After exploring the desert at Sossusvlei, described in Part 2 of the Namibia series, I continued further south to reach the Fish River Canyon. The canyon and its dimensions were impressive, but I ended up being even more fascinated by other, uniquely Namibian landscapes, which I discovered along the way. Read more » » »
In the first part of the series, I traveled to Sandwich Harbour, the yellow desert on the coast of Namibia. My next journey through the country took me south. I drove along the dusty roads to Sossusvlei, where the deserts turned orange and red. The landscapes there rivaled the ones I saw at Sandwich Harbour — so much so that they are considered the most iconic ones in Namibia. Read more » » »
In the first part of this Namibia series, I explore Windhoek, and I travel to the country’s coastal desert. There lies the old resort town of Swakopmund. Then, it is just a short drive to the Sandwich Harbour, the only place on Earth where gigantic dunes fall straight into the ocean. Read more » » »
Istanbul is more than just a scenic collection of historical monuments. It is a dynamic city, which had its ups and downs in the past century. I relied on the most famous Turkish writer to guide me through its neighborhoods, beyond the traditional sights. Read more » » »
The stretch of the Adriatic coast, where Italy, Slovenia, and Croatia meet, does not receive the same attention as Venice or Dubrovnik. Yet even a brief visit to the region reveals its unique culture and the many surprising connections it has to other parts of the world. Read more » » »
In Part I of the story, I got to see tigers at Ranthambore National Park and explored the pink city of Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan. Here, I complete my too short of a trip across the state. Read more » » »
A five-day trip might have been too short to explore the vast Rajasthan, but the pull of the state was stronger. Both its culture and nature are captivating in a way that made me forget the relentless pace of the journey. Read more » » »
Cartagena may be primarily a holiday destination, but those who look beneath the surface will find a fascinating city of culture and history, worthy of even the most demanding travelers. Read more » » »
While the Islamic-era fortress Alhambra deserves two days of attention, Granada has even more to offer — it is a city of poetry and dance, surrounded by dramatic landscapes.
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Just a single day left in South Africa. Where to go on safari? After some research, I found out about the Pilanesberg National Park, which lies close enough to Pretoria where I was staying. Unlike small private reserves, Pilanesberg is a vast natural park. One doubt remained, though: if Pilanesberg did not reach the fame of the better-known Kruger National Park, how many animals could I actually see there? Read more » » »
The ultimate Grand Canyon hike involves descending to the canyon floor, and climbing back up to the rim. To complete the hike in one day, you have to set off early in the morning and get ready for the toughest of endings. The vistas you will see along the way are more than worth the effort, not to mention the best moment of the day: the sunrise… Read more » » »
I booked this day trip to visit the ancient ruins of Bekaa Valley. When the day was over, however, I crashed into bed, thinking about what I had just experienced over the past fourteen hours: multiple religions, thousands of years of history, prime archaeological sites, unique cuisine, a camel ride, bare mountains and cedar forests, ski lodges and coastal resorts… That was some introduction to Lebanon. Read more » » »
Georgia may seem like a small country, yet its landscapes are extraordinarily diverse and its culture surprisingly deep, going back millennia. Tbilisi, the capital city, is a good place to start exploring Georgia—with its Old Town, sulfur baths, cuisine, and picturesque vistas. You will discover that despite the long traditions, Georgia is a vibrant and rejuvenated country. Read more » » »
Walled cities, cathedrals, picturesque villages, Roman ruins, and unique cuisine—you can find all of that in “Empty Spain.” This term refers to Spanish regions that are spread over vast, desert-like landscapes, filling in the space between Madrid and the fertile coasts. Given its seeming remoteness, you can still enjoy the many sites of Empty Spain without battling tourist crowds. Read more » » »
One glimpse at the Plaza de Armas suffices to understand Arequipa’s nickname “The White City.” The Plaza was built from the local volcanic stone sillar, which happens to be… well, white. In addition to architecture, Arequipa charms visitors with its unique setting, where the Atacama desert meets photogenic volcanos of the Andes. There is, however, much more to Arequipa than the simple labels would suggest… Read more » » »
