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Crossing National Borders

MV Discovery: Cruising the Black and Mediterranean Seas

by George Bailey. Heaven must be a 14-day cruise of the Black and Mediterranean Seas aboard the 20,000-ton MV Discovery. Small in comparison to today’s mega liners, MV Discovery is big enough for cruising to far away places yet small enough to enter harbours larger vessels pass by. We’ve gotten close and personal, and there are no waits for shore excursions and we have less impact on the environment. Read more ...

Cruising on the Carnival Elation

by Neala Schwartzberg. We needed to see water, walk along the beach, and smell the ocean. With all the good deals around we were certain we could find something, and a cruise seemed to be a good place for good deals. And we scored with a favorite recipe, too. Read more

Cruising to Avalon, Catalina Island and Ensenada, Mexico

by Neala Schwartzberg. We went, we saw, we enjoyed - our tips and roundup for these two cruise stops. (slideshows) Read more

Canada

Great adventure opportunities, gorgeous landscapes, and cosmopolitan cities -- click here to Visit Canada

Mexico

The Magic of the Mayans in Chichen Itza, Mexico

by Laura LaBrie. Like a ghostly apparition, the Pyramid of Kukulkan stretches into a Milky Way washed sky. A handful of intrepid travelers chat quietly, taking seats in folding chairs on the lawn between this new Wonder of the World and its sister ruin, the Great Ball Court. They are waiting for the show to begin. Slideshow

Exploring the local pleasures of Riviera Maya: Puerto Morelos, Mexico attractions and activities

by Laura LaBrie. Hidden on the shores of the Yucatan Peninsula, between bustling Cancun and exploding Playa Del Carmen, Puerto Morelos is a humble fishing village that still offers an authentic Mexican experience. Read more...

Huatulco - Mexican Paradise: On the Coast and Away from the Crowds

by Robert Painter. You've heard of Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta, Cancun, Cozumel and Mazatlan. They're all great and they all have at least one thing in common -- mobs of tourists. But if you'll just head a little further South along the Pacific Coast you'll discover what most of the rest of the crowd hasn't yet found -- beautiful Huatulco with its expansive and uncrowded beaches. Read more...

Ixtapa Mexico: Enjoying the Pleasures

by Karen Hamlin. IXTAPA (eeks-Tah-pa) has much to offer on a quieter, smaller scale than her sister resorts. Not as flamboyant, not as busy, visitors can escape to any of its exceptional beaches like La Ropa, bird watch for unusual species like the Frigate, zip-line across the Aztlan Ecological Park, drive an ATV through the mountains, fly fish or say hello to the crocodiles on the golf courses.

Mayan Explorations and Revelations: Ancient Coba and Pac Chen Village

by Rick and Chris Millikan. Royal Mayan dynasties were declining when the Spanish arrived on the Yucatan; today their magnificent centers of science, ceremony and worship attract many visitors. Exploring the elaborate remains of these cities, travelers can glimpse the past glories of a civilization three thousand years old.

Cancun's Day of the Dead

by Karen Hamlin and Colleen Fliedner. Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead) -- a cousin to Halloween -- is a three-day festival (October 31-Nov 2) celebrated throughout Latin America to welcome home the souls of the dearly departed.

Quaint Oaxaca

by Suzanne Wright. Creative artists in a city of great cultural riches and history.

Mexican Mennonites: Canadian Connections

by Bob Fisher. In the 1920s, thousands of Mennonites from Manitoba would uproot themselves, leave the rich Canadian Prairie, and start all over again in Chihuahua, a remote and semi-arid state in northern Mexico. This is their story.

Pleasure Parks of Cancun

by Karen Hamlin. Xcaret, and Xel-Ha are state parks unlike any other

A Taste of Schlock Heaven: Cancun Flea Market

by Terry Loncaric. Even if you love the upscale malls -- and Cancun has plenty of them -- you should not pass up the opportunity to experience this genuine Mexican market

USA

So much to see and do -- click here to Visit the USA

Puerto Rico

San Juan Puerto Rico: visitor attractions and guide to Old San Juan

by Neala Schwartzberg.For many visitors, San Juan is Puerto Rico. With its perfect beaches, vibrant nightlife, historic center, excellent restaurants, water activities, and a wide range of accommodations the island’s largest city and capital is a difficult place to leave. And historic Old San Juan is high on the must-see list. Slide Show Read more...

Exploring Puerto Rico through its diverse hotels and locales: Hacienda El Jibarito, Gran Melia Golf Resort, and Club Seabourne

by Neala Schwartzberg. Given the compact size of Puerto Rico, it’s easy enough to take a day trip anywhere in the Commonwealth, but there’s something special about actually spending the night in different parts of the island, and experiencing what each one has to offer. Read more...

Culebra Island, Puerto Rico - Get away from it all

by Neala Schwartzberg. The tiny island of Culebra, just off the coast of Puerto Rico, is still the sleepy, laid-back island paradise that we search for, but so rarely find. Don't look for glitz or glamour here, instead, look for friendly people, and laid-back island lifestyle, fresh seafood, and delicious traditional Puerto Rican cooking. Swim, snorkle, explore the coral reefs, eat, rest, kayak, and hike. Enjoy some of the finest beaches in the world. Read more...

Pleasures of Ponce, Puerto Rico

by Neala Schwartzberg. Brilliant blue sky, sunshine, warm sandy beaches and turquoise sea. It's a delicious moment, made even more sweet by the fact that back home it's below freezing. But even if the weather up north was warm, it would still be a golden time to visit Ponce. This smaller sibling to San Juan has enough amenities to be comfortable but has not yet become a tourism magnet.

Caribbean

The Real Jamaica: Ocho Rios and pristine nature of a bike tour

by George Bailey. Like many others, I decided to escape to an island in the in the Caribbean for a week of relaxation and sun worshipping. But, when I had my fill of pampering, I ventured out of my beautiful gated resort community to discover the real Jamaica. It proved to be an exhilarating few days of adventure.

Sea Aquarium in Curacao: Animal Encounters of the Best Kind

by Fyllis Hockman. Their bodies were sleek and graceful, the skin soft to the touch, their demeanor welcoming even if a bit skeptical. I spread my arms out and my dolphin snorkeling companions swam under my outstretched limbs and they took me on a wild water-park ride the likes of which I’ll never forget. Read more...

Sweet Fuh Days: Barbados Annual Crop Over Festival

by Suzanne Wright. Bajans, also known as Barbadians, are fiercely proud of Crop Over, which they say is “sweet fuh days,” in local parlance, and of their island that they liken to a "little England," because of its well-oiled infrastructure (and, yes, the island is quite civilized, even a bit prim and proper).

A celebration of music, masquerade, art and food, Crop Over is known across the world to revelers who hopscotch from Trinidad's Carnival, New Orleans' Mardi Gras or Rio de Janiero's Carnival. Bajans insist this festival means more than the others. Read more...

Luxury Living in Cayo Espanto

by Kathy Hagood. Flying toward the San Pedro airstrip on Ambergris Caye off the coast of Belize the pilot points out Cayo Espanto in the sparkling aqua and teal Caribbean waters. The tiny island, about the size of a football field, is lush green with six villas spaced out along its sandy shoreline.

San Juan, Puerto Rico -– the Caribbean's Shining Star

by Sheila O'Connor. Hmm, that warm Puerto Rican sun as it delights your skin thirsty for heat. I call it bliss. And it's something this Caribbean island has in abundance. That, and a beautiful location. A territory of the USA, yet with its own distinct Spanish style and influence, Puerto Rico is the jewel in the South Caribbean Sea.

Diving in Dominica

by Denise Mattia. As I disembarked at Cainfield Airport and followed the passengers into the same little, bare-bones air terminal, where immigration, passport check and luggage claim is rolled into one room, I suspected I wouldn’t find that a good deal of change had occurred since I was there last. What had developed were The Dominican Watersports Association and an annual Dive Fest, now the longest running event in the Caribbean.

Chan Chich, Belize: A Jungle Paradise

by Denise Mattia. I sat in the cockpit of a Cessna Caravan transfixed by the landscape of green that was 800 feet below, wondering if I'd like the jungle experience. Marine environments are generally my choice of travel destinations, yet I was flying west from Belize City, the opposite direction of the famed Belize Barrier Reef, to a lodge named Chan Chich in a nature reserve called Gallon Jug

Postcard From ... The Atlantis Resort, Paradise Island

by Fyllis Hockman. Hey, did you see that? The Nurse shark passed right over my head! Did you notice we made eye contact until my attention was caught by the sting ray gliding by my side. I was standing in a clear, underwater acrylic tunnel in the Predator lagoon, watching any number of aquatic life forms go about their business all around me.

Old Havana (La Habana Vieja), Cuba: A journey into the past

by George Bailey. If you’re fascinated with history, intrigued by old buildings, old cars and just plain curious a visit to this capital city of the largest island in the Caribbean is right up your alley.

Grenada, West Indies -- Paradise has Great Hotels

by Karen Hamlin. She's checked the lush island of Grenada for gorgeous hotels and tropical pleasures and returned with her report. Be warned -- this article will have you running to book your flight.

Nassau, Bahamas: No shortage of things to do

by George Bailey. Time and service move at a slower pace here. A favourite Bahamian expression is, “Come soon” which means, it will happen when it happens. Inhale. Exhale. Ah!

Jamaican Wedding: An Affair to Remember

by George Bailey. There's no sure fire rule that getting married on a warm tropical beach on a Caribbean Island will guarantee a successful marriage. However it will be something quite special.

Jamaica: No Problem Mon

by George Bailey. After a few days, you'll be on Jamaican time and enjoying it thoroughly. These are laid back people where nothing seems to be a problem. In their words, no problem mon. Oh, yes. There is an exception. Driving.

Cuba, Si

by Bill Brown. Especially Havana - A city of contrasts

Barefoot Cay Beckons at Roatan

by Bobbie Green. Barefoot Cay is the new kid on the block, offering a bit of luxury amid the more basic accommodation on Roatan

Central and South America

Argentina

Tango Hotels: Buenos Aires, Argentina Treasures

by Robert Painter. Don't think for one moment that Tango is something you do once in a while when you have a free Saturday night with nothing else to occupy your time. In Argentina, tango is far more than just a dance. Tango is a lifestyle. Some might even call it a life. It definitely has a pulse and a rhythm that pervades Buenos Aires. Read more...

Buenos Aires: A Visitor's Guide to the City of Tango and Romance - Part 2

by Robert Painter. Begin another day by visiting the Recoleta area and the Recoleta Cemetery where you will undoubtedly find the mausoleum of Eva Peron. The cemetery is an amazing place with small streets crisscrossing and hundreds of tombs of many of Argentina's most famous and notorious citizens. They are, for the most part, very ornate and elaborate . . . and, obviously expensive. Don't forget your camera.

Buenos Aires: City of Tango and Romance

by Robert Painter. Tango in Buenos Aires is, for many, a way of life. It is not a dance quickly learned at a dance studio and then brushed off. Learning the Argentine Tango would appear almost as a religion for some. For many it is a way to earn a bit of extra cash. And for some it is a total lifestyle. Eating, breathing and dancing the exotic and erotic Tango!

Life on the Edge: Ushuaia, Terra del Fuego

by George Bailey. Ushuaia, the capital of the island province of Terra del Fuego of Argentina is a place of enchantment, magic, serenity, colourful woods, lakes, mountains and surprises. And, if you were to lay the world flat, it would be the southernmost city in the world.

Brazil and the Amazon

Cruising the Amazon River from Santarem to Manaus

by Nell Raun-Linde. My traveling companion, Elaine, and I sailed on the Pacific Princess from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to Manaus, Brazil. The ship stopped at four Caribbean islands before entering the Amazon River in Brazil. On island stops, we took exciting over-the-tree-tops gondola rides, bus rides up mountains for ocean and waterfall views, tours through Devil’s Island prison. Nice, but we couldn’t wait for the ride up the Amazon.

Postcard From ...The Amazon

by Fyllis Hockman. Hacking through the jungle, fishing for piranha, join Fyllis as she has fun. And eats fried piranhas for dinner.

More Central and South America

Visiting Mom and Dad in Honduras

by Wendy Dale. Excerpted from her book Avoiding Prison & Other Noble Vacation Goals there's a reason why people visit foreign countries. Because they are foreign, different, unlike the life with which we're familiar.

Galapagos Islands Adventure

by Robert Painter. He describes the islands and the wonderfully strange and exotic creatures you will find there. Very likely your first encounter will be with a dark and ferocious looking marine iguana lazing in the sun surrounded by bright red Sally Lightfoot crabs. This is indeed a naturalist's idea of paradise.

Taking the Chicken Bus to Nebaj, Guatemala

by Rick Neal. The first streaks of daylight brush the sky as I approach the bus station in Huehuetenango, Guatemala. I can see my breath in the cold air as I search for my bus among dozens of worn-out Bluebird models strewn across the gravel lot. Mine is near the back, the most beat-up warhorse of them all. The destination is barely visible scrawled across the front: Nebaj. Slideshow.

Guatemala City

by Barney Navas. Where old meets new

Easter Island: Island of Mystery in the Pacific

Perhaps the world's most remote inhabited island, it is also one of the most enigmatic.

Antarctica

Voyage to the Bottom of the World: Visiting Antarctica

by George Bailey. It was mid-December and I traveled to the coldest, driest, and windiest continent where there’s no permanent human residents or any evidence of a ny pre-historic indigenous population. It lies in darkness at the bottom of the world.

The Nature of Antarctica

by Emily Grey. It was mid-December, the advent of austral summer in the Southern Hemisphere. The weather was as unpredictable as a toddler’s next step. But aboard a cruise ship, the author covered over 6,000 miles to visit the breathtaking seventh continent

Iceland and Greenland

Reykjavik, Iceland

by Patrice Raplee. Reykjavik, Iceland, in winter is indeed a splendor to behold. The mid-sized city is a combination of Nordic architecture dating back to the late 1700s, to very modern, clean-line edifices. The various architectures meld together quite well and during the winter holiday season, are adorned with colorful lights and displays that light up the entire town. Slideshow

Iceland Beyond Reykjavik: Exploring the unique countryside

by Patrice Raplee. In addition to Iceland’s exciting capital of Reykjavik, and seasonal celebrations, there is the countryside. The landscape of Iceland is unlike anywhere else on the planet. The temperate climate provides an ideal atmosphere in winter or summer to explore Iceland’s varied topography. The geological formations of the country can’t be found anywhere else in the world and add magnificence to Iceland that draws visitors back to explore further regions of this dynamic island. Slideshow

New Year's Eve in Reykjavik Iceland

by Patrice Raplee. With the country’s dark winter days, holidays take on a special and lively characteristic. Iceland’s famous New Year’s Eve Celebration is the largest in Europe. Millions of fireworks are set off throughout Reykjavik during this auspicious evening with community bonfires that take place all over the city. Musicians perform traditional Icelandic music and residents and visitors gather before the enormous bonfires to visit, celebrate and prepare for an evening of magnificent pyrotechnics and fun.

Exploring Greenland

by Linda Fasteson. We were approaching the southern end of Greenland, Cape Farewell, known to the Inuits as Nunaap Isua The Land’s End. We glided past floating sculptures shaped by wind and weather, frozen reminders of ages past, shimmering shapes in a sparkling sea, the sky a clear cerulean. On both sides, dramatic peaks soared nearly 5000 feet above, dwarfing us as we sailed past icebergs and waterfalls in a pristine wilderness.

Voyage of the Vikings: Faroe Islands and Iceland

by Linda Fasteson. We would trace the pathways of the Vikings across the Atlantic. There would be dramatic landscapes created by volcanic eruptions and sculpted by glaciers. We would stand where two of the earth’s tectonic plates meet and land expands with upwelling magma. There would be bustling cities, quaint villages, remote islands, and pristine wilderness. Part 1 of a 2-part series.

Europe

Austria

Mozart's Austria

by Suzanne Wright. Austria’s two most visited cities are throwing one heck of a 250th birthday party for favorite son Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 2006. Although he isn’t going to be around to enjoy it, visitors certainly can.

Belgium

Battlefield City: Exploring Ypres, Belgium and World War I

by Robert Mueller. Ypres (Ieper in the local Flemish dialect) has long been a popular destination for English tourists interested in visiting First World War battlefields. The city is well suited to serving their needs with hotels, restaurants, and shops all with English-speaking staff. But the past saw the most horrific trench warfare culminating in the Battle of Passchendaele only 7.5 miles to the northwest. Read more...

Brussels: The European City Keeps Classical Allure

by Patrice Raplee. It's the crossroads of Europe and the capital of the European Union. The bilingual residents of this glorious city live and thrive in a rich Flemish and French culture that encompasses art, architecture, language and cuisine to history and, of course, incomparable chocolate.

Czech Republic

The Ghosts of Prague: Kafka, history, and more

by Nicholas Klenske. Whether it is the ghost of a classic fairytale kingdom of medieval castles and tin-covered knights, the failed ghost of communism, the ghosts of saints, or the ghosts of sinners. We all come to Prague with a ghost to chase.

England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland

Guernsey Channel Islands: History, Beauty, and More

by Patrice Raplee. Hillsides swathed in colorful bluebells and wildflowers scent the late afternoon air, as golden cows munch contentedly in lush fields. Just beyond the fields, verdant cliffs, surrounded by hand-built stone houses, overlook the sparkling sea and boats drift sedately upon the waves. It is here on Guernsey in the Channel Islands where time slows and serene landscapes provide a vignette of life in harmonious rhythm. Read more...

Bath, England: The Romans loved it, and so did Jane Austen

by Patrice Raplee. A thin veil of mist rises from the rooftop pool, as bathers blissfully soak in the warm, natural thermal spring waters. After a relaxing immersion, the bathers indulge in a spa experience where hot stone messages, soothing aromas and heavenly water lily flotation treatments start the day at the beautiful Thermae Bath Spa in England. Read more...

Nottingham England Castle, Robin Hood, and more

by Patrice Raplee. Amid the Lace Market's curving paved streets and lovely Georgian architecture, stands a stone-columned building with a sinister past, a past that is couched in justice, yet sees crimes more heinous and shocking than the theft of a few shillings worth of dry goods. It is here on the front steps of Nottingham's County Gaol that the "Bloody Code" was carried out with the horror of grisly public hangings. Read more...

Greater Manchester: Ramsbottom and Bury

by Patrice Raplee. Billows of smoke rush from the steam engine, as the train's whistle announces its arrival on platform 3 in Bury, England. Passengers line up to take photos of the steam train that resembles the Harry Potter Hogwarts Express. The red and black East Lancashire Railway train will take them on a 15-minute journey through lush countryside to the fabled town of Ramsbottom. Read more...

Visiting Manchester England

by Patrice Raplee. The attractions of Greater Manchester include not only the lovely and bucolic outlying towns, but also the city itself with chic hotels, theaters, museums, shopping, restaurants, cultural and historical venues. Read more...

Wales beyond Cardiff: National Garden and the Gower Peninsula

by Patrice Raplee. Cardiff has many attractions, but it's worth leaving the city for some of the gorgeous gardens and charming villages that lay outside the city. Read more...

Finding Doctor Who in Cardiff Wales

by Patrice Raplee. Beautiful Cardiff Bay features dozens of boutique shops and top restaurants. This area offers several fine hotels, inns and bars as well as the Wales Millennium Centre, Mermaid Key and for Doctor Who fan, the ultra-cool exhibition of BBC’s sci-fi drama Doctor Who. Read more...

Visiting Cardiff Wales: A travel guide to Cardiff Castle, Wales Millennium Centre, and more

by Patrice Raplee. Cardiff, the capital of Wales, is located in the country’s southern region and is part of the United Kingdom. The city’s rich culture has a wide sundry of ancient Roman and Norman influences combined with the industrial revolution and coal industry. Today, Cardiff is a vibrant, international city that offers visitors tremendous heritage attractions, as well as natural scenic beauty and spectacular modern architecture. Slide Show Read more...

Visiting Manchester, England

by Patrice Raplee. On a late sunny afternoon, college students sit on the steps of the Albert Memorial bending their heads over textbooks, while laughing children race about the square chasing each other in a mock game of tag. Tourists smile at the placid scene and focus their cameras on Manchester, England’s stunning gothic designed Town Hall. Read more...

Shopping in London: Regent Street and Seven Dials

by Patrice Raplee. A tangible excitement stirs the air, as shoppers clutch brightly colored bags brandishing designer names, while they admire the incredible and imaginative window displays. Floral scents drift from several boutiques and the spicy aromas of curry and appetizing delicacies beckon all who pass by. It is morning on London’s famous Regent Street and the momentum of the day is building. Read more...

Shopping in London: Carnaby Street and Covent Garden

by Patrice Raplee. Carnaby Street, located in the Soho district near Oxford Street, brings to mind the ‘60s with independent fashion boutiques and designers catering to the hip style of the mod era. Today, Carnaby is pedestrianized, yet retains its independent village personality with modern designers presenting progressive fashions at affordable prices. Read more...

England’s Lake District: Bowness-on-Windermere and Beatrix Potter

by Patrice Raplee. Bowness-on-Windermere’s town center lays a little north of the lake docks and inclines at a gentle angle with charming hotels and inns overlooking the lake. The streets are lined with storybook slate and stone buildings dating back hundreds of years. These buildings house intriguing little shops that offer gourmet British foods and teas, clothing, books, sporting goods, gifts, traditional pubs and the famous World of Beatrix Potter Attraction. Read more...

England's Lake District: Grasmere, Rydal, and Keswick

by Patrice Raplee. To continue your exploration of the Lake District, journey north to Rydal and Grasmere, located a few miles north of Windermere. This area of Lakeland is absolutely beguiling. Hand-built slate stone walls constructed hundreds of years ago, run endlessly across deep, green hillsides that cordon off grazing sheep and their lambs. Read more...

England's Lake District: Kendal

by Patrice Raplee. The rolling green hills and gentle birdsong mingle with the late afternoon sun, stealing away the travel tension; while the storybook stone houses and surrounding countryside transport you back in time. You have arrived in England’s stunning Lake District. Read more about Kendal
Read more Lake District: Holker Hall and Cartmel

Belfast, Northern Ireland

by Caz Crutchley. In which city do you find a Big Ben, a Berlin Wall, Samson and Goliath, and Union flags flying with Eire tricolour? If you are looking for an ideal city break, have you considered Belfast in Northern Ireland? It is a must visit destination. Read more...

Northern Ireland: Rebounding after decades of strife

by Suzanne Wright. Mention Northern Ireland to most people and what comes to mind is the bombings that divided the country for 25 years. But today the country is transforming itself, becoming a dynamic destination for travelers.

Welcome to Liverpool and Glasgow: The Music Invasion Continues From Outside London

by Matt Robinson. Skanking in the middle of thousands of sweaty, muddy Brits at the very first Knowsley Hall Music Festival, chanting along to a Ska chestnut from the elder statesmen of Madness, you begin to get a feel for the musical energy that continues to drive this earth, this plot of land, this…England.

Brighton Beach, England: The Sea Under My Feet

by Imbar Galt. What is it like to explore a beach without sight? Share this sensory experience through a sensitive and beautifully written article.

Hiking Ireland: The Kerry Way

by Emily Grey. A walkabout becomes an adventure along the southwestern coast of this tiny isle, where merriment, storytelling, and holy ghosts are a part of the Celtic tradition.

London's Attractions Reign Supreme

by Patrice Raplee. London, England, a resplendent stage of excitement, diverse ethnicities and history. There is no better city to indulge the senses and escape into a multitude of diversions.

London England Museums and More

by Patrice Raplee. London, England, is a city of refined customs and daily schedules to be met and an environment of visitors seeking the history and significance of British dynamism. An excellent start to a London visit begins in her abundance of museums.

The Wheels are Still Turning in Cambridge, England

by Kelly Bushell. The world-famous Cambridge University takes up a large portion of Cambridge's city center. The school's influence has pervaded its hometown, and Cambridge hasn't quite given way to the modernity of a new age. The University, the city, and their inhabitants seem content to live amongst the same trees as Isaac Newton, Lord Alfred Tennyson, and CS Lewis.

At Home in London, England

by Bob Fisher. A love song, melodic and lyrical about a favorite city. And an indispensable guide to attractions, restaurants, and more.

The Wonderful Surprise of Wales

by Suzanne Wright. A Vibrant Waterfront in 100 Year Old Cardiff, The Hilly Appeal of the Nearby Countryside and Surprisingly Good Cuisine

Postcard from Edinburgh, Scotland: King's Mary Close

by Fyllis Hockman. Travel through 400 years of history underground in Edinburgh -- a combination of real-life history, drama and intrigue.

France

Touring the Battlefields of France: Orleans - City of Jeanne d'Arc

by Robert Mueller. The Gallic village of Orléans sat along the banks of the picturesque Loire River when it was conquered and destroyed by Julius Caesar in 52 BC. It became the seat of later kingdoms and wealthy because it possessed one of the few bridges across the river. The medieval city’s name became forever linked to that of French heroine, Jeanne d’Arc when she lifted an English siege during the Hundred Years War in 1429. The relationship has remained strong over the past 580 years and Orléans holds a Jeanne d’Arc fête every May with a local girl selected to portray Jeanne in a dramatization of her ride into the besieged city. Read more...

French Battlefield Cities: Verdun and the battle of World War I

by Robert Mueller. No military engagement in the history of mankind was as intense, as brutal, of such duration, or as devastating as what occurred in 1916 east of the French city of Verdun. In the pleasant hills and once village-dotted fields of Lorraine, enormous armies, supported by the industrial might of the two adversaries, clashed over small strongpoints, massive fortifications, and literally miles of trench lines for nine months – only to achieve stalemate and the most horrendous casualty totals of that dreadful war. Read more...

Destination Paris: Landmarks, Monuments, and Neighborhoods

by Patrice Raplee. Paris and élan, intertwined in a never-ending liaison that forms the fabric of the city’s society. Virtually every street in Paris is alive with the hum of creativity.

Paris, France: Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, and more

by Patrice Raplee. Paris, hypnotizing and incomparably beautiful, imbues metaphors of romantic reverie. The sun sets on the Champs Elysees, spreading its last delicate golden rays across the Tuileries and visitors who sedately stroll along, admiring the gardens. In the distance, tiny, twinkling lights illuminate the figure of the Eiffel Tower, as the low pulse of the city gains in intensity with the impending night.

Sophisticated Shopping in Paris

by Patrice Raplee. High fashion, accessories, home items, perfume, and more. This is your long-awaited shopping guide.

Tasting Southern France: The Cote d’Azur is More Than Sandy Beaches

by Suzanne Wright. There is much more to the French Riviera than fabled beaches. There's truffles, fine wine, foie gras, and luxury lodging. I am literally eating my way across the Cote d’Azur ... piling on the calories instead of soaking up rays, sleeping in four-star splendor.

Germany

Jewish Dresden: The Old (Cemetery) and the New (Synagogue)

by Neala Schwartzberg. Unlike some of the other German cities, Dresden is not known for its Jewish sites, but there are two Jewish places that are definitely worth a visit, the New Synagogue, and the old cemetery. And, of course, Dresden is certainly a gorgeously baroque city that is one of the highlights of Europe. Read more...

The Treasures of Dresden

by Neala Schwartzberg. The baroque heart of Saxony still beats, the art still amazes, and the architecture still takes one's breath away Read more...

Exploring Jewish History and Future in Berlin, Germany

by Neala Schwartzberg. To explore, to understand, to experience what it was and is to be Jewish in Germany, head to Berlin. There isn’t another city in country that can match the number of sites that document, explain, or highlight Jewish life, and history. Read more...

Jewish Museum in Berlin: Exploring Jewish History and Culture

by Neala Schwartzberg. I don’t know quite what I expected, but I do know it wasn’t the stunning architecture, thoughtful exhibits and breadth and depth of coverage. Daniel Libeskind’s modern zinc-clad structure is attached to a historic building, making the museum a true study in contrast, as well as fascinating inside and out, much of it laden with symbolism. Slideshow Read more...

The Rosenstrasse Rebellion: Berlin monument to the protest by German women to save their Jewish husbands

by Neala Schwartzberg. On February 27, 1943, the war was going poorly for the German army, but Hitler was still bothered by the problem of the 2,000 Jewish men remaining in Berlin. He wanted to exterminate all the Jews, but he didn't count on the courage of their German wives. Slideshow

Explore the Bavarian Town of Bayreuth

by Maureen C. Bruschi. Bayreuth, the largest city in Upper Franconia, is best known for its ties to composer Richard Wagner. But there is more to the town. Slideshow

Discover the Medieval Bavarian Town of Regensburg

by Maureen C. Bruschi. Regensburg, located in southeast Germany where the River Danube and Regen River meet, is one of the country’s oldest towns. The Steinerne Brücke (Stone Bridge) is a great place to begin your visit. Built in the 12th century, Steinerne Brücke sits on 16 immense pillars, reaching more than 1,000 feet across the Danube River. Slideshow

Discover the Medieval Secrets of Three Towns: Bamberg

by Maureen C. Bruschi. If you’re planning a trip to Germany’s Bavaria, you’ll find plenty of medieval towns and attractions to visit. But if you want to avoid the tourists, here are three very special places. Bamberg. Arched stone bridges, road bridges and wooden bridges weave back and forth across the River Regnitz, transporting you to the artificial island and medieval town of Bamberg. Slideshow

Jewish Travel in Berlin Germany: The Holocaust Memorial

by Neala Schwartzberg. There is, perhaps, no other city in Germany that had been both the quintessence of the flourishing of Jewish German life, and its destruction. But the cities and the country are working with the kernel of the Jewish population to create a new era. Even though my family left the area in the 1890s and I have never had real ties to Germany, it felt like a completion to visit, freeing me to begin to enjoy the real charms of the country. It's not always a happy experience, but for me, it was a truly important experience.

Heidelberg, Germany: The Romantic Schloss, Pharmaceutical Museum and More

by Neala Schwartzberg. For romance and ruins, whimsy and beauty, and a panoramic view of the city spread out below visit the castle that guarded the city and the Neckar River.

Heidelberg, Germany: A Destination Guide

by Neala Schwartzberg. With its cobblestone streets, stone buildings, plazas with fountains, and Gothic style churches, Heidelberg is a delightful historic walking city, with a sense of humor. Read about Old Town, Hauptstrasse, Heidelberg University, and Student Kisses on the Neckar River.

Greece

Beautiful Oia and Santorini, Greece

by George Bailey. Although the whole island is a visual treat, the picture postcard town of Oia at the north end of the island is an adventure never to be forgotten. And the slideshow of the luscious images will make you a believer. Read more...

Kos, Greece: Hippocrates’ Asklepeion

by W. Ruth Kozak. When Hippocrates sat under the plane tree in Kos’s town square expounding his theories of healing I wonder if he knew that many millennia later he would be known as ‘the father of modern medicine’ and people would still flock to Kos to stand under that old tree.

My Greek Island Cruise

by Karen Hamlin. Cruise adventures -- it was going to be a glorious cruise, but first Karen had to get to the ship.

Italy

Daytrip to Catania, Sicily, Itlay – An Offer That You Can't Refuse

by Troy Herrick. Through the ages Catania has been devastated by Mt. Etna’s eruptions and lava flows but like the phoenix it always rises again better than ever. Consequently this city is younger than its Sicilian neighbors. Visitors to Catania discover a treasure trove of Baroque architecture and ancient ruins. But these monuments are not just historic site; they are still in use today. All are conveniently located in the compact city center so you can tour them through a leisurely daytrip. Read more...

Tarquinia: Discovering the Enigmatic Etruscans

by Troy Herrick. Tarquinia is a charming medieval hill-town encircled by 8 kilometers of turrets and fortifications. Characteristic of this region of Italy, the most important families in the middle ages protected themselves inside stone towers. Hundreds of years ago there were as many as 100 towers but now only about 20 remain. With a little digging however, visitors soon discover that Tarquinia’s Etruscan past is the real secret. Slideshow

The Province of Ragusa - the Golden Triangle of Sicily, Italy

by Carolyn Crutchley. The province of Ragusa lies in the southern area of Sicily with the blue Mediterranean Sea lapping its southern shoreline. From the high peaks of the Hiblean Mountains to the coastal plain it is an area of outstanding natural beauty. Great river gorges converge on cities clinging to the cliffs like limpets.

Vinci: A Visit to Leonardo’s Home Town

by Troy Herrick. Vinci receives as many as 500,000 visitors per year. They come in search of its most famous son, Leonardo. The Renaissance giant lived here from the time of his birth in 1452 until the mid-1460s, when he and his family moved to Florence.

Walking the Cinque Terre Villages in Italy

by Kate Averre. If your bungee jumping days are over (or like me never arrived) then walking between the villages of the Cinque Terre could be for you. The Cinque Terre in question are five coastal villages embedded in rocky cliffs along one of Italy’s most scenic stretches of coastline in the Liguria region of Italy.

Treviso Veneto Italy - a charming oasis

by Caz Crutchley. I stumbled upon this city by chance. Flying by Ryanair to Venice from Malta I arrived at Treviso airport and not Marco Polo in Venice some 30 miles away. Now you may think that this error of distance was a spoiler to a 2 day break. Instead it was an unanticipated pleasure.

Postcard From -- The Hill Towns of Tuscany

by Fyllis Hockman. Within two weeks, our plans to live a month in Tuscany were set; within two months, we were sipping wine on our apartment balcony overlooking the vineyards from whose grapes it was made. The fact that the apartment was housed in a structure dating back to the 13th century on a farm boasting one of the best-known vineyards in Italy was just a bonus.

Marching to Marche: Hunt for the big white...truffle, and the best region of Italy you've never heard of

by Janice Nieder. Even if you ask an Italian who has traveled extensively through the country about the region of Marche you will likely be greeted by a blank stare. Yet, I managed to stumble upon this secret spot on a food safari to Italy, to hunt the Great White Truffle.

Postcard From -- Truffle Hunting in Alba, Italy:

by Fyllis Hockman. Hi Again -- This you gotta see. I'm watching this dog impatiently wag her tail as she races ahead to the oak tree, sprints back and forth, nose thrust into ground, then triumphantly starts digging with gusto. Lady got rewarded for her efforts. Her trainer, Giovanni, delicately removed the treasure: a large walnut-sized white truffle.

Postcard From ... Western Italy: Wine Country Meets Wine Therapy

by Fyllis Hockman. Are we better off drinking our wine, or being massaged with it? Fyllis took up the challenge in Piedmont, Italy.

Verona, Italy

by Neala Schwartzberg. Romantic, elegant, and fascinating

Cruising the Po River

by Neala Schwartzberg. A leisurely journey through Northern Italy's history

Slovenia

Ljubljana, Slovenia: The jewel of Central Europe

by Neala Schwartzberg. Sophisticated, charming, and welcoming, the riverside city of Ljubljana, Slovenia is not yet on the radar of most travelers, but it will be soon. Read more about Ljubljana's Historic Center and More architecture, festivals, and events

Exploring Slovenia: Bled, Caves at Postojna, Stanjel and more

by Neala Schwartzberg. As much as I loved Ljubljana there was much to see in the rest of the country, so off we headed. Read more...

Portugal

Sleep Deprived in Monsaraz, Portugal

by William Thomas. It happens to every romantic traveller and Canadians especially. Blindly, you fall in love with some quaint and curious little place you’ve stumbled upon in a part of the world where it never snows and you begin to believe that someday you could live there. Then reality arrives. Perhaps in the middle of the night.

Enjoying Port in Portugal

by Patrice Raplee. Tourists and locals bask in the warmth on the sun-drenched banks of Gaia, Portugal, seated at outdoor cafes sipping various Port wines and gazing out across the sparkling Douro River at Porto. Port wine beckons savvy travelers from across the globe.

Porto, Portugal: A city with soul, wine, and beauty

by Patrice Raplee. Brilliant blue skies set against red tile roofs and the sun glittering on the Douro River summon the anticipation of summer and the promise of adventures to unfold. Northern Portugal is a remarkable oasis for travelers.

Spain

Exploring The Fire Mountains of Lanzarote in the Canary Islands

by Nick Ball. One of seven Spanish owned islands that comprise the Canarian archipelago, Lanzarote is located just off the coast of West Africa and the second most visited region in the whole of Spain after Catalonia. But the real lure here are the Fire Mountains or Timanfaya

Englishtown, Spain: Exchanging Conversation for a Unique Vacation

by Lynne Christen. This is a "working vacation" like no other. It comes with luxury accommodations, wine, and lots of conversation. Intrigued?

The Grape Stomp: A Spanish Wine Festival

by Karen Hamlin. It's 2:00AM and the place is stompin'. The place is the town of Logrono in La Rioja, Spain. And the people are celebrating the harvest of the grapes.

Switzerland

Bern, Switzerland: A place for all times and seasons

by Sheila O'Connor. Bern, capital of Switzerland, has to be one of Europe's most beautiful, medieval cities. And it's an explorer's paradise.

Touring Beautiful Switzerland

by Linda Fasteson. Switzerland is train rides past snow-capped Alps, boat excursions on sparkling lakes, gondolas to mountain peaks hikes and picnics in idyllic meadows of wildflowers, serenaded by cowbells, savoring local wine, freshly-baked bread, cheeses and chocolates.

Turkey

Troy and Ephesus: Legendary Ancient Cities Captivate Visitors

by Bobbie Green. The legendary impregnable city of Troy did and does exist. It sits high atop a hill just outside the seaport city of Canakkale, Turkey. The city of Ephesus known as the best preserved ancient site in the world sits beyond the seaport city of Kusadasi, Turkey. These two important centers of antiquity captivate the imagination of their many visitors.

Ukraine

Lviv: Uniquely Ukraine

by Daniel Reynolds Riveiro. If you’ve seen one city in Ukraine, you’ve literally seen them all. Except Lviv. The city center was almost untouched during the war so when you stand in Lviv today, you're seeing 700 years of history.

Scandinavia

Denmark

Wonderful Copenhagen

by Linda Fasteson. The capital of the world’s oldest kingdom is a world of wonders-- tales of kings and queens, Vikings, and a mermaid, with a fortress, castles, palaces, and crown jewels. The largest of the Scandinavian cities cosmopolitan Copenhagen is a city as enchanting as the fairy tales it inspired.

Copenhagen, Denmark: A Destination Guide to Attractions and Pleasures

by Patrice Raplee. Aromatic coffee houses and famous boutiques nestled together in the pedestrian area of Strøget, splendid, classic Danish architecture, both beckon visitors to explore charming Copenhagen.

Finland

Sauna World Championships : When you're hot, you're hot

by Jennifer Eisenlau. Seen Dodge Ball? If so, then you know about ESPN's fictitious Channel #8 – "The Ocho." Do I have a sporting contest for them to cover, but wait! The BBC actually did cover it because Englishman Stephen Preston competed in the big event (although he didn’t make it into the finalist list).

Norway

Cruising into the Artic Circle: Journey from Norway

by Karen Hamlin. We sailed into the Arctic Circle one morning with such excitement. There is a large globe perched on a tiny atoll to mark the point of passage and as is customary, King Neptune, in full regalia, presided over the event outside on the main deck. Read more...

Oslo, Norway: Land of Vikings, Nobel Prize, Fabulous Opera House, and the Astonishing Vigeland Sculpture Garden in Frogner Park

by Robert Painter. O.K. You've seen the Sydney Opera House, you've visited the Met and you've even toured the opera house in Manaus on the Amazon River in Brazil. But, did any of them allow you to walk on the roof?

Cruising Norway - Having Adventures

by Suzanne Wright. Like many people, I’ve come to Norway to see the fjords and, hopefully, catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights. It’s about 7 p.m. and I’m aboard the MS Polarys. An announcement has just come over the PA from the silky-voiced cruise director Nils Eriksson that the "Northern Lights have been spotted at the aft of the ship." The lights might have disappointed a bit, but the adventures continue.

Risør: The White Town on the Skagerrak

by Raoul Matson. When one thinks of Norway, it is often of deep, majestic fjords and glittering glaciers in west Norway, or of Oslo with its landmark ski-jump, Vigeland sculptures and Viking ship museum. But mostly hidden from view from the main highway from Oslo to Stavanger is the delightful area known as Sørlandet, and the small town of Risør. Located at tip of a peninsula bounded by two picturesque fjords or as the locals say, Ute I havgapet where fjord meets sea.

Designing Norway: Fashion and Culture

by Denise Mattia. An exploration of the folk art, culture, and fashion of Norway

Fun in Finland -- Playing on the Tundra

by Karen Hamlin. Encapsulated, cocooned, and cosseted, I am carried half-way round the world to a land not only far from home but far removed from my day to day realities.The snow beneath us is like none I've ever seen; like a frozen rippled ocean with ridge-like waves extending as far as the eye can see.

Sweden

Sweden: Gothenburg And Scenic Islands of Grinda, Vaxholm and Marstrand

by Patrice Raplee. The Stockholm archipelago, one of the largest in the Baltic Sea, consists of 24,000 islands and inlets. Several of the islands within this chain offer visitors a chance to experience a unique landscape and cultural richness.

Stockholm, Sweden: From Old Town to South Island this city is a traveler's dream

by Patrice Raplee. Comprised of 14 islands and connected by 54 bridges with old-world architecture set in a cosmopolitan culture and an eminently walkable urban center, Stockholm is among the best cities in Europe to visit.

Bewitched by a City: Beautiful Stockholm

by Denise Mattia. I almost didn’t find the place again. My guide and I passed it on my first day in the city and I doubted I could locate it a second time by myself. Still, it seemed like such a magical shop, I knew I had to try.

Savoring Sweden in the Summertime

by Suzanne Wright. On of our favorite globe-trotting writers is back to share her experiences in Stockholm, and Sweden's charming countryside and towns.

Skiing in the Midnight Light

by Carmen Hamdi. It is sunny and it is midnight. And Carmen Handi is skiing in Sweden. I have skied for years now and this is the one and only run that I will remember forever she writes.

Russia

Kizhi Island: Russia's Peasant Heritage

by Bobbie Green. Situated in the north-west region of Lake Onega is Kizhi Island, Russia -- home to an outdoor museum of fascinating edifices of northern wooden architecture. And a photographer's delight.

Waiting on Line for the Ferry to Sakhalin

by Joshua Hartshorne. There's Russia for tourists, and there's the way Russians live their daily lives. Joshua takes readers for a ferry ride that provides a glimpse of the other Russia. Bring a sense of the absurd with you.

Turkey

Visiting Fethiye, Turkey: Temple Tombs and more

by W. Ruth Kozak. I’m standing at the bottom of a steep flight of stone steps. High above me I can see the facades of the Doric-style temples that are cut into the cliff face of the mountain. I’ve waited years for this moment. So I haul myself up the precarious two hundred steps until I am standing in front of the most predominant of these marvels, the Tomb of Amyntas, which dates to the 4th century B.C.

Africa

Namibia

Namibia, Africa: Where Arid Desert Meets Frigid Sea

by Fyllis Hockman They say it is hard to walk in the footsteps of another, but those were exactly the instructions we received when trekking along the ridge of an approximately 350-foot-high sand dune in Namibia, Africa. The old mountain-climbing adage applies here, as well: The slower you go up the mountain, the faster you get there. Read more...

Ghana

Accra, Ghana: An unusual destination

by Bernard Pollack and Danielle Nierenberg. In October 2009 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia we began a journey to visit nearly every country in Africa. At each stop we are meeting with farmers, community organizers, labor activists/leaders, unions, non-governmental organization (NGOs), the funding and donor communities, and local press. Once in a while we manage to step back and enjoy local food, cultures, and even nightlife. Read more...

Egypt

Temples of the Nile River Cruise

by Neala Schwartzberg. The stately Nile flows through Egypt as it has for centuries upon centuries. Life along its banks and in the mud-brick houses seems to have changed little. As I visit the temples the dot the land along the river, a sense of temporal dislocation happens again and again.

Cairo, Egypt: Embracing the Complexity

by Neala Schwartzberg. The call to prayer floats over the city. The eternal sounds, the ancient melody is both beautiful and calming. It competes with the more mundane sounds of traffic, and forms a counterpoint to the driving base of horns and treble of screeches.
See video on Pyramids of Egypt

Tunisia

by Suzanne Wright. Exotic, Historic, Delicious.

Tozeur Tunisia and the Desert Safari

by Keith Kellett. I’d never been to Tozeur before; indeed, I’d never been to Tunisia before. But, as we approached, it looked somehow familiar. ‘Did you see the original ‘Star Wars’ film? asked the guide. ‘They used Tozeur to represent the spaceport at Mos Eisley.’ But on the safari, there was a lot more to discover.

Postcard From...Tunisia

by Fyllis Hockman. On the island of Djerba, Arabs and Jews live in harmony. If only more of the world was like that small island.

More Africa

A Botswana Safari -- in Style

by Suzanne Wright. It took three planes including a six-seat chartered Cessna to deposit Suzanne Wright at Eagle Island. And,the pilot had to buzz the pavement to send the lumbering elephants into the trees.

Mystical Morocco

by Karen Hamlin. The lure of the kasbahs and the souks. Exotic, mysterious Mystical Morocco.

Israel, Jordan and the Middle East

Safed Israel: Tales of the Tombs in Israel

by Judith Fein. The hills around Safed are dotted with ancient tombs. To Jewish believers, these tombs of long-deceased tsaddikim, or holy men, are the meeting place between the living and the dead. People make pilgrimages to the burial places to ask for blessings, favors, surcease from suffering. Read more...

Jerusalem: The City Where Jesus Walked

by Phyllis Strobel. In the ancient city of Jerusalem you can put your feet upon the actual timeworn limestone walkway that Jesus trod upon. Stand upon the very same temple steps he taught on.

A Jordan Crossing

by Emily Grey. It’s midnight at the oasis, a primitive Bedouin desert camp. Six other American journalists and I gather around a campfire to discuss the day while drinking Zhoula, a strong tasty herbal tea. Our hosts and guides smoke sheesha, a curious-looking water pipe also called hubbly bubbly or hookah. I puff this apple rind concoction, careful not to inhale.

Extraordinary Egypt: Pyramids, and More

By Suzanne Wright. “Man fears time, yet time fears the pyramids,” says postcard after postcard. How surreal to have flown in, driven through the teeming traffic of the modern city of Cairo, then fall onto my bed in Giza to admire these mystic structures I’ve long dreamed of seeing.

Indonesia, Guam, Bali, Malaysia, Laos, Philippines and more

Philippines

Diving in the Philippines: Bohol Beach and Apo Island

by Denise Mattia. My expectations were great when I embarked on a ten-day trip, with a plan to dive a sampling of the innumerable ships sunk during World War II and the coral reefs off islands that comprise the Philippines archipelago. I chose three from the collection of 7,107 islands (some barely break the surface of the water), which divide the South China Sea and the Sulu Sea from the Atlantic Ocean.

Diving in the Philippines: Coron Bay and the Wrecks of World War II

by Denise Mattia. The last of our destinations started out with a flight back to Manila, a connecting flight to Coron, Palawan, a ride in a “jeepney” (open air transports, originally fashioned out of reclaimed U.S. Army vehicles) over dirt roads and a boat ride to our final destination, Club Paradise. Endemic vegetation, coconut palms and stunning white sand create a lushness that’s intensified by the tropical sun.

Deluxe Diving and Luxury Lodging in the Philippines

by Suzanne Wright. I am perhaps 20 feet below the surface of the Visayan Sea, suspended in front of a giant, mesmerizing cobalt jellyfish. I’ve come to get wet, eat well and enjoy spa treatments in luxury accommodations. The Philippines delivers—in spades—on all counts.

Sagada, Philippines: A Gem in the Rough

by Jody White. A story of a beautiful part of the world, coping with a special problem.

Laos

Exploring Laos: Vientiane and Wat Phou Attractions

by Suzanne Wright. The capital of the country, Vientiane, gets less press than Luang Prabang, but has its own quiet charm. And there's even more to explore outside the citySlide Show Read more...

Laos is Ready for its Closeup: A visitors guide to Laos and Luang Prabang

by Suzanne Wright. Long in the shadow of neighbors Thailand and Vietnam, this low-key Southeast Asian country awaits discovery. Slide Show Read more...

Visiting Guam: The Aquarium in the ocean, an Island Fair, and more

by Robert Painter. Try to imagine a meandering 300-foot long tunnel that lets you walk among over 3,000 living sea creatures. Imagine viewing the underbelly of a shark or ray as it swims directly overhead, so close you could touch it except for the glass enclosure. And that's only the beginning of the excitement of Guam.

Malaysia

Langkawi, Malaysia: Island Of Legends

by W. Ruth Kozak. Langkawi abounds with quaint villages, quiet coves and long stretches of white sand beaches. Boat tours are available to the many small jewel-green islands.

Sabah: Malaysia Mystique

by Emily Grey. All’s quiet momentarily on the Kinabatangan, one of the world’s wildest rivers. Our guide Juan, a boatman, and three other travelers look earnestly into the dark jungle. Headhunters once lurked either side of the waterway. Nowadays, descendants dress authentically and relate oral history.

The Best of Malaysia: Wilds of Borneo and Sophistication of Kuala Lumpur

by Robert Painter. I came to Malaysia to explore the wilds of Borneo. I had heard about the high canopy walks through the rain forests, the carnivorous pitcher plants, the proboscis monkeys reminiscent of Jimmy Durante and the wonderful Orang utans that can be viewed outside of a zoo in their natural habitat. And, it was all there.

Spooky Night in Kuala Lumpur: Ghosts and Ghouls of Malaysia

by Rick Millikan. Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur displays innovative architecture and historic grandeur. This city’s natural attractions include an enclosed Butterfly and Bird Park as well as an extensive Orchid Parks. Yet in the evening, Kuala Lumpur can also entertain folks in a frighteningly unique fashion.

Five Reasons to Visit Ubud in Beautiful Bali

by Lyn Lyon. Ubud is set in the lush green hills of rich rice-terraced country and is the cultural centre, the artistic heart of Bali.

Dreams of Java, Indonesia

by Suzanne Wright. There’s not much I want to do—save sleep—at 4:30 a.m., but I rose to catch sunrise from the top of the temple. Not just any temple, but Borobudur, the largest Buddhist monument in the world in Central Java.

Southeast Asia

Diving in Batam, Indonesia And Building Paradise

by Denise Mattia. Scuba-diver and photographer Mattia went for the diving, and found history, adventure, and paradise-building in process as well.

China

Fengjing: Shanghai's Water Town

by Neala Schwartzberg. Fengjing, now almost a part of greater Shanghai is a living example of the water towns of China. Fengjing has an old historic area that is being renovated, in keeping with the policy of trying to replace old housing with the same style and design in the historic districts. But it is clearly a living town and one that provides a unique glimpse at a way of life that is not easy to find in an increasingly urbanized modern world. Read more...

Shanghai's Yu Gardens and The French Concession

by Neala Schwartzberg. Yu Gardens (also called Yuyuan Gardens) is known for its spectacular classical beauty, and for uniquely Chinese Old Town bazaar that is adjacent. While the area known as the French Concession has colonial history, European feel combined with traditional Chinese sensibilities. Read more...

Suzhou, China: Classic gardens, silk, and more

by Neala Schwartzberg. Suzhou, another of the Marco Polo cities, is famous for its outstanding gardens (UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site), silk factory (and shopping opportunity), ancient cultural streets, a theater in high tech Time Square, the lovely Lake Jin Ji. Add to that opera and artisan museum, Suzhou has much that will make you want to pack a bag. Read more...

Hangzhou China: Heaven on Earth

by Neala Schwartzberg. Most visitors to China are excited to see the fabled Shanghai, and the capital Beijing, but China has one jewel that should not be missed. Hangzhou is a provincial capital and a city known for its natural beauty – it is a garden city, with a wide swatch of parkland around West Lake - historic temples, vibrant restored neighborhoods, and Dragon Well green tea. Slideshow Read more...

Travel Guide to Shanghai China: Attractions, hotels, getting around the city and more

by Neala Schwartzberg. A guide to the major attractions, some great hotels, and suggestions about traveling around the city. Slideshow Read more...

Shanghai China's Jewish History

by Neala Schwartzberg. His name was Dr. Feng Shan Ho, and he was the rescuer of thousands and thousands of Austrian Jews who fled the Nazis, finding a haven in Shanghai, China. No movie has been made of his life, so few people even in China know of his good deeds. But both before and after the influx of Eastern European Jews in China, there was a thriving community in the city. And the remnants are still there to explore.Slideshow. Read more...

Exploring Surprising Sophisticated Shanghai China: New Pudong

by Neala Schwartzberg. This fabled Chinese city has everything -- cosmopolitan Bund, the energetic modern Pudong, traditional neighborhoods, and even an area called Chinatown in China. A visit to Shanghai, a huge sprawling city of almost 14 million, will bust every stereotype and image. One place to start your explorations is in the high-tech, futuristic Pudong. Slideshow. Read more...

Park Hyatt in Shanghai China: Luxury atop the Shanghai World Financial Center

by Neala Schwartzberg. The Park Hyatt is the world’s highest hotel and a high-tech luxury aerie. A marvel in subdued tones of black, white and grey. Sleek and contemporary yet warm and welcoming. The night lights glowing softly like ice cubes lit from within. Read more...

Birdmen of Beijing

by Karen Hamlin. In the chill of early morning, I locate the birdpark that Aming had told me about and wait for the old men to arrive.

Japan

Tokyo Sightseeing Attractions: Tsukiji Fish Market and Tuna Auction and the Kabuki Theater

by Denise Mattia. Two of the major tourist attractions in Toyko were on my agenda, the fish market and auction, and a performance of the famed Kabuki theater. Slide Show Read more...

Visiting Tokyo, Japan

by Denise Mattia. Grand scale skyscrapers, manicured gardens, little white gloves on taxi drivers that go with white lace seat covers for their cabs. Clean streets and a clean underground system. Elegantly prepared cuisine in food bars. When I think of Tokyo, detail, design, order and cleanliness come to mind. Slide Show Read more...

Vietnam

Exploring the Old Quarter of Hanoi Vietnam

by Rick Neal. I emerge from the comfort of my air-conditioned hotel into the sweltering, teeming streets of Hanoi’s Old Quarter. The narrow road is home to a traditional street market. Tanks of wriggling fish, buckets of plump frogs, mountains of fleshy mangos, and stacks of jumbo papayas combine to create a tangy aroma that is not totally pleasant, yet strangely intriguing. Read more...

Postcard From: Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

There I was, descending this very steep, narrow plank, inch by inch, hand over hand along the long pole, and I thought: This better be one hell of a cave! It was. Exploring its other-worldly interior was only the first of many surreal experiences I had traveling along Ha Long Bay in northeast Vietnam.

Vietnam on the Verge

by Suzanne Wright. Here’s a sure sign a country is ready to welcome the world: it has attracted top hoteliers. From North to South, Vietnam has opened a string of five-star hotels to host visitors in its most popular cities.

More Southeast Asia

Bhutan: Hopscotching an unsullied land among the Himalayas

by Suzanne Wright. Wedged between the world's most populous countries, China and India, the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan is famous for measuring its Gross National Happiness instead of Gross National Product. This, in light of the global economic meltdown, seems particularly auspicious. Read more...

Surprising Singapore

by Suzanne Wright. This English-speaking nation island has a number of surprises for those who wish to discover it. Read more...

Bangkok, Thailand: Shopping Mecca

by Karen Hamlin. For a shopaholic, standing before any of the megamalls in Bangkok is like approaching the pearly gates without a guardian angel. There is a mall or market to fit any purse and with the exchange rate at the time of my visit, my inner voice gave me permission to “Go crazy”. Read more...

Yansheui, Taiwan: Street on Fire (and More)

by Steven Crook. Taiwan isn't all tech gadgets and Taipei 101. Beyond the big cities it's a different story, a different country altogether. Yanshuei, 240 kilometers down island from Taipei, is the town modern, laptop-manufacturing, cell-phone toting, Taiwan forgot. A century and a half ago, it was the island's fourth-largest settlement. Then its harbor silted up and things went downhill. And in February or March, the town still pulls in visitors with its unique Guan Gong ritual.

Cambodia and the Lotus That Blooms in the Mud

by Suzanne Wright. Utter Cambodia and some think of the Killing Fields and the bloody dictatorship of Pol Pot. But there is another Cambodia: a country of gentle, resilient people who, like a Buddhist proverb says, are "the lotus that blooms in the mud." Cambodia began as a dream, a gentle dream, far removed from the travails of this Southeast Asian country.

Toul Sleng Prison, S-21: The Khmer Rouge Prison which Fed the Killing Fields

by Antonio Graceffo. George Santayana said "Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it." And Edmund Burke noted that "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." Which brings us to remembering the Khmer Rouge and the Toul Sleng Prison. It's not a happy article, but perhaps it will remind us of the truths to remember history, and act to stop the past from becoming the future, somewhere else.

Midnight Crossing: Paddling the waters of Hong Kong

by Antonio Graceffo. Training in Deep Water Bay, at night, is an experience everyone should have at least once in their life. There is a solitude on the water, unimaginable in the over-populated jungle of skyscrapers in the city, only a few miles away. With distance, the skyscrapers and electric lights of Hong Kong became the most beautiful sight imaginable. Looking back at the shore, I could see the rolling mountainsides covered in mansions and thousands of lights, dotting the night sky, like stars.

Riding the Elephants

by Joe David. A humorous essay on riding elephants.

Life on the Lake -- Paddling on the Tonle Sap Lake in Cambodia

by Antonio Graceffo. Chong Kines is a small fishing village built on the Tonle Sap Lake, not far from Siem Reap. Not along the banks, but literally on the water. The 6,000 villagers use small rowboats to do their shopping and make their daily rounds. There are schools, shops, restaurants, temples, and even a hospital, all built on boats.

Praying for a Cure: Cambodia's Medical Crisis

by Antonio Graceffo. Most of the stories Antonio Graceffo writes are filled with sharp wit and irreverant observations. But not this one. There are children dying for lack of medical care. Desperate families with no place to turn. This is the other side of travel, when we confront a reality that tourists never see.

The Challenges of Learning Chinese

by Antonio Graceffo. One problem with not reading Chinese in China is that you can't read the street signs. So, Graceffo used to carry a piece of paper in my wallet, which reads, in Chinese, something like, If lost please return to and then his address in Chinese. But, he reports, the day he decided to start studying Chinese was the day that he had to stop a stranger on the street to help him with the ATM machine.

Nepal: Land of Contrasts

by Suzanne Wright. What does a writer do when she lands in a country in the midst of a bloodless coup? If it's Nepal, and intrepid Suzanne Wright, she sees the sights and meet the people.

Everyday Buddhism

by Antonio Graceffo. Another in the series by Antonio Graceffo who left the comfort of New York to explore and experience Asia. This time Antonio experiences Everyday Buddhism.

Taiwan: Misadventures with Chinese Food

by Antonio Graceffo. The first in series of articles in which Graceffo, an adventure travel writer, looks back at his experiences in Taiwan. Funny, irreverent, and sometimes a bit shocking, you'll discover the Taiwan tourists never know.

India: For the daring adventurer

by Suzanne Wright. In the end, writes Suzanne, India breaks your heart, tests your will, exhausts your spirit, stretches your soul, awakens your humanity and, finally, repays you for its challenges and exasperations with its indelible imprint.

Pedaling a Rickshaw in China's Taklamakan Desert

by Antonio Graceffo. The Taklamakan Desert, also called The Desert of Death, is considered to be the most dangerous desert in the world. My plan was to travel 544 km (about 388 miles), under my own power, along the famous Silk Road, from the oasis town of Aksu to the oasis town of Kashgar.

Micro Credit: From the Stock Market to the Village Market, Cambodians Make a Modern Concept Khmer

by Antonio Graceffo. In Phnom Penh, a woman sits in the small market near Stan Mien Jay, trying to think of some way to augment her family’s meager income. The answer is a very unusual bank, and micro-credit.

Feeding the Ancestors: The Cambodian Pchum Ben Festival

by Antonio Graceffo. The fifteenth day, of the tenth month, of the Khmer calendar marks the Pchum Ben festival. This is a time when the spirits of the dead ancestors walk the Earth. And the living can ease their suffering by offering them food to eat.

The Monk from Brooklyn

by Antonio Graceffo. Put a Chinese-speaking Italian-American, from Brooklyn in the holiest of Buddhist temples, and watch the racial harmony flow. One reviewer of his articles said, "Now I know why there are no ambassadors from Brooklyn."

Elephant Polo

by Antonio Graceffo. The Biggest, Weirdest, Slowest, and Most Expensive Game in Thailand

People of Mekong Island

by Antonio Graceffo. Living gently on Mekong Island in Cambodia

Munnar - Kerala's Plantation Paradise

Once the summer resort of the British Government in South India, today Munnar, Kerala is sprawling tea plantations, winding lanes, rolling hills and "picture book" little towns.

Rain in Hiroshima

by Bob Fisher. Some events are literally and metaphorically earth-shattering. The Peace Park in Hiroshima is a memorial to one of those moments, acknowledging the real costs of nuclear war, and awakening us to the need for humans live in peace.

South Pacific

Discovering Fiji Islands: Bula, Bula (Hello and Welcome) Hospitality

by Chris Millikan. Romantic tales of tropic isles floating in pristine waters lured us far away to Fiji…joining the ranks of Rudyard Kipling and Robert Louis Stevenson. Exploring Fiji’s best, we madly scrambled in-and-out of tiny domestic planes and on-and-off launches and island-hopped through an ambitious itinerary.

Australia and New Zealand

Australia's Mornington Peninsula

by Emily Lawrence Gazal. It is hard to imagine a more welcoming, peaceful and civilised place than the Mornington Peninsula, one and a half hours drive south of the Australian city of Melbourne, in the state of Victoria.

River Murray: Cruising in Australia

by Keith Kellett. The River Murray is sometimes described as Australia’s Mississippi. It’s rather an inaccurate description, because nowhere near as much traffic was generated as it was on its American counterpart. But, in 1986, the Mississippi really came to the Murray when the Murray Princess was built.

Tasmania Experience: Freycinet National Park and Freycinet Lodge

by Ian Robertson. Experience the Tasmanian wilderness just a few steps from a sparkling champagne (or James Boags Draught, if you prefer). Tasmania does a great job of surrounding pure indulgence with wilderness.

Beating Jet Lag at Sydney’s Korean Bathhouse

by Jennifer Eisenlau. For someone who dislikes being nude in front of strangers, I seem to find myself undressed a lot.

Stewart Island - New Zealand

by Victor Block. As a waitress at the Just Cafe‚ told me, while I sipped a steaming bowl of fresh seafood chowder: "We have no banks, no doctors, no junky T-shirt shops -- and no stress." And 120 miles of walking trails for a 674 mile island.

Captivating Sydney, Australia

by Linda Fasteson. Only nine days in Australia, including travel time. Too short to see a continent larger than the United States, so Linda decided to focus on the greater Sydney area. She was not disappointed. In fact, Sydney has become her favorite city.

Post Cards From ... the Lodge at Tikana in Southland, New Zealand

by Fyllis Hockman. Outrageous pampering at a deluxe lodge. Fyllis reports she had to be dragged away when her stay was over. Read her latest Postcard from and you'll see why

WWOOFing it in New Zealand

by Leona Baldwin. Read the fantasy and reality of a working farm vacation. WWOOF?

Without National Borders

Sounds From the Depth: diving without sight

by Imbar Golt. Today would be my first diving experience. Organizing the dive itself was a whole project. How often do they get a blind woman wanting to dive?

Grandma Was a Shaolin Monk: Travel all the way around the world and you wind up back where you started

by Antonio Graceffo. The wisdom of Grandma echoed in the teachings of the Shaolin monks, explored in this new book by Antonio Graceffo. If you make a conscious choice to change jobs, start a business, earn more money, lose weight, finish a degree, or achieve any goal or dream, then do it. If it will make you happy, then do it. But don’t ever let anyone bully you into feeling bad about who you are. You are the way you are supposed to be. And you are beautiful.

What's Your Favorite City

This is not only one of the perennial questions asked of travel writers, it's also one we often ask each other. And here are some of the answers.

Museums of Peace and Tolerance

"There's a chance peace will come in your life, please buy one..."
From: Peace Will Come (According to Plan) by Melanie

Offbeat Feature Articles

For past articles click on the map below for a listing of features by area of the world -- or just scroll down enjoying the ride