102 articles tagged with boutique hotels
As someone who's spent years balancing the adrenaline of emergency response with the healing power of travel, I've developed a sixth sense for spaces that rejuvenate both body and spirit. Jakarta – a metropolis that pulses with the same intensity...
The air in Medan hits you like a warm, fragrant blanket – a complex tapestry of spices, tropical blooms, and that unmistakable urban pulse that defines North Sumatra's largest city. As an EMT accustomed to making quick assessments, I've learned...
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...
The first time I set foot on Santa Catarina Island, I was immediately struck by Florianópolis's dual personality. This Brazilian gem—affectionately called 'Floripa' by locals—presents couples with a delightful conundrum: beach or forest? Modern luxury or rustic charm? Eastern lagoon...
As someone who typically travels with educational goals in mind for my legal work, I recently found myself with a rare opportunity: a child-free weekend in Europe with my closest friend from law school. We were both craving something beyond...
When my firm sent me to Bucharest for a risk assessment conference, I expected the standard Eastern European business trip: functional hotels, passable restaurants, and the inside of meeting rooms. What I discovered instead was a city that masterfully blends...
The first time I glimpsed Sidi Bou Said from the coastal road, I was reminded of a cricket match in Santorini I'd covered years ago – that same striking contrast of whitewashed buildings against the deep blue Mediterranean, yet with...
Santiago, Chile's vibrant capital, presents a fascinating mathematical problem: how to optimize your stay across its diverse neighborhoods, each with its own distinct character and architectural signature. After spending three weeks cycling through the city's varied districts this past April,...
There's something about boutique hotels that captures the essence of a city far better than their towering chain counterparts. As someone who's spent countless nights in generic business accommodations with sad desk lamps and uninspired lobby art, I've developed a...
Standing at the edge of the world feels remarkably grounding. As a surgeon, I've spent decades examining the intricate inner workings of the human heart, but Ushuaia—Argentina's southernmost city and self-proclaimed 'fin del mundo'—examines something within us all: our primal...
The Bay of Islands has been calling to me for years, with its 144 emerald islands scattered across azure waters like nature's own healing constellation. As a landscape architect specializing in therapeutic environments, I found myself drawn to this corner...
The connection between place and heritage has always fascinated me, perhaps because of my own mixed Indian-American background. When I recently planned a fall journey connecting Jordan's Red Sea coast with Eritrea's highland capital, I was drawn to the contrast...
There's something rather special about returning to your homeland as a visitor. After 15 years in the UK, coming back to Auckland feels like rediscovering an old friend who's had quite the glow-up. The City of Sails has transformed into...
Ever since my husband whisked me away to Antalya five years ago for our anniversary (while my mum watched the kids back in Florence), I've been completely smitten with Turkey's dazzling Turquoise Coast. There's something magical about waking up to...
There's something magical about waking up to the sight of snow-capped Alps framing your window, especially when you're cozied up with your favorite person. My first trip to Interlaken happened completely by accident—a missed connection in Zurich turned into an...