There are few places on earth where the past feels so alive that you can almost touch it. Greece is one of them. From the sun-bleached marble columns of the Parthenon to the laughter echoing through seaside tavernas, every corner of this country carries a heartbeat that blends ancient myth with modern vitality. My journey through Greece was not just a trip—it was a cultural odyssey where history, art, and human connection came together in ways that left a permanent mark on my soul. Athens: Walking Through Time Athens, the […]

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Matthew Polly is the national bestselling author of American Shaolin, Tapped Out and Bruce Lee: A Life. A Princeton University graduate and Rhodes Scholar, he spent two years studying kung fu at the Shaolin Temple in Henan, China. His writing has appeared in The Washington Post, Esquire, Slate, Playboy, and The Nation. He is a fellow at Yale University and lives in New Haven, Connecticut. Q1. Kung Fu, Chinese culture, and language were at the forefront of your life in your younger years. Could you tell us a bit about your background, and how your interest in kung […]

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During my latest visit to Reims I stopped by Taittinger to see their historic caves and imbibe in some delicious Champagne including the latest release of their flagship bottling, Comtes de Champagne. The history of this site is overwhelming. Saint-Nicaise, the bishop of Reims was killed in the 5th century and was buried here. In 1229 an abbey was built by the Benedictine monks over Saint-Nicaise’s gravesite and to house his relics. The abbey was sold during the French Revolution (1789 to 1799) and over time was dismantled for its […]

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The morning sun cast long shadows across the sugarcane fields as I made my way north from Manila along the MacArthur Highway. Like many travelers before me, I had always seen Tarlac as a place to pass through – a mere waypoint on the journey to more famous destinations in the Philippines’ northern reaches. But something made me stop this time, drawn by whispers of historic haciendas, sacred mountains, and a culture that blends the Kapampangan, Pangasinan, and Ilocano traditions into something uniquely its own. My first stop was Tarlac […]

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You don’t have to be a sommelier to know that wines from Burgundy have a certain prestige in the wine world.  Peruse a restaurant wine list, and you’ll notice that some of the featured wines or top shelf offerings are Pinot Noir or Chardonnay from Bourgogne, or Burgundy. Wine is grown worldwide, so what is it that makes Burgundy so revered amongst the well studied and introductory wine drinkers? Origins Winemaking in Burgundy can be attributed to the Romans! They brought the vines to Gaul, present day France, and taught […]

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This Cambodia trip was the most unexpected and unplanned trip I have ever been on. Although I had intended to travel there, I never anticipated it would happen so quickly because my 14-day visa-free had expired, and I had to leave Thailand urgently to avoid paying fines. This blog will follow my chaotic trip from Bangkok to Phnom Penh, along with some advice and tricks. I was informed that I could not extend my visa anymore, only a night before I would leave for Cambodia. So, I checked all possible […]

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As a guest of The Bush Hotel in Farnham you enjoy the best of all worlds. Steeped in history but embracing contemporary design and offering a personal touch in the way that only an independent family-run hotel can. Surrounded by the Surrey hills and nestled in its own private gardens in the heart of this attractive historic town, the hotel still feels like it’s away from the hustle and bustle of the high street, with its quiet and relaxed ambience. After parking in the secure – and free – car […]

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Aguascalientes, Mexico – Mexico may be best known for its spirits like tequila and mezcal, but Mexican wine is one of the fastest-growing industries in the country. Within Mexico are several wine regions, many of which are becoming regular household names. Aguascalientes, while one of the smallest states in Mexico, is the fifth-largest wine-producing region in the country. With an average elevation of more than 6,500 feet above sea level, Aguascalientes is one of Mexico’s highest-elevation wine regions, producing unique bottles that are sure to impress even the most discerning […]

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“Ghost House” is one of the best horror movies I have seen in a long time. The horror elements are so original and raw  – the jump scare, the atmosphere, the soundtrack etc, everything is done completely right. The movie does not throw in excessive unnecessary special effects or follow the Hollywood’s formulaic scare tactics. It hit me in a way that most horror flicks hadn’t. I remember when the movie was over, I immediately pulled out my phone and looked up the director of this movie – Rich Ragsdale. […]

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September 13, 2021. With Lithuania now offering its visitors an additional night in the country for free, its biggest cities Vilnius, Kaunas, and Klaipėda prove to be all the more suitable travel destinations for a quick getaway. Aside from being abundant with cultural sites and natural monuments, Lithuania’s biggest cities stand out for their unusual and bizarre gastronomical experiences marked by a pronounced preference for local ingredients and a relaxing atmosphere. Lithuania Travel—the country’s national tourism development agency—along with the locally-acclaimed chef and food blogger Arnas Raulinaitis has compiled a […]

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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 have both a winter and a summer home where they oversee their animals, usually […]

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Family and friends began gathering the day before this auspicious date. The music started quietly at first but with the giant speakers waiting to be fully utilized, the sound was quickly turned up. This was not a quiet event but a 2 day chance to party! Dishes, utensils, pots and pans were all brought in from the nearby temple and a number of village elders showed up to help chop, dice, slice and prepare a huge feast. The music carried on loudly well into the late hours of the night. […]

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The State Tourist Board of Baden-Württemberg, also known as SouthWest Germany, is home to one of the most beautiful and relaxing outdoor paradises in all of Europe: Lake Constance and its island jewels. Centrally located in the heart of Europe between SouthWest Germany, Austria and Switzerland, Lake Constance offers outdoor beauty, gardens, palaces and unique museums, including a bronze age village, the Zeppelin Museum and lakeside castles. Autumn is one of the most beautiful times of year to pedal around this special corner of Europe. Lake Constance and its exquisite […]

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I landed in Ulanbaatar in the very early am. My pre-arranged ride was not waiting at airport so I found a taxi who promptly delivered me to my guest house, 20 mins to town w/o traffic. Two story guesthouse. I ended up on the second floor – frustrated because the inside door to the guesthouse was locked and it was 430am. Knocking over and over again resulted in no action from within. I began to prep a rudimentary sleeping arrangement in the hallway when some bleary eyed chap opened and […]

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The valley of Ladakh is one of the most visited tourist destinations in India. The valley is famous for its pristine landscape and snow-capped mountains, and at the same time, it is one of the highest inhabited regions of the world. The Ladakh valley is blessed with two mountain ranges running through its boundaries, namely the Himalayan Mountain Range and the Karakoram Mountain Range. In the last decade, the area has seen a high influx of tourists, and in recent years, it has outperformed some of the most famous tourist destinations in India. The […]

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