We left Ulaanbaatar in the early morning under the gloomy grey skies with a persistent drizzle. Depressing weather, but certainly not unexpected. Could be worse. Could be the -30 they often experience here in the winter months. There is a reason I am not here in winter. We stayed with nomads - spending our nights in Mongolian gers - round accommodations that apparently can take only several hours to setup but seem very sturdy. These nomads … [Read more...]
Best European Travel Destinations for Architecture Sightseeing
Throughout Europe, the history of the region has shaped the construction of cities and architecture of buildings. For those who are enchanted with the beauty of centuries of construction art, Europe is a sightseeing wonderland. Here are some of the best locations across the continent to see and learn about thousands of years of architectural design. Barcelona, Spain The region that is now the city of Barcelona is believed to have been … [Read more...]
The Most Unusual Traditions In the World
You can look at any family and you are going to find a quirk to two here and there. Every family has a couple of traditions that they practice on a daily or weekly basis that others find weird. Maybe it has to do with their cultures. Maybe it is just how they are as a family whatever the situation is, these traditions might seem weird, but they are certainly not the weirdest on earth. Just check out some of the following most unnatural traditions … [Read more...]
A Pub Tour of the United Kingdom
There is nothing more traditional and stereotypically British than a classic Great British pub. In many small villages in the UK, a pub is the focal point of the community; a place where events are held, and parties are celebrated. How good the village pub is will often determine whether the village is worth visiting or indeed living in - a village is only as good as its pub. Whilst the British are known as lovers of pubs, they are also known … [Read more...]
James Asquith, Youngest to Visit all 196
An accomplishment certainly worth highlighting - world traveler, James Asquith remarkably completed visiting all 196 UN recognized countries by the time he was just 24. An even more remarkable was he started this epic and ultimate road trip when he was just 18. Recently we had a chance to ask him a few questions about his time on the road (he no longer has a permanent home) and he recently built and launched an app that has introduced an … [Read more...]
National Geographic, New York Times Best-Selling Author Dan Buettner and Gallup Announce The 25 Happiest Cities in the United States
National Geographic, Gallup and New York Times best-selling author and National Geographic Explorer Dan Buettner have announced The 25 Happiest Cities in the United States based on The National Geographic/Blue Zones® Index. The Index was specifically developed to measure a population’s happiness based on 15 metrics including civic engagement, walkability and healthful food options. Boulder, Colorado tops the list with walkability, access to … [Read more...]
Norwegian Flies OAK to Denmark Nonstop!
I recently attended the launch of Norwegian Air's nonstop flight from Oakland to Copenhagen, Denmark at a chef's tasting prepared by Andreas Bagh, Executive Chef at Copenhagen's Michelin starred Marchal restaurant at the Hotel d'Angleterre. The event was hosted at the Cookhouse in North Beach, a lovely, intimate venue in a space next to the legendary Vesuvio Cafe in San Francisco. The evening was well attended by local journalists and … [Read more...]
Scandinavian Cruise to the Baltic Capitals
A Scandinavian cruise to the Baltic Capitals sat on our travel list for several years, while easier and less expensive trips took precedence. For us to set sail towards our Viking roots, we needed a big occasion—like a 50th birthday. I think of 50 as an easy going innocuous number. It’s neutral (fifty/fifty), romantic (Fifty First Dates), and even sexy (Fifty Shades of Grey). But for my husband, 50 conjured dark and disturbing … [Read more...]
Rudkobing, Denmark… Wedding Destination?
Red doors welcome guests into warmly decorated homes, basket bicycles sit in front of flower gardens, cozy houses are perched along rocky streets, a colorful market full of fresh goods and happy people and a harbor full of boats waiting to leave for new adventures - all await visitors in the charming town of Rudkobing, Denmark. Rudkobing, located on Langeland Island also hosts many sports and nature related activities similar to other Nordic … [Read more...]
Little Denmark
At a British- or Irish-style “public house” in an old colonial town, a fictional action figure named John M. Edwards sucks down suds with serendipity. I was standing at the bar at the Jolly Trolley in Westfield, New Jersey, staring at my Fuller’s London Pride, when I decided I was so drunk I would indeed have a hangover in the morning. The red label reminded me of the Protestant solidity of London and the infinite possibilities of drinking … [Read more...]