43 articles tagged with architectural tourism
The moment my feet touched Djiboutian soil, I knew I'd stumbled upon something extraordinary. Far from the well-worn tourist paths of East Africa, Djibouti City rises from the desert like a mirage—a fascinating blend of African, Arabic, and French influences...
The taxi driver's laughter cut through the humid Kingston air as I explained my itinerary. 'You're staying for a whole week? Most tourists just pass through on their way to the beaches!' His surprise wasn't unfounded—Kingston isn't Jamaica's typical postcard...
As someone who's spent the better part of two decades exploring the architectural wonders of our world, I've developed a particular fondness for destinations that sit at cultural crossroads. This autumn, I embarked on perhaps my most ambitious solo expedition...
The moment my boots hit Djerba's sun-baked soil, I knew this Tunisian island wasn't just another business stopover. I'd come to consult on sustainable grazing practices for a local agricultural development project, but what I discovered was an architectural wonderland...
Standing in Plaza de Armas as the morning light spills across Arequipa's cathedral façade, I'm mesmerized by how the volcanic sillar stone seems to capture and amplify the sunlight. This isn't my first visit to Peru—I've hiked Machu Picchu and...
Standing at the helm of cruise ships for years, I've guided thousands through Baltimore's Inner Harbor. But it wasn't until I explored this city with my own compass that I discovered its true cultural heartbeat pulsing through historic neighborhoods and...
The morning fog hung like a velvet curtain over Lucknow's skyline, revealing only snippets of the architectural treasures waiting to be discovered. Like a slow jazz melody building to its crescendo, this city unwraps its secrets one layer at a...
While most visitors to Alaska arrive seeking untamed wilderness and glacial vistas, I found myself drawn to Sitka for entirely different reasons. Nestled between mountains and sea on Baranof Island, this former Russian colonial capital harbors a remarkably preserved architectural...
Standing at the intersection of Erie Boulevard and State Street, I found myself at the epicenter of what could be called America's original innovation district. Schenectady—a city whose name I've mangled in pronunciation for years despite my Buffalo upbringing—has been...
G'day, fellow wanderers! I've just returned from what might be the most photogenic spot in North Africa, and crikey, was it a beauty! Picture this: a hillside village where every building is painted pristine white and adorned with doors and...
As an urban planner with a penchant for adventure, I've traversed landscapes across continents, but sometimes the most enlightening journeys happen in unexpected places. Northeast Ohio—with its fascinating blend of industrial heritage, natural beauty, and architectural innovation—offers precisely such a...
Standing at the crossroads of Warren's industrial past and cultural future, I couldn't help but draw parallels to Sheffield's transformation back home. Both cities living in the shadow of more famous neighbors (Detroit and Manchester, respectively), yet quietly crafting their...
I'll admit it—when my surveying firm first sent me to Sioux City for a commercial property assessment, I was skeptical about what I'd find beyond meeting rooms and hotel lobbies. Yet this Missouri River city surprised me with its architectural...
When my stadium consulting work took me to Oklahoma City last spring, I never expected to fall for its northern neighbor. As an engineer who typically gravitates toward architectural marvels in major metropolises, Edmond caught me completely off-guard. This modest...
Standing at the edge of the Blue Lagoon, watching the milky azure waters billow steam into the frigid Icelandic air, I'm reminded that this famous geothermal pool is merely the polished façade of Iceland's remarkable volcanic identity. As an architect...