London is a cosmopolitan city that has been at the forefront of cultural trends for centuries. London has long been celebrated for its tea and crumpets, but there are plenty of other curious and innovative culinary delights waiting to be sampled in imaginative dining rooms that are worth experiencing. Cafe in the Crypt If sipping…
Scotland is a land of mystery, magic, and breathtaking scenery. One of the best ways to fully immerse yourself in Scottish culture is to spend the night at a unique guest house. Scotland is replete with quaint traditional blackhouses, working farms, and castles where visitors can spend several days and nights sipping Scotch, watching sheep…
In the 1900s, the volcanic archipelago of Fernando de Noronha served as one of Brazil‘s most picturesque penal colonies. Marooned over 200 miles from the Brazilian mainland, prisoners sentenced to do time on Fernando de Noronha spent their days gazing longingly out of small prison windows at majestic volcanic peaks, stately cliffs, and turquoise water…
When most people think of Italy, they think of the gondolas of Venice, the stately monuments of Rome, and the gorgeous beaches of the Amalfi Coast. The Italian Alps are some of the most majestic mountains in all of Europe, but because Italy is such a cultural mecca, they often get overlooked. The Italian Alps…
It is fitting that the English translation of Puerto Escondido is ‘hidden port’ since Puerto Escondido is one of Mexico‘s most resplendent hidden gems. Surfers and locals have been singing Puerto Escondido’s praises since the 1950s. Travelers searching for a laid-back surf town full of delectable fresh seafood, pristine white sandy beaches, and local charm…
Visitors flock to Arequipa, Peru to view buildings made of volcanic white stone, bask in over 300 annual days of sunshine, and explore a majestic volcano that looms in the distance. Arequipa’s elegant city center—which is made of a volcanic rock called sillar—has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000 due to colonial architects…
In the Shinto tradition—which is an ancient Japanese belief system—the practice of iwakura venerates sacred stones that are thought to be inhabited by Shinto gods. The two rocks of Meoto Iwa—otherwise known as the Wedded Rocks—honor the gods Izanagi and Izanami, who Shinto devotees believe created the island of Japan. The larger rock represents the…
Located in the scenic Berlengas Archipelago in Portugal, the Fort of the Berlengas—otherwise known as the Fort of São João Baptista—has been an area of interest since the Romans declared that the Berlengas Archipelago was under the watchful eye of the god Saturn. The Fort of the Berlengas started out as a monastery but morphed…
