Often referred to as the Rose-Red City, Petra stands among the deserts and mountains of Jordan as a legacy frozen in time. Carved from a wall of sandstone within the Great Rift Valley, the first sight of the 130-foot facade and its intricate designs and columns conjure up an ancient home for those long gone. A place of majesty and mystery, Petra holds a place in the coveted New 7 Wonders of the World.
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Scattered across the waters of the South Pacific, Vanuatu is one of the world’s most captivating yet underexplored destinations. This Y-shaped archipelago of 83 islands offers visitors an authentic Melanesian experience wrapped in pristine natural beauty, active volcanoes, and some of the most culturally diverse communities on Earth.
Vanuatu lies approximately 1,080 miles east of northern Australia and 310 miles northeast of New Caledonia in the South Pacific Ocean. The nation stretches across roughly 800 …
There are two reasons why cable car rides are utterly irresistible.
Firstly, the engineering that enables a length of wire to haul a small metal cabin up steep mountains and across gaping valleys is intriguing. But more importantly, there’s the gorgeous view from the top, with a city or countryside sprawled out far below.
So when I had some free time in Quito, the capital of Ecuador, it was obvious how I’d spend it. Quito’s …
“We have lost only one man,” said Alpha Omega, our Devil’s Pool guide, a tall stick of a man, “and that was because he saved a guest who chose not to take his advice.” All the guides standing at the edge of the briefing room/cafeteria considered this statement solemnly, their heads bowed. “We also lost a bull elephant. He was swept away by the strong current,” our guide continued. “This is why you must do …
Scenically situated on the banks of the Danube, the Hungarian capital of Budapest had been on my hit list for a while. Although its popularity has soared over the last few years, the city still receives only a fraction of the visitors that heavyweights such as London, Paris, and Rome do. Yet, Budapest has some particularly unique attractions. Where else could you indulge in delicious chimney cake in the morning, luxuriate in hot springs in …
The dual-nation Dutch/French island of St. Martin (Sint Maarten on the Dutch side) is known for a lot of things: crystal clear aquamarine waters, expansive beaches, great seafood and plenty of sun. Its sandy shores aren’t the only things that sparkle, however; the jewelry district of Philipsburg boasts brilliant jewelry at great prices. Here are a few tips for making the most of your shopping experience.
Start Early: It’s never too early to start shopping, …
On a planet where over-tourism is spoiling the very place you’ve gone to visit, it’s a rare treat to be far from the crowds and close to nature. A place where only a handful of other humans are swimming with baby sharks in the bay, or you’re the only person stepping around a dozen iguanas sunbathing on the pier. Where you and your friends are standing only a few feet from some barking, frolicking sea …
When you think of somewhere stunning that you want to visit or a unique place you want to see, what comes to mind? How often have you thought about standing on a see-through platform for the ultimate view? If you are like me and are afraid of heights, I am sure the thought is not appealing. But when you hear that destinations like the Grand Canyon, the CN Tower, or even the Willis Tower in …
The huge redwood we were gazing at in the middle of Muir Woods soared high above our heads, filtering out the sun. The ground around it was covered with dappled images of light and shade that moved and shifted as the mighty tree swayed slightly in the breeze.
Established on January 9, 1908, as a national monument, Muir Woods is located only about 11 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge, but this wilderness of …
A chill north wind blows across a landscape, stark but beautiful at the same time. But a peat fire is always nearby in some stone cottage with a thatched roof, where both the occupants and the ambiance are warm (and so, sometimes, is the beer; this is Britain, after all!). The sounds of the breeze are occasionally broken by the “baaah-ing” of a group of sheep.
The landscape rises and drops sharply in steep hills …
Imagine being farther from dry land than anyone has ever been—so far out in the ocean that astronauts floating overhead are literally your closest neighbors. Welcome to Point Nemo, Earth’s most isolated location and quite possibly the loneliest spot on our planet.
Point Nemo isn’t just “remote.” It is mathematically, precisely, scientifically the most isolated place possible on Earth’s surface. Located at coordinates 48°52.6′S 123°23.6′W in the South Pacific, this watery wasteland sits an astounding …
Wyatt Earp still lives, and he is leading a group of visitors through historic Tombstone, Arizona. In the original Boot Hill cemetery, he points out a particular gravestone. The epitaph reads, “Here lies Lester Moore Four slugs from a 44 No Les No more.”
Oft-quoted and credited to gravestone makers throughout the West, this funny epitaph was originally written for the tombstone right in front of us. Another gravestone reads, “Joseph Ziegler Mitered 1882.” Many …
Famed for its creativity, great new food scene and buzzing nightlife, Shoreditch has become one of London’s trendiest districts. If you’re into architecture and the evolution of buildings you will love the profound way in which skyscrapers and new buildings bite into Shoreditch from London’s ‘square mile’.
A new wave of young professionals have moved in, sending property prices sky-rocketing in what was once a working-class neighbourhood between Old Street and Bethnal Green. The boom …
Panama is located in the middle of countries with such natural wonders that it can be difficult to choose just one. Yet, Panama has its own charm with rich cultures and diverse landscapes. Being bordered by the ocean on two sides, it has beaches galore. From the modern skyline of Panama City to the biodiversity of wildlife at Bocas del Toro, to the highlands of Boquete, Panama is packed with chances for a true Central …