Chora Museum Chora Musuem is No Ordinary Museum! The sights and sounds that are Istanbul are so difficult to explain, but I tried to show you this through my streets of Istanbul article. At first, I was so overwhelmed with the mass difference between the USA and Turkey that I had a hard time describing my thoughts about this capital city. It has taken me
The Hermitage's Treasures in St Petersburg The State Hermitage Museum is full of art and culture in Saint Petersburg, Russia. It is the second-largest art museum in the world containing over 3 million piece of art! And it is a MUST VISIT anytime you find yourself in St. Petersburg, Russia. It was founded by the Empress Catherine the Great in 1764 when she acquired an
In the sleepy hills of Mexico lies one of the most gorgeous towns I have ever seen, San Miguel de Allende. This picturesque town is sure to give you all the “wow moments” of a big city, but with the pleasure of a small-town atmosphere. Don’t expect to find a fast-paced lifestyle in San Miguel, but rather a tranquil one. One that slowly evolves right
Italy Revealed Camogli: Travel +Leisure Feature I was surprised to see Travel + Leisure with my beloved Camogli, Italy photo featured directly on the front cover. Camogli is like a slice of the Riviera from decades ago before the designer stores came to line seaside promenades. Before the celebrities parked their yachts in the marinas. Camogli is an exquisite village with a perfectly placed seafront
There is this little town in the central highlands of Mexico that isn’t easy to get to, but once you find your way here, you may never want to leave. That is what happened to me 10 years ago, and today I long to go back to a simpler time and place. Founded in the 16th century, San Miguel de Allende is known for its
Have you ever heard the words "Mitad del Mundo" or "middle of the world"? I hadn't either until I had a chance to visit the "Mitad del Mundo" right outside of Quito, Ecuador. I had no idea there was an exact location where you could stand at the earth's midpoint - 0 degrees latitude, 0 minutes, 0 seconds in Ecuador! Apparently, people come from all over
New Orleans Cemetery... New Orleans Jazz Jazz...that sound that put New Orleans on the map. That subgenre of the blues that developed in and around the city of New Orleans with its distinctive reverberance. Not really a "big band swing" sound, but more of a "heavy piano and saxophone" sound. And it is definitely not "pop" music. In fact, New Orleans jazz is a distinct
Nestled away at the tail end of the Rockies known as the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Santa Fe is a high elevation capital like its Colorado cousin. However, with an elevation of 7,199 feet, Santa Fe is officially the highest city in the United States. Thanks to this, you can expect fair weather year-round and over 300 days of sunshine, making this high desert gem
I am almost certain you have heard of Santorini and Mykonos – those famous Greek isles that everyone loves. I’ve written about both of them quite extensively and absolutely love these charming Greek islands. But these islands can sometimes feel like “a tourist island” if you catch them during a cruise ship in port. They can get a bit crowded, especially during peak season. So
Desert Night Camps - Feynan Ecolodge The Feynan Ecolodge is not just another place to stay while in Jordan. It is actually an experience. Somehow placed in the middle of nowhere in Jordan, the Feynan Ecolodge offers you a stay you won't forget. Here is my account of getting there and taking part in a Bedouin experience before making it to the Lodge... We were
Due to the quirkiness and unusual flavors of Japanese snacks, it is no wonder they have become a global phenomenon. The Japanese have been able to incorporate simple yet flavorful ingredients to create scrumptious snacks such as strawberry pocky, ice crackers, and soda candy. While traveling in Japan, you are sure to find many places that offer a variety of snacks. Vending machines are a
The French Quarter I was with my girlfriend over on Royal Street in the French Quarter at the diamond store. She’s from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, so when I sent her a message I would be visiting New Orleans and that I was looking for the best things to do in New Orleans and luxury or boutique hotels in New Orleans, she immediately went to work and
Ultimate Guide to Puerto Penasco Mexico I've always said that Phoenix Arizona was the perfect place to live except for one thing - we do not have a beach! But in a way, we do, as Arizona's Beach is in Puerto Penasco, Mexico, just a few miles down the road, well 212.3 miles that is! We Phoenicians call it Rocky Point (or Arizona's Beach) and
According to the World Tourism Organization, France is considered the world's most popular destination for tourists. It has over 40,000 classified historical monuments, which is more than any other country in Europe! The national motto of the French is "liberty, equality, and fraternity” and you will certainly feel a part of the family among the locals. The French are responsible for numerous inventions such as
Photo by Marco Santos Gorgeous and sunny Lisbon is renowned for its beautifully tiled buildings, sunny weather, incredible food, and not-to-forget the warm and extremely hospitable Portuguese locals who will always welcome you in with a smile. It is this charm and allure that has attracted so many visitors who all instantly fall in love with the city and its personality. But, if
Savannah is by far one of my favorite cities in the USA. With just one visit, I fell madly in love with the romantic side of Savannah. It was love at first sight. At visit number two, I was hooked and couldn’t wait to return. For some reason, I just vibed with the city. It is hard to explain. But by my third visit, I
Nestled in the northern part of the Caribbean lies the beautiful country of Cuba. Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean and has a population of over 11 million people. Cuba has been inhabited since the 4th century and although many things have changed over the years, some Cuban traditions have remained constant. And one of these is its Cuban appetizers and snacks. Throughout
I've always felt that Japanese drinks should get more attention. The country's cuisine, after all, is among the most celebrated in the world—shouldn't its beverages follow suit? Over the next few paragraphs, I'll highlight some of my go-to drinks in Japan. Although many of these will be familiar to you, others might seem surprising or even strange. Just as many people have limited exposure to Japanese
Antigua Guatemala, the “land of eternal spring” is one of Guatemala's most popular iconic cities. It is culturally rich and filled with Spanish Baroque architecture and decaying colonial cathedrals. It is literally a museum of Spanish Colonial history. The vibe of this city comes to life with its vibrant color palettes and bustling markets and cafes. As I walk the patchwork of concrete, stone, and
The rich Mexican culture has empowered UNESCO to name at least 35 Mexican landmarks as 'World Heritage Sites'. There are 27 cultural sites, 6 natural sites, and 2 mixed sites (geography with the architecture mixed in) according to UNESCO. Scores of ancient civilizations such as the Aztec, Inca, Mayan, Olmec, and Zapotec have contributed to the modern ways of traditional Mexican life. According to archeologists,
There are more things to do in Amarillo Texas than you could have imagined. I should know… I am from the area. But when I went back to Amarillo and experienced a few of the things to do in Amarillo, TX, I was pleasantly surprised! Amarillo is very near to my hometown of Pampa, Texas. Honestly, I loved how much fun I had upon my
The Ultimate Guide to Lederhosen Contrary to popular belief, Oktoberfest celebrates the Bavarian culture, not necessarily that of Germany as a whole. All of the beer consumed at Oktoberfest is exclusively made in Munich, to further celebrate the Bavarian culture. During the early years of this festival, lederhosen outfits were worn, yet no alcohol was served. Which is unlike the tons of beer consumed
✦ Things to do in Guatemala There are many attractions in Guatemala. Guatemala tourism can range from picturesque Lake Atitlan to steaming volcanoes, Mayan ruins, Mayan towns deep in the mountains, as well as world-class marlin fishing and a picture-perfect colonial town known as Antigua. But it is more than that, from jungles to ancient traditions that are still intact from long before the days
I would say, the best time of year to visit Cuba is between December and March. During this time, you can experience pleasant weather, fewer crowds, and avoid the long lines at the Cuban pastry shops! Speaking of pastry shops, have you ever tried a Cuban pastelitos? I hope your answer is yes! But if not then you must rectify this problem as soon as
Sicilians love their healthy and locally-grown foods such as apricots, artichokes, olives, and beans. Some of the most notable savory foods include arancini (rice balls), pecorino cheese, and stuffed eggplant. Yet aside from the yummy savory foods they have, Sicily has some of the most delicious Sicilian desserts in all of Europe. The world-famous cannoli and torta di ricotta (ricotta cake) are indispensable sweets that
From its world-class art museums to its floating flower markets, the city of Amsterdam is reinventing itself from its hedonistic side to now focusing on its rich artistic heritage. Culturally, it’s one of Europe’s most diverse and eclectic destinations. With its fascinating history that spans seven centuries, today it is a charming mix of shopping, museums, coffee houses, restaurants, and flower markets. I put together
Cuba has the largest population in the Caribbean, topping off at over 11 million people. It is well known for many things such as its genre of music and dancing (mostly from its European and African origins), its famous cigars, and the Cuban cocktail of rum, coke, and lemon/lime, known as the Cuba Libre. Cuba’s deep-rooted love for music and dancing is a great
In my mind, all you need for some tasty Cuban dishes is the right seasoning, a good piece of meat, and some rice. As Cuban cuisine is the perfect mix of Spanish, Portuguese, French, Caribbean, African, and Asian cuisines and spices from drifters and settlers who came to Cuba during the early Caribbean slave trade. Today, Cubans tend to mix several fresh local ingredients with
From charming and colorfully painted fishing villages to beehive huts and stunning handmade pottery, the Dingle Peninsula offers a wide variety of things to do while visiting this portion of the Wild Atlantic Way. Dingle, Ireland has been isolated from the influences of the modern world until recently which has resulted in fun local culture and a dialect that is quite different than the rest
Seville is the fourth largest city in Spain and is considered the most “Spanish” city in the entire country. When I think of Spain, I almost always think of its famous flamenco dance, the tradition of bullfighting, and how sultry or hot the city feels as the Spanish guitars play late into the night! In fact, I find that Sevillanos are always happy to share
Galapagos Islands Foods and Culinary influences Ecuador is a country with a diversity of climates, regions, and altitudes that makes it an exquisite country with many different types of traditional dishes. Depending on the region where you are, there is a variety of typical doses. And since the islands are owned by Ecuador, the dishes combine the elements of the Ecuadorian highland dishes with
Many people know the Dominican Republic for its luxury resorts and beautiful beaches and hotels, such as the gorgeous Casas del XVI in Santo Domingo. But there is so much more to the Dominican Republic than just its oceans and architectural beauty. In fact, the Dominicans have a rich European history that is a deep mix of both African and the native Taíno Indian influences. Sure, the Dominican Republic has beautiful landscapes
A Christian pilgrimage Lithuania Restores its Old Rugged Cross for a Crown Once I arrived at the Hill of Crosses, I didn’t want to leave. Northern Lithuania's Hill of Crosses' magnetic pull drew me in. Almost overtaking me. I was intrigued and felt guided toward the strength that lies here. For me, I have always been attracted to the dead. Well, maybe I
Inn on the Alameda, Santa Fe NM On a breezy Saturday night in Santa Fe Plaza, a group of revelers in wobbly heels and party hats greet each other with kisses and hugs, ready to hit the town to ring in the New Year. Along with them, they have small flasks of mescal (however the law says... no drinking in public), the
This post has been updated after my recent return from the Galapagos Islands! You can read my complete guide to Galapagos Cruising here. Wide Eyed and Bushy Tailed Back in my early days of writing as a traveler, I loved every second of my new adventures. My eyes were wide and my love for travel grew exponentially. Today, I laugh as I re-read old articles
