193 articles tagged with weekend trips
Standing at the foot of the iconic Macroplaza, with the rusty-hued mountains of the Sierra Madre Oriental framing the skyline, I couldn't help but feel the contrasting energies of Monterrey. This northern Mexican city, often overlooked by tourists heading to...
*Bonjour, mes amis!* Who would have thought that Kuwait—a country often associated with desert landscapes and oil refineries—would harbor some of the Gulf's most delightful coastal escapes? As someone who's always seeking that perfect balance between urban exploration and beachside...
As a preservation student with a perpetually dwindling bank account, I've become something of an expert at uncovering historical treasures that don't come with tourist-trap price tags. Edinburgh—with its imposing castle and Royal Mile—certainly knows how to flaunt its A-list...
When my gaming studio partnered with a Newark-based animation team last fall, I found myself with a weekend to explore New Jersey's largest city between meetings. What I discovered was a vibrant urban center with rich cultural offerings that won't...
As someone who's spent decades analyzing how structures adapt to their environments, Copenhagen presents a fascinating study in sustainable urban design that doesn't require a developer's budget to appreciate. Last spring, I managed to experience this Scandinavian jewel during a...
Nestled in the heart of Romania's Transylvania region, Brasov captivated me from the moment I stepped foot in its medieval streets. As a nurse with a passion for global healing traditions, I found this charming city to be the perfect...
Ever wondered if you can experience the charm of Dutch culture without emptying your wallet? Let me tell you, Haarlem is the level-up from Amsterdam you never knew you needed—minus the tourist crowds and premium price tags. As someone who's...
Growing up in California, I never expected to find one of America's most authentic Indian food scenes tucked away in suburban New Jersey. Yet here I am, standing on Oak Tree Road in Edison, where the aromas of cardamom, cumin,...
Standing in the humble two-room house where Elvis Aaron Presley took his first breath, I felt a wave of emotion that surprised me. This tiny home in Tupelo, Mississippi—barely 450 square feet—cradled the beginning of a cultural revolution. As someone...
Most travelers only experience Newark through the sterile corridors of its international airport, rushing to catch connections to more 'glamorous' destinations. But as an urban planner with a weakness for overlooked cities, I've discovered Newark is in the midst of...
While most travelers set their sights on Memphis's blues and barbecue, I've discovered a stellar alternative just across the Tennessee-Mississippi line. Southaven might technically be a suburb, but this evolving community has developed its own gravitational pull of attractions, green...
Five years ago, while cycling through Belgium on my journey that would eventually lead me to call France home, I stumbled upon a city that's inexplicably absent from most travelers' itineraries. Mechelen sits quietly between Brussels and Antwerp, just 20...
Shanghai presents a fascinating dichotomy of engineering marvels—where centuries-old traditional structures stand in the shadow of some of humanity's most ambitious modern architectural achievements. As someone who has documented historical structures across five continents, I find Shanghai's technical narrative particularly...
The first time I witnessed Kinderdijk's windmills emerging from the morning mist, I understood why UNESCO protected this slice of Dutch heritage. As someone who's photographed wildlife across four continents, I can honestly say that capturing these 18th-century giants—standing sentinel...
As a researcher who's made budget travel both my academic pursuit and personal passion, I've found that the most overlooked destinations often yield the richest cultural returns. Scranton—yes, that Scranton of *The Office* fame—represents a fascinating case study in post-industrial...