Author: LHR

Baton Rouge lies along the banks of the legendary Mississippi in southeast Louisiana. It is the state’s capital, famous for its sports-mad universities, its cultural fusion and of course, its laid-back southern charm.

Larger-than-life legends of politics, music, and sport weave their way through the pages of Baton Rouge’s storied past. From the days when a red stick (or Baton Rouge) marked the boundary between native tribes, to its subsequent administration by France, Britain, and Spain, the transformation has been built into the DNA of this city.

In 1846, a stroke of the pen made it the Louisiana State Capital – providing a moral alternative to what was then considered “sinful” New Orleans.

Continue reading “Explore, Dream, and Discover With Your Sail to Baton Rouge”

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is just a three-hour flight from Dubai, and a two-hundred-thousand-year journey through the history of humankind. More than a country, Jordan is one of the world’s epic stories.

Our Palaeolithic ancestors wandered north from Africa and made their homes in the cool canyons and caves of this sun-baked land. The smoke of Bedouin campfires has drifted into the Arabian nights for over nine millennia.

Prophets wandered these mountains and deserts, receiving visions that shaped three of the world’s great faiths. Greek, Roman, Crusader and Arab armies have thundered across these sandy plains, leaving their mark at thousands of archaeological sites, and in every fiber of Jordan’s cultural DNA. Today, Jordan is the calm heart of a sometimes-restless region. Continue reading “Reach and Touch Your Own Story With the Story of Jordan”

Bordered by Canada and the icy waters of the North Pacific and Arctic Oceans is the U.S. state of Alaska. The city of Anchorage lies in the mountainous south and is home to around 40 percent of all Alaskans. Alaska, …The Great Land, …The Last Frontier; …apt names for one of the most extreme places on the planet. This is a land of endless beauty, immense riches, and epic horizons.

Purchased from Russia in 1867 for around two cents an acre, Alaska is the largest state in the U.S.A., and one of history’s greatest bargains.

At the height of summer, the city of Anchorage basks in an incredible 22 hours of sunlight, with the sun’s face barely dipping below the horizon. Alaska’s first peoples tell of a great raven who scattered the stars, moon, and sun into the sky, so even when the long winter comes, the sky is never completely dark.

A gateway to the surrounding wilderness, Anchorage is a warm and inviting base where you can rest and resupply between outdoor adventures. And you don’t have to go far, the city is nestled snuggly against the immense Chugach State Park.

Continue reading “Welcome to the Land of the Midnight Sun, Anchorage Alaska”

Just over an hour west of Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh, is the city of Glasgow. Once a small fishing village, Glasgow grew into one of the great seaports during the industrial revolution, its influence rippling to every corner of the globe.

A city forged upon the wealth of seafaring trade, it is graced with architectural masterpieces, green estates, and imposing modern-day marvels. However, the people of Glasgow remain fiercely proud of their working-class roots and celebrate their industrial heritage alongside the elegance and extravagance that followed. Continue reading “Tour the City Which Ties Together Elements From All Walks of Life, Glasgow”

The city of Busan sits on the Korean Peninsula’s south-eastern coastline, just a short flight from Asian capitals like Beijing and Tokyo, and a two-and-a-half hour bullet train ride from Seoul.

South Korea’s largest port and the second-largest city spread out along the jagged coastline of the Yeongnam Region and rises into a sea of mountains beyond. From the shellfish which drew Paleolithic gatherers to its rugged shores, to the never-ending offerings of Jagalchi Fish Market, …from the Joseon ships of old, to the dockyards which helped drive South Korea’s economic miracle, Busan has forever been linked to the ocean.

As the world races further into the 21st century, Busan continues to evolve, into a haven where hard-working Koreans can let their hair down, reflect on the past, and peer into the future. Continue reading “Explore the City Connecting the Past and Future Into a Very Special Now, Busan”

The Indonesian city of Yogyakarta rests on central Java, between the cool breezes of the Indian Ocean and the steamy breath of volcanoes. It’s a scenic train ride from Jakarta or a short flight from Bali or Singapore.

The home of sultans, artists and the devout since the 8th century, Yogyakarta is the gentle epicenter of classical Javanese culture and education.

Continue reading “Embrace the Cultural Kingdom That Steadies the Spirit, and Inspires Your Soul, Yogyakarta”

The desert oasis of Palm Springs lies at the western edge of the Coachella Valley in California. Just under two hours from Los Angeles, Hollywood A-listers have flocked here since the 1920s to escape the dizzying pace of showbiz.

With many golf courses, hotels, and spa retreats, it’s no wonder the rich and famous are drawn to this place. Actors, musicians, and politicians continue to be glorified, and their names are embedded into the city’s very own walk of stars. Of course, where there are celebrities, there’s bound to be gossip. The city is rumored to have been the secret rendezvous point for many alleged affairs, including Marilyn Monroe and John F. Kennedy.

Unfortunately, Hollywood’s greats often steal the limelight of a story which is less often told, the area’s fantastic natural wonder. Few are aware that Palm Springs is a haven for abundant life surrounded by miles of scorching plains and rocky mountain wilderness… A place which welcomed Native Americans into its bountiful arms a thousand years ago. Continue reading “Devote Yourself to Peaceful Seclusion, and Spellbinding Scenery at Palm Springs”

The U.S. Virgin Islands are situated in the Caribbean, just a three-hour flight from Miami. Located southwest of the British Virgin Islands, the U.S. Virgins are made up of three main islands and surrounded by around fifty smaller cays and islets.

The islands are lush with vegetation and caressed by sparkling waters. Though celebrated for their sandy beaches and idyllic scenery, things haven’t always been so peaceful here. The island group was occupied by many European countries throughout their history until the United States purchased them from Denmark in 1917. Over 100 years later, the islands remain a U.S. territory, popular with American sun-worshippers and cruise passengers as they require no passport and the main currency is the U.S. dollar.

The largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Croix was first named Santa Cruz by Christopher Columbus in 1493.

Continue reading “Relax, Recreate, and Rejuvenate With Its Pristine Natural Beauty of U.S. Virgin Islands”

Pushed by volcanic forces four miles from the sea floor and a mile into the warm trade winds of the North Atlantic Ocean, are the dramatic cliffs and spires of Madeira. A place of legend since Roman and Viking seafarers first gazed upon these cliffs, Madeira’s fertile slopes were eventually claimed by Portugal in 1419 and settled soon after.

The volcanic activity may have settled down millennia ago, but the island’s rich soils and spring climate means Madeira explodes in lush vegetation all year round.

Madeira’s capital, Funchal, was named after the wild fennel which once carpeted its hillsides. Situated on the island’s southern coast and with a population of just over one-hundred thousand, this is the island’s only true city.

Madeira may be closer to Africa than it is to Portugal, but in Funchal, the textures of Lisbon are never far away. Walk streets paved with patterned stonework that evokes the spirit of Portuguese culture and pride. Explore centuries-old churches and homes which have endured pirate raids, German U-boat attacks, and earthquakes. Funchal is filled with fabulous museums, but for nature lovers, Madeira’s finest exhibits are found outside.

Continue reading “Visit the Beautiful and Free of All Island, Madeira Island”

Situated right in the center of Slovenia lies its capital, Ljubljana. Almost an equal distance from Italy, Austria, Hungary and Croatia, this small but innovative city has a car-free heart, a hip attitude, and a mythical history.

Wherever you go in Ljubljana, you’ll see images of dragons. Legend has it that, many centuries ago, a dragon lived in the Ljubljana river preying on locals, until a Greek hero discovered a way to defeat it. It’s a perfect symbol for this charismatic university town that is fiercely protective of its environment, its history, and its people.

Step into the narrow streets of the town center, and instead of traffic, you’ll hear bicycle bells, and instead of gridlock, you’ll find riverbanks lined with cafes, pubs and historic architecture. In 2007, the council banned cars here and the city has been rolling out sustainable programs ever since. Continue reading “A City That Welcomes With Warmth and Delighted to Share Its Treasurer, Ljubljana”