The 2018 World Cup in Russia will be a footballing extravaganza, with 32 nations battling to win the sport's most prestigious trophy. The event offers people the chance to visit some of the world's most beautiful cities, including Moscow which will host the final on July 15. Russia boasts a wealth of cultural and historical riches, and landscapes that have inspired artists and poets for generations. Read on to find out more about the … [Read more...]
How Sochi Became an All-Season Hotspot for Tourists
SOURCE: flickr.com Prior to the 2014 Winter Olympics, how many people had heard of Sochi? Outside of Russia, the answer is probably very few. When most people think of snow, skiing and snowboarding, they think of somewhere in Austria or Italy, at least if they’re in Europe. In the US, you can take advantage of lift pass deals like Fly and Ski Free and take to the slopes in Tahoe without spending a dime. Or, if you’re really adventurous, you … [Read more...]
Top 4 sports events to watch in 2018
The next 12 months promise to be a delight for sports fans across the world, with a vast array of top events taking place throughout 2018. Winter sports and football provide the year's top two attractions, with the Winter Olympics and the World Cup set to draw massive crowds to South Korea and Russia respectively. Winter Olympics, South Korea Scheduled to take place PyeongChang from February 9-25, the Winter Olympics brings together the … [Read more...]
Exploring Russia on a Viking River Cruise
This was my first river cruise with Viking Cruises, a trip I'd dreamt about for weeks! Russia, the world's largest country, takes up an eighth of the world's surface, borders 14 different countries, 12 oceans and seas and spans 11 time zones. Getting Ready to Cruise Through Russia Including start and end points St. Petersburg and Moscow, our cruise includes seven stops with optional offshore excursions, some included in the fare, others … [Read more...]
Moscow: Tagansky Bunker Blues
I am early for the tour and am made to wait in the entrance hall. At least I am out of the snow, although it’s colder inside than it was outside. Exactly on schedule, I am ushered in for a security check and then taken back to the cold entrance room for an introduction. Sasha, a youthful but stern 20-something, is my guide. His English leaves much to be desired and he speaks in a loud, military-style voice that seems appropriate for this … [Read more...]
Trier – Rome of the North
“Ante Romam Treveris stetit annis mille trecentis” (Trier stood 1300 years before Rome) – legend of Trier’s founding. Trier is the UNESCO World Heritage city you’ve never heard of. While you were busy swooning over Berlin’s modern architecture or Munich’s copious beer gardens, you’ve missed Germany’s most remarkable city, quietly minding its own business along the banks of the Mosel river, the way it always has for two and a half … [Read more...]
Between the Traditional and the Modern, there Lies Ulaanbaatar
Somewhere between the modern and the traditional, there lies Ulaanbaatar. Mongolia’s fascinating capital is a city evolving before our very eyes. Its population is rapidly trading its ancestral, nomadic ways for a more modern life while still trying to retain the uniqueness of its rich culture. Ulaanbaatar is a city in transition, moved by dynamics bigger than itself. It lies at the intersection of globalization, capitalism, the legacy of … [Read more...]
Pittsburgh: Inspiring Awe and Nostalgia
Visit Pittsburgh. It’s a vibrant city with fantastic views and all kinds of easily accessible ways to see them, a sports legacy to envy, and vital American history. But more importantly, it is a tribute to what city government, public and private enterprise, and concerned citizens – what we, as human beings – can accomplish. In the last 50 years or so Pittsburgh has orchestrated a miraculous environmental transformation. Ride to the top of the … [Read more...]
Cirque du Soleil’s Zarkana—Wild, Wondrous and Body-Boggling
What do you do when your senses are simultaneously confused, excited, alarmed and enthralled? If you’re at a performance of Zarkana, Cirque du Soleil’s dramatic and mesmerizing visual bombardment at ARIA Las Vegas, you go with it. And going with it will be mighty gratifying. Many theater pieces engage your brain, perhaps with some later follow-through in your body. Zarkana envelops you. The lushly resonant music alone penetrates your body and … [Read more...]
Just woke up in “prison” in Helsinki
"Am I there yet? Am I there yet?" This question rattled around several times in my jet lag induced brain for a few moments before one eye fluttered open. In the foggy haze of nonstop travel for the past few days I looked around. I was in a small room. I noticed the window. It was high up the wall, not in a normal spot for a window. I glanced at the blinking red light. It was 4am. But there was plenty of outside light in the room. There was … [Read more...]