Travel Archives

Florence and the Marks of the Medici

For centuries, the Medici had shaped the cityscape of Florence, elevating it into a hub of artistic, intellectual, and political brilliance.

Gigantic yet surprisingly intricate, the lanterns of Aomori are the highlights of Nebuta Matsuri – one of Japan’s biggest summer festivals.

The granite peaks of Huangshan (黄山) give the impression of a traditional black ink painting, inspiring painters and poets for centuries.

Following the conquest of Constantinople, the Ottoman sultans revitalized the new capital city, Istanbul, with palaces, mosques, and bazaars.

Meaning ‘suspended in the air’ Meteora is a surreal landscape where several Byzantine monasteries were built on top of immense stone pillars.

Cortina D’Ampezzo has long been one of Italy’s most desired winter resort towns. It nestles in an alpine valley embraced by impressive peaks.

Azerai Can Tho is a one-of-a-kind resort. It spreads over an islet on the Mekong River where seclusion, comfort, and natural beauty abound.

Dating back to 3000 B.C., the Minoan culture was the first advanced civilization in Europe. Its cradle was Crete – Greece’s largest island.

San Marino may be tiny but it’s the only surviving medieval commune in Italy. All thanks to its isolated location and political shrewdness.

Bánh is the most diverse category in Vietnamese cuisine. It can be interpreted as a bite-sized snack that can be eaten by hand or chopsticks.

Though millenniums have passed since its heydays, evidence of ancient Rome is still very much alive in monuments across the Italian capital.

In Istanbul, Byzantine legacies stand in tandem with monuments of the Ottoman era. Some are obvious, while others require some imagination.

Halong Bay in northeast Vietnam is known for its impressive seascape formed by thousands of weathered limestone islands and islets.

Jaipur forts are fine examples of Rajput-Mughal architecture. They reflect the artistic taste and the expertise of Indian craftsmen.