Who would have thought that one of South Korea’s most pristine natural areas was only 30 minutes from the center of metropolitan Seoul? People who haven’t been there yet, mostly. You can see mountainsides studded with granite domes and blocks from almost anywhere in the city. Seoul’s most prominent sightseeing destinations privilege views of the…
So you’ve got a vacation planned for South Korea. Luckily (not the least because it’s an awesome place), you can zip around much of the country within a week. My suggestions for 1 week in South Korea will make use of the country’s wonderful natural-to-urban nexus. These venues blend seamlessly and are both mightily accessible.…
Travelers and publications have rated Palawan, an island in the Philippines, as the best (or second best, or third) island in the world for years. Not only that: Palawan has managed to sustain this rating across quite a few websites and magazines, no small feat in the capricious world of travel writing, Is Palawan the…
Unplanned incidents are a natural part of the travel experience. Sometimes they’re benign. But not always. This begs the questions (and hints at the answer): is travel insurance necessary? Necessary or No? The World of Travel Insurance If your definition of necessary is anything more than ‘I’ll deal with things as they come and face…
Ah, Manila. You’re a sprawling mess with a swanky reputation. If I may be so bold, I’ll even call that reputation well-deserved. From the armada of armed security guards (some for, say, diners or hotels) to the overwhelming poverty oozing from every street corner, Manila may not make the best impression. But I’ll concede that…
The Novel Corona virus is sweeping international news; so would it be safe to travel to China now? Should you cancel that coveted plane ticket and reconsider going elsewhere for vacation? What is the Novel Corona Virus? You’re certainly aware of what this virus is. It originated at a Wuhan ‘wet’ market where wild animals…
Travel Goals for a New Decade You’ve schmoozed your boss, scored some time off, and started packing. Before pre-trip excitement can really set in, however, you’ve got to choose where to go. Where to Save Money in 2020? We can’t all start the new decade flush with forget-you money. Some of us are consigned to…
There’s a phenomenon in travel we’re likely all familiar with. You get to a new place or country and only have a few days; you’ll never be here again. Time to rev up the stoke engine and see as many things as possible in your abbreviated time! There’s something to be said for this method…
What do a global gambling powerhouse and a population marching against their government by the million have in common? That would be their current inclusion in the People’s Republic of China and status as former European colonies. Macau and Hong Kong are very different in style and flavor, and yet so alike in their recent…
A quick warning to readers: The following anecdote is graphic as well as true. The squeamish may feel free to skip this initial section. Date: 2013 Qianlingshan park, Guiyang, China A mother takes her infant child into Guiyang’s famed QianLingShan park, known colloquially as ‘The Monkey Park’. As advertised, there are monkeys aplenty. People get…