Earlier in the week, I wrote about the French island of Corsica. To get to Corsica by ferry, travelers will have to pass through Marseilles. This southern city, once a playground for organized crime,...

While you might have seen those fried beetles in Bangkok being used as a photo opportunity for some inebriated Australian sailors, you probably didn't think that anyone who wasn't drunk and...

Corsica is considered a region of France, but this island, which lies a couple hours off from Marseilles via ferry, might as well be a thousand miles away. Corsicans have a strong independent streak....

The Azores are owned by Portugal. You've probably seen them on the map. Their those little islands that are in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. They sit, quite literally, in the middle of the...

Portugal is popular with European tourists. The industry is important to the country's economy and perhaps equally important to Europe's north-dwelling snowbirds. Portugal's beach towns...

China is obsessed with lucky numbers. This dates back to elements of Taoism, which was, if you consider it a religion, one of the world's first religions. Liam Fitzpatrick of Time points out that...

I'll end this week's train theme with a post about one of the world's most storied rail routes. Many a British colonial authority and many a Chinese business person has ridden the rails...

I've decided to continue with the train theme today. Last time, I profiled Tokyo's mammoth Metro system. This time I want to give you a taste of some above ground rail riding. Portland, Oregon...

I just came across a great video of some Tokyo subway experiences. Though the video is humorous, it captures some of the subtleties (and not so subtle aspects) of riding the train under the...

Germany's Love Parade is arguably the biggest gathering on the planet. Originally an electronic music festival held in Berlin, it attracted a few hundred people in its first year. By the mid...

Most people come to Saint Lucia aboard cruise ships. The island has a stereotypical Caribbean island feel. There are idyllic beaches, tropical scenery, and, the requisite amount of colorful,...

The devastating effects of the December 2004 Tsunami are still being felt in many communities in South and Southeast Asia. Phuket, Thailand, a spot where hundreds of tourists perished during the...

When people think of Carnival, they think of Brazil. Rio's early February extravaganza beats all when it comes to spectacle and size. With all the press it gets, one might think that Brazil is...