A Fresh Perspective on Travel Every Day
Doubtless every Paris traveller has heard of the Moulin Rouge – yet an alternative underground scene is rapidly emerging to challenge its dominion and take French cabaret back in time to its belle époque roots.
In Stockholm, young women wear crowns of glowing candles. In Moscow, futuristic light projections illuminate the Bolshoi Theatre. In Santa Fe, paper lanterns line pedestrian walkways and courtyards. As the days get shorter and darker, cultures across the northern hemisphere incorporate light into their rituals, holidays, and ceremonies.
Devoted food lovers will travel to the ends of the earth for a good meal. However, have you ever considered the perilous journey some chefs take in order to create it? These restaurants, cafes and food projects from around the world have nurtured the talents of countless refugees and asylum seekers, serving up delicious plates with a generous side of social conscience.
Before Expo 2015, Milan had long been considered the forgotten sibling to its more resplendent neighbors like Venice, Florence, and Rome. While these cities stole the limelight with their artistic heritage and haunting ruins, Milan was often perceived as ‘grey’ and, even worse, ‘industrial’. However, with a changing urban landscape filled with shiny skyscrapers and lush green spaces, the tide is turning for this modern, elegant city.
The ocean doesn’t have the monopoly on islands. Some of the world’s loveliest and most culturally significant islands are actually surrounded by freshwater. Formed by sedimentation, erosion, or volcanic activity, these islands can be huge (Manitoulin Island in Canada’s Lake Huron is over 1000 square miles) or teeny (Phantom Ship, a craggy rock column in Crater Lake that’s a mere 500 feet across and resembles a ghostly schooner in the fog).
Tired of snapping hundreds of photos, applying filters, and searching for your next wi-fi connection? You’re not alone. Particularly while traveling, the endless cycle of shooting and sharing can be exhausting – not to mention that screen time pulls you out of the moment (and the place).
No visit to Belgrade is complete without at least half a day spent in Zemun. This picturesque neighborhood on the Danube’s right bank was formerly a separate town, located across the river from central Belgrade.
More than 80 years ago, caribou numbers in Canada’s Northwest Territories started to decline – a serious threat to the Inuit people who called the region home. In response, a herd of 3,500 reindeer from Alaska were herded through the rugged landscape to the region, where they were used for their meat and fur.
Small is beautiful. Nowhere is that truer than in Istria, the compact, heart-shaped peninsula at the northern end of Croatia’s coast, surrounded by the Adriatic Sea. Some of Croatia’s most attractive towns adorn its coastline, while inland folded valleys harbor ancient forests, medieval towns, and excellent vineyards.
In India, the lavish decoration of everyday objects is a national obsession. Making the mundane magnificent is an expression of joy and an antidote to life’s often harsh realities, and even India’s highway trucks are painted in furiously brilliant colors. Is there any other country where arts and crafts are so ubiquitous?
Just 16 miles long and three miles wide, the Caribbean island of Anguilla packs a serious punch. The northernmost Leeward Island features 33 stunning beaches (two for every mile), lively neighborhoods, and cozy beach bars to watch the sun set.
From the copper-hued farms of rural Viñales to the rainbow-colored plazas of Trinidad, the places beyond Cuba’s capital offer up a mix of contrasts. Spend a day hiking sunbaked trails, practicing salsa moves in the center of town, or swimming in the Bay of Pigs. Cuba’s diverse countryside warrants in-depth exploration.
One of the world’s largest cities, Moscow is a true metropolis whose ancient neighborhoods are interspersed with newly built high-rises, inhabited by people from all over the former Soviet Union.
Mérida, the capital of the state of Yucatán in the south of Mexico, is a city set to music. Stroll through Plaza Grande on a Friday night and you’ll see localgruposjamming, bare palms tapping African drums, instrument cases flung open so passersby can drop a few pesos. “Musicians here play from the heart,” says local guitarist Armando Gonzalez who often plays in the plazas. “I wear sunglasses when I perform so I can close my eyes and feel the music.”
With Ramadan generally meaning a wind-down all over the Muslim world, you might expect that the red city of Marrakesh shuts up shop for the month, but that isn’t exactly the case. While the holy month means that many in Muslim-majority Morocco will be fasting during daylight hours, that doesn’t mean that Marrakesh is in any way off limits (though it might make finding an end-of-the-day beer a bit harder).
Visiting Jordan during the month of Ramadan is an extraordinary opportunity to experience local life and culture, and it’s unlike any other time of the year. The holy month is known as a period of spiritual discipline for Muslims, but it’s also incredibly festive with family gatherings, decorative lights, late-night eats, and entertainment. For the most part, the tourism industry operates as usual. However, some services – such as alcohol sales – and opening hours are noticeably affected, so it’s wise to be prepared. Here’s what travellers can expect to encounter in Jordan during Ramadan.
With the mighty Thames winding through its heart and iconic buildings popping up in every direction, London is a fine-looking city. However, it’s also a relatively flat one in terms of terrain, so it’s not always easy knowing where to get a capital view of the capital.
Dotted with jagged limestone pinnacles, Halong Bay stands as one of Vietnam’s premier attractions, welcoming over 10 million visitors every year. The vast majority of tourists arrive aboard day and overnight cruises, making it essential to navigate the multitude of options available.
As the old adage says, we are all products of our environment. It’s no surprise that some of the globe’s great cities have helped to mold some of humanity’s most innovative minds.
There are more bourbon barrels aging right now in Kentucky than there are residents. Moreover, the Bluegrass State proudly produces 95 percent of the world’s bourbon supply. Louisville—aka ‘Bourbon City’—offers an array of distillery experiences, tours, classes, tastings, events, and an extensive cocktail scene. Get ready to let this spirit move you.