Millions of travelers make the trip from Poland’s cultural capital of Krakow to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Auschwitz each year. They come to pay their respects and unravel the dark history of one of Europe’s most striking and sobering places: Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. Between 1940 and 1945, it was one of the principal … Read more
To hop from Lisbon to Porto is to hop from Portugal’s vibrant capital to its culture-rich and bohemian second city. Both spots should definitely be on the itinerary of anyone looking to feel the true pulse of this wave-washed country at the end of Europe. First will come Lisbon’s hilltop Moorish castles and pumping nightlife … Read more
Draped over the hills around the confluence of the Rhone and Saone rivers, Lyon gazes east to the snow-capped French Alps with its proud historical monuments and edgy inner districts. Founded by the Romans and made rich by medieval bankers and traders, it’s one of the coolest spots in all of France. One moment you’ll … Read more
Oh, Florida – a subtropical jewel at the very end of the US. Split between the gulf coast and the Atlantic Ocean, this appropriately named Sunshine State manages to pack in a whopping 1,350 miles of shoreline. That ranges from the endless golden strands of spring-breaker Daytona to the mangrove-fringed coral isles down south to … Read more
Toronto might just be the biggest melting pot of a city ever. Its patchwork of neighborhoods, rolling off the sloshing waters of forest-fringed Lake Ontario, is a hodgepodge of all sorts. Some are packed with mezze-brimming Greek tavernas. Others are doused in soy sauce and awash with Canton-style dim sum houses. There’s pizza-spinning Little Italy, … Read more
Shh – Montreal is one of the coolest spots in Canada. Still something of a hidden gem, this city on the isles that fragment over the Saint Lawrence River is a charming mix of old and new. Between the crooked cobbles and stoop French-style taverns of Old Montreal, you’ll now find unabashed hipster watering holes … Read more
And breathe…Goa is where the pace of life slows down and the hubbub of India drops away behind the swaying palm trees and jungle-covered hills. It might be the smallest state in the country, but it pulls in a whopping 7.1 million visitors every year with its promise of R&R and good-time living on the … Read more
Strasbourg has that tempting Alsatian blend of Germanic culture and French pizzazz. The capital of the region, it hosts some of the most important EU institutions of all, from the European Court of Human Rights to the Council of Europe. They bring life and energy to the town, which might otherwise have been a kitschy … Read more
Once you’re done with all those romantic gondola rides up the Grand Canal, selfies by the gold-leafed dome of Saint Mark’s Basilica, and tasty frutti di mare pastas, why not plot a course to Florence? It’s the obvious next step for art lovers and culture buffs traveling through Italy. A smidgen over 120 miles to … Read more
Combining more than 2,500 years of history with mouthwatering Lazio cuisine, ancient temples raised by powerful emperors with some of the world’s most exquisite art collections, Rome is the enthralling Eternal City at the very heart of Italy. First-time visitors are often sent into a stupor by the whizzing Piaggio scooters and the babbling fountains, … Read more
The powerhouse of the Renaissance and one of the world’s most artistic cities, Florence rarely fails to impress. Set in a wide valley over the uber-romantic Arno River in the northern reaches of Tuscany, it’s a handsome conglomeration of domes and terracotta spires and one particularly majestic Duomo. Most will come to seek out the … Read more
With its twisting canals and bobbing gondolas, its Renaissance church domes and coffee-clinking piazzas by the Adriatic, Venice reigns as one of the most iconic cityscapes on the planet. It’s amazing, but not just because it’s built on water! A onetime trading empire that spread to China and India found its epicentre here, which explains … Read more
Strung like a tiara around the glistening Bay of Naples, this southern Italian jewel has been a favourite holiday retreat since the times of the Romans. It was rocked by the eruption of smoking Mount Vesuvius – the hulking volcano that overlooks the town – back in 79 AD, and you can still seek out … Read more
As the Vltava River snakes its way through the heart of Prague, it passes the great Gothic rises of one of Europe’s largest castles, countless church spires, and the haunting saintly statues of Charles Bridge. And that’s just the beginning. This bucket-list city conceals beer taverns that slosh with Czech brews and bagel joints and … Read more