Covered from head to toe with thick white dust, crouching low on their launches, the young men and boys use angle grinders to carve statues of the Buddha out of solid blocks of white marble.
New Places
Gran Hotel Ciudad de Mexico
The Gran Hotel Cuidad de Mexico is an Art Nouveau gem in the heart of Mexico City’s historic district.
Mexico’s Cultural Treasures
Mexico City’s impressive National Museum of Anthropology showcases the region’s endlessly rich and diverse pre-Columbian cultural heritage.
On Top of Mandalay Hill, Myanmar
Sitting on top of Mandalay Hill, Sutaungpyei Pagoda features a large patio that offers a wonderful views over Mandalay City and the Ayeyarwaddy.
Soon Oo Pon Nya Shin Pagoda
It’s one of the oldest–and from all appearances, richest–of the many pagodas in Sagaing. Sitting high on top of Nga-pha Hill, it was built in 1312.
Myanmar’s Scenic U Bein Bridge
U Bein Bridge has become one of Myanmar’s iconic landmarks. Spanning 3/4 of a mile, the foot bridge is reputed to be the longest teak bridge in the world.
Oo Hmin Thone Sel Pagoda
Oo Hmin Thone Sel Pagoda is an explosion of color, with almost 50 statues of the Buddha looking out from a cave-like crescent from a hilltop in Sagaing.
The View from Mexico City’s 44th Floor
The open-air observation deck on the 44th floor of the Torre Latinoamericana offers spectacular views out over Mexico City.
Granada’s Market
Granada’s market is especially good. It’s large and colorful, pungent and bustling. And it’s the only show in town, so everything is concentrated here.
Galata Bridge
The Galata Bridge has multiple personalities. It spans the Golden Horn from Eminonu to Karakoy and provides both a real and symbolic link connecting two key parts of Istanbul.
Istanbul’s Grand “New” Mosque
In Istanbul, new is relative. The New Mosque might be newer than the Blue Mosque or Hagia Sophia, but having been completed in 1665 it is historic in its own right. And it’s also stunningly beautiful.
Ushuaia, The World’s Most Southern City
Ushuaia claims the title of the world’s southernmost city. These days its main industry is tourism, serving as a gateway to Antarctica. But the town also has charms of its own.
Waterloo Panorama Virtual Tour
This 360° panorama captures the entire painting inside the Panorama of the Battle of Waterloo.
Bruges by Night
The docks and canals of Bruges once bustled at night. Now it’s still. And beautiful.
Ushuaia’s Maritime Museum
It’s the jail at the end of the world. It would have been very cold, very drafty, and, even compared to the low bar set by late-19th-century prisons, altogether rather unpleasant. But if you could sneak to a window, what a view!
Cathedral of Saints Michael & Gudula
Most churches count their blessings to have one patron saint. This one has two.
Phonsavan’s Morning Market
At Phonsavan’s morning market you can sit for a tasty bowl of freshly made steaming pho for breakfast or buy some local fruit. You can find much that looks familiar, and quite a lot that doesn’t.
Gliding Through the Glassy Calm Waters of Antarctica’s Kodak Gap
That the Lemaire Channel is nicknamed “Kodak Gap” is a pretty good indication that it’s reliably scenic. When the conditions are right, it’s spectacular.
Kayaking in Antarctica
There are worse places to be than gliding silently at water level amongst the icebergs, seals, and penguins of Antarctica.
The Colors of Antarctica
When you think of Antarctica, you probably think of lots of white and blue. I was surprised to find that it’s a lot more colorful than that.
A Beautiful Underground Oasis at Cenote Dzitnup
Cenote Xkeken, near Valladolid, is one of the prettiest of the 3,000 or so underground cenotes scattered across Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula.
Featured Places
The Lakes of Hanoi
Hanoi has a lot of lakes. They provide a respite from the crushing traffic and incessant bustle in other parts of the city.
Ek Balam, Maya City of the Jaguar
It might not be for the vertigo-challenged, but getting to the top of the Acropolis at Ek Balam is definitely worth the effort. It is, quite literally, a view fit for a king.
The Chicken Buses of Central America
Central America is where American school buses go to retire. In the balmy tropical climes of places like Guatemala and Honduras, they’re given a new, colorful lease on life.
Montreal’s Notre Dame Basilica
The interior of Old Montreal’s Notre Dame Basilica has to rank it as one of the most stunning churches or cathedrals in North America.
Newark at Night from the Air
Newark, New Jersey, isn’t exactly known as a jewel of the American northeast. But from certain vantage points, it can actually be quite pretty. Glittery, even.
Istanbul’s Beautiful Mosques
Istanbul’s mosques dominate the city’s skyline, and their understated and elegant interiors can be stunningly beautiful.
Luang Prabang’s Morning Market
Southeast Asia’s morning markets are much more interesting than the night markets. Luang Prabang’s morning market is no exception.
Vientiane, City on the Mekong
Vientiane’s waterfront seems purpose-built for beautiful sunsets. With a wide promenade and park, it’s well used. And right across the river is Thailand.
Chichen Itza’s Maya Ruins
Chichen Itza is one of the most famous, most impressive, and most visited of the Mayan ruins sites on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.
Guatemala City’s Zona 1
Guatemala City isn’t a popular tourist destination, in large part because of the scourge of violent crime, but there are some things worth seeing in this otherwise crowded and poverty-stricken city.
North Stradbroke Island, Australia
Known to the locals as “Straddie,” North Stradbroke Island near Brisbane separates southern Moreton Bay from the Pacific Ocean. With miles of spectacular ocean beaches and an abundance of local marine life such as whales, sharks, turtles, and dolphins, it’s a popular summer holiday destination.
A New Home for Phra Bang
From its fearsome gold naga guarding the main stairs, its incredibly lavish gold and red interior, and multi-tiered roof, the Haw Pha Bang at Luang Prabang’s Royal Palace looks ancient. But it’s not.
The Town that Defied God and the Government
If God and the government had their way, Antigua wouldn’t exist. But it’s a good thing it does. With charming Spanish colonial architecture, cobblestone streets, and a vibrant cultural life, it’s a wonderful place to visit.
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
One of the world’s most visited museums, the Smithsonian’s Air and Space Museum has an incredible array of original artifacts from the history of flight and space exploration.
A Washington Winter Wonderland
Heavy snow shuts down Washington DC, but it also transforms the National Mall, its monuments, and other Washington landmarks like the White House into a winter wonderland.
Pacaya Volcano, Guatemala
Just outside Antigua, Pacaya is one of several active volcanos that make up the Central American Volcanic Arc.
Zihuatanejo’s Fish Market
There’s much to love about Zihuatanejo on Mexico’s Pacific coast, and the beach fish market is one of the town’s gems.
The Citadel in the Imperial City of Hue
Inside the Citadel walls was once lavish and opulent, with ornate gardens and intricate pagodas. But the Vietnam War was not kind to the Imperial City. Large parts of it are now nothing more than rubble.
Hanoi’s Vietnam Military History Museum
The Vietnam Military History Museum in central Hanoi celebrates the Vietnamese victories of the 20th century, first over the French and then the United States. And, of course, it presents a version sanctioned by the Vietnamese Communist Government.
