The world’s most populous metropolis that sprawls across 23 city wards, islands and other towns and villages, boasting 9.26 million citizens can seem daunting but only from the outside. Gently peel off its layers, and every day will deliver the unexpected, treasured moments and memories, from shochu shared with sumo wrestlers to retired military-uniformed soldiers…

Michael Webb enjoys the more luxurious side of the cities of Sri Lanka.  My first visit to Sri Lanka, many years ago, was a frugal adventure, bumping around in crowded buses from one ancient site to another, exploring the historic city of Kandy, and staying in a vintage guest house in the hill country of…

From the painted churches of Sucevita in Romania to the intricate carvings of Hawa Mahal in Jaipur, Michael Webb recalls highlights from his seven decades of travel in his new book Moving Around. “This book is an encouragement for people to be adventurous,” Michael Webb explains about his latest book, Moving Around: A lifetime of…

Most travelers head to Hokkaido for the world’s best powder skiing, but Japan’s northernmost and volatile volcanic island beguiles in the tranquil summer ‘green season’ too. Home of the indigenous Ainu, Hokkaido boasts the longest prefectural coastline in Japan, a remarkable 4460 kilometers of cliffs, bays, curvaceous peninsulas, remote fishing villages and evocative waves and…

Kristina Foster explores the Lake District discovering spectacular hiking trails and poetic history.   Nestled in the northwest corner of England lies the Lake District, 885 square miles boasting the longest bodies of water and the tallest mountains in the country. As the first ray of summer sunshine emerges from the clouds, locals escape to…

Puglia in southern Italy is big on bucket lists – but it’s the sub-region Salento, the tip of Italy’s heel that is quietly strutting its charms. Jane Adams heads down to where the Adriatic meets the Ionian Sea. Waking to an Adriatic dawn atop the rocky corniche south of Tricase, the mirror calm sea glowing…

Jane Adams explores the modern architecture of Italy’s top wineries.   Italian design is legendary – in fashion, cars, bikes, furniture and household goods. Just think Armani, Fendi, Ferragamo; Ferrari, Maserati, Pinarello, Alessi, Ilve and Bormioli. These brands spring easily to mind, as do food and drink market leaders like Aperol, Barilla and Lavazza. Italians…

Liz Laing explores local farms throughout Mesa and Queen Creek, staying in a decked out 1969 Airstream, and marveling at Sonoran Desert sunsets. The Cozy Peach at Schnepf Farms (Queen Creek, AZ) Have you ever wanted to spend the night in a 1969 airstream? Now’s your chance… Schnepf Farms recently opened The Cozy Peach, a unique glamping…

Michael Webb takes a 12 day tour of the Baltic States.   Having explored most of Europe, I left the three Baltic States–Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania–till last, hoping they would offer as authentic a taste of the pre-war era as Romania. I arrived too late–the three glorious capitals have been swamped by mass tourism and…

Michael Webb embarks on a 10 day road trip around Poland. Resilience is the greatest asset of the Poles, who retained their pride and sense of nationhood during two centuries of foreign occupation. Twenty years of independence between the world wars were succeeded by the brutal onslaught of the Nazis and the Red Army, devastation…

Michael Webb visits Singapore to explore its culture, food and architecture.  In its fifty plus years of independence, the city-state of Singapore has transformed itself into an Asian version of Switzerland: prosperous, clean, and meticulously organized. But the vibrant street life of its multi-cultural enclaves–Chinese, Islamic and Indian–still flourishes amid the gleaming towers. Taxis and Uber…

Kristina Foster embarks with her family on a voyage through France from the capital to the coastal south.   I wasn’t sure what to expect on a fortnight long, winter road trip with the kids. Cooped up childhood memories of backseat battles with stinky brothers, side of the road toilet stops and barf bags came flooding…