Travel
Seven continents visited, a thousand stories to go ...
This extraordinary desert country has long been difficult for tourists to visit. That’s all changing ... The Sahara makes up 83% of Algeria, Africa’s largest country. It’s the focus of a government master plan for tourism development by 2030 that aims to make Algeria a major tourist destination after decades of self-reliance post-French colonialism, which ended in 1962.
The Brussels Times Magazine
Tournai may sit quietly on the Scheldt, yet its past is anything but tranquil. Once a Roman outpost, then France’s first capital, briefly English, later Spanish, Austrian and Dutch – this small Belgian city today serves up spires, tapestries, beer and brioches with disarming
nonchalance.
Fishing for shrimp on horseback was once practiced along the North Sea from Germany to England. Today, only 17 fishermen remain, and the world’s first women have joined their ranks.
Toronto Star
Tanzania is home to some of the world's best game parks, including the Serengeti, which has the greatest wildlife show on Earth: the Great Migration, an annual 800-kilometer trek of about 2 million wildebeest.
Marrakech: North Africa's Magic Kingdom
SuperyachtStories.com
As a former French protectorate, Marrakech is both Francophone and Franco-fantastic with its mélange of artistic and cultural influences. But it remains true to its Arabic roots, especially in the medina, as displayed in architecture, art, souks (Arab bazaars) and gastronomy.
The Brussels Times Magazine
​Near Ypres in West Flanders, Poperinge, nicknamed “Pop” by British soldiers during World War I, has surprising military history in spite of not being occupied during this time. It is also Belgium’s hub for hops from farms to beers with a gastronomy scene to match.
Battlefields and Beyond in Bastogne
The Brussels Times Magazine
In the Belgian Ardennes, near the Luxembourg border, Bastogne is a time warp to the Second
World War, particularly in winter as it commemorates the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge.
The Last Speakers of Ancient Sparta
BBC.com/Travel
The iconic city-state may have fallen nearly 2,400 years ago, but today, 2,000 people still speak the language of these ancient warriors.
The Brussels Times Magazine
Just half an hour from Brussels, Leuven is a city of turrets, bicycles, books and beer. Home to one of Europe’s oldest universities and recently named the European Capital of Culture in 2030, it wears its history lightly – a place where
learning and leisure blur beautifully, and where curiosity feels as natural as breathing.
The Brussels Times Magazine
​Bouillon, Belgium is where time slows and history whispers through ancient stone walls. With its imposing medieval castle overlooking the meanderingSemois river, this enchanting retreat invites travellers to lose themselves in a world of chivalry, untamed nature and culinary delights.
The Brussels Times Magazine
Nestled in the southeastern edge, where Wallonia meets the Grand Duchy, Arlon is one of Belgium’s oldest cities, blending deep Gallo-Roman roots with a contemporary food scene and gentle landscape. It has the strange magic of border towns. You arrive expecting a waypoint and find a weekend.
The Brussels Times Magazine
Knokke-Heist styles itself as the Saint-Tropez of the north, a luxurious seaside resort that boasts fine art, gastronomy, shopping and nature. It’s a place to see and be seen any time of year. Yet beyond the boutiques and beach clubs lies a softer, wilder side: wide North Sea beaches, sculpted dune ridges and vast polder reserves that stretch into serene, bird-filled horizons.
The Brussels Times Magazine
Though it claims to be the smallest city in the world, Durbuy is big on charm, boasting a medieval castle, upscale restaurants and megalithic natural surroundings. A satire song about it, ‘J’aime Durbuy’, extolled the tiny city’s quaint cobblestoned streets and medieval heritage, and proved almost as popular as the original. In fact, Durbuy is very easy to love.
The Brussels Times Magazine
Barely known even among Belgians, Ronse in Flanders near the linguistic border is the “queen of the Flemish Ardennes.” It boasts the largest medieval crypt in western Europe; a veritable exorcist; relics from the town’s patron St. Hermes; and the remains of a textile industry, including repurposed factories and Art Deco houses. Every year since 1090, locals do The Fiertel Procession, a 32.6K walk around the town with the shrine of St. Hermes.
The Brussels Times Magazine
Often overlooked, the German-Speaking Community of Belgium is a linguistic area within the francophone Wallonia region that has its own parliament, flag and fascinating history. It represents 3% of the country’s geography and just 0.7% of its population (nearly 80,000). Yet it has practically the same legal status as the French and Flemish communities thanks to smart politicking in the 1960s when Belgium divided linguistically.
The Brussels Times Magazine
Mons boasts UNESCO sites and events, military history, buildings and street art, and one-of-a-kind museums for a weekend of intrigue. This picturesque city on a hill in the heart of Wallonia, Belgium owes its name to its hilly terrain. In fact, its name was derived from the Latin word ‘montes’, for mountains. This lofty title is fitting for the capital of Belgium’s province of Hainaut, a city deemed the European Capital of Culture in 2015.
The Brussels Times Magazine
Founded where two rivers meet around a medieval citadel, Namur’s waters run deep with folklore and history. But on the ground, it boasts great gastronomy, ancient treasures and rare art.
The Brussels Times Magazine
The oldest city in Belgium, Tongeren has Roman relics, the largest antique market in the Benelux and haute gastronomy that uses produce from surrounding vineyards, orchards and farms. It's the city of chieftain Ambiorix in the Flemish province of Limburg -- a surprising combination of historical and culinary heritage with UNESCO sites and Michelin-starred restaurants.
The Brussels Times Magazine
One of the most picturesque cities in Belgium, Dinant in the French-speaking Wallonia region sits under a dramatic, mountainous face and
overlooks the Meuse River. Its trail of colourful saxophone sculptures pays homage to the instrument’s
inventor who was born there. "Sax and the citadel" reign supreme but there are also plenty of outdoor adventures from kayaking to hiking and fascinating military history.
The Brussels Times Magazine
A trip to Kortrijk is a journey back in
time with medieval architecture,
industrial heritage and storied landmarks around every corner, including the belfry that dominates the skyline. The city holds a special place in Flemish history due to the Battle of the Golden Spurs on July 11, 1302, when Flemish townsmen on foot triumphed over French knights on horseback – an event still commemorated as the Day of the Flemish Community.
The Brussels Times Magazine
Once a bustling trading hub, Bruges is still replete with glorious medieval architecture. In fact, its entire historical center is an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Add to that Instagrammable canals, carillon, beer culture and good eats, Brugeshas everything for a perfect weekend.
The Brussels Times Magazine
Boasting some of Belgium's best beaches, Ostend is often seen as a summer destination but it's a vibrant, cultural and historical city that can be visited year-round.
Lindblad Legacy Anchored in Conservation
Superyacht Stories
Swiss expedition pioneer Sven-Olof Lindblad and his American wife, Kristin Lindblad, discuss the importance of responsible tourism and how travelers can protect and give back to the environment.
You had me at “bonjour, enchanté” when we first met years ago. I fell for your charming personality, international flair, and striking appearance.
Norway: Rich in Natural Resources
ART + DESIGN
In 1969, after searching most of its long coastline, Norway discovered “liquid gold.” It has since recovered oil and gas worth about $1.4 trillion. It is rich in all kinds of natural resources.
Healthy Travel
Experience nature's best at three of Canada's finest off-season ski resorts ... Canada is known for winter sports but during the off-season, ski resorts remain a hub for outdoor adventures and spectacular scenery.
New Orleans: Let the Good Times Creole
Chicago Scene
"Laissez les bons temps rouler" (let the good times roll) is the phrase du jour in New Orleans, which attracts more foodies, music lovers, voyeurs, and conventions than almost any other U.S. city. It's one of the best places to "pass a good time" as locals would say. Plus the Big Easy has a rich cultural heritage thanks to the French, Creoles and Cajuns. This cultural gumbo has resulted in red hot music, literature, and art.
San Francisco: Golden Gate to Heaven
Chicago Scene
It's easy to understand why Tony Bennett sang *I Left my Heart in San Francisco" as this city is one of America's finest. It combines the natural beauty of oceans, mountains, forests and vineyards with haute cuisine and fashion, hot nightlife and music, fine art, liberal attitudes and an international population that generally embraces a healthy lifestyle. Oh and then there are the cable cars ...
South Africa: Where Scenery is the Scene
Chicago Scene
The wildlife is amazingly up close and personal, the culture is an interesting Anglo-Dutch-Indian-African mix, and the wine country is spectacular with sprawling estates set against a mountainous backdrop.
Chicago Scene
With its diverse topography ranging from desert to the Andes Mountains to the Amazon rainforest, everywhere you go in Peru is its own world. You can experience three major ecosystems in one trip.
Turkey is a country that considers 500 years old "new" in its history. It is home to one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the world and thousands of buildings and artifacts dating back as far as the 2nd Century B.C.
Washington, DC: Capital Thrill
Chicago Scene
White buildings, manicured bushes, and stodgy appearances characterize the famous areas of Washington, D.C., but its underground culture and nightlife are the antithesis of this conservative image. Believe it or not, the nation's capital is a cool place to hang out. You just have to know where to go and who to avoid.
The Brussels Times Magazine
Spa is all about watery wellbeing. Nestled in a forested valley, the town that gave its name to mineral springs and health resorts the world over is still a wellspring of modern spa therapy. Visitors come for the thermal waters, but stay for the atmosphere — where forest trails, Belle Époque galleries and excellent meals all seem to exist within a few leisurely minutes of one another.
The Brussels Times Magazine
Called the "capital of taste," Hasselt serves up gastronomy, fashion, street art and unique boutiques. It also has surprising green spaces, including the largest Japanese garden in Europe. What locals claim is the “capital of taste,” Hasselt is one of Belgium’s oldest cities, dating back to the 7th century, and among its most fashionable, with a rich textile history and thriving Belgian designer scene.​
Montenegro: 'Black Mountain' is Green Paradise
Superyacht Stories
A small but brilliant jewel in the Balkans along the Adriatic Sea, Montenegro has it all in topography for tourism, including a long coastline, the planet’s southernmost fjord, Europe’s cleanest river, the largest lake in the Balkans, five national parks, endless mountains and one of the last rainforests on the continent.
Weekend Getaway Play-offs: Michigan
Chicago Scene
"Yes, Michigan!" The zealous state slogan may be old, but it has some merit. Michigan is the Great Lake State after all with a ton of natural beauty, terrific biking trails and beach towns, and cherry and blueberry picking.
Weekend Getaway Play-offs: Wisconsin
Chicago Scene
Wisco, a cheesy nickname for the state, suits it quite well considering all of its cheese factories and unusual community traditions. The state is home to a host of unique towns and niche organizations.