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Monterrey and Chihuahua, Mexico
by
Stephen Keeling
Surrounded by vast, empty deserts of twisted cacti and chains of dusty mountains, the industrial cities of Monterrey and Chihuahua might seem odd choices for a vacation. Hammered mercilessly by the summer sun, the two urban giants are usually bypassed by foreign travelers desperate to see the exotic jungles, beaches and Mayan ruins of the south. This is a shame: cut though the traffic and grimy outskirts of both cities, and you'll discover rich colonial centers, incredibly innovative museums and some of the most significant historical monuments in Mexico. Monterrey,…
in North America
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Charleston, South Carolina
by
Alissa Schor
Charm Makes a Come Back
Rhett Butler was not exactly being cynical when he made up his mind in Gone With the Wind to leave Atlanta. “I’m going back to Charleston, back where I belong,” he said. “I want peace. I want to see if somewhere there isn’t something left in life of charm and grace.”
in North America
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Lima, Peru
by
Sabrina Canfield
Lima, “The City of Kings”, is the fifth largest city in Latin America and was once the capital of South America. Straddling the coast of the Pacific Ocean, it’s known for its’ Incan ruins surrounding modern urban enclaves built during Spanish colonialism. Striking baroque architecture from that period abounds and can be seen in many government buildings, churches and historical houses. In fact the entire historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From May through December, the sky is often dull with low clouds and dense fog, an aspect…
in South/Central America
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Detroit, Michigan
by
Kathleen Cromwell
From Gritty to Green
When Detroit, the Motor City, morphed into Motown, the automotive capital of the world became Hitsville, U.S.A., as the phenomenon of the pop-soul sound was unleashed on the world. Today Detroit is on the cusp of a 21st-century transformation, as urban agriculture puts down roots in this post-industrial landscape, a fertile oasis spawned as a result of foreclosed homes and bulldozed lots in a downsized city. A new breed of visionaries, innovators, artists and creative entrepreneurs have infiltrated Detroit’s neighborhoods to populate its sometimes gritty streets…
in North America
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Hot Springs, Arkansas
by
Julie Zimmermann
An hour from Little Rock lies a gem of a city, the Ouachita Valley land of peaceful waters, Hot Springs, Arkansas. Steeped in history and exuding an inviting southern charm, it's home to horseracing, the baths, and the blues. Blushing when in festival mode, this small city shares the wealth of her natural resources with nature lovers, health seekers, racetrack fans, and lovers of the arts.
in North America
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Belgrade, Serbia
by
Marija Sajkas
What’s New in Belgrade
Let’s get straight to the point: there are certain things that could happen only in Belgrade. In many capital cities, a usual meeting point is by a monument of a local historic figure. Belgrade, the capital
city of Serbia and Montenegro, is no different. However, instead of saying, “Let’s meet by the statue
of the Duke Milan Obrenovic,” even a devoted historian would say, “See you by the horse.” If truth be told, in that particular artistic depiction, the famous duke is sitting on quite an impressive…
in Europe
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Hong Kong, China
by
Stephen Keeling
Beyond Hong Kong, What a Difference a Day Makes
Soaring skyscrapers plastered in neon, 24-hour nightlife, fabulous shopping that ranges from the suspiciously cheap to the seriously glamorous, and some of the best Chinese food in the world. For most visitors this is Hong Kong, and to be fair, it’s a lot of fun. But it’s not the whole story.
in Asia/Pacific
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Phnom Penh, Cambodia
by
Elizabeth Kiester
Majestic Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh, Cambodia's capitol, is in the midst of a major upheaval. Old and new are constant clashes—it's a city where cycle drivers share the road with elephants and BMW SUVs; where tented houses sit in front of high rise modern apartment dwellings. Poised as a competitor with neighboring Ho Chi Minh City and Bangkok, Phnom Penh will be opening its first stock market in 2009. Get there before all the suits and ties arrive.
in Asia/Pacific
