A Fresh Perspective on Travel Every Day
Sure, a Christmas winter wonderland is magical, but have you thought about spending the festive season in Australia? From coast to coast, Christmas down under means summer sun, lazy days beachside, and, yes, shrimp on the barbie.
You haven’t seen South India until you have experienced its vibrant festival scene. The five southern states – Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh – offer a rich variety of colorful celebrations. Moreover, the myriad cultures represented in this region ensure that there’s always something happening almost every month of the year.
One writer finds her own private Portugal in Porto Côvo, a fishing village in the Alentejo.
Have you ever felt like your flight to an east coast city took way less time than a flight headed out west? You’re not alone.
San Luis Obispo County (fondly known as “SLO CAL”) lies mid-way between Los Angeles and San Francisco on California’s Central Coast. Boasting 315 days of sunshine and 80 miles of exquisite coastline, it’s no surprise the area is widely considered among the happiest places on the planet. It’s also home to a treasure trove of adrenaline-fueled adventures, likeparaglidingalong the coast and darting across wind-swept natural sand dunes in a dune buggy atOceano Dunes, the only California State Park that allows off-roading on the beach.
Artsy, eclectic Istanbullus flock to the city’s once-sleepy Asian side and its lively cafes, galleries, bars, shops, and restaurants. For visitors staying near the historic sights of Sultanahmet, a scenic ferry ride across continents is all it takes to join them. The central parts of the Kadıköy district are the hub of all this activity with densely packed markets, relaxed tree-lined streets, and eye-catching walls filled with large-scale works byMural Istanbulartists as well as politically tinged graffiti. Here’s where to start your explorations of Istanbul’s “other side”.
I am a big fan of bringing hats with me when I travel. As I’ve gotten older and wiser about skin care, I’ve realized hats are crucial for keeping the sun off of my face at the beach or while cruising around sightseeing all day. However, what I’m decidedlynota fan of is the constant dilemma of how to pack a hat and what to do with it when you’re indoors or just don’t want to wear it.
With endless dining options and ample things to do, you will find it easy to spend your entire time in Stockholm exploring the city, indulging in local cuisine, and enjoying the vibrant atmosphere. However, while savoring delicious meals in thisfoodie-friendly citymay be delightful, you would be missing a significant aspect of Swedish culture if you overlook the chance to venture out onto the water. The picturesque surroundings, including smoked salmon and boats gliding past Gamla Stan (the Old Town), highlight the essential role that water plays in the city’s identity. A trip to the nearby archipelago transports you to a tranquil world that feels entirely different from the bustling capital.
You’re high up and behind the wheel of a four-wheel-drive vehicle, built for adventure. A seemingly endless jungle is to your left, while on your right is a view out to the Coral Sea. Heading toward a forest that’s existed for more than 150 million years, the view ahead as you travel the Great Barrier Reef Drive makes this an Aussie road trip of a lifetime — it’s where the rainforest meets the reef.
I found myself lost inBlue Mountains National Park, and I hadn’t even left my hotel. For the first hour in theHydro Majestic Hotel, a sumptuous Art Deco warren about 90 minutes west of Sydney, my hometown, I wandered wide-eyed from one theatrical setting to the next, savoring the glass-domed lobby and quirky murals from the 1920s that depict both medieval knights and outback safaris. However, even amid the Gatsbyesque flourishes, it was the sweeping vistas of the Megalong Valley, considered the Grand Canyon ofAustralia, that were the most captivating. Looking out at the atavistic expanse — which was, as the name promised, bathed in azure eucalyptus haze — I expected a pterodactyl to sweep into view.
The revolutionaries of the South Australia wine industry have started to grow up, if not exactly mellow out.
A hidden universe of spectacular marine life awaits under the surface and above a 1,400-mile stretch of Australia’s northeastern coastline. Listed as a world heritage site by UNESCO since 1981, the Great Barrier Reef is an awe-inspiring destination that offers visitors a profound connection to nature.
The church bells begin to ring and I look up, admiring the picture-perfect, honey-hued chapel perched on a hill in the middle of Valdera, an area 30 minutes outside Pisa. The sun is hot, and other than the bells and the steady buzz of cicadas, it’s quiet. In front of me, the sunflower-spotted hills of Tuscany dip and dive like notes on the endless musical scores found in the recording studio I’m about to enter.
With booking sites offering sometimes thousands of reviews for a single property, it can be challenging to sift through all the information to find the perfect hotel room. Anything—from a chain restaurant to an all-inclusive resort—can be rated online, and these ratings depend on many different factors. For instance, a hotel could be a “five-star” property with a “three-star” user rating, leaving a lot of room for confusion. Moreover, different countries and booking sites have specific standards for rating hotels, which only adds to this uncertainty.
I can’t pinpoint what it was exactly that made me do it. Was I overwhelmed by work? Burned out from the kids? Were my hormones out of balance, and eating too much processed food to compensate? Probably, yes — all of it. I just remember realizing, “I need a restart button.” I needed a place to escape my daily routine, rebuild, refocus, and rediscover who I had become. However, I didn’t want a week of wine and lounging; I needed to clean my body, sweat, strengthen, and most importantly, I needed sleep — so much sleep.
You know Bora Bora. It’s that place you’ve fantasized about visiting ever since you saw its crystal-clear waves and over-water villas on your computer screen-saver or beach-themed wall calendar years ago. It may even be at the top of your travel bucket list — but in your mind, you’ve put it off as a dream vacation you’ll takesomedaybecause of cost, distance, and time constraints.
Kraków packs a lot into a compact space. Two days will provide you a decent shot at experiencing most major sights, but even then you’ll have to keep moving and focused. Thankfully, there are plenty of cafes along the way for an energising cup of coffee or a piece of cake. If you have just a weekend to spend in this fantastic city, follow GoTravelDaily’s guide to making it perfect.
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is now open at Disneyland — here’s everything to know before you ride.
Held annually on January 25th, Burns Night is Scotland’s national celebration honoring the life and contributions of the nation’s beloved poet, Robert Burns. At the end of the day, gatherings large and small unite people for Burns Suppers—lively evening feasts that feature a blend of history, music, song, and poetry alongside traditional local dishes, from cock-a-leekie soup to the iconic haggis, accompanied by Scotch whisky. This 200-year-old tradition promises a unique cultural experience for all attendees.
