Compass
I marvel at the cavernous interiors of the room, chiseled from the soft tuff rock, formed millions of years ago by the eruption of the volcanoes that once dominated the landscape of Cappadocia. The lava flows formed tuff rock, which the wind and the rain sculpted into winding valleys of craggy cliffs and conical fairy chimneys dotted with pockmarked caves and towering ravines. The earliest settlers in this part of Central Anatolia curved their humble homes in these caves – a tradition followed to date. And many of the Cappadocian homes, like that of my host Okhtai, have been converted into boutique cave hotels. For my 3-day sojourn in Cappadocia, I am staying at such a cavern hotel in the small town of Goreme, which has a history that is as fascinating as its landscape.
The Romanov family was infamously and brutally murdered by the Bolsheviks at the end of World War I. Czar Nicholas II, his wife, and their five children were executed to make way for the new ruling hierarchy under the communist leadership of Vladimir Lenin.
Swimming with whale sharks was something I had never contemplated until visiting La Paz, Mexico, a few hours north of Cabo San Lucas in southern Baja California Sur. My immediate response was “no way” until I learned the name “whale shark” is quite misleading. Whale sharks are the world’s largest fish and are not known to nibble on humans. These gentle giants filter plankton and fish from the top of the ocean like a baleen whale and eat eight percent of their body weight per week. After extensive online research, I soon realized that I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to swim with this misunderstood creature that scientists just started studying in the 1950s. Donning a wetsuit with some sort of swimmable life jacket plus a mask, snorkel, and fins, I dangled off the side of our small boat that comfortably carried about six. Our crew of ladies already [...]
While many of these train activities are rooted in nostalgia, there are still plenty of modern-day travelers who not only enjoy trains as a means of transport but also the object of entire vacations.
With 20.1 bookstores per 100,000 population, Buenos Aires is a haven for literature fans. People read on the subway, at cafes, and on park benches. And, despite the rise of digital formats, print books continue to be relevant and cherished. So, if you are planning to visit Buenos Aires and are a keen reader, you must visit these bookstores.
Nestled deep in the enchanting region of Transylvania, Romania, the town of Sighisoara is home to one of Europe’s last inhabited medieval fortresses. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, often overlooked by tourists, boasts a rich history spanning centuries and a cultural heritage that far exceeds its modest size.
Music has long been a passionate harbinger of change and social activism. From Woody Guthrie’s “This machine kills fascists” message emblazoned on his beat-up acoustic guitar to Bob Dylan’s powerful political messages in “The Times They Are A Changin’,” to the Woodstock era’s desperate and eloquent pleas for peace during the Vietnam War, and up to Bruce Springsteen’s Vote For Change tours in the 21st century, the musical community has consistently used its platform to advocate for a better world. Perhaps no single musician has had a bigger influence on a larger audience than the brilliant Senegalese musician/percussionist/activist Youssou N’Dour.
Heidi Hill and Jessie Serfilippi from the Schuyler Mansion State Historical Site share the stories behind the stories about the Schuyler family and Alexander Hamilton.
Sumatra’s Leuser Ecosystem is a magnificent place. One of the largest intact forests left in Southeast Asia, the Leuser covers 2.6 million hectares and is the only place in the world where four important key species co-exist in the wild—the orangutan, tiger, elephant, and rhino.
In the ever-changing landscape of travel, a fresh trend is captivating adventurers and explorers alike: Coolcations. These unique getaways blend adventure, relaxation, and cultural immersion, offering experiences that go beyond the usual tourist attractions. But what exactly are Coolcations, and how did this innovative travel concept come about?
Excavations near Varna, Bulgaria, have uncovered what is believed to be Europe's oldest prehistoric town, dating back to 4,700 - 4,200 BC. The site reveals an advanced settlement with two-story houses, ritual pits, gate structures, bastions, and fortified walls, providing invaluable insight into early human civilization.
The rich culture and heritage of the Cherokee people and the story of their forced removal from their homeland is sometimes lost amid undifferentiated accounts of indigenous people in the United States. Three stops along the Georgia section of the Trail of Tears, a National Park Service site that documents the Cherokee journey, will dispel any ignorance about their distinctive history.
