Long-lasting posts that continue to earn reader attention over time.
Have you ever wanted to leave everything behind and head out on the road in an old van? Most people have, at least once. That restless urge sits at the heart of Into the Wild, Sean Penn’s raw and deeply affecting film based on the real story of Christopher McCandless, the young man who renamed…
Prior to the 20th century, people of Greek and Turkish descent lived a fairly harmonious existence in the Turkish village of Kayakoy. Referred to as Livissi by the Greek population, the village was home to a Greek Orthodox church, rows of homes, and a school. A cultural rift between Greece and Turkey in the wake…
The small Greek island of Symi is the ideal place to relax and catch your breath during a whirlwind tour of Greece. Dotted with neoclassical mansions, a clock tower inspired by London’s Big Ben, and a church dedicated to the Archangel Michael, Symi is slightly more rooted in modern history than the nearby island of…
The French town of Colmar—which is located in the Alsace region of France—is a dreamy village full of peaked roofs and placid canals. Starting in late November, Colmar hosts one of Europe’s most beloved Christmas markets. The Colmar market is divided into 6 distinct Christmas markets where visitors can sip on mulled wine, view a…
After spending a few hours admiring Villajoyosa’s colorful buildings, gorgeous beaches, and relaxing yet delicious eateries, you will hardly be surprised that the English translation of Villajoyosa is “joyful town.” Located in Alicante on Spain’s Mediterranean Coast, Villajoyosa is the ideal spot to spend a day or two soaking in the sun. One of Villajoyosa’s…
Japan is a country of astonishing order and precision. Every detail is thoughtfully designed: when it’s cold outside, public restrooms are heated; at the airport, there’s a luggage compartment inside the bathroom stalls; when you’re cycling, there are no curbs on the roads; and if you can’t adjust the shower temperature, there’s a marked “comfort…
Italy is a country of countless natural and cultural wonders, but Pragser Wildsee—a jewel-toned alpine lake also known as Lago di Braies that is located in the Italian Dolomites—is undeniably one of Italy’s most resplendent sights. Surrounded by towering mountains that are often shrouded in mist, Pragser Wildsee is a staggeringly beautiful emerald lake that…
Local lore states that fairies have been spotted throughout the centuries frolicking in the waterfalls of the idyllic village of Rastoke in Croatia. It’s not hard to imagine mythical creatures prancing about when you’re surrounded by Rastoke’s quaint wooden buildings and thundering waterfalls. Rastoke is literally a town of waterfalls with a hilltop settlement sprinkled…