Kyoto was built in 794 AD and served as the capital of Japan until WWII. The ancient city was spared during the war, and much of its 1,000-year history is still on display. Kyoto has such a great wealth of cultural attractions that one could spend a month there and still not see them all. […]
UNESCO
Toledo, Spain: The City of Three Cultures
Over the course of its 2,000-year history, Toledo has been ruled by Romans, Visigoths, Moors, and Castilians. Jews settled in Toledo during the Middle Ages and thrived under the religious tolerance of the Moors. Muslims, Jews, and Christians coexisted openly during this surprisingly harmonious era, and traces of each religion can still be found among […]
The Astonishing Hanging Houses of Cuenca, Spain
The Hanging Houses of Cuenca, Spain take the phrase “living on the edge” to extremes. Built in the 15th century atop rocky cliffs, the homes extended the town to its geographical limits. Las Casas Colgadas, as the structures are known in Spanish, seem suspended in both time and place. Some feature wooden balconies that jut […]
A Marvelous Two Days in Melbourne, Australia
Melbourne may appear gritty at first glance, but it continually ranks as one of the world’s most livable cities. The profusion of graffiti is mostly confined to a few specific zones where artists are legally able to demonstrate their skills and enhance Melbourne’s creative vibe. Green spaces and cultural attractions abound, and FREE trams in […]
Blue Mountains: A Self-Drive Sydney Day Trip
Australia’s Blue Mountains are covered with eucalyptus trees which produce a lovely and aromatic blue haze. I wanted to bottle that wonderful air and take it home with me. Since I didn’t have an empty container on hand, I purified my lungs by huffing and puffing along the hiking trails. The Greater Blue Mountains Area […]