Travel and Leisure

The Yosemite South Dome

With the exception of a few spires and pinnacles, the South Dome is the only rock about the Valley that is strictly inaccessible without artificial means, and its inaccessibility is expressed in severe terms. Nevertheless many a mountaineer, gazing admiringly, tried hard to invent a way to the top o Read More

Fontainebleau Chateau: The Royal French Palace

 Away from the madness of the everyday world, to the southeastern side of Paris, is a magnificent fairytale town called Fontainebleau. Fontainebleau is only about 55 kilometers from Paris and has good connectivity with the cultural mecca through rail or road. Still not Read More

Tomar: Portugal's Magical and Wondrous Town

You will feel the life, spirit, and history of Tomar Portugal the moment you walk its streets. Follow along with the River Nabao which runs through the narrow streets of Tomar, across ancient bridges, as you make your way to the beautiful churches found here with wondrous statues, ceiling pai Read More

Luxembourg to Paris: A Winter Adventure and Road Tour

It was winter: one of the coldest winters of the decade. The frost was powdered all over Europe, yet the Netherlands suffered from the harshest winter that year. In spite of the freeze, our travel plan was there waiting to be realized. The touring draft was sketched accordingly: from Wageni Read More

A Taste of Aristocracy in Vienna, Austria

What comes to mind when hearing the name Vienna? A sense of classic Empire? The capital of Austria? Or perhaps a “City of Music”? As for me, whenever I recall Vienna, the first word coming to my mind is “aristocracy”. Vienna first and foremost is adorned by an aristocrati Read More

The Forest Trees of Yosemite in General

For the use of the ever-increasing number of Yosemite visitors who make extensive excursions into the mountains beyond the Valley, a sketch of the forest trees in general will probably be found useful. The different species are arranged in zones and sections, which brings the forest as a whole withi Read More