In the evolution of a place there is sometimes a waymark between free-spirited childhood and the discreet somberness of maturity. But what if the in-between actually signifies the third point of a classic Hegelian dialectical triangle? A rough and rowdy cowboy town at one point, an overly-wrought sophisticated metropolis at the other, and the third … Continued
Forget the usual honeymoon destinations; Mexico, Hawaii, Italy, France or Spain. If you want true luxury, a place that none of your friends have been and a place you will never forget, think Mauritius. Over a century ago, writer Mark Twain said, “Mauritius was made first, and then heaven, and that heaven was copied after … Continued
It definitely wasn’t the love from the first sight. The Island of the Gods phrase didn’t strike me through the first, nor the second, time I visited Bali. Shirtless beer-swilling Australians, bronzed Italian women in their tiny bikinis, Russian-speaking locals echoing the Kuta strip trying to sell anything and everything, the somewhat bizarre wooden penis … Continued
Located between Budapest, Hungary and Vienna, Austria, Bratislava, Slovakia’s capital, is a charming city, the largest in the country and a gem waiting to be discovered. When I first looked up ideas for our second wedding anniversary, Bratislava and Prague (Czech Rep.) competed for “first place”. I was at that point when I had found … Continued
I visited Macao during the cool month of December last year. Staying there for two days, I managed to visit all its historic monuments and properties that make up the UNESCO World Heritage inscription (together with some of its casinos :p). For most heritage geeks, I share the assessment that Macao is largely a “misinterpreted gem”. … Continued
Celebrated in Thailand as the traditional New Year’s Day from the 13th to 15th of April, Songkran has evolved into the absolute largest water festival in the world.
Welcome to the The Tsar’s Guide to a St Petersburg Tour – Part Two, which discusses where to stay, what to eat, and what souvenirs or worth purchasing during your visit to the “Cultural Capital of Russia.” Where to Stay If you are not arriving by cruise ship you will need a Tsar’s residence to … Continued
Spring is the season hope is rekindled, when broken blades are renewed, and light washes the shadows. We can go barefoot in the grass, pluck the charms of flowers, whistle in the warming breeze, and hit the winding road. Jasper Bangs celebrating Spring But, as with any venture, travel can have its pitfalls and pitsprings, … Continued
Planning a trip to Europe can be time consuming, difficult and frustrating. Even though each country is roughly the size of a state in the United States, most countries have their own language and some still have their own currency, such as the UK and Switzerland. For these reasons and many more, foreigners can find … Continued
Tuscany: Rolling hills, fine wine, fascinating history and, of course, phenomenal food. While visiting Tuscany it was only appropriate that to supplement our (impressive amount of) eating we learn to create as well. Our family enrolled in an afternoon cooking class at the Badia a Coultibuno, a beautifully preserved eleventh-century abbey-turned-vineyard, restaurant, inn and cooking school. … Continued