16 things to know before you go to Spain: packing, etiquette and safety tips

Spain has been home for the past 16 years, ever since I moved to its capital Madrid in my early thirties. From day one, it was easy to be charmed by this warm and inviting country. It ticks a lot of  boxes in terms of what you’re looking for in a European destination – great…

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Kazakhstan by train

A place once inaccessible, even secluded, Kazakhstan today welcomes intrepid travelers with open arms. This Central Asian country offers a captivating mix of Silk Road traditions, intriguing remnants of the Soviet era and landscapes that stretch out almost endlessly. I headed to Kazakhstan’s steppes to find out more about a region unfamiliar to many travelers.…

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The best time to visit San Francisco

San Francisco’s mild weather makes it a consistent year-round attraction, which is a bonus for visitors looking for flexible travel dates. Our peninsula-shaped city is often covered with a comforting blanket of fog (known affectionately as Karl) that is formed by the hot sun evaporating ocean waters that then collide with cold air created from…

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Douglas McMaster’s favorite restaurants

If you haven’t heard of Silo, the world’s first zero-waste fine-dining restaurant, you probably haven’t been to London lately. The restaurant, which launched in Brighton before moving to East London in 2019, does not contain a single trash can. All ingredients arrive in reusable packaging. The team mills its own flour to make bread. And they…

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Getting around Dubrovnik is easy with these top tips

Tucked between looming Mt Srđ and the turquoise waters of the Adriatic Sea, the historic city of Dubrovnik scores highly for its stunning natural setting. Covering some 21.35 sq km (8.25 sq miles), this small city is easy to navigate – the 13th-century old town acts as its nucleus, but Dubrovnik stretches northwest along the…

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The best things to do in Alaska with kids

A visit to Alaska can be a life changing for children, shaping their understanding of the natural world and wildlife, and discovering their own sense of adventure. Few places in the world offer lively hikes to glaciers, abandoned gold mines, and wildlife sightings that can make even the youngest to most veteran travelers feel a…

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How to get around in Alaska

Transportation around Alaska can be challenging, but given enough time and planning, provide for massive rewards in the opportunities to get off the beaten path for those wishing to adventure in North America’s “Last Frontier.” Although most easily explored by vehicle or cruise ship, road trippers or cruise passengers will find the abundance of crowds…

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7 of the best neighborhoods in Istanbul: get to know this fascinating city

With its huge size and centuries of history, it would be impossible to see all of Istanbul in one trip – or perhaps even in one lifetime. Still, its central neighborhoods are relatively compact, and each has its own distinct character and offerings. First-time visitors and those on a tight schedule will likely want to book…

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