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 coast, where Italy, Slovenia, and Croatia meet, does not receive the same attention as the Adriatic jewels of Venice and Dubrovnik. Yet even a brief visit to the region reveals how unique its culture is and how many surprising connections to other places in the world it has. 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 » » »
While in Mexico City, I walked to the house that might have looked inconspicuous, but actually played a major role in the Oscar-nominated movie Roma… The movie portrays the city, and especially the Roma neighborhood, as they were in 1971. In Travel Examiner, I write about how Mexico City has changed—and stayed the same—over the past fifty years. Read more » » »
Series: Central Chile, March 2018. Post #3.
I came to Colchagua Valley to enjoy relaxing days of wine-sipping on my otherwise hectic trip to Chile. The valley had, however, other plans for me—its picture-perfect landscapes, museums, and wineries drew me deep into Chilean culture and history. In Travel Examiner, I write about this unexpectedly captivating side-trip … Read more » » »
While Bergen is Norway’s second city, it has—like all other places in the country—an intimate connection with nature. During my two days in Bergen, I therefore found myself mostly sweating on its mountain slopes rather than savoring coffee by the harborside. For the Norwegian American magazine, I wrote how the hikes allowed me to see the city in an unusual way… Read more » » »
