89 articles tagged with architecture
Standing on the rooftop of my boutique guesthouse in downtown Tehran, watching the sun cast a golden glow over the snow-capped Alborz Mountains, I couldn't help but reflect on the concerned messages from friends and family before my departure. 'Is...
After three decades of exploring urban landscapes across four continents, I've developed something of a sixth sense for distinguishing between a city's curated façade and its beating heart. Berlin, perhaps more than any European capital, defies simple categorization—a metropolis perpetually...
Los Angeles often conjures images of palm-lined boulevards, celebrity mansions, and the iconic Hollywood sign. Yet beneath this glossy veneer lies a metropolis with historical layers as diverse as its population. Having spent three fascinating weeks exploring LA with my...
The true essence of Hong Kong reveals itself in layers—much like the city itself, which unfolds vertically rather than horizontally. After numerous visits spanning two decades, I've developed an intimate relationship with this remarkable metropolis that defies simple categorization. *La...
Standing on the ornate Neo-Baroque balcony of Széchenyi Thermal Bath, watching steam rise from the outdoor pools as snow gently dusted the yellow façade, I realized I was experiencing something truly timeless. Budapest isn't called the 'City of Spas' without...
Paris and I have a complicated relationship. Like many travelers, I initially fell for her grand monuments—the Eiffel Tower's iron elegance, Notre-Dame's Gothic splendor, the Louvre's artistic abundance. But after numerous visits, including a memorable sabbatical teaching English at a...
While most of my travel chronicles typically feature me chasing weather patterns across frigid landscapes, sometimes even a meteorology enthusiast needs a change of climate. That's how I found myself swapping my thermal layers for lightweight cotton as I landed...
The morning light in Palau has a particular quality—soft yet penetrating, illuminating everything with a clarity that seems to heighten one's awareness. As I stood before the imposing façade of Ngerulmud's Capitol Complex, this light played across its white columns...
There's a rhythm to Ybor City that catches you the moment you step onto its brick-paved streets. It's in the gentle clacking of dominos in Centennial Park, the aromatic dance of Cuban coffee brewing in century-old cafés, and the lingering...
There's something magical about standing at the Chicago Riverwalk at golden hour, when the late afternoon sun transforms glass skyscrapers into glowing towers of amber and gold. It's like watching the world's most beautiful baseball stadium light up for a...
Navigating into Rotterdam's harbor always feels like coming home to the future. As someone who's sailed into countless ports around the world, there's something uniquely captivating about this Dutch city's striking skyline – a bold declaration that tradition and innovation...
When most travelers hit Mexico City, they make a beeline for Zócalo, Frida's house, and Chapultepec Park. Don't get me wrong—these spots are iconic for a reason. But after five visits to CDMX (including a three-week sourcing trip for our...
The first time I rode my motorcycle through Dresden's cobblestone streets, the evening sun was casting long golden shadows across the Elbe River. The city's silhouette—a mesmerizing blend of baroque domes and modern spires—stopped me in my tracks. I pulled...
Chicago has always reminded me of a sporting underdog with championship qualities—overlooked by some in favor of coastal American cities, yet possessing a cultural depth and architectural grandeur that rivals any global metropolis. Having visited the Windy City multiple times...
The morning mist still clung to the Mekong River as I sat cross-legged on my guesthouse balcony, watching the town of Luang Prabang slowly stir to life. Saffron-robed monks moved silently through narrow streets, collecting their daily alms against a...