Archives: Travel Sights

What Gives Cities Their Distinctive Look?

Posted on by Chris

Does Paris look distinctively different from other cities, such as London or New York City, or do all big cities look alike?  The scientists at Carnegie Mellon University say each city has very unique features and, using Google images, have developed date mining software to capture these subtle differences.  Science Daily reported this ground-breaking research which you can read about here:  What Makes Paris Look Like Paris? Software Finds Stylistic Core

 

View of Paris, France from the Arc de Triomphe

London’s Secret Gardens

Posted on by Chris

There’s nothing more relaxing than spending a few hours in a serene garden taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of nature. This is especially true if you’re visiting a large and busy city like London.  A visit to a garden can allow you to forget for a time that there are millions of people outside its boundaries and can provide a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of city life.  BLOUIN ARTINFO has compiled a list of the Best Secret Gardens in London.  Maybe you’ll want to look one up next time you visit the “The City.”

 

The Latest in Chinese Beach Wear

Posted on by Chris

If you’ve recently been to China or are planning to visit soon, chances are you’ve heard of the Chinese face-kini.  If not, a face-kini looks like a ski mask, but it’s more of a beach mask.  The Chinese cover themselves from head to toe at the beach, not out of modesty, but out of a fear of tanning.  (This desire for white skin is evident, too, in the cosmetic sections of the stores where shelves of skin whiteners abound.)  So don’t be alarmed if you come upon a beach full of what looks like super heroes (or super villains).  No, Comic-Con isn’t being held at the beach;  you’re just viewing an extreme form of skin protection.  NPR has a good story on the face-kini here. 

 ( AFP/AFP/Getty Images)

Cool and Unusual Bookstores Around the World

Posted on by Chris

Do you like to visit bookstores when you travel?  If so take a look at the list Flavorwire has compiled of specialty books stores located in various cities around the world such as Paris, London, Rome, New York City, Tokyo, and Toronto.  You may want to spend a few hours in one of them next time you’re in town!

10 Great Destinations in 10 Cities

Posted on by Chris

On August 13 the Daily Beast published the Perfect 100, a list of ten great cities and ten great things to do in them, along with photo galleries.

Cities on the list include Chicago, Rome, Bangkok, Mexico City, Beijing, Buenos Aires, Istanbul, Copenhagen, Sydney, and Capetown.  Take a look and see if you agree!

 

Hutong tour by pedicab, part of the Perfect 100

How Many of the Seven New Wonders of the World Have You Visited?

Posted on by Chris

 

 

This controversial new list, compiled by popular vote, was announced in 2007.  Whether you agree or not with what’s included on the list, they are all pretty cool sights to see.

Here they are, in no particular order:

  • Machu Picchu
  • Christ the Redeemer
  • Chichen Itza
  • Taj Mahal
  • Colosseum
  • Great Wall of China
  • Petra
To see some beautiful pictures of the New Seven Wonders visit National Geographic.    If that isn’t enough, Away.com also has a photo slide show.
I’ve only made it to one, thus far – China’s Great Wall.