Deep in the valleys forged by the waters of Asia’s Red River, a series of colorful mountain villages are encircled by fields of towering rice terraces. The fields are agricultural feats of precision — rugged mountains blanketed with emerald stairways that, seemingly, ascend to the heavens above. Mu Cang Chai, Vietnam. Ratnakorn Piyasirisorost But this
Destinations
Whitney Spielfogel It’s the most wonderful time of year to visit Scotland’s capital city of Edinburgh! Soak up the holiday festivities in Edinburgh this season with an enchanting program of events and entertainment – from traditional markets and ice skating – to Scottish storytelling and a Christmas tree maze. Starting in November and going through
Christmas is a very important time of year in most calendars and that does not change for Barcelona. Here, there are many parts of tradition, both new and old, for people to enjoy. Whether it be food, stalls, religious or not, there is plenty to learn about. Here are some of the most traditional aspects
(CNN) — Aviation punctuality reports are a bit like buses; you wait all year for one then two appear at once. On Thursday, travel data analyst Cirium released its annual On-Time Performance Review, naming Russian flag carrier Aeroflot the world’s most on-time global mainline airline and Moscow’s Sheremetyevo International Airport the world’s most punctual airport.
Hawaii’s sandy beaches, big surf, volcanic landscapes, rugged coastlines and tropical glamour beckon. But cruise choices abound. Do you prefer a big ship with a cast of thousands and a huge variety of onboard activities and restaurants, or a small ship for a more intimate atmosphere, personal attention, peace and quiet, and seeing the same
American Airlines’ Boeing 737 Max planes sit parked outside of a maintenance hangar at Tulsa International Airport (TUL) in Tulsa, Oklahoma, May 14, 2019. Patrick T. Fallon | Bloomberg | Getty Images American Airlines is planning to share with employees a portion of the compensation it expects to receive from Boeing for the nearly 10-month grounding
Photo Credit: Shutterstock In Paris, every day is an adventure. Whether you’re exploring Monet’s at Musée Marmottan, sipping hot chocolate at Angelina, seeking out the city’s latest hotspot for drinks or spending the day browsing through the shops and boutiques along the Champs Élyseés, it’s heavenly to turn down at a glamorous hotel in the
Shopping is an obvious element of traveling, where a trip is incomplete unless you have walked around the many markets in the place. Maybe because shopping is also an experience in itself, which allows you to enter into an everyday element of the locals’ life – buying the things they buy for yourself, and taking
(CNN) — A cathedral in flames is a heart-stopping sight. A son following in his mother’s footsteps is a heartwarming one. Places evoke all kinds of emotions as they experience growth, improvement, renewal and sometimes devastating setbacks. Tenacity stands out as a defining characteristic for many of the places that spoke to us this year
On the lawn in front of Little Barwick House stand a magnificent cedar tree and a beautiful tulip tree with lime and orange flowers that must remain in place by law. I rather wish that the small hotel to which they belong were protected by a similar preservation order – for though it is thriving
It sounds like a great idea. To solve your financial woes, you temporarily change your habits and hope that will result in more cash and better habits. Problem is, it may backfire. At best, the key word is “temporary.” Just like with food or health diets, whatever you do to make some kind of change
(courtesy of Pine Ridge Vineyards) Napa Valley provides an ideal backdrop for a romantic weekend for travelers to take a breath and unwind and enjoy fine wine, luxury resorts and top-class dining. The beauty of the countryside creates a quaint small-town atmosphere allowing couples to recharge and reconnect, relax and enjoy. Encompassing six towns (Napa,
Going on sabbatical was once reserved for academics and clergy, but is now becoming a popular trend for professionals seeking to build ‘mini-retirements’ into their career. With many companies now offering sabbatical programs they are now more common than ever and can give you the time to experience the world in a way that wouldn’t
(CNN) — A man with strawberry-blonde hair squats to face his dark-bearded, well-toned opponent. Both are wearing black loincloths, and stand in a meticulously groomed circle, surrounded by ceramic tiles that link together to form a perimeter. They’re about to engage in a sumo wrestling match. But this isn’t a tourist attraction in Japan. This
Among my favourite photographs from my childhood is one that my brother entitled “Showdown at Barf Creek”. In the picture we’re standing beside a car at the side of a road somewhere near Ullapool, in the Scottish Highlands. I have a cheerful smile. My brother is pulling a disgusted face. And somewhere in the background
A Southwest Airlines Co. plane takes off as representatives and pilots from the Southwest Airlines Pilots’ Association (SWAPA) demonstrate outside Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., on Wednesday, May 18, 2016. Daniel Acker / Bloomberg / Getty Images U.S. airlines are headed for their 10th consecutive year of profitability and their employees,
The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe San Diego might be one of the fastest-growing major cities in the U.S., but just thirty minutes north sits the postcard-perfect community of Rancho Santa Fe. A rural paradise, its rolling hills are home to citrus groves, darling 1930s Spanish-Mediterranean architecture, beautifully maintained trails, stableyards, and prized thoroughbred horses.
Tokyo is an always-blossoming destination. The population is ever growing due to their advanced technology and opportunities. While it’s high in technological advancements, it’s also a fashion forward city. Tokyo is one of the largest city on the planet Earth. How crazy is that?! Monthly Housing and Utilities There are many things to take into
The Galapagos, a UNESCO World Heritage site, are home to some of the most unique and scientifically significant ecosystems on earth. It is part of Ecuador and located hundreds of miles off the country’s coast. The incident is likely to rile scientists and environmentalists who have gone to great lengths to protect the volcanic Pacific
To appreciate the real story behind Little Women, there’s no better place to start than where it all began – Orchard House, the home of the book’s author Louisa May Alcott. After disembarking my cruise ship, I took a 40-minute train ride from Boston’s North Station to Concord, Massachusetts. From there I took a short cab
Birk Ruud of Norway competes the Men’s Freeski Big Air finals during the 2019 Air+Style Beijing FIS SnowBoard World Cup on December 14, 2019 in Beijing, China. Lintao Zhang | Getty Images Two Chinese cities — namely Beijing and Zhangjiakou — witnessed a burst of activity in winter sports investment after China was named the
Dec. 24th, 2019 For decades, Bali’s Ubud area has been known as a place of spiritual healing, blessed with dense tropical jungles, miles and miles of verdant rice fields, one thousand temples and perhaps the friendliest people on the planet. Tucked away in a pristine location is Ubud’s crème de la crème of luxury resorts
If you’re looking for adventure and activities to unwind, South America has abundant, exciting options. Spanning over nine beautiful countries, you cannot exhaust what the continent offers. First, it is notable for the vast Amazon forest, which is a beauty shared by several countries. But apart from the Amazon, each South American country is distinctively
(CNN) — Looking for a 2020 cruise vacation that will make some waves? Then don’t just hop aboard any old boat: When it comes to planning your perfect trip, travel foresight is “20/20,” thanks to this sneak peek at the 10 most exciting cruise ships on the roster for the year ahead. This next generation
When skiing first became popular, it was considered the realm of the aristocracy and celebrity film stars, and energetic sporty types who combined a love of adventure and mountaineering with the new thrill of sliding down fast. The glamorous set spent summers in St Tropez, Capri or Monte Carlo, then met again in Alpine equals
If you’re like the 76% of Americans who drive to work alone, you’ve probably commuted in stop-and-go traffic with no end in sight. Then, when the road finally clears, you realize there was no reason for traffic to be stopped in the first place. Experts call them “phantom traffic jams,” moments when traffic grinds to
Whitney Spielfogel Rolling green hills, charming isles, majestic mountainsides, remote nature reserves and open-air skies – Scotland offers up the best of the Great British outdoors. A trip to Scotland is for those craving authenticities and a fresh breath of the wild. After days taking in the history and culture (and whiskey!) in the capital city
If you hear the phrase “wet season” and shiver, you’re not alone. Many people who’ve not experienced the country run (or fly) in the opposite direction at the thought of massive rainstorms eating away at their beach time. But wet season also translates to ‘low season’, and savvy travelers know there are some major benefits
Looking to travel in Hanoi? Well, we’ve got the best Vietnam travel blog on where to stay in Hanoi, the best Hanoi restaurants, shopping in Hanoi and the best nightlife spots! The best place to begin in Hanoi is with the city’s top tourist draw– the Old Quarter. Here, centuries of commerce can be charted amid
(CNN) — In May 2018, Abu Dhabi opened a suspension bridge allowing travelers to drive or cycle over the sea. On one side was Abu Dhabi’s mainland — home of its famous mosque and Louvre museum. At the other? Al Hudayriat Island, an island that offers 600 meters (1,970 feet) of quiet beach. Al Hudayriat