Japanese railway enthusiast John Walton shares advice on how to stretch your yen as far as possible on a train trip through Japan. Whether you’re a train fanatic like me or not, exploring Japan by rail is a pleasure. The country leads the way for the sheer variety of rail experiences. The network has ultramodern
Month: February 2024
One of Mexico’s tourism megastars, Cancún is a city with two very different faces. There’s the Zona Hotelera, the long, thin island curving along the edge of the Nichupté lagoon, with its glorious Caribbean beaches and high-rise hotels. Then there’s Cancún Centro, the city’s somewhat gritty downtown, packed with shops and offices and broken up by
San Francisco’s mild weather makes it a consistent year-round attraction, which is a bonus for visitors looking for flexible travel dates. Our peninsula-shaped city is often covered with a comforting blanket of fog (known affectionately as Karl), formed by the hot sun evaporating ocean waters that then collide with cold air created from a coastal
San Francisco makes it easy for visitors – dress codes are nearly nonexistent, and its self-aware, laid-back culture keeps formalities to a minimum. But there are a few things a savvy traveler can do in advance to make the most of their time, such as reserve restaurant tables. Tipping etiquette can be confusing if you’re
A surge in Formula 1’s popularity means that a glimpse into the high-octane world of the sport has become increasingly appealing in recent years. Long-time race attendee Nicky Haldenby helps fans plan their Grand Prix weekends at a leading F1 travel website. Here, he gives you the inside track on planning a trip to a
From the indescribable west coast sunsets at El Matador Beach to the fun and vibrant electric energy in Venice Beach, Los Angeles is home to some of Southern California’s best beaches. The City of Angels’ beach culture is deeply ingrained in its identity, attracting local and tourist beachgoers, surfers, sunbathers, and outdoor enthusiasts throughout the
The Spanish capital is a cultural and social behemoth that attracts visitors from around the world and they keep coming back for more. Madrid has something to tempt every traveler and will have many of them dancing until sunrise thanks to its thriving nightlife. With architectural wonders, world-class gastronomy, famed art museums and even an
A world-class city, Athens is crammed with attractions and entertainment that can fill weeks of any visitor’s time. But a number of other outstanding destinations are located within easy reach of the Greek capital – whether you travel by boat, public transport or with your own wheels. From ancient ruins to island beaches, these day trips from
Seoul’s public transport network is amongst the best in the world – clean, punctual and committed to accessibility – and getting around the capital of South Korea is now smoother than ever thanks to several smartphone apps that provide real-time information. KakaoMap is available in English and can plan your journey from door to door, covering
A 24/7 city with something to do every hour of the day, Seoul isn’t a cheap place to visit. Going to famous observation decks, enjoying premium cuts on the Korean barbecue and partying until dawn can definitely do some damage to your credit card. But if you veer a bit away from the typical must-do list,
Congratulations — you’ve finally reached that glorious phase of life where school means more than just Algebra 1 and too many textbooks. Much like the onset of puberty, high school is a battlefield. It’s filled with odorous locker rooms, nerve-wracking first dates, and those daring lunchtime adventures where you sprint to grab a bite and
In the beginning, it meant nothing. “It could have been sludge, grime, crud, any word like that,” according to Jonathan Poneman, the founder of Seattle-based record label Sub Pop, some time later. But in his description of the scene, sent out to journalists in the late 1980s when its soon-to-be-stars were still dossing in each other’s
In a world that glorifies hustle, the best self-care gifts for men are not just a luxury but a necessity. They are the unsung heroes who help unwind the tight knots of daily stress, offering a slice of serenity amidst the chaos. From the opulence of a luxury shower gel to the practicality of a
Finding the best Tommy Bahama cologne can be challenging if you don’t know what qualities to look for in the perfect, masculine fragrance. Tommy Bahama is no stranger to making quality cologne for men. Their refreshing summer-inspired fragrances are ideal for wearing on any occasion. But, some gentlemen might need help finding colognes that ladies
Shaving is a sensitive business. Whether you’re partial to the classic clean-shaven look or a little manscaping is more your style—if your skin is prone to getting dry or itchy, even the sight of a razor can make your palms sweat. But the good news is, there are plenty of men’s razors out there designed
Gentleman quotes offer a timeless source of wisdom and guidance, particularly for men striving to cultivate a sense of confidence and style in their daily lives. These quotes, steeped in the virtues of integrity, respect, and self-awareness, offer a roadmap to personal development and refined character. In this article, we delve into the profound impact
While we all enjoy the way statement fashion pieces make us stand out and feel amazing, it is an undisputed fact that the foundation of any cool outfit is a closet full of staples. As every fashion-minded guy knows, crafting an outfit is made much easier by having a core selection of fresh tees, cozy
You have a job interview next week. Or, maybe you’re going on a date on Friday and want to pique their interest, but you ran out of your favorite fragrance and are contemplating John Varvatos for your next cologne. You’ve made the right decision. I’ve compiled seven of the best John Varvatos colognes in this
Choosing the right cologne can be daunting, but you can never go wrong with the best Guess cologne. I’ve scoured the web and trodden physical stores to present you with the best men’s Guess cologne that brings out your style and personality. According to a recent study, fragrance plays a crucial role in boosting men’s
Behind You Is the Sea, Susan Muaddi Darraj’s debut novel, brings readers into the lives of three Palestinian families in and around Baltimore: the Salamehs, the Baladis and the Ammars. Generational disputes form the core of the novel’s action, which unfolds through weddings, graduations, unplanned pregnancies and funerals. Women’s issues are also at the fore,
Almost from the moment it docked in Mobile Bay, Alabama, much has been written about the Clotilda, the schooner that brought 110 captive Africans to the U.S. in 1860, more than five decades after the slave trade had been outlawed. The illegal voyage was conducted with stealth, but the arrival of the ship was an
The Clinic Celebrities in rehab: Newsworthy, if not especially surprising. Celebrities dying in rehab: front page, above the fold for at least a day, maybe even a week. But what about celebrities murdered in rehab? That’s the “what if” at the center of Cate Quinn’s deft new thriller, The Clinic. Let’s start with The Clinic
If you asked romance author Tia Williams what her favorite genre is, you might be surprised to learn it is horror. In fact, she once took a yearlong class on Dracula, taking an interest in the mythology of immortality and the fearsome, seductive title character. Williams chuckles as she says, “I’d love to write [a
Kacen Callender dedicates their first foray into young adult fantasy, Infinity Alchemist, to “the younger me who always wanted to write a YA fantasy.” While this might make one imagine a teenage Callender dreaming of a future as an author, Callender explains it is actually in reference to their early days of their career, when
Some of Ben Guterson’s most treasured childhood memories center around two now-defunct grand old department stores in downtown Seattle: Frederick & Nelson and The Bon Marché. They “were absolutely places of magic for me,” the author reminisces in a call from his home in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains. “At Christmastime, I would go
Anna Sinjari is a Kurdish woman dealing with both office drone existential dread and the lingering trauma of the violence she escaped when she immigrated to America. Ssrin is an alien on the run, who immediately bonds with Anna when they encounter each other in Central Park. As a cosmic crisis looms, the pair’s uncanny
As a 19-year-old undergraduate, Antonia Hylton read an academic paper that mentioned Crownsville State Hospital, known at its founding as the Hospital for the Negro Insane. That reference triggered an obsession with the hospital’s bleak history that has carried her through the 10 years it took to produce Madness: Race and Insanity in a Jim
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles As the days become shorter, there’s nothing more comforting than immersing myself in a sweeping historical novel—the bigger, the better! When my book club recently voted to read Amor Towles’ A Gentleman in Moscow (Penguin, $18, 9780143110439), I welcomed the opportunity to escape nightly into the grand halls
Tia Williams’ bestselling Seven Days in June is to be made into a series for Prime Video with Felicia Pride as the showrunner and writer. Other recent projects of Pride’s include Bel-Air, Grey’s Anatomy, and Queen Sugar. The Seven Days in June series will also be produced by Honey Child, Pride’s production company. The story
Lucas Maxwell has been working with youth in libraries for over fifteen years. Originally from Nova Scotia, Canada, he’s been a high school librarian in London, UK for over a decade. In 2017 he won the UK’s School Librarian of the Year award and in 2022 he was named the UK Literacy Association’s Reading For