A Fresh Perspective on Travel Every Day
After a tumultuous two decades of political instability and civil war, calm has returned to Sri Lanka, and visitors are flooding back. This Indian Ocean island has a deserved reputation as a top spot for adventurous backpackers, but is it also a suitable destination for a family holiday? We set out to explore this very question.
Dubai may be home to the largest mall in the world, and its consumerism might be ingrained in the city’s very essence; however, there are numerous alternatives to your typical chain store shopping. The city boasts a vibrant independent shopping scene, often located in detached villas or smaller community malls, that promises to offer more exciting options than the usual Gucci, Prada, or Chanel.
Edinburgh in springtime is beautiful, even if the weather at this time of year can be a touch temperamental. The city’s world-class parks and gardens become a riot of color and activity as both residents and tourists descend after the long, dark Scottish winter. Moreover, some of the best festivals outside of August spring up across the capital.
Over the last decade, the culinary landscape of cities all over the world has been transformed by a new kind of street food purveyor: gourmet food trucks. Found on city streets from London to La Paz, these plates are served at street prices – and with no booking or dress code required. They cater to foodies who are more interested in taste than the formal trappings of restaurant life. Fun, local, and affordable, they are also an easy way for urbanites to sample delicacies from the other side of the world, and for visitors to engage in a city’s food scene.
Within a lifetime underscored by extreme adventure, Bear Grylls is known for his exploits guiding famous names – among them Julia Roberts, Will Ferrell, and President Obama – on the TV showRunning Wild, along with his role as Chief Scout. Here he reveals his travel inspiration, guilty pleasure and the answer to the crucial question: would you rather eat a sheep’s eyeball or its testicle?
Spring in Japan meanssakura(cherry) blossoms. This seasonal beauty is one of the many compelling reasons to visit Tokyo during this time of year. Additionally, you can experience traditional festivals, sumo wrestling, and a variety of seasonal delicacies blooming across the city’s parks and gardens.
Great literature can bring places to life, stirring our wanderlust as it ignites our imagination. Whether it’s the tale of a search for buried treasure, a battle against one’s inner demons, or an epic, perilous journey home, brilliant narratives can inspire us to embark on new adventures.
There’s a reason the Japanese call Osakatenka no daidokoro, or ‘the nation’s kitchen’. If your fantasies of a trip to Japan involve flashing neon lights, raucous nightlife, and tempting treats hidden behind almost every darkened doorway or lattice-screen facade, then Osaka is the destination for you.
Spoiled for choice – that’s likely how you’ll feel with a mere day in Athens. The Greek capital is brimming with grand sights, celebrated cuisine, and legendary nightlife. Therefore, deciding where to begin can be quite challenging. The secret lies in not trying to do everything at once. Instead, focus on a couple of tourist highlights and then delve beneath the city’s surface to truly appreciate this alluring destination.
While Dubai offers an array of intriguing cuisines, including Pakistani, Peruvian, Ethiopian, and Iranian, finding authentic Emirati fare has historically been more challenging. Traditionally, these dishes were primarily served in homes or during major celebrations, but this is changing with a growing number of Emirati restaurants emerging across the city.
Dubai endlessly pursues world records and over-the-top opulence, but even in the shadow of the world’s tallest building and beyond the shimmer of the infinity pool, an authentic city is ready and waiting to be explored, away from the glare of the largest, tallest, and longest.
Between the rugged summits of the Rockies and the swooping crests of the Appalachians, the Ozarks seem to barely spring out of the ground. However, these relatively unassuming mountains, which cross from Arkansas into southwestern Missouri, hide more than 300 miles of mountain biking trails that cater to both beginner and expert riders alike.
New Orleans might be the home of jazz, but New York City is where many of the genre’s greats became stars – and Harlem was at the heart of it.
The sleek Al Boraq, Africa’s first high-speed train, now connects two very different but equally fascinating Moroccan cities – laid-back Tangier, sitting at the crossroads of Europe and Africa, the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, and frenetic Casablanca, the country’s economic hub and architectural treasure trove.
For the Greek Orthodox Church, Easter (Pascha; 28 April 2019) is the biggest religious festival of the year, celebrated with utter reverence and almost total participation. The Holy Week serves as the climax of Lent, a period of devoutness and church attendance, even among those who aren’t deeply religious. The Resurrection symbolizes the seasonal return of life in nature after winter, reflecting the blooming glory of spring, where the floral scents in the warm air enhance the spirituality of the event.
Move over Orlando. Not content with boasting the world’s tallest building, an indoor ski slope, and a palm-shaped island, Dubai is now striving to become the theme park capital of the world. With five new fun zones opened since 2016, you can now go ghost-busting, snap a selfie with a dinosaur, plunge into a shark lagoon, and team up with superheroes without ever leaving town.
Chiang Mai may not be able to compete with Bangkok’s myriad wining and dining establishments, but what it lacks in options it makes up for in charm and accessibility. The town’s Nimmanhaemin neighborhood – or Nimman for short – is the place to go for the latest trendy cafes, crafty boutiques, perfectly plated meals, and specialty cocktails.
In any trivia quiz, there’s always a trick question about capital cities – the one that fools quizzers into mistakenly naming a major metropolis as the seat of power. And no wonder: there’s a host of top-class, attraction-heavy, bucket-list places around the world that you would be forgiven for thinking are their country’s capital… but aren’t. To help you avoid this booby trap, here’s our list of urban heavyweights whose cultural, historical, and financial pre-eminence speaks for itself, even if officialdom lies elsewhere.
Spring is the ideal time to explore Tunis, as the rainy winter months give way to longer, sunny days, bringing the city to life with live music and artisanal showcases. Discover the charm of riding a bike around the city, enjoying the refreshing sea breeze and pleasant temperatures.
It can be easy to play it safe when it comes to taking a city break with the kids: will it be London? Rome? Surely not Orlando again? However, while priorities change when you’re traveling with children, it isn’t an excuse to let your destination choices grow stale. Allow GoTravelDaily Locals to broaden your horizons with this selection of surprisingly child-friendly cities, offering offbeat attractions and unusual activities that will shake up your routine.