fun; because it's not!

Luggage

Packing light and smart is an art based on the idea of let

David Illiff


Australia is packed with magnificent sights, sites, and experiences, including marvelous road trips. One of the best - and certainly the most famous - is the 243-kilometre (151-mile) stretch along the coast and rugged cliffs of the southern state of Victoria known as the Great Ocean Road. Running between Torquay and Allansford, it's a drive full of stunning natural beauty as well as charming towns, secluded beaches, and wildlife experiences.



Michael J. Fromholtz


What most i

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by Marita Acosta


If you're thinking about a trip to Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo, it's really worth your while to also give a thought to adding another several days for a visit to Brazil's singular capital, another 90-minute flight from either of those. Why is that, you might wonder?

Brasilia is the navel of South America's giant, smack in the middle of this sprawling, astonishing country, and this city of was created as its seat of government around a half century ago by the author