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This post will cover the two most spiritual things I have ever experienced. I was deeply moved by both of them. Bhutan is a deeply Buddhist country. I have mentioned before that if I ever decided to convert, as if I were disciplined enough to try, it would be in Bhutan. I found that the Tantrayana sect of Buddhism appeals to me for some reason I cannot fathom. Maybe it is just that it seems unspoiled by outside influences, much like Bhutan itself.

On the longest touring day in our itinerary we dr

Excerpt from Swedish newspaper Svenska Dagbladet (svd.se).

FAKE PILOT SCAM. Did you think a pilot’s license and training are at least some kind of a guarantee for a safe journey?

Think again.

Nobody could guess the dark secret of Swedish pilot Thomas Salme: He had no pilot’s license. But for thirteen years, he navigated the skies as an airline pilot, much like the character in the 2002 Hollywood blockbuster movie Catch Me If You Can about Frank Abagnale Jr who presented himself as a pilot go gain

As a large and age-old fishing village in Ha Long bay, Vong Vieng attaches great historical and cultural value and has currently attracted lots of tourists.

There are 4 fishing villages in the World Heritage site: Ba Hang, Cua Van, Vong Vieng and Cap La, A village of about 600 inhabitants. After disembarking the mother boat, tourists will be transferred by rowing boats, tender boats, or doing kayaking to enter Vong Vieng fishing village.

It is a magically calm place, an escape from the hustle of V

Listen to the quickie  Audio PostCard on Packing Tips if images of jumping on your suitcase as your partner quickly snaps the locks shut, or sitting on the thing while you’re doubled over tying the straps, are your version of packing,

My favorite packing tip is this: If you pack it, then you carry, pull or lug it. But we discuss all that and more in the Audio PostCard.

The useful New York Times article on packing  quotes an American Airlines captain as saying he always travels with laundry soap

I am a Carolina girl; I was born in Charleston, grew up in Charlotte and went to school at East Carolina, so I know my Carolinas. I also worked on a cruise ship for five years, and what do cruise ships do? They visit beautiful beaches. Yes, the Caribbean has aqua water, and California has dramatic cliff sides, but I can tell you after crossing the globe you can't beat the Carolinas for the ultimate beach experience.

2012 Gay Vendimia

By Roy Heale

Mendoza is the fourth largest city in Argentina with a population of approximately one million people. It is the acclaimed capital of Agentina's wine industry and famous for the Malbec vintage. Mendoza is nestled in the foothills of the Andes, about 1000 meters above sea level and is also a center for skiing in the nearby mountain peaks during July, August, and September. Attractive streetscapes, the beautiful parks and lakes, and pulsing nightlife are establishing

India, a beautiful land of diversity and spirituality is a feast for all senses. Known for its culture and tradition, the land presents hundreds of attractions to the vacationers. Be it backwaters, houseboats, beaches, monuments, forts, deserts, hills, waterfalls, wildlife destinations, Ayurveda or palaces, India is a treasure trove of natural and man-made wonders. Let's dive a little deeper and know about the top 10 incredible destinations of the country.

Kerala: Often called as the 'God's own

I know what you’re thinking, “I already know this.” The thing is we all do. And yet, most of us don’t heed the wisdom. We work, do, be in action, etc. often until we’re exhausted either physically, mentally or emotionally, or all three. There is always just “one more thing” to do, one more email to answer, one more task to finish. I’m as guilty of it as the next person.

Amazingly enough, if you should ever happen to get sick or injured, you find very quickly that “the world goes on without you.”

There’s much abuzz about Italian beer –it seems that interest in this tasty, budget-friendly beverage is only growing. In fact, more and more people want to make the discovery of Italian beer – both microbrews and commercial brands – a part of their trip to Italy.  In recent years Italian beer culture has been experiencing its own Renaissance and deserves to be acknowledged not only within Italy’s borders, but also by the rest of the world. So next time you find yourself in a bar or restaurant i

The good news is that it feels good to be in Thailand, a place I once lived for some ten years or so, depending on how you count it. The incorrigible wackiness and petty racial nuisance of being a “farang” in a foreign land where such things matter is easily overcome by the gentleness of the culture and handsomeness of its people… where such things matter. What I don’t like is the rainy season, and it’s not getting any better. A couple nights ago I had to drive through a flood with water almost

Mark Twain cut right to the bone when he said that travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness.
Just as importantly, travel has begun seriously to give back to the communities and places it sends its travelers to.

For example, on my recent  round-trip to San Francisco (5,426 miles) my plane and I were responsible for spewing .98 tons of Carbon Dioxide (CO2). So Carbonfund,org  sold me $11.33 of carbon offsets, equivalent to my travel carbon footprint. They’ll use the money to pl

Rajasthan the greatly desired destination is internationally renowned for being an abode of the most royal and classy tourist attractions. Rajasthan as most of us are aware is the largest state of India and just like its geographical size it houses enormous attractions which allures the tourists and tempts them to visit and re visit this majestic state. Rajasthan has been adorned with almost all of the alluring features that travelers want to explore during his journey. Rajasthan being an abode

Although I'm only getting around to posting this now, during the UK winter our little family spent 2 months in New Zealand visiting friends and family and enjoying the great outdoors in the only way you can truly savour it, camping.  If you are planning to visit the land of the long white cloud during the southern hemisphere summer months, now's a good time to start planning.  Typically the best weather is in late January through February, but you can always expect sudden downpours and changeabl

When one thinks of downtown Los Angeles, the first thought to come to mind probably isn't one of America's oldest and diverse food markets, Grand Central Market. Besides offering some of the freshest produce, meats, fresh fish and more in Los Angeles, the market is a sumptuous walk through "tasty treat heaven."  Living part of the year near downtown L.A., I'll take a bike ride to sample the various food  eateries throughout the small market. Many people may not know that Los Angeles is one of th

Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge is the house of thousands of emerald basilisks, giant bear ants, jaguars, caimans, ocelots, green iguanas, river turtles, monkeys, pumas, bats and prehistoric fishes such as the Tropical Gar. This wildlife refuge is also the abode of rare birds like the northern jacanas, ibises, jabiru storks, anhingas, cormorants and roseate spoonbills. Set near the Nicaraguan border in a remote area, reaching this refuge is not an easy task for you to do on your own, an organized to

FROM ALICANTE TO MALAGA. The journey starts with a heavy walk. I am in Alicante, the south Spanish city along the Mediterranean, which has an old fortress looming on a hilltop, which I attempt to climb. The fortress is called Castillo Santa Bárbara. And the air is hot.

Being May, summer is already well under way in this part of Europe. But the wind is blowing nicely and the view up here on the hill over sea, city and the mountains beyond is incredible. Down below, narrow streets and alleys are wi

In recent years, Goa has been visiting by millions of tourists due to its extra-ordinary beaches, luxury hotels, sizzling nightlife, sea food, etc. All these magnetizing features make Goa one of the most remarkable travel destinations in the world. Well, millions of beach lovers come to experience exquisiteness of natural beauty. Also, it is visited by lots of honeymooners to enjoy wedding moments amidst quiet and soothing ambiance. So, this state has proven as a preeminent destination for all a

California is an incredible honeymoon destination for many reasons. This beautiful state is located along the West coast of The Unite States. This state has wide range of picturesque locations, beaches and valleys. California tours would be an ideal destination to visit for honeymoon.

Beaches in California are best suited spot for newly married couple. There are numerous beaches to visit in this state and you can enjoy the delightful sun rise and sun set with your spouse. Pebble beach is one of t