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Category: Solo Travel

Spicy, Strange and Spectacular Foods of India

Even their names are exotic and offer no clue as to ingredients or taste so the traveler has to proceed with caution. Pakora, Vada Pav, Aloo Gobi, Dal Tadka, Chana Masala, Vindaloo…all the dishes and spices vary dramatically based on regional preferences, flavors and culinary traditions. I sampled each of these dishes and loved the smokey, exotic blend of flavors! Indian cuisine reflects an 8,000-year history of various groups and cultures. Traditional …

Baby Taj, Big Taj and Black Taj: India’s Extravagance

Agra, India. Two wonders referred to as “Taj” exist today, the third remains the unfulfilled dream of a visionary Shah in mourning. All define the essence of India. The first of these architectural marvels is actually titled Itimad-Ud-Daulah’s Tomb, known lyrically as “the jewel box in marble” and “Baby Taj.” This is the garden tomb of Mirza Guyas Beg, Grand Vizier of the Mughal Court, built in 1622 by his …

Delhi’s Cultural Cacophony: A Rich Feast of Sights, Sounds and Flavors

Delhi is like no other place on earth. The capital of India and home to 20 million, all of whom crowd the streets, souk-like bazaars, sidewalks and roads day and night. There are no signs, no traffic rules, no order. The chaos is both overwhelming and glorious; a sensual assault. Dive in with a cycle rickshaw ride at noon, the height of the wedding season, just before Diwali (India’s high …

Beating Heart of the Inca Empire: History of Ecuador’s People

The Incas are noteworthy for their contributions to religion, architecture, and their famous network of roads throughout the region I recently visited in South America. The country’s name means “Equator” in Spanish, an abbreviation of the Spanish official name, República del Ecuador. Likely you’ve heard of Cusco, Machu Picchu, The Lost City of the Incas, The Sacred Valley of The Incas, and the legendary Inca Trail. But Ecuador played a major role …

Be Dazzled! Don’t Miss Quito’s Shimmering Golden Cathedral

I’ve visited many beautiful cathedrals but this one one stands apart from the rest for its incredible beauty and mind-boggling excesses! Competition Between Orders During the 16th century, religious orders were busy building churches in Quito. Franciscans, Dominicans, Augustinians and finally, Jesuits. Last in, the Jesuits were determined to build the MOST impressive church in the city. One hundred sixty years later, with a combination of four different architectural styles, …

Must See to Believe! The Luxurious Textile Art of Otavalo

On a recent Saturday afternoon I visited market square in Otavalo, Ecuador, two hours from the larger city of Quito. Textile arts and fabric creation is integral to South American culture, especially in the Andean region. Here, indigenous vendors dress in traditional outfits in a comfortable, easy to navigate setting. Saturday is the biggest day of the week. All works are on full display. Despite its small size, the country …