Travel and Leisure

Hetch Hetchy Valley

Yosemite is so wonderful that we are apt to regard it as an exceptional creation, the only valley of its kind in the world; but Nature is not so poor as to have only one of anything. Several other yosemites have been discovered in the Sierra that occupy the same relative positions on the Range and w Read More

Portugal’s Beauty in Ruins: A Revelation in Photography

Is it possible to find beauty in ruins? Can one see artistic glimmers within a place that is in a state of decay and neglect? The answer undoubtedly is yes, and Portugal is a testament to that answer. When I first moved to Portugal, almost two years ago, I was fascinated by what I saw as Read More

Thimphu, Bhutan: Where the Happiness of Shangri-La Resides

It was a cold morning in February recently when I boarded my flight to Paro to reach the capital of Bhutan, Thimpu, for a four-day visit. While I was booking my trip, I realized that there were not too many flight options available to Paro. Instead, the list of possibilities was restricted to j Read More

Sanremo: Where a Festival of Music and Melody Meets the Sea and Sun

“Smell the Sea and feel the sky, let your soul and spirit fly”, - Van Morrison This is a place where the sky touches the Sea… It was my first feeling when I entered Sanremo- the city of music and the Sun, the city where the world-famous Sanremo Musical Festival is b Read More

A Brief History of Schönbrunn Palace (House of Habsburgs)

Located in Vienna, Austria, Schönbrunn Palace has a history that dates to the Middle Ages. However, it was not until 1569 that the estate came into the possession of the House of Habsburg (Haus Österreich) through Maximilian II. Prior to that, there were many documented owne Read More

Florence Italy and Its Historic Renaissance Attractions

From towering museums and churches, to inviting piazzas, to mesmerizing paintings and statues, the captivating Florence, Italy is well known for its beauty and art. Florence sees millions of sightseers each year who come from all around the world to see the artistic and historical wonders this beaut Read More