The Alishan National Scenic Area is one of the most magical places in Taiwan. It covers over 400 kilometers of mountain terrain ranging from ancient cypress groves to manicured tea terraces. Alishan is famous for its “sea of clouds” sunrise and spring cherry blossom display, though I most enjoyed the wide array of hiking trails […]
Two Days in Chiang Mai: What to Do and Eat
Chiang Mai is a laid back town nestled in the mountains of northern Thailand. It’s about as far from the hustle and bustle of Bangkok as you can get. In fact, I think the vibe feels closer to sleepy Vientiane, Laos than to the busy Thai capital. But thanks to its compact size, two days […]
Ayutthaya: A Day Trip to the Ancient Thai Capital
An Ayutthaya day trip is a must for any visitor to Bangkok. Ayutthaya was the second capital of Thailand from the 15th to 18th centuries. (Sukhothai was the first – you can read about that ancient city here.) During its heyday, Ayutthaya was one of the world’s most cosmopolitan cities. Sadly it all came crashing […]
The Splendid Morgan Library in New York
The Morgan Library and Museum is the creation of JP Morgan, a banker who amassed a fortune during America’s “Gilded Age.” When he died in 1913, his left behind an estate worth around $25 billion in today’s terms. What’s astonishing is that Morgan didn’t break the top ten richest Americans of that era. Rockefeller, Vanderbilt, […]
12 Paintings You Must See at the MoMA
New York’s Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) is one of the largest and most important modern art museums in the world. Its collection is made up of nearly 200,000 works and includes some of the best examples of Western contemporary art. But art is subjective and our opinions can vary wildly about what is beautiful […]