Beautiful pictures as thousands of Thai monks put on incredible visual display for sacred full moon festival
These beautiful images show thousands of Thai Buddhist monks gathering to carry lanterns and venerate a statue of Buddha to mark one of the holiest days of the religious calender. Makha Bucha commemorates the full moon day which falls on…
Athens holidays
If the thought of exploring Greece’s ancient world makes your skin tingle with anticipation, you’ll struggle to contain your excitement on a holiday to Athens. The historical capital of Europe, Athens’ landmarks and old ruins are known the world over,…
Insider secrets of Rome
Heaping plates of light-as-air pasta. Art by Michelangelo, Raphael, and Bernini. Some of the most entertaining people-watching on the planet. Rome is a city like no other. But as welcoming as it can be, to the first-time visitor Rome can…
Autumn in Venice
Although there are days when tourists outnumber locals by two to one, Venice never loses its capacity to enchant. Summer brings some of the most daunting crowds, but there’s a reason why they come: the sheer loveliness of an exquisite…
Walking in Moscow’s winter wonderland
The best way to discover Moscow is on foot. It may seem unrelentingly urban, dominated by cars and towering skyscrapers, but to find the flowering courtyards, icon-filled churches and house-museums, you need to walk through the back streets and pathways….
Singapore finds its cultural feet with culinary renaissance
It is often derided as a cultural desert, but a younger generation of Singapore’s residents and expats is determined to bring an edgier side to the city. They are leading an improvisation drive, chiefly culinary, and the results are rarely…
London travel tips
The English writer Samuel Johnson famously said, “You find no man, at all intellectual, who is willing to leave London. No, Sir, when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all…
Romantic Paris: fashion and lights
The City of Light draws millions of visitors every year with its unforgettable ambiance. Of course, the divine cuisine and vast art collections deserve some of the credit as well. The gentle River Seine rambles through the city, flanked by…
Discover Rio’s arty side
It’s a balmy Saturday morning in Rio de Janeiro and, unlike everyone else in town, I’m heading away from the beach. Ipanema, Copacabana and Leblon may be among the city’s most loved attractions, but Santa Teresa, a small district in…
Abu Dhabi – Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Constructed between 1996 and 2007 at the request of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founder and first president of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is by far the most popular of Abu Dhabi’s sights, and…
Valencia and beyond
Eating out The most exciting new restaurant in Valencia is the Arrop Ricard Camarena, set in the spectacularHotel Palacio Marqués de Caro. The owners, Santiago Máñez and Luis Bellvís (the latter a descendant of the last Moorish King of Valencia,…
How to experience NYC in 24 hours
So, you’re stuck with a long layover in New York City? Before you start making big plans to spend the next 24 hours in the terminal trying to beat your “Angry Birds” high score, consider venturing outside the airport. All…
Touring London landmarks
My first memory of London was my grandmother singing me the nursery rhyme, “London Bridge is Falling Down.” I had no idea what it meant or where it was, but all my childhood I knew there was a London Bridge…
What to discover in Berlin
Berlin, in Germany, was one of the best travel destination surprises I’ve had in a really long time. I fell so in love with the city during a recent visit that I actually didn’t want to leave. In general, Berlin…
Top tips for a Rio de Janeiro trip
On Corcovado Mountain, the statue of Christ the Redeemer overlooks Rio de Janeiro, “the Marvelous City.” Choro beats pulsate along the coastline, as volleyballs fly over beach nets and the sweet smell of caramelized popcorn lingers around food carts. As…
Romantic Barcelona
How do you say, “Barcelona?” If you say it in the romance language known as Catalan, it’s actually pronounced “Barthelona.” Barcelona is the capital of the Spanish region of Catalonia, where the Catalan language was born. From the works of…
The best shows in Las Vegas
Las Vegas is a great place to catch a show. Why? In addition to a fantastic range of entertainment offerings, most of thehotels’ venues are small and audience-friendly. With well-designed, modern showrooms, there aren’t many bad seats in Vegas. This…
Best ways to spend 24 hours in Miami
For some, a long layover in Miami, Florida, could mean sitting in the terminal counting down the minutes until their next flight, but for others, it’s just enough time to hit the beach! The next time you find yourself with…
Top hotels in Cancun
White sand beaches and crystal blue waters await sun lovers in Cancun and nearby Playa Mujeres, Mexico. These top five Cancun area hotels rank among the best in Expedia’s2013 Insiders’ Select™ List of The World’s Best-Reviewed Hotels. The ranking includes…
Bangkok – Venice of the East
Known as the “Venice of the East,” Bangkok is a city that truly beats to the rhythm of the Chao Phraya River. Named by King Rama I as “The River of Kings,” the Chao Phraya River cuts through the heart…
Sightseeing tips for a long Singapore layover
Did you know Singapore is home to the tallest man-made waterfall? Or that its national anthem is printed in tiny text on the back of country’s $1,000 note? Well, now’s your chance to see these wonders and more for yourself…
Guide to European river cruising
So you’ve planned your dream cruise to Europe to experience some of the most iconic cities on the planet. River cruising is hot right now and new routes and cruise lines are opening up each year. It’s an excellent way…