Ah Provence! You, beautiful Provence! When I think of you, I immediately smell the delicate scent of lavender and the characteristic aroma of garrigue… Your beautiful landscapes and centuries-old villages captivate all my senses and keep me spellbound as soon … Read More
We were not that far south of Lyon, when we stopped at a gas station on the Autoroute du Soleil. As I rolled down the window, I was surprised to get a whiff of a strong natural fragrance, instead … Read More
Bruised clouds stacked up. They crouched over the mountains, clung to them, sucking on their peaks. Then they let loose, and moved across the plane like on a chessboard. They were heading for our direction. With the clouds … Read More
It was raining cats and dogs when we arrived in Halong Bay. When we left Hanoi earlier that day, I had no idea we would need 4 hours to reach the Gulf of Tonkin. In Europe, we would … Read More
Leaving Xi‘an after only 3 days, we felt like betraying the capital of ancient China. When our guide Rocky waved us goodbye at the train station, I almost regretted not having extended our time in Xi’an for a few … Read More
Why are you going to Los Angeles again? I let my friend’s question linger a bit in my mind. Then, I cleared my throat. I’m going to L.A. to run away from wintery Europe. To watch the sunset while … Read More
Legend has it that it never rains in Turpan in summertime. And yet, the courtyard of hotel the Silk Road Lodges was sodden when we left our oriental-style room. Oh yes! Finally, a few drops to cool down … Read More
Not so long ago, as we were putting together our itinerary for Peru, I received an email from Kerstin’s great aunt. The lady is in her 70s, but keeps roaming the world despite the many illnesses she has. And … Read More
“In Yunnan, girls wear flowers in all four seasons. And toes are exposed all year round.” These are two of the famous Eighteen Oddities of Yunnan Province. Located in southwestern China at an average altitude of 1,900 meters above sea … Read More