A Fresh Perspective on Travel Every Day
Disneyland Paris gets dressed up every winter in dazzling holiday lights. This shot from winter 2009 shows the park’s Main Street and fantasy castle beautifully adorned for the Christmas season. If you’ll be celebrating the holiday season in Paris, Disneyland can offer an enchanting experience for you and your family.
It’s hard to believe that when the Eiffel Tower was first unveiled for the Universal Exposition of 1889, it was deemed a horrible eyesore by many, who found its bold modernity a shock. Now millions of people each year visit the tower, both for its fascinating construction and its superb views over the city, but it’s interesting to look back on the tower’s many guises over the years. We start with the present but make sure to explore some truly intriguing historical shots.
In many ways, Paris in the summertime is the leastParisianof times in the city of lights. Since French people generally have several weeks of paid vacation a year, huge numbers of locals flee town for vacations in the south of France or elsewhere, and the influx of visitors turns the city into a perpetual Babel, with foreign languages heard just as frequently as French in metro cars or cafes.
Founded in 1852 by Aristide Boucicaut, Le Bon Marché (originally named “Au Bon Marché”) is a must-visit destination for fashion-conscious Parisians on the left bank. It is not only a department store but also holds a long and impressive history.
First inaugurated in 1893, the Galeries Lafayette department store is a fashion institution in Paris. Located near the stately Opera Garnier, this vast, remarkably ornate complex is an essential stop for fashion enthusiasts. Men and women’s designer collections are consistently kept at the cutting-edge, while the latest trends in jewelry, accessories, home furnishings, and cosmetics can also be explored under one roof. Moreover, it’s a stunning building, with its Belle Epoque architecture featuring in countless books and movies about the French capital.
As one of the world’s fashion capitals, you’d expect to find at least a few good budget shops and designer outlet stores in Paris. Parisians know that finding the perfect pair of slacks from a discount designer shop or antique lamp from a flea market istout un art– a genuine art. Particularly if you’re visiting Paris on a limited and strict budget, make sure to bookmark this page for great ideas on cheap shopping opportunities in the city.
Housed in thePalais du Louvre(Louvre Palace), the former seat of French royalty, the Louvre emerged in the 12th century as a medieval fortress, gradually evolving into a public arts museum during the French Revolution in the late 18th century. Since then, it has become the globe’s most-visited museum, and an enduring symbol of French excellence in the arts.
Mosquitoes may be interesting on a scientific level; however, these little blood-suckers are, quite understandably, despised by most human beings. Their seemingly incessant attacks can cause frustration, while unsightly and itch-inducing bites linger for days. Moreover, these bites can carry potentially life-threatening diseases.
Ice-capped and imposing, Peru’s highest mountains part the skies as they rise up from the Andes. For centuries, the Incas and their descendants have worshiped these peaks and their apu mountain spirits. Today, adventurous travelers come to Peru to climb, trek, or simply admire the nation’s tallest mountains, their craggy summits rising beyond 20,000 feet.
Kayaking in Puerto Rico offers not only excellent exercise but also a unique way to explore the island’s stunning natural beauty. From its vibrant reefs and lush mangroves to the enchanting bioluminescent bays, kayaking provides an eco-friendly passport to some of the most picturesque locations on the island. Discover the top kayaking spots and operators that will help you navigate Puerto Rico’s waters.
Ask any Puerto Rican what their five favorite foods are, and we’re willing to bet at least two involve plantains. The plantain, the larger, tougher cousin of the softer, sweeter banana, cannot be eaten raw. However, when you cook it (and depending on how you cook it), you’ll discover a versatile ingredient that is incorporated into some of Puerto Rico’s most beloved and popular dishes. Green plantains have a starchy, bland quality to them (until you season them, of course), while ripe plantains are sweeter. You’d need to go out of your way to leave Puerto Rico without sampling the ubiquitous plantain, and honestly, we don’t recommend you do that. Instead, try one of these delicious dishes, all made with the tastyplatano.
Walk around the souvenir shops of Old San Juan and you’re bound to see them: hand-carved figurines, usually made of wood (santos de palo), of saints or other religious figures. These are thesantosof Puerto Rico, and they are the product of an island tradition that goes back centuries. Santos are common throughout the Latin world.
Russian cuisine is often characterized by its hearty ingredients, including potatoes, mayonnaise, and meat. However, not every dish is calorie-rich! If you are mindful of your diet but still wish to savor some traditional Russian dinner dishes, consider these healthy options available at restaurants or recipes you can prepare at home:
When thinking of historic Vikings, the mind instantly conjures up images of Beowulf, horned helmets, large ships, and, more to the extreme, Vikings’ raping and pillaging. However, these aspects do not define them, though they were guilty of the latter in some cases. It’s important to note that Viking history was primarily written down by the Vikings’ enemies, since they themselves did not document their history in books.
March in Scandinavia or the Nordic region is an excellent month for travel as it falls in the off-season. Therefore, travelers can secure better rates for their trips. Although summer activities usually commence in March or April, the weather during spring can still be quite wet, with temperatures beginning to rise. The dreary winter days are behind us, providing much more daylight. Additionally, it’s possible to enjoy a late ski trip in Norway’s ski resorts.
Sipadan, Mabul, and Layang-Layang are some of the top dive sites globally, located in the vibrant underwater ecosystems of Sabah, Malaysia’s Borneo. From muck diving with macro life to encounters with hammerheads and whale sharks, Sabah is truly a scuba diving paradise. Explore these incredible diving locations!
Located just 10 minutes outside of Ubud in Bali, Goa Gajah is a significant Hindu archaeological site. Known as theElephant Cave, its mysterious cave, relics, and ancient bathing pools nestled amidst green rice paddies draw tourists seeking a spiritual and cultural experience.
Cambodian holidays are deeply rooted in Theravada Buddhist rituals. The essential holidays reflect Buddhist origins, showing resilience through history, including during the Khmer Rouge regime. Even amidst modern Western influences, Cambodians retain core celebrations that highlight religion, tradition, and the joyful essence of life.
A Splashing Good Time in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar
At 62 miles long, 18 miles wide, and up to 1,600 feet deep in parts, Indonesia’s Lake Toba in Northern Sumatra is the largest volcanic lake in the world.