Long relatively inaccessible to tourism, this kingdom of oil, sand, and Islamic history, steeped in culture and tradition, has in recent years been opening up to and even promoting tourism. And it has much to offer, from the bustling cities of Riyadh and Jeddah to the tranquil beauty of the Arabian Desert to the the holiest sites in Islam, such as the cities of Mecca and Medina, visited by millions of Muslims every year for their Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages (with a range of Umrah packages avail
Savoring sushi on a food tour in Tokyo; Linda Cooper
As a traveler, you get to explore the fascinating places, people, and cultures of the world - along with, inevitably, its many delicious cuisines. Everyone has to eat, and for many eating is a huge part of the travel experience - as well as a tasty way to gain a literally tasty insight to the destinations they visit. What´s more, most destinations have local tour operators which specialize in introducing visitors to the wonderful culinary ex
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There's a good reason Spain's second largest city after Madrid is one of Europe's (indeed, the world's) most popular cities - famous and beloved for its art, architecture, culture, cuisine, and nightlife ever since hosting the 1992 Summer Olympic Games. It's also the capital of the region of Catalonia, one of Spain's nations along with Galicia and Euskadi (aka the Basque Country), with its own distinct language and culture. Well, there's a lot to unpack here, so let's get to
Beginning in the 1990s, this small Central American country essentially pioneered the ecotourism boom that has spread across the globe. Besides its vaunted Pacific and Caribbean beaches, packed into just 19,730 square miles - a good bit smaller than West Virginia and a bit over twice the size of Wales - Costa Rica boasts 29 national parks, 19 wildlife refuges, eight biological reserves, and an additional slew of protected areas. And here are a dozen of its most prized eco oppo
Google recently released its list of its most popular searches during 2022, and when it comes to scenic spots in the United States there are some surprises. For starters, “scenic spots” in Google’s definition does not include iconic places like Vermont’s Technicolor White Mountains in fall or the yawning Grand Canyon in Arizona (and by the waym more about canyons later). Instead, Google users were primarily interested in where to see and photograph some of Moth
Road trips to new places, discovering new routes, enjoying the journey - the breeze, the views, the people along the way - as well as the destination are one of the great travel experiences you can have. And the serendipity - the unexpected pleasures and adventures that arise along the way - can make them all the more memorable and enjoyable. And if you haven't experienced the joys of motorcycle travel, read on and see what you've been missing.
Enjoy Nearly Unfettered Freedom
Bikers ar
Even more than many destinations, Scandinavia blossoms in summer, its warm, lively days stretching into long, luminous evenings. And at the centre of its lovely archipelago, nowhere more so that Sweden's capital. A mix of traditional and modern, stately and avant garde, its streets and squares come alive as Stockholmers enthusiastically grasp with both hands their chance to enjoy the relatively brief Scandinavian summer - and take advantage of the long summer " white nights", when
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If your famiy is a bit adventurous, Africa is a trove of travel gold, from history and culture to sensational safaris and other forms of ecotourism. It's a way to have the time of your lives while creating memories and educating your kids in a vivid way that will stay with them for the rest of their own lives. And here's a quick look at seven of the top places that should be on your family-travel radar:
This safari superstar is one of Africa
Carol Highsmith
Great Danes!
Nestled in Southern California's Santa Ynez Valley, a 45-minute drive north of Santa Barbara and a bit over two hours from Los Angeles, this small town of just over 6,100 offers visitors a unique blend of nature and culture. One of Solvang's top attractions is its unique Danish, which you can explore by strolling its charming streets. Founded in 1911 by Danish immigrants, and its downtown remodeled in the 1940s to reflect that country's architectural heritage, Sol
Seeing the world, learning about other cultures, and making memories that will last a lifetime are all benefits of traveling. Although visiting familiar places with loved ones is always enjoyable, there is something special in discovering the world on one's own. Independent travel is a great way to learn about yourself, develop independence, and meet new people. So here's a look at the benefits of solo travel and it can enrich your travel and your life in general.
SolStock
Welcome once again to Pride month, celebrated in increasing numbers of destinations around the world - although also under pressure in some of them, sadly even including part of the United States, the very country where the celebration of Pride originated. Of course, depending on where you go, travelling while LGBT+ can be a challenge, particularly if you're with a same-sex partner and/or if you are visibly queer. Sadly, there are still many countries where being gay is still consider
Photos: Linda Cooper
With a population of just over 32,000, in Upstate's Finger Lakes region on the southern shore of Cayuga Lake, a 3½-hour drive from capital Albany and a bit over four hours from New York City, Ithaca is a prominent college town but also a a “gorges” city. I say that because it's surrounded by rocky gorges, many of them with waterfalls - more than 150 within a ten-mile radius. Within the city limi
It’s baaaack! The 67th edition of the world’s largest, longest, and perhaps most anticipated/beloved music competition, pulling in a worldwide television audience of some 160 million and inspiring tens of thousands of fans to travel
On a personal note, although I haven't yet attended the Eurovision song contest in person, ever since I started traveling more extensively to Europe in 1977 – well before American Idol, The Voice, or The X Factor – it's always been a big deal for mor
Now that COVID restrictions are largely a thing of the past, once-in-a lifetime, bucket-list experiences are again within reach - with the caveat that our will to see the world is tempered with an awareness of travel's negative impact. So the pandemic was an awakening.
Offering handpicked riding holidays, specialist tour operator Ranch Rider has rounded up five dream horseback adventures that align with our newfound consciousness:
Siwash Lake Wilderness Resort, British Columbia
Luxur
Wallpaper Flare
The Golden State is a bonanza for lovers of nature and the great outdoors, and in addition to natural beauty, its most stunning freshwater reservoir lakes usually offer a plethora of activities and amenities - swimming, boating, fishing, and various other pursuits on the lands surrounding them. And here's a round-up of some of the state's most popular with visitors from near and far:
Located at an altitude of more than 6,700 feet In the 824,000-acre San Bernardi
Pxfuel
A SIM card (which stands for "Subscriber Identification Module") is a small circuit board inserted into a mobile phone which allows it to communicate with the cell towers of local carriers, and getting a locally based SIM card allows travelers to use their phones without outragenous roaming charges. Of course, when it comes to Europe, the world's most popular destination, the "roam-like at home" rule of the European Union became operational in June of 2017, according to which service pr
Served by its own very nearby airport (the Caribbean's biggest and busiest), the third largest city in Jamaica (as well as the English-speaking Caribbean, with a population of around 110,000), MoBay has since the 1960s been an anchor of Jamaica's tourism industry, and one of the island's most visited spots, as well as a very popular cruise port of call. Located in the island's northwest, the city's main draw remains the gorgeous, white-sand beaches with tranquil, aquamarine waters f
