The Controversial Dwarf Kingdom – To Go or Not To Go

If you may or may not have heard, deep within the Southwestern part of China, between the rolling hills of Yunnan there is a “Dwarf Kingdom Theme Park.”  ”The Little People Council of America” has already publicly denounced this “World Ecological Garden of the Butterfly,” and it is generally understood that a theme park based [...]

Helpful Hints for Traveling in Asia

Thailand:
Helpful Hint #1:
As a Westerner, it is often hard to get past the vast amount of Thai children begging, or selling small goods throughout city streets. I always feel a surge of pain for the carefree childhood that I had, that most of the world’s kids never will.  So in a nut shell–what do [...]

A Mini-Guide to Sukhothai, Thailand

If you are craving 12th and 13th century Khmer ruins in Thailand–and just aren’t feeling Ayutthaya–Sukhothai is just the place for you.  Beautiful wat (temple) ruins seem to be scattered somewhat haphazardly throughout town in fields, and in the middle of small neighborhoods.
Sukhothai is not really a tourist destination and that’s just what I like [...]

Experience the Vision of Gaudi in Barcelona

Many people believe Barcelona to be one of the most pleasurable and attractive cities in Spain. With a gorgeous view of the Mediterranean on one end, and the many options of all-night partying at the other end, there is never a dull moment when it comes to a vacation in Barcelona. However, the most beautiful [...]

Free Music in Chicago, 7 Days a Week

With over 500 bars in Chicago, few travelers have any trouble finding a good place to have a pint. What may go unrealized though, is the city’s similarly eclectic selection of live music every night of the week. Here’s a list a bars that have absolutely—positively—free music at least one night of the week. [...]

Dark Tourism: A New Way to Travel–Part 2

While the rewards of dark tourism are great, tourists need to approach this type of travel differently than they would a trip to the Louvre. If you plan to visit a dark site, be prepared for a life-changing experience.
First, it is necessary to educate yourself as much as possible on what you are going [...]

Dark Tourism: A New Way to Travel–Part 1

The concept of tourism is changing.  Taking a vacation no longer implies sunbathing on a luxurious beach or retreating to a relaxing resort. Instead, travelers are exposing themselves to a different, more solemn type of tourism.
Dark tourism, also known as black tourism or grief tourism, is a type of travel characterized by visiting sites associated [...]

Madrid’s Majestic Triangle of Culture

Amidst the art connoisseurs, loads of local school children, and international tourists, there lies no doubt that among the pleasures to see in Spain, the strip of museums they call the ‘Golden Triangle of Art’ in Madrid will surely catch your attention.
Among the three museums, most namely El Prado, lie two other notably significant museums: [...]

Your Guide to Hiroshima: Part 3—Recreation and Nightlife

Once you’ve stored your belongings and rested from your trip, you need to go and check out Peace Memorial Park（広島平和記念公園,）and the A-Bomb Dome (原爆ドーム）.  Here, you’ll be able to see first hand the affects of the atom bomb, witness the only structure still standing from the blast, and walk through the Peace Memorial Museum, which [...]

Five Ways to Avoid Looking Like a Tourist When on the Road

While most of the people you meet on the road will have an open and welcoming attitude, the sad reality is that there are people looking to take advantage of your traveler status.  In many places around the world (whether you are traveling domestically or internationally) travelers are targets for scams.  Below you’ll find five [...]