I’ve fallen for this island nation, and I’ve fallen hard. My first visit in 2009 has resulted in two subsequent visits, and I can’t help but dream about a return. I am not the only one. Iceland’s charms have long bewitched travelers. From the first Norse explorers who settled upon the land in the North Atlantic and built a society to the Americans who were stationed here during World War II and never returned back to America, the island beckons. An Off-Broadway play by Drew Larimore titled Out of Iceland, which starred openly lesbian singer/comedienne Lea DeLaria, also noted this magical draw Iceland has on visitors. The protagonists find themselves both mysteriously pulled to Iceland’s center. Larimore explains the island’s magnetism with Iceland’s colorful folklore including the people’s wide-spread belief in hidden people, trolls, and elves–some can’t help but think that maybe there is something bigger than us that attracts us to the land of fire and ice.
It’s not just magical hidden people that bring visitors to Iceland, the men and women here have been known to hold special powers as well, or more likely overpowering charisma. A visit reveals ex-pats living all over Reykjavik. Manny S. originally visited from Chicago, but ultimately stayed for an attractive job and an equally attractive man. “I was first interested in Iceland because of the music scene. Many of my favorite bands came from this tiny country, so I decided to come for the Iceland Airwaves music festival. I loved everything about Iceland on my first trip here!” he says. “In the following year, I returned to Iceland twice to drive around the country and meet more people.” Sitting next to him, his partner Pall grabs his leg to get his attention. “Little did I know that I would soon meet the man who would become my husband and am still happily living in Reykjavik after eight years,” the two smile at one another. They aren’t the only ones; it’s easy to see mixed-national couples all over. Just look for the couples speaking English. It’s easier for the Icelandic partner to just speak English as Icelandic is notoriously hard to learn and converse in (though Manny has picked it up after eight years).
What was once a not-so-easy-to-get-to destination, the country is now embracing its mid-Atlantic location by attracting large numbers of tourists from both North America and Europe. IcelandAir has increased its service from the United States and Canada, and last year opened up a new direct service from Denver.
By Joseph Pedro – Full Story at Passport
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Photo courtesy of VisitHistoricSavannah.com[/caption]What would you do if you had less than 48 hours in a city you’ve never visited before? Oh, and 28 of those hours are dedicated to an organization you adore. If you’re like me, you vow to give your best at the meetings, soak in as much as you can when you’re free – and save sleeping for the flight home.
A weekend trip to Savannah with girlfriends proved there’s a whole lot to do in this sweet southern belle of a city. Thankfully, the ladies I travel with live by my philosophy and we packed in a lot of fun during our short time together. If you’re considering a trip to Savannah, feel free to follow our 7-step plan to discovering Savannah.
Step 1
Leave home as early as possible so you’ll arrive in time to enjoy lunch on River Street in the Historic District. While it may mean dragging yourself out of bed at the crack of stupid, you’ll be thankful to have a full day ahead of you when you land.
Hello from Berlin! Just like New York, Berlin now feels like home to me. I spent enough time in the city over the past few years to know my way around, to navigate the comprehensive transportation network (buses, trams, overground trains, underground trains) without getting lost, I have favorite coffee shops and even a co-working space here. And this time, I even found the way to my AirBnb apartment without a map after my Google Maps app stopped working. I’d almost say that after New York, Berlin feels like my second home now.
And just like last summer, I proudly showed off this awesome city to a visitor – my first of two visitors from NYC! And this one is joining me for the fourth time this year, which I am stoked about! We must have walked at least 20 miles all over Berlin this weekend, exploring my favorite neighborhoods, devouring traditional German breakfasts, strolling over weekend flea markets and taking in German history at the Berlin Wall.
And the best way to learn about Berlin’s complicated history? In combination with some street art! A walk along the East Side Gallery, Germany’s longest still standing piece of the Berlin wall, nearly a mile long (1.3km) was of course the highlight for two street art lovers, and traveling with a fellow photographer also meant playing with our cameras a little more than I’ve been doing on recent trips, and I was excited to pursue a little Polaroid project that I had been wanting to do for a while – you’re getting a little sneak peek here.
With direct flights from London direct to Pula, summer is the perfect time to discover the Istria peninsula in northern Croatia. Istria is the largest peninsula in the Adriatic Sea – just a short journey across the water from Venice in northern Italy.
The name of this region is derived from the Histri tribe – one of the Illyrian tribes that inhabited the Balkans and parts of the Italian peninsula around the 4th century BC.
The Romans described the Histri as pirates, and eventually conquered them in 177 BC. The most obvious legacy left by the Romans is the massive amphitheatre in Pula – one of the largest Roman arenas still standing – but there are a wealth of archaeological points of interest to explore in this region.
Following the fall of the Roman Empire, this region repeatedly changed hands as the fortunes of the various powers waxed and waned – the Goths, the Avars, the Lombardis, and the Venetians to name a few. In more recent times, Istria has been controlled by the Habsburgs of Austria, Napoleon, and the fascist Italian government of the 1920s.
Is Al Ula the Grand Canyon of Saudi Arabia? From above, it looks like one but not completely like it.
The panoramic views of sandstones and rock formations are breathtakingly stunning as the sun goes down. But going up there is quite interesting – you’ll pass through a steep, zigzag road that can be really dangerous.
A friend (whom I’ve never seen in ages) and I went to Ibn Battuta Mall in Dubai with one purpose – to see, try and experience what it’s like sitting in the most beautiful Starbucks in the world. Well, apparently.
It’s not just gorgeous but it’s grand and magnificent! The high ceiling dome filled with Persian-inspired art is tantalizing. The arches are resplendently monumental that you’d feel so small when you’re under them.
The thing about traveling during Ramadan in the Middle East is that most restaurants are open only after sunset. This Starbucks shop is no different. We were there around 5:30 in the afternoon but they informed us they’d start serving people at 7 in the evening. All we could do was pose and be natural in front of the camera.
After a few short days with my family, I returned to Berlin on Thursday for six days – and to welcome two special visitors from New York!
I have to admit that I am slightly exhausted after sightseeing for days, but I love showing people around this giant urban sprawl that can be overwhelming and hard to grasp for first time visitors.
We wandered the tree-lined streets of Kreuzberg and Prenzlauer Berg, shopped at the Sunday flea market in Mauerpark and listened to people from all over the world belt out their favorite songs in front of 1,000 people at Bearpit Karaoke. We watched an epic sunset from Berlin’s coolest rooftop bar, Klunkerkranich (which even made it in the NYT, as a must-go spot in 36 hours in Berlin) and strolled along the canals.
I also managed to get us tickets to visit the Reichstag dome on Saturday, which I hadn’t done in three years – tickets are hard to get during the summer months, probably because they’re free. Sadly I couldn’t get them for my first visitors a couple of weeks ago, so the happier I was that I was able to show these two Berlin’s best 360 degrees views.
Japan is one of the leaders of gay rights in Asia.
We flew into Miami in early April, headed to gay Miami Beach for its seventh annual Pride celebrations and the sun-kissed climate of the Florida coast, not knowing what to expect from a city rebuilding the visibility of its LGBTI community. What we found during our short but eclectic time perched on the shores was the magnificent fire that first gave inspiration to the original pride marches of the late 1960s and sparked a movement that began to change the nation; and it’s alive and well.
This year, Pride in Miami Beach returned to the true roots of the LGBTI movement, aiming to bring diverse communities together in understanding and provide a safe space for self-expression and enjoyment for everyone – something that other prides have arguably lost sight of in recent years, in favor of weekend-bender parties.
In gay Miami Beach for the first time, and reveling in the delights of a sunny Pride, we decided to take in some of the other attractions of the city. From historical to culinary, architectural to stylish and a nightlife unique to only few LGBTI capitals – it’s all for the taking in beautiful Miami Beach…