glant timeline RSS2025-03-17T10:26:06+0000Tijuana has long had the reputation as a gritty party town, a den of debauchery just south of the border. And while there’s often some truth to a stereotype, Tijuana is also a warm and welcoming city with authentic Mexican charm, a thriving cultural and food scene, and yes, a dynamic nightlife.The crime rate in Tijuana remains stubbornly high, but if you stick to well-touristed areas and keep your wits about you, you are all but assured a safe and memorable time.Here are some of our favorite things to see and do in Baja’s largest city. People stroll along Avenida Revolucion, the city's main thoroughfare. Sherry Smith/Getty Images © Sherry Smith/Getty Images

]]>2025-03-17T10:26:06+0000One of the southernmost cities of the Riviera Maya, Bacalar is a made-for-Instagram destination that remains (somewhat) under the radar – especially compared to its popular neighbor Tulum.Yet Bacalar, whose name in Mayan means “city where the sky was born” or “place surrounded by reeds,” is catching on fast. The town was named one of Mexico’s “Pueblos Mágicos” (“Magical Towns”) in 2006, an acknowledgment of its cultural and historical significance, as well as its attractiveness as a destination for travelers. Bacalar’s nearly 42,000 people and the visitors they host enjoy an incredibly privileged location fronting the Laguna de los Siete Colores (Lagoon of Seven Colors), so named because of the seven tones of blue-green that characterize its photogenic waters. Whether you’re enjoying the scene from a hammock or swing at one of the many local beach clubs, or diving into a cenote from the deck of a sailboat, visit now – and you’ll be able to say that you were in Bacalar before everyone else got there.    One of many piers in Bacalar, Mexico. Rubi Rodriguez Martinez/Shutterstock Rubi Rodriguez Martinez / Shutterstock

]]>2025-03-10T10:26:05+0000Strewn across the South Pacific like a handful of pearls tossed onto a gemstone-blue blanket, the Cook Islands are everything you'd hope to find in Polynesia.While this tiny island nation is famous for its white sand and clear lagoons, there's more to it than pristine beaches (although these are great, too, spread over 15 islands). From digging into local history to witnessing the spectacle of Aitutakian fire-dancing, here are the top things to do in the Cook Islands. A jungle road on the Cook Islands and Rarotonga. Anna Zolnay/Shutterstock Anna Zolnay / Shutterstock

]]>2025-03-03T10:26:05+0000Sometimes a city's cuisine enhances an already incredible trip — sometimes, it is the trip. If you love planning your itinerary around where you can eat, we're here to help. We asked our expert team of writers and editors to share their picks for the best food cities across the globe. Here are 15 places to start planning your next food-focused adventure.  Fancy a bahn mi? Dive into the incredible food scene in Ho Chi Minh City. Getty Images Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam  Recommended by James Pham Vietnam’s most populous city, with its many schools and job opportunities, draws people from all over the country – bringing with them their regional specialties. This great melting pot of flavors means there’s a tremendous variety, and you could eat something different every day for a year without a repeat. Homes are small and there’s a large student population, which has led to an amazing street food scene. Most meals can be had for a dollar or two, including freshly baked baguettes stuffed with fried eggs for breakfast, a bowl of steaming hot pho noodle soup for lunch and perhaps a beef stir fry with rice for dinner. Fans of fine dining are also spoiled for choice. The Michelin Guide arrived in Ho Chi Minh City for the first time in June 2023, honoring 55 eateries serving everything from high-end European contemporary dishes to innovative Vietnamese cuisine. Startup costs are relatively low compared to other major cities, making it easier for ambitious chefs and returning Vietnamese entrepreneurs to open up their own restaurants. Multiple new openings practically every week adds to an already incredibly diverse and dynamic food scene. Sample some nasi lemak while in Kuala Lumpuer. Muhd Hidayatullah for Lonely Planet Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia  Recommended by Winnie Tan Ask a Malaysian what the best thing to do in the country is, and their answer likely is “to eat.” If you’re looking for culinary experiences as vibrant and diverse as the people behind them, then the c... Read more

]]>2025-02-24T10:26:06+0000Close your right fist, with your thumb over your fingers. Now point your index finger and you have an almost perfect representation of the island of Corsica – essentially a mountain range jutting out of the Mediterranean, whose highest peaks remain snow-capped well into the spring. Its people are proud of their island: many consider themselves to be Corsican first and (reluctantly) French second, even though the island’s most famous son, Napoleon Bonaparte, became emperor of France! You’ll see graffiti – usually in Corsican, which is closer to Italian than it is to French – calling for independence in the most unexpected places. The Corsican flag (known locally as A bandera testa mora) is everywhere: a black profile facing left with a white bandana knotted at the back. Why? Nobody is really sure and there are many legends, but the latest academic hypothesis is that the head belonged to Black Egyptian Christian martyr Saint Maurice d’Aguane, whose Latin name Mauritius led to confusion that this was the head of a Moor. This stunning island has few museums, art galleries, cinemas or theaters. Instead, Corsica is a destination for those who love outdoor activities: hiking, swimming, sailing, kayaking, diving and great food at the end of it all. Traditional Corsican food is more mountain than maritime. As chestnut trees and wild pigs abound, you’ll find both these ingredients in many a hearty Corsican dish such as wild boar stew or the different varieties of cold meats such as figatellu. You’ll also find chestnuts in many forms in Corsican deserts and pastries. Cheese runs the gamut from mild (brocciu which is the basis for a variety of both savory and sweet dishes) to extremely strong (casgiu merzu or rotten cheese). And you can wash it all down with one of the local wines, which are closer in taste to Italian wines than continental French ones. Around every corner is another jaw-dropping landscape: a stone chapel perched atop a small hill with sheep-studded fields at i... Read more

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