This is our collection of newly published articles
There isn’t a single wisp of smoke curling out of the top of Mount Vesuvius as we walk up its stony brown slopes.
A few birds are twittering in the bushes, but we leave we them behind as the path rises above fertile ground. It’s silent, except for the scrunch of feet on clinker. It’s too quiet, too calm. Are we about to get taken out in an unexpected rumble of smoke, ash, flames and …
Situated in southwestern Iceland, just 49 km northeast of the capital Reykjavík, Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park is a place of immense historical, cultural, and geological significance. The park covers 24,000 hectares, with 9,270 hectares constituting a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The powerful geological forces that have shaped this remote site are still at work today.
Central to Þingvellir’s historical importance is its role as the original site of the Alþing (Althing), Iceland’s parliament, which was …
A long international flight can often feel like a jail term if you’re not properly prepared. Packing your small carry-on with lots of entertaining and relaxing gear can be a life-saver. Airlines no longer provide the amenities that travelers have come to expect over the years unless you are seated in premium class, so pamper yourself with the things that you most enjoy. Limit your carry-on bag to only those items you need for the …
Ireland has managed to keep intact a wealth of prehistoric Neolithic structures providing invaluable insights into early human history. These ancient constructions, megalithic tombs, stone circles, and early settlements, offer insight into the beliefs, social organization, and technological capabilities of the ancients. By studying the architecture, layouts, and artifacts found within these ruins, archaeologists and anthropologists have pieced together narratives about the transition from nomadic hunter-gatherer lifestyles to settled agricultural communities. The sheer scale and …
Do research. Plan trip. Get on plane, train, or in an automobile. Spend hours, sometimes days, in transit. Get to XYZ amazing destination and immediately begin thinking about how to have the best Instagram posts, take the most amazing photos and use all the amenities at your hotel.
Unfortunately, the stress of getting to a destination, along with the pressure to make the most of it and document every moment, can cause a traveler to …
In the heart of Ethiopia’s mountainous region of Amhara stand eleven Coptic Christian churches carved out of solid rock 800 years ago. This UNESCO World Heritage site attracts pilgrims and visitors from around the world, eager to witness this amazing architectural achievement built by the ancient Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Lalibela is located 370 miles north of Addis Ababa in the Amhara Region, at an altitude of 8,200 feet.
The history of Lalibela dates back to …
You cannot move ten feet in this country without bumping up against some striking reminder of a long and productive past. Wherever you turn you are confronted with wondrous and interesting things – 20,000 scheduled ancient monuments, 600,000 recorded archaeological sites, 140,000 miles of public footpaths, 280,000 miles of hedgerows, 100,000 war memorials, 6,000 listed bridges, 15 National Parks, 86 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, over 4,000 sites of Special Scientific Interest, 20,000 ancient parish …
I recently returned from a trip to Anchorage, and while I was there, I was struck by the local concern for the well-being of the indigenous community and local economies. I have seen those same concerns expressed to an even greater degree by native Hawaiian travel advocates. At a time when our planet and its cultures are as accessible as they are vulnerable, the importance of traveling responsibly has to be taken seriously.
“Responsible travel” …
Castellfollit de la Roca is one of the smallest towns in Catalonia, Spain, but the views it offers is nothing short of dramatic. This remarkable village is precariously perched on the top of a slender basalt crag rising 160 feet above the Fluvià and Toronell rivers flowing below. Stretching nearly a kilometer in length, the basalt cliff that forms the foundation of Castellfollit de la Roca is the result of volcanic activity. The area was …
The autobahn, a German term translating to “automobile road” or “motorway,” is Germany’s vast network of high-speed, limited-access highways. Renowned for its absence of a general speed limits on specific sections, the autobahn emerged in the early 20th century as a vision for advanced infrastructure and efficient transportation. The first autobahn section opened in 1932, and the network expanded significantly during the Nazi regime. After World War II, the autobahn continued to grow, and the …
We crept past the sleeping desk clerk and out of the hotel at 1.30 am, walking through Old Manali in the pouring rain. Stray dogs howled and a rat scurried across the street in front of us. Along with my partner Teresa, I had been traveling in India for a few months. I both loved and hated this fascinating, vibrant, consuming and sometimes shocking country. Although there were times when I wished I was elsewhere, …
Just barely 30 minutes outside the hustle and crowds of Puerta Vallarta lies charming Bucerías, a beach town offering the best of two experiences: Traditional Mexican beach town with lots of over-ocean restaurants, a town square and cobblestone streets and a more modern, upscale district offering trendy boutiques, rental condos and a variety of cuisine options.
Long a popular getaway and destination spot for Puerta Vallarta residents and seasonal snowbirds, Bucerías has been growing with …
If I ask you to describe a sommelier, you’ll almost inevitably picture a man. White and middle aged, perhaps a little portly, and with a slightly intimidating air.
The exact opposite of Karla Abarca, who gives a huge grin as she swirls some wine around in her glass, raises it up with her tattooed arms, and takes a big, appreciative gulp. She’s a tiny powerhouse, young and lively, cheeky and irreverent, and she giggles when …
International travel becomes a bit more complicated when navigating with a DUI (Driving Under the Influence) conviction in your rearview mirror. DUIs, seemingly straightforward in their nature, can actually vary significantly in their impact on travel opportunities, depending on the destination and the severity of the offense.
While some nations may treat a DUI as a minor offense, akin to a misdemeanor, others elevate its seriousness to that of a felony, especially if it involved …
