Rio de Janeiro is more than a city—it’s sun-soaked poetry. From the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue gazing over the city to the energy of Copacabana, Rio pulses with life. But one neighborhood in particular, Ipanema, has etched its name into global culture—thanks to a girl who walked along its beach and into musical history. […]
Rio de Janeiro and the Girl from Ipanema: Where Music Meets the Sea Read More »
It’s called El Ateneo, Spanish for “The Athenaeum”, a place associated with learning, the arts and intellectual pursuits. A hundred years ago, it was one of the most elegant theatres in all of Argentina, now it is considered the most beautiful bookstore in the world. Shelves of books replace rows of seating…celebrating a different type
Visit the Most Beautiful Bookstore in the World Read More »
This is not just “another waterfall’…and believe me, I’ve seen a few and shared them with you; Iceland has Seljalandfoss and Godafoss among their trove of treasures as well as South Africa’s Victoria Falls from both ground and helicopter views. But Iguazu trumps all of these with raw majesty, sound and fury! Iguazu Falls are actually
Enormously Powerful. Relentlessly Beautiful. See Thunderous Iguazu Falls! Read More »
My joy is to live as free as the bird in the sky; I make no nest upon this earth Jose Hernandez from his 1872 poem The Gaucho Martin Fierro Different from the American cowboy, the gaucho is no Marlboro man with a Spanish accent. South American gauchos were sons of Andalusian pioneers settling in
A Visit with Gauchos of the Argentine Pampas Read More »
At first, it is all kitschy street drama. Tango couples inviting tourists in for the photo op with tipped hat and mimed kisses. There is much more to the story of La Boca. This colorful neighborhood located in southern Buenos Aires brims with street tango performances, soccer fans and art museums. Named after its location
The Brilliant Colors of La Boca Tell Buenos Aires’ Stormy History Read More »
Visually impressive, sure! I was startled and fascinated by their constant, changing soundtrack, so unexpected from this vast frozen panorama of limitless shades of blue ice formations. Shifting, moving, sometimes calving in great, majestic glacial chunks. Our first views were of the Perito Moreno Glacier in El Calafate Argentina’s Los Glaciales National Park with an
Ice Music! Patagonia’s Astonishing Symphony of Glaciers Read More »
Magallanes and Chilean Antarctica, Chile became a favorite within minutes of arriving. A park with everything hikers like me dream about. Narrow but stunning valleys that separate hypnotic geological features, glaciers, and lakes of impossible shades of blue. In fact, Paine means “blue” in the native Tehuelche (Aonikenk) language.and is pronounced PIE-neh. Torres del Paine National Park, located in
The Tip of Chilean Patagonia: Formidable, Spectacular Torres del Paine Read More »
Among the many wonders I encountered on my recent trip to Egypt, the Eye of Horus was a symbol that seemed to follow me everywhere. Whether exploring grand temples, browsing local markets, or marveling at ancient artifacts, this mystical emblem was a constant presence. The Eye of Horus, also known as Wedjat or Udjat, comes
Doorway to the Afterlife: Egypt’s Magical Eye of Horus Read More »
It is a curiosity, in stark contrast with the upscale metropolis of posh hotels and casinos in “new Cairo.” The narrow, unpaved streets of the City of the Dead wind between the tombs and family mausoleums along a 4 mile long Islamic necropolis. At the base Egypt’s Mokattam Mountain, located about 3 miles from Cairo’s
Cairo’s City of the Dead: Where Life and Death Embrace Read More »
The winner, besting 1,557 competitors from 82 countries, was the Irish firm Heneghan Peng Architects who was tasked to create the world’s most impressive, ethically responsible and sustainable museum in order to house, display and preserve tens of thousands of ancient Egyptian treasures. Twenty years in the making, it is now complete. The $1 billion
The One and Only GEM: First Look at the Grand Egyptian Museum Read More »