62 articles tagged with traditional crafts
When I told my Filipino mom I was heading to Ndola, Zambia, her first question was, 'Anak, where exactly is that on the map?' Fair question. Tucked in Zambia's industrial Copperbelt Province, Ndola isn't your typical backpacker destination. But after...
Standing in the heart of Siena's medieval Piazza del Campo, I felt that familiar rush of anticipation—the same feeling I get when approaching Tangier's bustling medina. As someone who's spent 15 years scanning borderlands for inconsistencies, I've developed an eye...
When most travelers think of Zhangjiajie, those otherworldly sandstone pillars that inspired the floating mountains in Avatar immediately come to mind. But after three family trips to China, I've discovered that the real magic lies beyond those magnificent peaks, in...
The moment my boots touched Kano's rust-colored earth, I felt that familiar rush of being somewhere authentically *itself* – unchanged in ways that matter most. As an EMT who's witnessed trauma and healing across continents, I've developed a sixth sense...
The first time I glimpsed Siwa's palm-fringed silhouette rising from the golden desert, I understood why this remote Egyptian oasis has remained one of North Africa's best-kept secrets. Nestled deep in the Western Desert near the Libyan border, Siwa isn't...
The Philippines has always fascinated me with its perfect ratio of accessibility to adventure potential—a calculation that consistently delivers high returns on experience. While most travelers know Davao for its infamous durian fruit (which, statistically speaking, divides opinions more dramatically...
As someone who's spent years examining passports at border control, I've developed a fascination with places that exist primarily as news headlines for most people. Afghanistan—particularly Kabul—has long been such a place. This spring, I finally followed my curiosity and...
The moment you step into Malacca's labyrinthine markets, time seems to fold in on itself. Colonial Portuguese influences mingle with Chinese heritage, Malay traditions, and Dutch architectural remnants—all creating a sensory tapestry unlike anywhere else in Southeast Asia. As an...
The scent of cardamom-infused tea mingles with wood smoke and leather as I weave through Kabul's labyrinthine markets, where centuries of craft traditions remain alive in weathered hands and vibrant storefronts. As a chef, I've always believed that a culture's...
Nestled in Peru's central highlands at 3,271 meters above sea level, Huancayo remains one of the country's most overlooked cultural treasures. When I first visited this Andean gem last fall, I was immediately struck by how few international travelers ventured...
The limestone karsts of Vang Vieng rise from the Nam Song River like ancient sentinels, their reflections dancing on the water's surface at dawn. While most travelers know this small Laotian town for its infamous tubing parties, my week here...
The first time I stepped into Marrakech's souks, I felt like Alice tumbling down the rabbit hole—disoriented yet utterly captivated. The sensory kaleidoscope of spice mountains, handcrafted lanterns casting constellation-like patterns, and artisans working with the precision I once applied...
The crimson dust of Bamenda's roads has a way of permanently embedding itself into your travel memories—much like the warm smiles of the Grassfields people. Having spent decades traversing the globe in search of authentic cultural experiences, I found myself...
There are journeys we take to escape, and then there are journeys we take to understand. My recent expedition to Kandahar, Afghanistan's second-largest city and historical jewel, firmly belongs in the latter category. As someone whose life was transformed through...
The call to prayer echoes across Medina's skyline as I adjust my lightweight ##AFFILIATE##travel scarf|Coolibar UPF 50+ Sun Scarf##/AFFILIATE## and step into the labyrinth of the city's ancient souks. The familiar scent of frankincense immediately transports me back to my...
