Upon arriving in Lyon, France’s third-largest city and textile capital, it took me all of twenty minutes to figure out how French women maintain their slim figures.
They walk everywhere. And in a city like Lyon, where the topography rivals that of San Francisco, there’s nothing even remotely simple about a “simple stroll” through the boutiques of the Côte de Grande.
Fortunately, the city boasts a surprising number of alternatives—nine to be exact—thus proving that …
I’d heard about Savannah’s charm for years, but nothing quite prepared me for the reality of stepping into what felt like a picture-perfect movie set. From the moment I arrived, I was struck by something unexpected: the cleanliness. The streets were immaculate, the squares meticulously maintained, and everywhere I looked, people were unfailingly polite—holding doors, offering directions, greeting me with genuine Southern hospitality.
Savannah’s layout is unlike any American city I’ve visited. General James Oglethorpe …
Each year, as the air turns crisp and city lights glow a little warmer, New York City enters a season unlike any other. Between late November and early January, the city becomes a living celebration — from parades and public art to Broadway marquees and winter markets. For visitors, these weeks offer a chance to witness the city in full holiday splendor, shaped not just by tradition but by the energy of the moment.
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Easily accessible from the capital of Brussels, Ghent has been Europe’s best-kept secret for many years. The second largest city in the Flanders region of Belgium, after Antwerp, it’s an enchanting and often overlooked destination. Situated on the confluence of the rivers Leie and Scheldt, Ghent is packed with fascinating architecture, scenic canals, chocolate shops, and bicycles. With a cosy vibe, it has a compact and walkable center, and all the main attractions are located …
Few passengers careening between tube stations know there is an underground city beneath London.
In the 19th century, digging deep-level underwater tunnels was hazardous. Numerous attempts to cross the Thames underground had failed, with many lives lost. Today, the East London Line uses Brunel’s Thames Tunnel, being the first successful under-Thames crossing.
When steam traction was exchanged for electricity, deeper tunnels could be dug using compressed air and a large circular drilling shield, which was …
There are many nicknames for the city of San Francisco, including “The City.” There is “415” – the area code, “San Fran” – (don’t use this one), “Fog City” – self-explanatory, “Golden Gate City” – for the bridge, and even “Baghdad by the Bay” – with reference to the cosmopolitan nature of the population, much like that of pre-war Baghdad. Lately, The City …
Founded in 1533 by the Spanish, Cartagena is situated on the northern Caribbean coast of Colombia and was Spain’s gateway to its new empire. Trading in gold, silver, tobacco, and, regrettably, enslaved people, the city boomed. These days, Cartagena draws tourists from all over the world, many of them arriving on cruise ships to explore the cobbled streets and colonial buildings of the colorful old city.
The historic streets of Cartagena’s old city are full …
There are two reasons why cable car rides are utterly irresistible.
Firstly, the engineering that enables a length of wire to haul a small metal cabin up steep mountains and across gaping valleys is intriguing. But more importantly, there’s the gorgeous view from the top, with a city or countryside sprawled out far below.
So when I had some free time in Quito, the capital of Ecuador, it was obvious how I’d spend it. Quito’s …
Scenically situated on the banks of the Danube, the Hungarian capital of Budapest had been on my hit list for a while. Although its popularity has soared over the last few years, the city still receives only a fraction of the visitors that heavyweights such as London, Paris, and Rome do. Yet, Budapest has some particularly unique attractions. Where else could you indulge in delicious chimney cake in the morning, luxuriate in hot springs in …
Famed for its creativity, great new food scene and buzzing nightlife, Shoreditch has become one of London’s trendiest districts. If you’re into architecture and the evolution of buildings you will love the profound way in which skyscrapers and new buildings bite into Shoreditch from London’s ‘square mile’.
A new wave of young professionals have moved in, sending property prices sky-rocketing in what was once a working-class neighbourhood between Old Street and Bethnal Green. The boom …
I don’t think I’ve ever visited a more whimsical destination than the enchanting Polish city of Wroclaw. From the colorful houses that are straight out of a Grimm’s fairy story to the hundreds of scattered gnomes that can be spotted throughout the downtown area, this is a city like no other. The third largest urban area in Poland, it’s often overlooked by visitors who head straight to Krakow and Warsaw. Big mistake.
I visited Wroclaw …
When you think of US destinations that embody the “travel as a living classroom” theme, Washington DC is undoubtedly at the top of the list. With back-to-school season here, there’s no better way to enhance your child’s education than with a fun and enriching family getaway to our nation’s capital this fall. From the Lincoln Memorial to the Capitol Building and beyond, it’s an experience filled with countless teaching moments. Beyond the iconic monuments and …
The chilled seaside city of Essaouira lies a mere three hours away from Marrakech by bus. A perfect antidote to the chaos of the metropolis, its atmospheric and bustling medina is magnificently located next to a long stretch of sandy beach and the crashing Atlantic Ocean. Essaouira offers an ideal combination of beach life and Moroccan culture and is also an excellent destination for a winter break, with daytime temperatures remaining balmy throughout the year.…
After three weeks of exploring Austin, I’m still not used to the car-centric Texan lifestyle.
In my imagination, I’d pictured Austin as an artsy place of bars and restaurants, cinemas, museums and theatres, all within casual strolling distance. Instead, I met sprawling highways that divide the suburbs into isolated clusters of activity. If I set off for a walk here, I suspect the police would arrest me for suspicious behavior. Who knew that visiting the …
