Angkor Wat is an archaeological marvel for the ages
There are some places in the world that are 'must see' destinations for the global traveller. Machu Picchu the Incan city in the Andes Mountains of Peru, Stonehenge the prehistoric structure on the Salisbury Plain in England and the pyramids of Giza in Egypt stand out. Angkor Wat is one of these, a premier destination…
Brugge is the little town that time forgot, but tourists have found
Tourists love Bruges in Belgium. A great city, it seems to have been frozen in time and, in fact, it was. Back about 5 or 600 years ago, it was a busy river port town, but then the harbour silted up and traders moved on. This little walled city didn't change for centuries, and because…
Český Krumlov often catches the first-time visitor by surprise, arousing a feeling of wondrous awe
The child in all of us yearns for a magical land where we can hide away from all our cares – places like Camelot, or Brigadoon, or Shangri-La., or Český Krumlov. Český Krumlov? Graced with a name that to the North American ear sounds like a suppressed sneeze, this medieval town in the South Bohemian…
Discovering Virginia Falls, a remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Site – and learning a little German
ON THE ALASKA HIGHWAY – In German, weichei means soft egg. It defines a person’s character. In Canada, we call them wimps. Charly Kudlacek is from Frankfurt in the German state of Hesse and, as eggs go, is hard-boiled. We met Charly and his wife Marion in a remote campground at Summit Lake on the…
Basking in the splendour, charm and hospitality of southern Italy, particularly when you wander off the beaten track
On a lonely country road near Ostuni, in the province of Puglia – the heel of Italy’s boot – I stopped to photograph a field of poppies in an olive grove. After a few happy snaps, I jumped back in the car and motored on. Fifteen minutes later, I reached for my daypack and realized…
Among the many fascinating people found in San Miguel de Allende was a couple who sold everything to travel the world
I’ve just returned from San Miguel de Allende full of interesting new experiences gathered in a 475-year-old Mexican central highlands town renowned worldwide for its hospitality to culturally creative folk. Those visitors like to rent 300-year-old casas, practise speaking Spanish and participate in a nuanced cosmopolitan life. The local media refer to this phenomenon as…
The Greeks believe that supporting the arts and culture is not a luxury but an investment in human progress
Throughout the ages, Greece has created a significant footprint and an inspiring legacy in the arts and culture. Hardly a day goes by when we don’t recognize the foundational endowments to the modern arts and culture made by ancient Greece. Renowned Greek philosophers, architects, sculptors, poets and playwrights have left their mark for future generations.…
In the second of a four-part series on India, Gerry Feehan visits the Taj Mahal and the blessed Ganges
The Taj Mahal in Agra, India, was commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favourite wife Mumtaz Mahal. Constructed of ivory marble inlaid with semi-precious stones, the Taj Mahal is described as the world’s most perfect building. The Taj does not disappoint. The grand mausoleum is best viewed in…
Taking rough roads, with an eye out for bandidos, in search of the increasingly endangered species
“We’re going to see the monarch butterflies at the Cerro Pelon Butterfly Sanctuary.” What? When my friend Scott said he’d booked us into JM's Butterfly B&B in the remote Mexican village of Macheros, Donata Guerra, Estado de Mexico, I admit to some misgivings. “It’s just a four-hour drive south and west of San Miguel de…
Despite the severe economic recession that has gripped Greece for several years, this city's cultural and artistic vibrancy has not waned
The European Union will soon select a Greek city to be the cultural capital of Europe for 2021. This prestigious designation will last for one year. The three finalists are Kalamata, Elefsina and Rhodes, but my favourite for several compelling reasons is Rhodes. Rhodes is one of the larger Greek islands nestled in the Aegean…