Blogs

Russ Glasson

The main claim to fame of Bluegrass State´s second largest city (pop.around 323,000 ), located in the Bluegrass Region in Kentucky´s center and north is as "the horse capital of the world," cradle of thoroughbreds (even though the famed Kentucky Derby is held in Louisville, an hour and a half away). Equestrian enthusiasts can check out some 450 horse farms as well as the Kentucky Horse Park (see below), but there´s plenty more to this gracious city. Here are a few of the spots not

Photos: David Paul Appell


Nearly 20 years ago I visited Norge for the first time – on a press trip sponsored by Visit Norway to capital Oslo, historic second city Bergen, and a Hurtigruten cruise to the fjords and up to far-northern Svalbard. It was all beautiful, of course, but it was in summertime, and over this past Christmas and New Year´s I had to privilege of coming back in winter. Naturally, it was a whole different – and a chilling yet in many ways even more enchanting – experience.

 PickPik


Winter may now already be on its way out, but if this one’s for anyone already thinking of next season. A couple of months ago, in preparation for a whirl through the winter wonderland above Norway’s Arctic Circle, I realized that the usual winter togs that serve me well enough in Spain just weren’t going to cut it in serious snow, ice, and temperatures forecasted to drop as low as 5⁼ Fahrenheit (-15⁼ Celsius). So I educated myself about what new cold-weather clothes gear I would need

 
Hossam all line

The world´s second largest religion, Islam, is practiced by an estimated 1.8 billion people on every continent, and an estimated 3.6 million mosques worldwide, ranging from the humble, workaday and even primitve to the spectacular indeed. Countries with the most mosques include (believe it or not) Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iran, Morocco, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia (which is after all the religion´s birthplace), Turkey, and Yemen. Known in Arabic as a masjid, this is whe

Mporterf


"Virginia is for lovers," the tourism slogan goes and that´s especially true for lovers of history and nature. Here you'll see colonial settlements as well as Civil War battlefields and presidential residences (eight presidents have hailed from here, mostly early in the USA´s history). Its cities are a mix of historic architecture and cutting-edge modern culture and amenities including great dining; its relatively modest coastline is nonetheless packed with appealing beaches; and its

Raise a glass to the world of sparkling wine! French Champagne is the most famous, of course, but there are many types of bubbly wine enjoyed around the world, and some of the best/most nobale hail from Europe. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or just want to enjoy a glass with friends, there is a sparkling wine out there for everyone. Here are some of the most popular types that you can find at your favorite wine shop or online. 

Champagne (France)

The world´s most renowned bubby

Are you planning your next adventure on the rails, and concerned about the potential costs? Here´s a comprehensive look on how to snag cheaper train tickets, from innovative booking strategies to secret deals. So all aboard!

Book Early: The Early Bird Gets the Worm!

Booking your tickets as far ahead as possible can lead to significant savings. Rail companies typically release their tickets 12 weeks in advance, and that's when you can grab the cheapest seats. The reason behind this is simple. The

GoranQ


Officially the Republic of China, this island with a population of around 24 million – just a bit larger than the state of Maryland and just under half the size of Scotland – has been in the news lately both thanks to its controversial January 13 presidential elections and to its perennial potential (and especially in the context of other current crises in Ukraine and Gaza) as a world flashpoint due to mainland China´s obsession with eventually and forcibly annexing it. Taiwan is both o

For many, the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to Kenya is wildlife and safaris. But visitors should also keep in mind this country´s rich artistic and cultural heritage - thanks to its more than 70 ethnic groups such as the Kikuyu, Kamba, Luhya, Maasai, and Kalenjin  - both to witness (such as tribal dances) and to buy as mementos of their trip here (esecially masks, figurines, and other forms of sculpture). This beautiful country keeps the spirit of its ancestors alive through ev

nps.org

The unwavering commitment to equality, justice, and nonviolent protest of one of the premier civil rights leaders of the 20th century had a profound impact on U.S. and even world history both during his lifetime and in the more than half century since. And the holiday established in his name, celebrated on January 15, is a chance to celebrate diversity, explore the richness of history, and uphold the principles that MLK Jr. devotedly upheld. And these five spots across the country offer

jacinta lluch valero

We Spaniards love to ring out the old and ring in the new as much as anyone else on the planet. And whilst we of course share many NYE practices with the rest of the world (at least the Western world, I guess), there are several which are fairly unique to our country – and here´s a quirky quintet of them:

Toasting with Bubbles - but with a Twist

Of course all of Spain raises a glass of cava (the méthode-Champegnoise sparkling wine – from sweet to dry – made in Catalonia) t

MatthiasKabel

All across the world, all sorts of holiday activities– both religious and secular, age-old and relatively new – are in full swing during this season, including festive lights, special street markets, trees, Santa and elves everywhere, and the rest of it.  But a handful of places feature oddities which range from whimsical to scary to occasionally potentially offensive. Here´s a particularly memorable top ten:

Austria & Germany: Demonic Doings

December 5 is celebrated as St. Nicho

Josh Duncan

The smallest of the three U.S. Virgin Islands – just seven miles long and three miles wide (roughly 11 by five kilometers) and with a permanent population just under 99,000 – is the favorite of some because it´s less developed and more pristine-feeling than St. Croix and St. Thomas. Some of its highlights include:

Matt Wade

Cute, Laid Back, Welcoming Towns

On its west coast, St. John´s largest settlement is Cruz Bay (above pop. around 4,200), where  Mongoose Junction and Wharfsi

Visit Maldives


Over the past decades, destinations in Europe, North America, and the Caribbean have been the stars in both destination branding and popularity among travelers. And while all the above certainly remain among the world´s most powerful performers in tourism, the World Travel Awards (dubbed “the Oscars of travel”) in 2023 have underscored strong showings outside these traditional areas, particularly in Asia and the Middle East. Here´s a quick rundown of this year´s winners:

At the

American Cruise Lines

Our cabin on the American Symphony (top) rivaled those we have enjoyed in many an upscale hotel. The food and table settings were both five-star. The lengthy list of available activities in our temporary home away from home covered a wide diversity of interests. Oh yes, and there also were ample opportunities to explore inviting towns that provided deep dives into Civil War and other history, visit magnificent antibellum plantations and mansions with their lovely gardens

gevison

by Felice Hardy

Did you know that you can ski in 274 countries - even including Hawaii and South Africa? The skiing countries of the world certainly do vary a lot, but if you're yearning for world-class winter sports outside cute, classic little chocolate-box villages with friendly family-run hotels and chalet-style architecture like the gingerbread house out of Hansel and Gretel - and perhaps cosy, gemütlich mountain eateries serving heart-warming comfort food - the Austrian Alps are yo

Canada´s most populous city (around 2.8 million, metro area 6.7 million) as well as the fourth largest by population in North America is wonderfully diverse and offers visitors a wide and varied menu. There are far more than eight great things to see and do in Toronto, but these are the absolute musts:

CN Tower - Reaching New Heights

One of the symbols of Canada and built in 1976 as the world's tallest freestanding structure (553 meters/1,815 feet), this iconic architectural wonder offers br

Pxhere

Biking on trips - both long and short, at destinations all over the world - is booming, with global cycling tourism estimated to be worth more than $116 billion and growing by more than nine percent each year. And why not? It´s a healthy and relatively inexpensive way to get closer to the places you visit and the people who live in them, and can make it possible to discover off-the-beaten-path attractions that you´d likely miss by using other forms of transportation. But there are a few

Among the many allures of the City of Angels are its beaches, serving up a Baywatch vibe of "endless summer" all year round, and here are eight choice examples, from Malibu to South Bay.

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎