a website for curious travelers
Like the Alhambra in Granada, the Caliphate City of Medina Azahara (Madinat al-Zahra) in Córdoba, Spain, was once a grand royal city. But, unlike the Alhambra (which was altered, but remained in use under the Read More …
On Hawaii’s Big Island, the Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park is a partially restored example of a very old royal compound that includes a place of refuge for long-ago lawbreakers, defeated warriors, and civilians Read More …
Just outside downtown Palm Springs, the Moorten Botanical Garden and Cactarium features cacti, succulents, and other desert plants from around the world in a lovingly-landscaped setting. I’m a big cactus fan. But even if you Read More …
While Santa gets all the attention, the Tyynelä Elf Village (Tyynelän Tonttukylä) in Larsmo, Finland, offers a whole community of Christmas elves, gnomes, Finnish tonttut, and/or Swedish tomtar for visitors to enjoy. You can even Read More …
I’m sure you’ve heard of Gustave Eiffel’s famous tower in Paris. But did you know Eiffel is also said to have designed a pre-fab metal church that ended up in Santa Rosalia, Mexico? Officially the Read More …
Bali is one of the most beautiful places I’ve seen. And a big part of that beauty comes from the way the landscape and traditional culture are linked together. It’s that linkage, and the resulting Read More …
The Whale Sanctuary of El Vizcaíno World Heritage Site offers the most up-close whale watching experience you’ll find anywhere in the world. Winter brings thousands of grey whales to the lagoons of Baja Mexico’s Pacific Read More …
Michigan has a lot of great fall drives. That’s particularly true on the Upper Peninsula. Among the best short fall drive? A road trip through a tunnel of trees near Houghton called the Covered Road. Read More …
Frog Bay Tribal National Park near Bayfield, Wisconsin, offers short hiking trails through a cedar forest to a sand beach with views of Apostle Islands. Described as the first tribal national park in the USA, Read More …
The Dennos Museum Center in Traverse City is noted for its extensive collection of contemporary Inuit art. But that’s just half of what’s on offer at this unpretentious museum at Northwestern Michigan College. Surprisingly, this Read More …