We discovered Yal Ku Lagoon, in Mexico’s tiny, ecologically protected town of Akumal, quite by accident.  Driving down the bumpy, pot-holed main road of Akumal we were on a mission to explore.  As we drove, the road branched to the left, leading away from the ocean, rambling through thick jungle brush occasionally interspersed with beautiful villas.  Suddenly we could see water once more, glimmering between blossoming shrubs & landscaped yards.  Pulling over, we grabbed water bottles,…

Covered, uncovered, on streets or converted Victorian buildings, London’s markets are a long-standing tradition in the British capital, and a great way to rub shoulders with the locals. Below are some of our favourites:…

Traveling to Greece means traveling back in time, to its invasions and great battles, to the great empires of the past.  To do so on its islands is to relive great moments reflected in the history books and in the ruins of the ancient buildings sprinkled around each and every one of them.  But to set foot on Kos is to enter a world that mixes all the great…

Nithin Coca's first book, Traveling Softly and Quietly, is now for sale on Amazon and Createspace. This is an excerpt from that book. 

We were waking down an alley in the albaicin, the old, Arab quarter of Granada, a maze of brick walls, enclosed, classical white Arab compounds with lovely courtyards, small hidden city squares, all built…

For those of you celebrating a joyous occasion whether a birthday, an anniversary or just a night out to chill with friends, there can be no better place than The Rock Bar at Ayana Resort & Spa in Bali. Built in 2009 and situated on natural rocks 14 meters above the Jimbaran Bay, it was truly a…

Starting in August, the tranquil blue waters of the Golfo Dulce, between the Piedras Blancas National Park and the…

por Cristóbal Ramírez 

Es el río más vitivinícola de España, aunque no por eso tiene un tono rojizo. El Duero dibuja una ruta por los diferentes hitos bodegueros, pero también por pueblos de piedra, iglesias, museos, paisajes tranquilos y fiestas…

There it was, high up inside the 12th century bell tower of the church of Saint-Emilion...evidence that there are some things that never change. Names and dates are carved into the ancient limestone, where people throughout the centuries have left their mark and, thereby, have…

Many of us occasionally yearn for a quiet ride into the countryside “far from the madding crowd” to escape and just breathe for a bit. Sometimes something different and unique is found along the way and we discovered just such a find in Bacon’s Castle. Getting to Bacon’s Castle is quite unique as…

We didn’t stay very long in Narvik. No sooner had our cruise ship tied up, than we were on to a bus to the railway station. Our objective was a scenic ride on the Otofen Railway. . It doesn’t seem to receive as much publicity as other scenic routes in Norway, probably because it’s operated by Swedish Railways.

The port and the railway owe their existence…

When you think New Mexico, do you think skiing?  Georgia O’Keefe?  Hatch chilies?  Sunsets over red rock? John Wayne in the Rio Grande?  Or, perhaps, Tempranillo, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Riesling?  Visit a New Mexico Winery, and you just may forget Mr. Wayne, or at least, enjoy him with a…

You’ve no doubt been to or at least have heard about the Yucatan Peninsula’s wondrous Maya archaeological sites like Tulum, Chichen Itza, and Uxmal. But did you know that Mexico’s most famous beach…

There's no doubt that Budapest is a magnificent place: a city of contrasts, of beautiful bridges and medieval architecture. But Hungary is of course far more than just its capital. There is a lesser known side of the country which, if you can, you should not miss the chance to explore.



For example, in northeast Hungary is…

Costa Rica is making news in 2014 – from the thrilling World Cup 2014 playoffs in Brazil to the United Nations recognizing several historic sites in southern Costa Rica for World Heritage status.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) added four pre-Colombian sites located in the southern region of…

Often referred to as Hawaii’s “Garden Island,” Kaua‛i is a lush tropical paradise of towering cloud-crested green summits. The island has 50-miles of sandy beaches perpetually polished by translucent waves. It was undoubtedly the perfect island for the legendary St. Regis brand to open one of their unparalleled luxury resorts. 

Behold the majestic north…

You won't find the quirky side of Baltimore at Fort McHenry (1793), which recently celebrated the 200th anniversary of Francis Scott Key's "Star Spangled Banner". You might not find it at the Baltimore Museum of Art, the National Aquarium, or in neighborhoods like the Inner Harbor, either, where glittering condos and fab restaurants spring up every day. But don't you worry: The Divine [sic] spirit of…

por Cristóbal Ramírez



En Düsseldorf se creen un poco latinos: aquí no hace…

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to join a group for a guided tour of the Pierre Cardin Museum, located in the Parisian suburb of Saint-Ouen. Organized by the Saint-Ouen tourist office, the visit represented an opportunity to take a peek into the world of high fashion.

The tour was given by…

You have got to go here...Funky Seattle, Wash.

Are you visiting Seattle?  I have a mini blog just for you!  Here are three funky places in Seattle that you may have not thought about visiting, but they are a must!

1. Volunteer Park

Why? Lush green lawns, beautiful flowers, walking trails, history, museums, amazing views of the city - need I say more?…