Filed in archive Hidden Gems
by Josh Lew on August 30, 2007
Unless you have seen the movie hoosiers, you might think of Indiana as a place of endless farm fields. If you've seen the movie, then you might think that Indiana is a land of basketball...
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by Josh Lew on August 28, 2007
Lake Toba is home to the unique culture of central Sumatra's Batak people. A recent article in the in-flight magazine of Garuda Airlines (yes, that's the one blacklisted by the FAA) offers a...
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by Josh Lew on August 24, 2007
Bintan is an Indonesian island a mere 45 minutes by ferry from Singapore. The island is home to plush beach resorts favored by tourists and Singaporean elites. However, the island suffers from a bit...
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by Josh Lew on August 22, 2007
The Haight-Ashbury neighborhood was the center of San Francisco's hippy culture during the 1960s and early 70s. This counter-culture is still evident, though much more for tourists than actual...
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by Josh Lew on August 20, 2007
Osaka is, in many ways, the opposite of Tokyo. A much older and more storied history gives Osaka its flavor. Sure, this is Japan and consumerism and technology have the spotlight. This aspect of...
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by Josh Lew on August 16, 2007
The Cayman Islands are known as a haven for sun seekers escaping winter in North America. Despite being a British dependency, the islands are also known as a welcoming home for tax refugees (there is...
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by Josh Lew on August 16, 2007
East L.A. is indeed having a renaissance. Once a tourist no-go land, the poverty and violence of the district's past are on the wane. Perhaps it is merely that East L.A. has gained some positive...
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by Josh Lew on August 14, 2007
The Dominican Republic is generally not on the top of a traveler's Caribbean destination list. However, the beach and local color of places like Puerto Plata offer not only a beach experience,...
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by Josh Lew on August 13, 2007
California, the most populous state in the U.S., is known for sun, sand, and celebrities. Malibu and Hollywood account for a miniscule portion of California's vast area. Sure, there is The Bay...
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by Josh Lew on August 09, 2007
The closest thing to a city in Michigan's Upper Peninsula (The U.P) is Marquette. The cozy college town of 20,000 is home to Northern Michigan University. It is the perfect place to use as a base...
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by Josh Lew on August 07, 2007
Vancouver is a mere border hop from the U.S. This city is consistently touted as one of the most pleasant places to live. It is definitely one of Canada's most diverse and colorful cities. With...
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Filed in archive Hidden Gems
by Josh Lew on August 01, 2007
Though it may not be the Springfield of the Simpsons, the capital city of Illinois boasts some famous former residents. Abraham Lincoln is everywhere in Springfield. His presidential library, tomb,...
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During the hot and sweaty summers, Minnesota winters are far from everyone's mind. However, the brutal chill of February is not so far off. The short and cold days do not have to be totally void...
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Not only is Tokyo the largest city on our planet, it is one of the most modern. Searching for old Tokyo amidst Skyscrapers and automated, talking street signs would be futile. Of course, not all...
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Jazz had a heyday in Chicago during the Roaring Twenties. While some old timers will be happy to tell you how great the jazz scene was "back in the day," a look around town will show you...
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Portland has some of the most unique places in the US. Sure, any city could make that claim about its local culture, but in Portland, many of these places have surpassed being oddities and become...
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While Americans flock from northern climes to Florida or the Bahamas in the winter, some of the Caribbean's less developed islands offer visitors a chance to enjoy the tropics and appreciate...
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While Hong Kong is one of the most crowded, most liberal, and most modern cities in China, it is no longer the undisputed king when it comes to economics, entertainment, and tourist attractions....
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Angkor Wat is the premiere travel destination in Cambodia. The main temples are undeniably mesmerizing. Their sheer magnitude and historical significance will cause the most jaded traveler to skip at...
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The small, but growing city of Rochester, Minnesota is home to the world- famous Mayo Clinic. The areas that have sprung up around the medical center are surprisingly nice considering the relatively...
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When one thinks of Macau (AKA Macao), the flashing lights and noise of casinos usually come to mind. True, most of the former Portuguese colony's tourist industry is centered on gambling....
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Tokyo is a city of seafood. While sushi is the most famous and respected of the nation's dishes, all types of seafood are important to Japan's cuisine. While it is possible to find seafood...
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Café del Mar is a bar on the Spanish island of Ibiza, located in the town of San Antonio. This bar is the namesake of a series of electronic music CDs. The easy-going ambient music of the CD...
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Anyone would understand if visitors to Singapore found it too hard to tear themselves away from Singapore's central neighborhoods. Little India, Chinatown, and Orchard Road would take a lifetime...
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