When I was learning about Chiang Mai, I kept hearing the same themes: “It’s so nice and relaxing here.” “It’s much calmer than Bangkok.” “It’s a great place for a family.” So a nice city, but no nightlife destination by any stretch, I assumed. Was I ever wrong! On my first night out in Chiang …
Chiang Mai, Thailand’s most famous northern destination, is worlds away from Bangkok. The medium-sized city is so pleasant, so clean, and home to more wats than you can count. Many travelers come to Chiang Mai to go trekking in the mountains, visit hilltribe villages, or learn a skill: Thai cooking, Thai massage, Thai language, yoga, …
There’s much to dislike about Bangkok. The air pollution is difficult to take. The traffic is a nightmare. Cab drivers who have no idea where they’re going, incessant heat, and sixty-something Western men with their much younger Thai girlfriends add to why many people can’t stand the city. But I have no problem saying that, …
I have a few random phobias, and a few of them are about animals. One is birds, especially pigeons — touching them, them landing on my head, poop landing on me from the sky. But my biggest phobia of all is my fear of fish. Growing up, we would spend our summers camping on a …
Rockport, Massachusetts, lies at the tip of Cape Ann in Massachusetts’s northeast corner. Surrounded by water on three sides, it’s no surprise Rockport became one of New England’s quintessential fishing towns. Today, Rockport is still home to fishermen, but you’ll also find a number of artists. Galleries, shops and restaurants fill storybook-like areas like Bearskin …
Bruges is a quiet storm of a town: tranquil on the surface, yet fascinatingly compelling. Located in Flanders, Belgium, not far from the North Sea, Bruges is best known for its romantic setting on a series of canals. Of course, Venice is Europe’s premier city of canals. But Bruges, though it has its share of …
Photo Essay: Beautiful Canals in Bruges, Belgium Read More »
Florence, Italy, with its red roofs and Renaissance architecture, is incredibly beautiful from every angle. But some places are truly extraordinary. Whether you want to get stunning photos or simply enjoy the view, these are the five best places to experience the views of Florence. View #1: Florence from the Duomo The Duomo dominates the …
The best bar in Cancun is Senor Frogs. Sure, there are lots of competitors for the title of Cancun’s best bar — I’d put Carlos & Charlie’s in second place — but Senor Frogs absolutely deserves its title. Senor Frogs is the best Cancun bar because the staff make it their duty to make sure …
My biggest gripe about Boston is that everything shuts down so early. You can’t get a drink anywhere — anywhere — after 2:00 AM. Even the after-hours club, Rise, only stocks Diet Coke and Red Bull. So, if the night is young, you could do what most people do, and bring a flask or a …