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Visiting the Cultural Triangle in Sri Lanka
At the heels of a drawn-out civil war that effectively erased Sri Lanka from the trodden tourist trail, the small tear-shaped country has emerged as a rewarding travel destination. Despite its tiny size, the island country is replete with things…
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Sintra Day Trip: Visiting Portugal’s Fairytale City
With its sea of rolling green hills, its whimsical palaces, and its its pastel houses, UNESCO-recognized Sintra is one of Portugal’s most enchanting gems. The photogenic city entices visitors with its verdant setting and dreamy charm. Once referred to as…
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Portugal’s Algarve Coast: Hiking, Caves and Azure Seas
The Algarve Coast in Portugal is a wonderland for hikers, swimmers, photographers and sunbathers. Known for its honey-colored cliffs and turquoise seas, the Algarve is visually stunning. The area’s natural beauty, coupled with its affordability relative to the rest of…
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Two Days in Lisbon: The San Francisco of Europe
As soon as I set foot on the picturesque streets of Lisbon Portugal, I was hit with an overwhelming sense of déjà vu. Despite the fact that it was my first time in Portugal, the city’s hilly lanes, bayside views…
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Porto and the Douro River Valley
At first glance, the city of Porto in northern Portugal is poorer, dirtier and grittier than Europe’s other popular metropolitan areas. Outside its touristy downtown, once-bustling storefronts lie boarded up and vacant due to years of stagnant economic growth. Its tightly…
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Northern Laos: Nong Khiaw and Muang Ngoi
Laos is a small country that flies largely under the radar due to its lack of big-name attractions. A land of verdant rice fields, spectacular karst formations, temple-speckled towns and friendly people, Laos packs the best that the region has…