The fare was only a couple of coins, but they carried me to a whole other continent. Behind me, just a memory, were the famous spires and domes of Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, packed to the gunnels with tourists. But here on the Asian side—called Anatolia, by locals—was a little…
Hidden Istanbul: How to Leave the Tourist Trail and Get Lost in this Vast City
St. Louis Surprises
St. Louis has seen better days, but as I learned during a recent visit, the first American city west of the Mississippi River punches well above its weight with world-class attractions. My visit started in Forest Park at the St. Louis Art Museum. The museum’s main building, designed by architect Cass Gilbert in the then-fashionable…
Days of Wine and Oysters in Paso Robles
By current count, there are more than 300 wineries in and around Paso Robles, California. Some, like Austin Hope, can trace their roots back to the 1970s winemaking renaissance in Napa and Sonoma. But others, like McPrice “Mac” Myers and Susan A. Mahler, are shaking things up and taking their industry in exciting new directions….
7 Things Parents Need to Do Before a Family Vacation
Vacation season is upon us! Before setting out on your next family adventure, here are a few to-do items that are sure to make the trip even better. Save Up Hopefully, you’ve saved up for this getaway, covering big-ticket items such as transportation, accommodations, activities, and events. Don’t forget to set aside some spare change…
Pilots Issue Mayday As Data Suggest UK Aviation ‘Worst Hit by Travel Rules’
Pilots are calling for urgent action to help aviation because of the “devastating” impact of the pandemic-related lockdowns on UK airlines and airports. The British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA) said the UK aviation industry has been the hardest hit in Europe by restrictions on international travel. Its analysis of official European air traffic data for…
Man Teaches Himself to Handcraft Incredible Leather Shoes—Ends Up Selling Them to Royalty
A self-taught shoemaker has honed his craft from meager beginnings to fashioning some of the finest leather shoes in the world, from his workshop in Saigon, Vietnam. Learning the trade in humbling circumstances in the 1940s, Trinh Ngoc, now 89, went on to craft footwear that became sought after by the likes of kings and…
Fun in the Water and on Land at Great Wolf Lodge
“You want me to get on that and go down to where?” I wailed from high atop the Alberta Falls waterslide, looking down to an alleged pool that was well out of visual range. My 11-year-old granddaughter nodded with a look of both consternation and resignation that I tried very hard to take in stride….
Photographer Snaps Stunning Pictures of Famed Leopard in India Hanging Out Lazily in a Tree
This tired-looking leopard picked the perfect spot for a nap—and for the safarigoer who captured some incredible pictures of the big cat looking blissfully serene. The large feline was found in Nagarahole National Park and Tiger Reserve in India, and was photographed looking perfectly peaceful as he lay stretched out in a tree, his four legs…
Kids Join the Fun at Family-Friendly Wineries
Wine-tasting has traditionally been for adults only; however, with the demand for outdoor activities currently much higher, a few California wineries are now opening their doors to families, with some even allowing pets. One of the world’s most beautiful wine regions is expanding its range of experiences from being a traditional grown-up pastime to one…
Photographer Visits Obscure African Village Where People Literally Live Inside Works of Art
Traveling blogger Olga Stavrakis and photographer Rita Willaert gained entry into the isolated West African village of Burkina Faso, where they documented an extraordinary people living in a habitat like no other. The obscure village of Lies Tiebele is home to the Kassena people. First settled in the 15th century, Lies Tiebele covers 1.2 hectares and…
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