Love-Hate Relationship

San Francisco de Quito, the capital of Ecuador, sits at over 9,000 feet above sea level. Quito’s volcanic peaks straddle the equator, the invisible line around the center of the Earth after which this South American country was named.

Located high in the Andes, on the bulge of the equatorial line, Quito is the closest national capital to the sun. Fitting for a place at the intersection of two hemispheres, there is symmetry everywhere you look.

As a meeting point between two equal halves, Quito is all about balance. Just like the Earth, it’s intersected by an imaginary line, separating the UNESCO-protected Old Town from the trendy New Town, mirroring the past with the present.

Continue reading “Find Wonder and Wisdom in the Middle of the World, Quito”

The Margaret River region juts out from the south-west coast of Australia, into the waters where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet. Mother Nature was in very fine form the day she put this place together.

The Margaret River Region, or Margs as locals like to call it, is a place of abundance. It’s a playground, a place of stunning beaches and over 50 world-class surf spots. It’s a pantry, a place that wherever you go, something delicious is being put before you. It’s a garden, where ancient Karri forests give way to coastal heath carpeted with thousands of species of orchids and wildflowers.

The Margaret River region runs down the Western Australian coastline for over 80 miles and stretches inland for a further 20, and the best way to explore this remote region is by car. Continue reading “Taste, Touch, See and Hear the Savor of Margaret River Wine Region”

Dublin stands resolutely on Ireland’s East Coast, at the mouth of the River Liffey. Although it is home to more than a third of the population, Ireland’s dynamic capital city retains lyrical village magic and a playfulness few other cities can match.

Despite a long and sometimes tragic history of invasion and resistance, this thriving business capital has poetry, music, and literature percolating through its cobblestones.

Dublin’s ancient streets are compact enough to explore on foot or by bicycle. The River Liffey separates the city into two neat halves. It is crisscrossed with historic bridges, many of which are tributes to Dublin’s finest moments and heroes.

Dubliner, Oscar Wilde once said, “life is too important to be taken seriously.” While Dublin proudly honors its past, it is equally passionate about enjoying each and every new day. Continue reading “Welcome to Dublin: a Breath of Fresh Air”

São Paulo, in southeast Brazil, is the most populous city in the Southern Hemisphere, and one of the biggest on the planet. This once modest missionary outpost has grown out to become the country’s economic and cultural powerhouse. Welcome to the fascinating city of São Paulo.

This is the city… fondly known as Sampa These are the locals …. who call themselves Paulistanos. And this is what brings out their passion: strong coffee… named Cafezinho, soccer… which they call Futebol and of course: … carnival.

São Paulo may not have Rio’s famous beaches, but it makes up for it in culture. In this energetic and creative city, you can enjoy the cool escape of nearly a hundred museums and taste flavors from all over the world in some twenty-thousand cafés and restaurants. Continue reading “Explore the City of Culture, Creativity, Hospitality, and Art, Sao Paulo”

Uruguay is dwarfed by Brazil and Argentina, but this tiny South American country is emerging from the shadows cast by its giant neighbors The capital Montevideo is warming up to becoming one of the continent’s favorite destinations.

With its grassy plains and flat coastline, Uruguay naturally keeps a low profile. It’s an unhurried place where colonial architecture and modern development balance each other out with ease.

In between the high-rises of the capital Montevideo, stately mansions have been restored to their former glory and now house theaters, museums, and opulent hotels. Although Uruguay seems in no rush to be discovered, the news about its revival is spreading fast.

In the past few decades, Montevideo has made a name for itself as one of the most livable cities in South America, with advanced social policies and free education for all. Add to that a warm, temperate climate, pleasant sea breezes and miles of beach boulevards and you’ll understand why this peaceful city was bound to get noticed. Continue reading “Create a Lifetime of Memories With Its Big Heart and Relaxing Vibe, Montevideo”

There are cities that are more than just bricks and mortar, cities built on ideas, …cities shaped by a belief that the human experience can be greater tomorrow than it is today. Edinburgh is one of those places.

Graced with over four and a half thousand heritage-listed buildings, the Scottish capital is one of the world’s most beautiful cities. Continue reading “Visit the City That Creates Beauty Like No Other, Edinburgh, Scotland”

Australia’s Sunshine Coast is just over an hour north of Queensland’s capital, Brisbane. Generously blessed by mother nature, one side offers 60 miles of spectacular coastline the other, tranquil hinterland.

The Sunshine Coast is where Australia goes to relax. Endless golden beaches, water warm enough to swim year-round and an easygoing attitude, make this the perfect place to slow down, unwind and simply enjoy yourself.

In this beautiful region, the casual glamour of Noosa gently merges into the family fun of Caloundra and blends with the artistic flair of the hinterland. Continue reading “Lay Back and Relax Where Australians Go to Relax, Sunshine Coast”

Peru’s northern coastline is blessed with a year-round mild climate and perfect sets of rolling waves. It’s also home to the picturesque colonial city of Trujillo. Yet, there is another, much more fascinating reason why you should visit…

Almost two thousand years ago, the first settlers of the Moche Valley achieved the seemingly impossible with their bare hands. They created Farmland in the desert… fishermen’s rafts that could surf the waves… fine jewelry crafted from crude metals… and entire cities out of the mud.

From the treasure trove of ruins in these sand-swept desert plains, it’s clear that the Peruvians developed impressive agricultural, architectural and artistic insights long before the Europeans arrived.

Continue reading “Replenish Your Body and Soul With Trujillo Vacation”