128 articles tagged with off the beaten path
When my materials preservation research brought me to Indonesia last summer, I expected to spend most of my time analyzing ancient temple compounds. Instead, I found myself conducting an entirely different kind of fieldwork: a methodical comparison of Lombok's crystalline...
When most travelers think of Suriname, Paramaribo typically steals the spotlight. But just 20 minutes south of the capital lies Lelydorp, the country's second-largest urban area and a cultural melting pot that deserves your attention. I stumbled upon this gem...
After five summers exploring the Cyclades, I've learned that Mykonos has a secret playbook that most visitors never see. While Paradise and Super Paradise beaches steal the headlines with their thumping beach clubs and celebrity sightings, the soul of this...
As someone who's called India home for several years now, I've developed a particular fondness for Mumbai's chaotic symphony. The city exists in fascinating contradictions – ancient temples beside gleaming skyscrapers, extreme wealth alongside humbling poverty, and serene coastal views...
The ferry gently pushed away from Kinshasa's crowded port as I stood at the railing, watching the world's deepest river flow beneath us. My journey bridging the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Congo wasn't a typical honeymoon...
I've traipsed through the American Southwest's crimson canyons and soaked in Thailand's steamy hot springs, but nothing quite prepared me for the raw authenticity of Ganta, Liberia. This vibrant market town near the Guinea border isn't on most travelers' radar,...
Standing amid the windswept ruins of Leptis Magna, with my hand resting on sun-warmed marble that once supported one of Rome's greatest African cities, I couldn't help but feel like I'd stumbled onto a movie set. Except this wasn't Hollywood...
When most travelers think of Hungary, Budapest's thermal baths and Gothic architecture immediately spring to mind. Yet 230 kilometers east lies Debrecen, Hungary's second-largest city and gateway to some of Eastern Europe's most spectacular natural landscapes. As someone who's spent...
When I first landed in Conakry with my sister's family last winter, the humid air carried both the salt of the Atlantic and the distinctive energy of West Africa—a palpable vibration that resonated with me immediately. As someone who typically...
When most people dream of Hawaii, images of Waikiki's crowded shores or North Shore's perfect waves flood their minds. But after six winters of island hopping, I've discovered that the real magic of Oahu lives in its less-traveled corners. Waipahu—a...
The first time I saw Georgetown's harbor at dawn, I nearly dropped my camera. The light here doesn't just illuminate – it transforms. That golden Caribbean sun breaking over Saint Vincent's volcanic silhouette created a palette that defied my camera's...
The morning air carried the scent of orange blossoms and empanadas as I wandered through Plaza Independencia, the beating heart of San Miguel de Tucumán. This northern Argentine city may not feature on most international travelers' itineraries, but that's precisely...
When I told my property management colleagues I was heading to Suriname for a week, I got blank stares followed by the inevitable question: 'Where exactly is that?' South America's hidden gem remains delightfully under-touristed, making it perfect for budget...
I've always believed that the most memorable travel experiences happen when you step off the tourist trail. After years of plotting routes through Mediterranean coastal towns and Southeast Asian metropolises, I found myself drawn to the less-charted territories of Africa....
The desert air carries whispers of ancient caravans as I stand atop the crumbling walls of Merv, once one of the world's largest cities, now a haunting archaeological complex outside modern-day Mary, Turkmenistan. After treating patients through the pandemic in...
