Many first time visitors to Dublin don’t know that the ‘Garden of Ireland’ – County Wicklow – is only 30 minutes south of the city center. No trip to Ireland would be complete without leaving the capital city to see the countryside that the Emerald Isle is so famous for. While there are many destinations worthy of a Dublin daytrip, one of my favorites is the Powerscourt Estate in County Wicklow. Unlike other destinations outside of Dublin that are on the train line, you will need to rent a car or join a tour to visit Powerscourt. Reaching the estate in a rental car is half the fun – passing through quaint villages and following rickety old signs will give the daytrip an adventurous quality. The estate is famous for being home to the five-star Ritz Carlton Powerscourt and […]
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Pre-Columbian Archaeology in Chan Chan, Peru
When it comes to Pre-Columbian artifacts, Peru is awash in them, and probably nowhere more so than Chan Chan, the largest Pre-Columbian city in South America. The archaeological site, locate near Trujillo, dates back to the 9th century when it was built by the Chimu as the imperial capital. At one time over 30,000 people lived in the adobe city of Chan Chan, before being conquered by the Incas. Later, Spanish conquistadors, including Francisco Pizarro, took over. Today the adobe city of Chan Chan is a UNESCO world heritage site, added to the list in 1986. Although much is being done to preserve the area, it is still threatened by the occasional tornadoes, earthquakes, rain and erosion, as well as the odd looter that thinks stealing precious artifacts is a good idea. There are also several other ruin […]
Read MoreLuxury Vacation Experiences in Bali
If you are tired of cold and gloomy weather, maybe it is time to stop daydreaming about scuba diving, sandy beaches, palm trees and warm sunshine, and do something about it. You can start with making plans to visit some place exotic like Bali. Bali beckons travelers from around the world each year, with its unbelievable warm breezes and beautiful scenery. Imagine yourself on a luxury holidays in Bali, enjoying the crystal clear water and beautiful warm sandy beaches with their exquisite hotels. And don’t forget those relaxing spa treatments that the island is famous for. When planning your holiday, keep in mind the best time to visit is between April and October. During this period, there will be less rainfall and humidity, and your practically guaranteed to have days filled with warm breezes and sunshine. No matter how beautiful […]
Read MoreCuracao: A Caribbean Island with a European Edge
It’s hard not to fall in love with a tropical island. Even more so when that tropical island has the kind of energy that makes you want to stay on your Caribbean holidays indefinitely. Try Curacao; it’s the perfect Caribbean island (a part of the Netherland Antilles) about 40 miles off the coast of Venezuela and it’s Dutch, still Dutch after all these years. The island is also part of what is commonly referred to as the ABC islands: Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao. Another plus, Curacao is out of the hurricane belt, which means no hurricanes during hurricane season translating into the fact that your vacation won’t be ruined if you visit from June to October. Curacao is not your typical island in the Caribbean either since it feels very European and, for lack of a better word, magical. A […]
Read MoreVenturing Beyond the Main Attractions in Malta
A trip to the Mediterranean island of Malta is sure to include many of the must-see attractions. There are stunning paintings by Caravaggio in St John’s Co-Cathedral, the fantastic view of the harbor in Valletta from the Upper Barrakka Gardens, and the medieval walled city of Mdina. While these attractions are more than enough to keep visitors occupied for several days, there are also some off the beaten path attractions that are worth a visit for travelers who want to scratch beneath the surface. Here are three of my favorite ways to get to know Malta beyond its most famous sites: Visit Local Wineries Travelers might not be aware that Malta has a developing reputation for its wines. Remember, Malta is located very close to Sicily, an island that has a great reputation for wines. This close proximity alone reveals […]
Read MoreUnderstand the Whirling Dervishes of Turkey
For many travelers to Turkey, sampling the Turkish cuisine rates at the top of the to-experience list. After all the basic sightseeing is finished, and visitors move to some of the cultural experiences that the country has to offer, watching the whirling dervishes usually ranks high on the list. Often erroneously considered a folk dance troupe or some sort of trance inducing dance, the dervishes are more aligned with religion and philosophy than with entertainment. The ritual dancing is based on the teaching of the Persian philosopher and poet Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi who, along with his son, founded the Sufi Order. Sufis are part of the Sunni sect of Islam, and Mevlana Rumi’s teachings emphasized tolerance and patience, not revolutionaries, and their belief is that unification with God will occur through the constant movement of the universe. Okay, we […]
Read MoreShould You Travel to Mexico?
Current events can lead us into thinking that the world is not a safe place to travel, and whenever that happens, it makes me very sad. For some time now, travel to Mexico has been on the wane. For awhile it was fear of the swine flu, then fear of rampant drug activity, and now fear of the potential for violence. If you think about all of that superficially, instead of burrowing a little deeper into the information, you may be tempted to stay home. And that would be a big mistake. Let’s look a little deeper into the issue of visiting Mexico: There are problems EVERYWHERE in the world. Of course you’re going to hear about crime in Mexico. You’re also going to hear about it in Manhattan, Los Angeles, Washington DC – some of the most frequently visited cities in the […]
Read MoreFamily Fun at the Royal Ontario Museum
Museum lovers who visit Toronto will want to get their history and culture fix at the Royal Ontario Museum with its engaging galleries of art, archaeology, and natural science from around the world. With over 40 galleries spread out over four floors, the museums is just one more reasons that a visit to Ontario will be both educational, culturally enriching, and fun. The Royal Ontario Museum is a great destination for families, with lots of kid friendly exhibits. Some exhibits that kids might enjoy include: The current exhibit, Water! The Exhibition, has been a big hit with 17 interactive hands-on activities. Where there’s water there’s usually fun, and this exhibit uses real water along with immersive displays, natural artifacts, videos and animals to explain why water is important to Canada and the world. ROM Live! has been a big […]
Read MoreDubai Delights Shoppers
One of the seven emirates of the UAE, Dubai is probably better known for its shopping than for its many cultural sights and activities. What is it about this spot in the desert that has earned it the reputation as the “shopping capital of the Middle East” attracting shoppers from around the world? Dubai has over 70 shopping malls, including the huge Dubai Mall, offering everything from jewelry to electronics to upscale fashion. Most of the shops and boutiques in the mall operate on a a fixed-price basis, so if it’s some friendly haggling you’re looking for, head to one of the souks. The souk districts are located on both sides of the Dubai Creek and are traditional Arabic markets (in photo above). Although perhaps not as over-the-top as those found in Marrakesh or Istanbul, it’s still a shopping experience […]
Read MoreArtfully Displayed at New York’s Museum of Modern Art
In a city filled with wonderful museums, New York’s MoMA (Museum of Modern Art) stands out as a real gem – and my personal favorite. From an initial gift of eight prints and one drawing, the collection has grown to include over 150,000 paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, photographs, architectural models and drawings, and design objects, along with over 22,000 films and over four million still photos, making it one of the most influential museums of modern art in the world. The exhibitions maintain a nice balance of subject, style, mediums, and time periods. It’s the kind of place you can spend a few hours or the entire day, depending on what your schedule will allow. It’s a great place to spend a cold wintry day, warming up with the art as well as a stop off in the cafe. With […]
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