112 articles tagged with off the beaten path
Standing atop the weathered ramparts of Tripoli's Citadel of Raymond de Saint-Gilles, I couldn't help but draw parallels to my first Olympic assignment in Barcelona—both places where ancient stonework tells stories spanning millennia. Unlike Barcelona's carefully manicured Olympic venues, however,...
The morning mist clung to the slopes of Mount Batilamu like a lover reluctant to leave, revealing glimpses of emerald valleys below as I sipped my coffee from a chipped enamel mug. Most travelers come to Fiji for the postcard-perfect...
As someone who's spent years analyzing cross-border movements professionally, I find myself drawn to places where boundaries blur—not just between nations, but between urban development and wild spaces. Bayamón, Puerto Rico's second-largest municipality, sits at precisely such a junction. Just...
I've explored volcanic landscapes from Iceland to Chile, but sometimes the most surprising discoveries happen in places you'd least expect. Conway, Arkansas isn't on most travelers' radar, but this college town nestled between the Ozarks and the Arkansas River Valley...
I've stared down 19,000-foot peaks in the Andes and navigated emergency room chaos in Guadalajara, but sometimes the most surprising adventures come from the places you least expect. After a climbing injury left me stranded in Copper Canyon, I've developed...
The first time I pressed record in Acapulco, I was stunned by the contrast: chaotic tourist beaches where vendors' calls competed with blasting reggaeton versus hidden coves where nature's symphony reigned supreme. As someone who's spent her career capturing sound,...
¡Hola amigos viajeros! Never did I imagine that a spontaneous detour to Lambaré during my Paraguay exploration would reveal such a perfect family destination that won't drain your savings. This unassuming suburb of Asunción has quietly been nurturing a beautiful...
After analyzing dozens of Pacific destinations for my summer expedition, Tonga emerged as the clear statistical outlier in the adventure-to-tourist ratio matrix. This Kingdom of 169 islands delivers approximately 317% more authentic experiences per visitor than its more commercialized neighbors....
The morning call to prayer echoed through the streets as I sipped cardamom-infused coffee on my host family's balcony, watching Baalbek awaken against the backdrop of the Anti-Lebanon Mountains. While most visitors come for a quick day trip to check...
As I stood atop Sigiriya's iconic rock fortress watching the sunrise paint the surrounding landscapes in amber hues, I couldn't help but reflect on how this UNESCO World Heritage site represents just the surface of Sri Lanka's archaeological treasures. During...
The horse-drawn carriage clattered over cobblestones as the morning sun illuminated Bayamo's colonial facades in a warm golden glow. After years of cycling pilgrimages across Europe and Asia, I found myself drawn to this lesser-known Cuban gem—the very cradle of...
When my midwifery conference in Budapest concluded, I found myself with a precious 48-hour window before my flight home to Melbourne. Rather than lingering in the capital with its tourist-packed streets, I followed a Hungarian colleague's advice and hopped on...
The moment I stepped off the plane in Honiara, the capital of the Solomon Islands, I knew this wasn't going to be your typical tropical getaway. The warm, fragrant air carried whispers of spices from nearby markets, and the genuine...
The first time I visited Santa Clara, I did what every tourist does – made a beeline for Che Guevara's mausoleum and snapped the obligatory photo beneath his bronze statue. But after seven visits to this central Cuban city (thanks...
¡Hola viajeros! Ever found yourself staring at a map of West Africa, finger hovering over Guinea-Bissau, wondering if you should take the plunge? Let me tell you - *do it*. After three years of hopping between European soccer stadiums, I...