Myanmar. A country with over 3,500 years of history, much of it war-torn and bloody, sits cradled in the elbow between India, China, Thailand and the Andaman Sea. Closed to the outside world for much of the past century following a century of devastating British colonial rule, Myanmar is a captivating destination for travelers interested […]
vacations
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Cruising on China’s Yangtze River — The Ancient and The New
It’s mind-boggling. China’s population is more than 1.4 billion. Yes, billion with a B. Eclipsing the United States with the 2019 population count at 330 million (India fast gaining on China with 1.3 billion). Billions of people. Where to put them all? How to manage them? This is China’s challenge. There are small but noticeable […]
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Central America’s Diamond in the Rough — Discovering Guatemala
Colorful and shy Mayan women go about their day, much the same way they have for centuries in Guatemala. Within the country, there are 21 indigenous groups, many existing in traditional style. But look around and you find a more modern Mayan/Spanish ethnic group known as mestizos, as well as the Garinagu of African descent. […]
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Best Bet for Visiting Italy? The Off-Season
Ah, Italy! Ancient ruins, century-old churches and basilicas, wonderful restaurants and markets, picture-book scenery, canals, rolling hills, vineyards as far as the eye can see, boutique wineries and friendly people. What’s not to like? Well, it all depends on when you go. If you choose the high season — roughly April through October — you’re […]
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A Visit to the Amazon Rainforest
Visiting the Amazon Rainforest is akin to being a teeny insect in the greatest biodiverse area on the planet. It’s humongous and you will never see it all — 2.1 million square miles. One-fifth of the freshwater flowing into the Earth’s oceans comes from the Amazon River. The Amazon has more than 40,000 different kinds […]
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Belize as a Group Kayak Adventure
Close your eyes and imagine water as blue as turquoise. Sand shimmering like diamonds. Sunsets glowing like amber. Jungles glistening like emeralds. No, it’s not a fantasy land of rare gemstones in a mystical story. This is Belize. Beautiful, colorful, friendly Belize on the Caribbean Coast. You can come to Belize for relaxing beaches and […]
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The Panama Canal — World’s Greatest Shortcut
You don’t need to be an engineer or construction worker or sea merchant to appreciate it. In fact, it’s just as fascinating for its historic, geologic and economic attributes. The Panama Canal is one of the ultimate modern-day structures of the world, and cruising through it is diverting for just about anyone. There are several […]
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Egypt — Ancient Land of Fascinating Historical Significance
Egypt is a mystical place where your emotions take a rollercoaster ride. Look right and see some of the world’s most ancient antiquities. Look left and see traffic congestion and pollution. Read the news and there is terrorism and unrest. But spend several days on the placid Nile River and find peace and tranquility. Egypt […]
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10 Tips for Acing Your Next International Trip
Maybe you’re planning a trip to Croatia to see the Instagram-worthy walls of Dubrovnik. Or to Portugal because everyone raves about its food and budget-destination status. Or perhaps to Peru to see Machu Pichu before limits are imposed on daily tourist visits. You’re planning the trip sans tour company. You’ve read the guidebooks. Now the […]