Travel and Leisure

The Trees of Yosemite Valley

The most influential of the Valley trees is the yellow pine (Pinus ponderosa). It attains its noblest dimensions on beds of water-washed, coarsely-stratified moraine material, between the talus slopes and meadows, dry on the surface, well-watered below and where not too closely assembled in groves t 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

Uncovering the German Soul of Chinese Qingdao

Is there any chance to find a piece of Europe in China?  Is there such hope to find a truly organized city routine? Some might be quite skeptical about this, as this is China, one of the most densely-populated countries on Earth: chaotic in soul and noisy by heart. When I was planni Read More

Zagreb, Croatia: Things to Do, Getting Around, Nightlife, & More

Year by year Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, is becoming more and more popular among tourists. Although many people go directly to the Croatian coast to visit Split or Dubrovnik, Zagreb (which is located in the northwest of the country) has a lot to offer. It is a bustling city with a rich history a Read More

Palace of Versailles: A UNESCO World Heritage Site

The Palace of Versailles is known around the world as one of most opulent castles in France. It is a superb example of French 18th Century art and architecture and is one of the most frequently visited attractions in Europe. The Palace of Versailles is the extravagant and overstated creation Read More

Five Great Waterfalls in Yosemite

There are five great waterfalls in Yosemite and a number of lesser ones which would be world-famous were it not for the comparison. During the flood waters of spring they are at the height of their beauty, amplifying the living landscape by their many columns and booming power. Later, as the snow fo Read More