photos | David Paul Appell
One of the downsides of tourism development, say critics, is its impact on the environment, particularly natural habitats. But in recent years, we’ve seen a growing number of initiatives to minimize its effects – for example, recycling, solar power, and other green practices, in addition to hiring biologists and other scientists to restore and even oversee development in ways beneficial to local environments. On a recent trip to the Dominican Republic’s premier reso
Although white sandy beaches are not the first thing that may pop into your head when you think of northern Vietnam, several in Halong Bay - reknowned for its spectacular scenery - definitely are on par with some of the gorgeous strands of the south! There are three beaches within walking distance of town on the bay's largest island, Cat Ba. They are named Cat Co 1, 2, and 3, and it's very easy to find them as they are essentially all on the same road. On all of them you may have to pay to use
Southern California's Temecula Wine Review Council, of which I am a member, recently gathered for a food pairing and wine tasting of two red wines, Zinfandel and Gamay Noir, from two wine regions, Lodi in northern California and Willamette Valley in Oregon.
2015 Earthquake Zinfandel, Michael David Winery, Lodi AVA - $25
Fifth generation Lodi wine grape growers, Michael and David Philips, founded Michael David Winery 90 miles east of San Francisco, in 1984. This family-run winery uses sustainabl
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Increasing your occupancy rate should not be an expensive task. Most companies try to use SEO freelance consultants in an attempt to build up their search visibility, and while this works to some extent, in today's competitive digital marketing sector within the travel industry, it is unlikely that you are going to overtake the likes of Airbnb or Agoda in the search-engine rankings.
Of course, local SEO is going to work to some extent because your hotel, property management business
A.Savin
We all identify Agra with the Taj Mahal. But this city of 1.6 million in Uttar Pradesh state noted for its monumental buildings of 16th and 17th century when it was the capital of the Muslim Mughal (aka Mogul) Empire is far more than that. For example, here are five things that make Agra an extraordinary place to visit beyong to the Taj:
• Agra boasts three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: in addition to the Taj, there is also the mid-16th-century Agra Fort, a 38-hectare walled city (above
The Arab world's most famous capital of glitz in the desert is full of man-made wonders surrounded by dramatic dunes and great beaches. And with all the breathless chatter about towers such as the Burj Al-Arab and Burj Al-Khalifa; the Dubai Mall and other luxury shopping wonderlands; and controversial mega-developments like the controversial Palm Islands, other amazing attractions sometimes get comparatively less attention. One example is the Dubai Marina, a canal city already established for s
photos | © Turismo de Asturias
by Miguel Martínez Rabanal
Today on the feast day of St. James it's worth noting that the Camino de Santiago (Way of St. James), the famed mediaeval pilgrimage route from Paris down to Galicia's capital Santiago de Compostela, is famous for not just its spirituality but its history, culture, and pristine nature, making it one of the world's most popular hiking routes.
The verdant principality of Asturias, right next door to Galicia, is home to the single longest
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courtesy of Christopher Elliott
This past spring, researchers from Wichita State University and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University released the 2019 edition of the closely-watched U.S. Airline Quality Ratings (AQR). The team responsible for the ratings sat down for an exclusive conversation with me to explain what the scores mean, and their airline secrets may help you have a smoother flight this year.
In case you missed it, the 2018 Airline Quality Rating showed Delta Air Line
Located at the very top of the United Kingdom, Scotland is home to some truly remarkable treasures. Whether you want to explore the picturesque capital city of Edinburgh, or you’d prefer to get outdoors and discover more of the Scottish Highlands’ landscapes, Scotland really does have something to offer everyone. Here are eight reasons to visit:
The Scottish capital city is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. It’s home to an abundance of intrigu
by Cristóbal Ramírez
Perhaps the closest thing Latin America has to New York City (and in fact also has the Big Apple beat population-wise by several million - nearly 12 million/21 in metro area), São Paulo is a vibrant - some might say slightly crazy - and skyscraper-thick urb which, as the saying goes, never sleeps.
The best place to begin taking the pulse of the coastal Brazilian city paulistas (locals) fondly dub Sampa and SP is its main thoroughfare, Avenida Paulista. This is
Known as the “Land of Smiles”, Thailand is an eastern wonder in the corner of the Earth that offers boundless reasons to fall in love with its natural beauty, historical riches and cultural treasures. Touted as one of the world’s most romantic destinations, a quick island hop over to Phuket is an absolute must when visiting this exotic bucket-list destination.
I was fortunate enough to experience this magical locale in the most luxe way possible; as a guest at Baan Banyan Villa, a privately-owne
Fishing can be a great way to spend your time with friends or family; in fact, more than 40 million people go fishing every year. It’s safe to say that it’s a pleasant activity. If you’re visiting the Smoky Mountain region, then you might be interested to find that among its other myriad attractions, Gatlinburg is a very popular area when it comes to fishing – and is considered to be among the last surviving wild trout habitats in the eastern part of the United States. Here's a quartet of the be
As we explore our adventurous side, our holiday travel plans may take us to places that have legalized the recreational use of marijuana. This may include U.S. states such as Colorado, Oregon, Washington or even Alaska. However, understand that legally does not necessarily mean unrestricted and hence you should always practice caution. This is because substances such as marijuana will have an active ingredient which gets stored in your system for long. Tips to help you with your travel vacation
The beautiful land of Kerala provides myriad landscapes and experiences to enchant its visitors - not just the beaches and reknowned "backwaters," but also lovely hill stations (mountain towns built by the British to escape the heat of thee lowlands) surrounded by expansive tea and coffee plantations, endless spice gardens, and panoramic views of mist-swathed hills.
Stimulating Wayanad
With its mist clothed mountains and mountainous rivers, Wayanad is an idyllic location for a weekend trip. Its m
The two buildings look across the crowded square at each other. Like Istanbul itself, they both divide and join the citizens and their history. Represented within these two great landmarks is the core of the city’s heritage. If the buildings were people, historical figures even, they would be eyeing each other off with an acceptance of contemporary diplomacy but with memories of a violent past. This is the beauty today of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque (aka Blue Mosque) and Hagia Sophia.
Turkey and Ist
Disneyland has long touted itself as the place where dreams come true, and this is one of the rare cases where a slogan perfectly captures the essence of a place. Millions flock to Anaheim, California every year to experience the Magic Kingdom first hand, a place where adults and children alike can toss aside the real world for a few short days and experience a real life fantasy.
However, even Mickey and his friends can't hide Disneyland's seedy underbelly: the public restroom. These days,
In 1919, in the immediate wake of the devastation wrought by World War I, an architect named Walter Gropius, one of the pioneering maestros of modern architecture, founded an art school that combined fine arts with crafts and eventually architecture, with a minimalist approach to design that combined all of it with contemporary technology under the maxim "form follows function". Starting in eastern Germany - first in Dessau, then in Weimar, and finally a third school
courtesy of Christopher Elliott
Ever visited a place that you liked so much that you didn't want to leave? Me too.
I have a short list of destinations that we were so enamored of, we would live there. Some of them might be on your list, like Hawaii and Southern California. Others, like Fort Collins, Colo., New Orleans, and Ketchum, Idaho, might come as a surprise.
Identifying them isn't hard. They're plac
Iranian architecture reflects the rich history and culture of the country, especially its ornamental tiles and clever engineering masterpieces, yielding for example an amazing 20 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Here are ten that visitors to Iran shouldn't miss.
Nasir-al-Mulk Mosque of Shiraz
A mosque like a jewelry box and one of the great historical places to visit in Iran, this architectural masterpiece of the nineteenth century, apart from its vivid patterns, beautiful windows, owes its repu
by José Alejandro Adamuz
Central America's largest and perhaps most diverse country has many dramatic spots that evoke a marked sense of place - the spectacular Mayan ruins of Tikal; the colonial splendour of Antigua; the castaway Caribbean vibe of Livingston; and much more. But Lake Atitlán, in the highlands a 2 1/2-hour drive north of Guatemala City, does that and more - it evokes something akin to an interior emotion and energy, a soaring of the soul, even a sense of the sublime.
Among
