Suzhou is often referred to as “the Venice of the East.” In a less ethnocentric world, we would perhaps call Venice “the Suzhou of the West.” The original canal city, Suzhou was already a over a thousand years old when Venice was founded (514 B.C.E. vs. 421 C.E.) It is also significantly larger than Venice, a full order of magnitude more, in fact. Its canal system is indescribably extensive and complex, spreading through a vast network of fields, … [Read more...]
5 New Destinations You Should Try In 2017
As the year begins, you should now start planning your travels. This will give you ample amount of time to save and to plan. If you are having a hard time deciding where to go, keep on reading and be inspired from the destinations that we will suggest below. Umbria, Italy While it is not as popular as other Italian destinations, Umbria is quickly becoming a tourism hotspot, especially for foodies. Aside from its natural beauty, it also has … [Read more...]
Hot Springs, Arkansas – A CouchSurfer’s Slant on Immersion
A smile of contentment warms the crisp evening breeze, as my Big-Easy reality eases back to its default setting: A humbled existence devoted to saving lives, amidst the controlled chaos of a stressful clinical environment. Just a few days back, the dullness of my royal blue nursing scrubs surrendered to the brightness of my candy pink hiking suit. The travel bug took an awful bite! It is nudging this brown-eyed, fun-size wanderlust to defy … [Read more...]
Cuzco, Peru: Things Learned During an Eight-Day Visit
When I arrived in Cuzco, a city of 350,000 people known as the Inca Capital of Peru, I had near-zero knowledge about the place. All I knew is that it is home to a famous tourist attraction which most of my friends have kept on their Bucket Lists - forever! Stepping out of the airport, I wore that moronic look tourists wear when they arrive at a place where the primary language is something they cannot fluently speak. I did a little chicken … [Read more...]
Quiet Corners of Paris by Jean-Christophe Napias
Opposite to the title of this book - there are plenty of noisy corners in Paris frequented by both locals and tourists alike. This tiny square book highlights nearly 70 of these places including a photograph of each and a short description highlighting historical aspects or a cute nearby eatery of interest. Places like cloisters, courtyards, gardens, museums, galleries, shops, historic homes, ruins, churches and more are highlighted in this … [Read more...]
Quito, Ecuador – January 2017
Quito is the highest capital city in the world (approximately 2800 meters) and earned one of the first UNESCO World Heritage designations in 1978. It is a bustling city spread out between valleys and sprawls partway up the massive mountains that surround it. While the Galapagos Islands garner much of the attention of tourists - a visit to Quito offers a variety of attractions both in and outside the city. Setup "home base" in the lively La … [Read more...]
Xi’an Belongs to the World
Chinese culture belongs not only to the Chinese but also to the whole world,” said former Chinese president Hu Jintao. If Chinese culture does indeed belong to the world, then, without a doubt, the place to explore it is Xi’An. If you’ve never heard of it before, you’re probably not alone. Oddly, one of China’s most interesting and unique cities is not particularly well known to the outside world, especially considering its historical … [Read more...]
Remembering My Time on Paros, Greece
Of all the islands I have visited over the years, the first island I ever visited in Europe many years ago left a lasting impression on me. This was Paros, Greece. I was backpacking with my brother throughout Europe in summer. We had just arrived in Athens where the city was suffering through it's worst heat wave of the season with temperatures in the day hovering in the low 40's (105+ F). Incidentally Athens holds the record temperature for any … [Read more...]
Activities to do in the Cape Winelands
Aside from swirling and sipping in tasting rooms of fabulous wine estates, there are plenty of scenic activities to be done in the Cape Winelands. The rows of vineyards against the majestic background of mountain ranges, and the narrow roads that expose lush gardens are ample reason why it’s essential for you to explore while visiting Cape Town. Explore the towns on a bicycle With a bicycle, you’ll appreciate meandering through the towns of … [Read more...]
Murano and Burano: Islands of Glass, Lace and Brightly Colored Houses
Fragile Art When people hear the word Murano, they immediately think of glass. Artfully blown glass consisting of a rainbow of colors in whimsical shapes of fish, horses, chickens, unicorns and other creatures. Everyday items like bowls and mugs and plates come alive with images and designs never seen or even imagined. Jewelry of every taste is also abundant in the many shops of Murano and Burano. As visitors pass through the various shops … [Read more...]
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