Timbuktu. Bora-Bora. Darjeeling. Balikpapan. Kathmandu. Zanzibar. I've been intrigued by these places my whole life, even though I didn't know anything about them beyond their melodious and exotic-sounding names.
Tag: garden

Peacocks and Bishops in Kroměříž, Czechia
Other than the pope, I don’t generally think of members of the clergy living in splendor. But from the 1500s through the 1800s, many European bishops lived like kings.

Ancient History and Current Events in Cologne and Brühl, Germany
Cathedrals, castles, flowers, and first beers in Cologne and Brühl, Germany.
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11 Things to Do in Madeira, Portugal
While Madeira is a terrific place to dive and snorkel, we'd just wrapped up a wonderful week in the Azores and were looking for a little variety. We also wanted to avoid the bustle of Madeira's capital, Funchal, which is where …

Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival at Disney World
For the past 25 years, Walt Disney World in Florida has hosted the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival each spring. The theme park's already beautiful gardens are made even more fun with the addition of dozens of character topiaries, …
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Bright Blooms at Shanghai Botanical Garden
Spring is the perfect time to visit the Shanghai Botanical Garden. Flowers and trees are beginning to bloom, and the weather is pleasant enough to stroll its more than 200 acres (81.86 hectares) for the better part of a day.

Springtime in Shanghai: Yu Garden and the Bund
Spring is a magical time to be in Shanghai. The sun is shining, the cherry blossoms are blooming, and the insane air pollution is somehow tolerable.

Biltmore Estate: Flowers, Film Fantasies, Wine and Chocolate
As Mike and Ben were on their annual guys' dive trip, I was treating my mother to a visit to Biltmore Estate for Mother's Day. I've been to Biltmore at least a dozen times, and they manage to change things …
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Morocco Adventure: A Camel Ride in the Sahara to Camp under the Stars
During my volunteer trip to Rabat, my new friend Paige and I had the opportunity to take a weekend excursion to Merzouga. It's a small town in the eastern part of Morocco, just 31 miles (50 km) from the border …
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Australia Adventure: Mornington Peninsula Wine Country
Our Australian adventure took us all up and down the eastern coast of the country, beginning with beautiful Brisbane, heading to Cairns for our liveaboard dive excursion along the Great Barrier Reef, then to Sydney and Melbourne for some cosmopolitan dining, …
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