Category: Around the world

Discovering the Essence of Cairo in One Day

Africa Around the world Egypt

Discovering the Essence of Cairo in One Day

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Cairo, the vibrant and lively capital of Egypt, harmoniously blends its millennia-old history with modern culture in constant transformation. The city is full of treasures to explore, from majestic pyramids to bustling markets.

While many travellers come to marvel at the pyramids and the Sphinx, Cairo offers numerous other historical sites and neighbourhoods worth visiting. Sure, the city is often associated with its dust, chaotic traffic, oppressive heat, and bewildering nature, but I encourage you to set aside these preconceptions and experience the city for yourself.

A city at the crossroads of epochs, Cairo combines tradition and modernity: donkey carts advance on dusty roads while just a few meters away, honking cars crowd the streets. Discovering Cairo means embracing its unique and disorderly charm—an experience that may not appeal to everyone, but one that remains unforgettable. Welcome to Egypt!

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Chronicle of Ushuaïa: Journey to the End of the World

Argentina Around the world South America

Chronicle of Ushuaïa: Journey to the End of the World

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I was going to the end of the world! These few words were, for me, the perfect conclusion to a journey that started in Buenos Aires, passed through Uruguay and Chile, and ended in Ushuaïa, in Tierra del Fuego.

Ushuaïa embodies the wonder of an 18-year-old woman who dreamed of travelling the world and completed her first major trip (outside Europe) at this location—albeit accompanied but independent. It was the awakening of a love for South America but also for a more adventurous way of travelling, the discovery of sharing the journey with someone else, and ultimately, the idea of returning and perhaps even venturing to Antarctica.

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Da Nang: Unusual Adventures to Marble Mountain and Lady Buddha

Around the world Asia Vietnam

Da Nang: Unusual Adventures to Marble Mountain and Lady Buddha

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In my previous article on My Son, I told you about the various excursions available from Hoi An. We explored the culture and nature of central Vietnam in the ancient archaeological city. Today, I’m taking you on a slightly more… shall we say, unexpected adventure, still departing from Hoi An. Surprising, because we had no idea what we were going to discover.

We booked a half-day tour with our hostel to discover the mysteries of the caves and caverns of Marble Mountain in Da Nang, followed by a visit to the famous Lady Buddha. Well, let’s say it was an unforgettable experience, especially thanks to our guide, who mastered English about as well as I mastered kung fu (which is to say, not at all).

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2 days in Hoi An: Unveiling Vietnam’s Luminous Beauty

Around the world Asia Vietnam

2 days in Hoi An: Unveiling Vietnam’s Luminous Beauty

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A stroll through Hoi An, by far the best-preserved old town in Vietnam, gives you a rare feeling of stepping back in time. The pretty lantern-decorated streets reveal a cosmopolitan architecture that reflects the past of this once prosperous trading port.

Situated on the banks of the Thu Bon River, Hoi An is a coastal town in Vietnam that captivates visitors with its historic charm, well-preserved architecture and peaceful ambience. Not only have the ancient buildings survived the wars of the 20th century, but they have also retained traditional features that are rare today.

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Ninh Binh, a natural gem to discover in Vietnam

Around the world Asia Vietnam

Ninh Binh, a natural gem to discover in Vietnam

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Ninh Binh province was one of my favourites in Vietnam. Naturally, it’s still a must-see for tourists, as it’s nicknamed Ha Long Bay on land, but it feels better than Ha Long Bay, which, despite being a natural wonder, was ultimately my least favourite place.

Ninh Binh boasts some of Southeast Asia’s most beautiful, majestic and impressive natural scenery. With its towering karst peaks rising from the rice paddies, it is a destination that was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014 (for the Trang An landscape complex).

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Vietnam off the beaten tracks: Pu Luong

Around the world Asia Vietnam

Vietnam off the beaten tracks: Pu Luong

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Pu Luong Nature Reserve is a magnificent mountainous region famous for its picturesque landscapes, rural villages and rice terraces. Pu Luong is not yet on the tourist radar, making it an ideal destination for nature lovers looking for a relaxing, unique and unforgettable experience.

Pu Luong is a truly amazing destination if you like to explore off-the-beaten-track destinations and want to get an idea of what Vietnam was like before tourism took hold.

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Vietnam off the beaten tracks: Mai Chau

Around the world Asia Vietnam

Vietnam off the beaten tracks: Mai Chau

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Mai Chau is a rural region in north-west Vietnam, just a three-hour drive from Hanoi, the bustling Vietnamese capital. It was a breath of fresh air during my trip to Vietnam, as well as an unusual and off-the-beaten-track place to visit.

Indeed, long before our trip and when we were preparing it, there was no mention of this region in any research. The main tourist attraction was the Pu Luong Nature Park, which we wanted to visit and which gave us two days’ rest away from the hustle and bustle of Hanoi.

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Discover the world’s most beautiful libraries

Admont Around the world Austria Bavaria Brazil Dublin England Europe Finland Germany Ireland Italy Kosovo Netherlands North America Schwytz South America Spain St. Gallen Sweden Switzerland United Kingdom United States

Discover the world’s most beautiful libraries

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” I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library” has once declared Jorge Luis Borges, the famous Argentinian writer.

Enclosing secrets as old as the world, mysterious and intriguing, these temples of knowledge offer much more than literary choices. They present marvellous architectures symbolising the developments and ideas of history and dazzle with such cachet.

From the oldest to the most futuristic, these spaces dedicated to reading were all built with the aim of being able to amaze, charm and above all inspire visitors. Well, mostly to charm and inspire me. And make me travel to unusual places.

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The ultimate guide to Québec’s national parks

Around the world Canada North America Québec

The ultimate guide to Québec’s national parks

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* This article groups together the different Québec national parks described in the various articles

Vastness territory where nature is omnipresent, Québec represents a world of discoveries. During our road trip in the province, we focused on this wild natural side of the region, which led us to explore several Québec national parks.

Quebec national parks are grouped under the name “SEPAQ”, literally “Société des Établissements de Plein Air du Québec”, administered by the Quebec government, although some of these parks are part of the Canadian national parks network. Only three parks in Quebec are given the appellation of “Parks Canada”.

With over twenty destinations located throughout Quebec, according to the organisation’s official website, these parks list more than “6,995 km² of protected areas”.

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