Amsterdam’s most coveted canal houses are the mansions clustered around the Gouden Bocht – the Golden Bend. This curve of Herengracht between Spiegelstraat and Vijzelstraat is the stretch where in the 17th century wealthy merchants built their lavish homes. Late 16th and early 17th century Amsterdam...

I don’t have kids – yet. One day, I really hope to have my own (two should be enough) and I want to share with them the world. The easiest and most creative way of doing this, in my mind, is to cultivate their imagination through reading. Indeed, one can travel the world just by reading. Of course,...

What’s the most important thing for you when choosing a hotel? I really cannot pinpoint a single feature but most of the time, I would mention at least one of these three things: a bathtub, WiFi in the room, or a pool. If you found yourself nodding vigorously while reading the second item in that...

A lot of people are forever griping about how the travel sector – specifically airlines! – are always out to make more money out of travelers. You can’t really blame the people who complain. We know just how unfair many practices are. However, when the news about Haiti’s plight made the headlines,...

The Oude Kerk or Old Church dates back to the 14th century and is indeed old. However, much of what you see is 16th century because wardens’ offices, choir rooms and houses were added to the church over a period of three centuries. Funds came from pilgrims who flocked here in their hundreds after...

Australia is a vast country – almost as large as the contiguous United States – and it is impossible to experience everything that the country has to offer in one visit. Some attractions should not be missed. These include both man-made and natural wonders as well as the fascinating culture and...