With a population of 35,000 in town and about 100,000 in the region, Fairbanks isn’t a very big city. In terms of truly-unique experiences, however, it ranks up there with much larger cities. Only 140 miles south of the Arctic Circle, Fairbanks makes an indelible impression on visitors.
It all started on August 26, 1901, when a man named E.T. Barnette founded a trading post on the south bank of the Chena River. Mr. Barnette …
Known as the gateway to Africa, the country of Morocco is situated in the north of the continent and shares close ties to Europe… culturally and location-wise. With just 8 miles of sea to cross before reaching Spain, the mixture of sometimes vastly different places has created an exotic and exciting location. The busy streets of major cities like Marrakech and Tangier are perfect for people watching from cafes. The mix of cultures that have …
New York City has The Hamptons. Los Angeles has Palm Springs. Denver has Aspen. For many years, the vacation playground for the rich and famous in Chicago was Lake Geneva. This Wisconsin resort town, only about an hour from the Windy City, has since evolved as a destination accessible for everyone to stay, play, and relax on the water.
A Rich History
It was easy to escape from the big city once the first train …
Most visitors to Mexico head straight to the country’s stunning beaches, and there’s certainly nothing wrong with that. However, there is an abundance of delights in store for those who venture beyond the beaches to Mexico’s beguiling magic towns. The Mexican tourist board has selected 132 pueblos to be included on a list of so-called ‘magic towns’. The towns are chosen for a combination of characteristics including culture, architecture, natural beauty, cuisine, and indigenous history. …
There may be no more diverse destination on the planet than Hawaii. Not only is the terrain amazingly varied – deserts, beaches and lush rainforests, mountains and oceans, deep valleys, and soaring volcanoes – but the climates there range from sub-arctic to tropical. The available activities are almost without end. The culture is a mix of Polynesian, Asian, European, and American. But perhaps the most varied aspect of the Islands is the way that this …
Tracing your cultural heritage and family genealogy is a fascinating undertaking. Family origins have an interest that goes beyond mere intellectual curiosity. We feel bound by our connections to the past, by archetypal respect for all that has come before us. The mystery of your family’s origins is waiting to be uncovered, no matter what your race or country of origin. With a bit of planning and skillful research, it is possible to reveal the …
Most visitors to Mexico head straight to the country’s stunning beaches, and there’s certainly nothing wrong with that. However, there is an abundance of delights in store for those who venture beyond the beaches to Mexico’s beguiling magic towns. The Mexican tourist board has selected 132 pueblos to be included on a list of so-called ‘magic towns’. The towns are chosen for a combination of characteristics, including culture, architecture, natural beauty, cuisine, and indigenous history. …
It’s been almost 60 years since The Sound of Music was released (1965). Everyone remembers Julie Andrews singing “The Hills Are Alive,” but not many know where the Alps behind her are. They are in Austria, along with the rest of the locations used for the movie. It was the home of the real von Trapp Family, and it’s possible to relive one of the world’s favorite family films during a tour in that European …
Missouri is often called one of the “flyover” states. The thought is that it’s not worth an actual trip. That couldn’t be further from the truth—especially regarding St. Louis. In this city, you’ll find tons of family activities, and a lot of them are free! Many of these are located in Forest Park.
Gateway Arch National ParkSt. Louis is most known for the iconic Gateway Arch. You can see it from anywhere in the …
Quebec is one of the safest cities in the world, especially for women, my new friend tells me.
That’s lucky, I think because I’ve just jumped into his car and we’re driving up into deserted forests. If I disappear, nobody will ever know why.
All such thoughts vanish as my impromptu tour guide Philippe Guerriere starts telling me about the battles that raged in Quebec between French and English soldiers, leaving a stunning legacy of …
Dear Travel IQ: Can you explain how to use a concierge properly? Many of the nicer hotels I visit have a concierge, but I’m not sure what is an appropriate question outside of a restaurant suggestion or directions. What can a concierge do for me (and should I then do something for them)?
Signed: Confused and Lost in Vancouver
Dear Confused: All large hotels and resorts (and sometimes even smaller ones) offer concierge …
In 1990 I living in Italy as part of the US contingent of NATO. Strangely, I began to hear consistent rumors of an underwater city near Naples, Italy. Local Italians told me conspiratorially that it was their own Atlantis, but few knew much else about this fabled town. The legends grew over time amongst the locals and the US military stationed just a few miles away. Was it a town built by the Romans, or …
Belgium, though modest in size, stands tall on the European map, boasting an convergence of cultures. This nation, situated among some of Europe’s most influential countries, offers a unique blend of landscapes, architectures, and culinary influence.
Belgium sits in Western Europe, sharing borders with the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, and France. The country’s landscape is diverse, featuring the sandy beaches of the northwest, the agricultural central plateau, and the forests of the Ardennes. The Meuse and …
The first thing you’ll notice as you get closer to the Northern Idaho town of Coeur D’Alene is the ethereal beauty of the mountains, lakes, and forests surrounding it.
And the first thing you’ll notice as you enter the town is that this place is different.
Coeur D’Alene (pronounced kor duh·layn), in fact, seems delightfully stuck in another era. As you enter town, for example, you’ll find plenty of authentically restored, early-1900s Craftsman and Queen …
