Edinburgh, capital city of Scotland, proves that there is much more to Scottish culture than kilts, clans and haggis. In fact, Edinburgh hosts a trendsetting modern culture while still embracing its Caledonian roots. From swanky …
September 22, 2009
Go Abroad!
Refined Edinburgh, Scotland
Joan Wilder’s Destination City: Cartagena, Colombia
You remember her: that romance novelist in the classic film Romancing the Stone with Michael Douglas. Her sister had been kidnapped in Colombia and was awaiting rescue in Cartagena. Perhaps due to the real-life cocaine …
September 22, 2009
Taj Majal, Agra, India
The Taj Mahal is often regarded as the most beautiful building in the world. So, of course I watched in horror as my digital camera slipped from my grasp and fell to the hard pavement …
The Town of Books: Hay-On-Wye, Wales
Hay-On-Wye, a small village in Wales, is an unlikely bibliophile’s paradise. Nestled along the river Wye just across the Welsh border from Herefordshire, England, Hay-On-Wye boasts nearly 40 secondhand bookstores. There are no Borders or …
September 16, 2009
Wine Route: Cafayate, Argentina
Wine-flavored ice cream? It’s possible at Helados Miranda in Cafayate, Argentina (just off the main square). Since this was just one of many stops on the wine tasting tour, I opted for a double-scoop spacer: …
September 15, 2009
Spectacular Sognefjord, Norway
A trip to Norway is incomplete without getting out on the water to experience the fjords. The sea plays an essential role in the history of Norway, exemplified by some of its most notable museums: …
East Meets West: Istanbul, Turkey
The gateway between Asia and Europe, Turkey is a cultural bridge between East and West. This transcontinental country has a dual cultural ambiance, and offers those who visit a chance to step into both Eastern …
September 8, 2009
"Death Road," Camino de las Yungas, Bolivia
One of Bolivia’s most popular tourist activities is mountain-biking “Death Road.” There are many tourist agencies that make this day tour from La Paz; they’ll charge you about $75 for bike, helmet, food and transport. …
September 8, 2009
Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
I highly recommend stopping in Manuel Antonio if you’re visiting Costa Rica. This seaside jewel offers a verdant rainforest teeming with wildlife and hiking trails adjoining a picturesque beach. It’s worthwhile to hire one of …
September 1, 2009
Shimoda, Japan
Located near the tip of the Izu peninsula, this sleepy waterfront town is a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of Japan’s big city life. Shimoda was of central importance during the 1850s, …
August 31, 2009
Art in the Cyclades: Paros, Greece
I enjoyed three glorious months in Parikia, on the Cycladic island of Paros, home to poets, writers, artists and those in love with a peaceful lifestyle. You can study art at the Aegean Center for …
August 31, 2009
Quito, Ecuador
Nestled on the eastern slopes of the Pichincha Volcano lies Quito, Ecuador’s mountainous capital city. This Andean jewel is rich in culture, history and life, making it a can’t-miss destination for South America-bound travelers. Getting …
August 28, 2009
Matala Beach, Crete, Greece
When visiting Crete, rent a car and drive to rustic Hotel Eva Marina, about an hour southwest of Heraklion Airport. Nine hundred fifty yards from Matala Beach, it features high-speed internet, an inviting pool, bar …
August 28, 2009
Delhi, India: Survivors of the Street
Upon arriving in Delhi, India, I was approached innumerable times by ragged-looking children begging for food and money or aggressively hawking items, even as I sat in the backseat of the rickshaw taxi. I discovered …
La Ciudad Perdida, Santa Marta, Colombia
So you’ve tasted the magic of Machu Picchu. Now you look for another adventure — and you hear those fateful words, “La Ciudad Perdida” (The Lost City). Hidden (literally) in the crevices of northern Colombia’s …
August 22, 2009