The Best Time to Visit - Page 13 of 25 -

Why New York City is Called the Big Apple: The Surprising Story Behind NYC’s Famous Nickname

August 12, 2025 by Ben

When it comes to travel and vacations, we sometimes find ourselves asking simple questions about things we see or experience during our trips. We wonder why certain places have particular names, how traditions came about, or what’s behind the stories we hear. Today, we’re exploring one of those curiosities: why is New York City nicknamed the Big Apple? It Likely Started in the Horse Racing World As is often the case, the exact origin of this nickname isn’t definitively established. However, the term Big Apple to describe New York City reportedly dates back to the 1920s, when a sports journalist named John … Read more

How to Master Money in Mexico Like a Pro

August 11, 2025 by Ben

These are obviously among the questions we ask ourselves when traveling abroad. What currency is used there, what money should I bring, where to exchange it, what budget to plan for on-site, should we leave tips, etc. Here we offer you some answers to get you started. Today, we’re heading to one of the most tourist-friendly countries, at least in certain regions, to talk money. Welcome to Mexico and more specifically to that coastline around Cancun known as the Riviera Maya. What Currency Does Mexico Use? The peso has been Mexico’s currency for over 150 years. Precisely since 1863 when … Read more

Costa Brava Could Lose Half Its Vacation Rentals by 2029

August 11, 2025 by Ben

Spain, particularly Barcelona and the Mediterranean coast, ranks among Europe’s most over-touristed destinations. The situation has reached a tipping point where protests, regulations, and outright bans targeting tourists and cruise passengers are becoming commonplace. Vacation rentals like Airbnb are increasingly in the crosshairs of authorities both here and elsewhere… But hold on… A new decree published in Catalonia aims to heavily regulate vacation rentals along the coast. The legislation gives municipalities free rein to regulate or ban listings for these properties by 2029. The ultimate goal, as always, is to convert these accommodations into permanent housing for local residents. While … Read more

Paris Gets New Museum for the Man Behind Those Iconic Metro Entrances

August 10, 2025 by Ben

While Paris already boasts an impressive collection of museums—over 130 within the city limits—there’s apparently still room for exciting new projects like a dedicated museum celebrating Hector Guimard. This renowned architect from the early 20th century is famous for designing those beautiful Parisian metro entrances from his era, and is widely regarded as France’s most important representative of the Art Nouveau movement. Certainly worthy of its own museum. Opening Early 2028 Come January 2028, the French capital will welcome a museum dedicated to Hector Guimard and Art Nouveau in general. The museum will be housed in one of the architect’s … Read more

Why Bari Should Be Your Next Italian Adventure: The Hidden Gem Everyone’s Missing

August 10, 2025 by Ben

It’s an Italian city you occasionally hear mentioned, though you might not always know exactly where it’s located within the country. Yet whilst it may be less famous than Rome, Florence, Venice or Naples, Bari – for that’s what we’re talking about – has plenty to offer visitors both within its walls and in the surrounding area. Where is Bari? Bari is a major port city of over 300,000 inhabitants situated on the Adriatic coast in the Puglia region, in southern Italy. Put simply, the city sits at the “heel” of the Italian boot, 250km east of Naples and 450km … Read more

Évora, Capital of Alentejo

August 9, 2025 by Ben

Évora feels like those university towns that slow down in summer and come alive in September. Except here, students mingle with 2,000 years of Roman history and an intact medieval centre. The capital of Alentejo draws visitors for its Roman temple planted right in the city centre and its chapel lined with human bones. Portuguese visitors come for the regional wines and local cuisine, whilst foreign tourists tick off another UNESCO site from their list. The Fortified Historic Centre Évora’s medieval walls still encircle the old town across 3 kilometres. Unlike other Portuguese fortified cities, there’s no exhausting climb here … Read more

Hanoi’s Iconic Scooters Could Soon Vanish from City Centre

August 9, 2025 by Ben

It’s practically a symbol of Vietnam’s capital, if not the entire country. The countless scooters in varying states of repair, smoking and spluttering throughout the city, could well disappear from central Hanoi as early as next year… Scooters: A Social Phenomenon To say that scooters and other small motorcycles are abundant in Hanoi would be an understatement. This is hardly surprising, given that they’re the primary mode of transport for most residents – so much so that there are reportedly over 5 million of them for a population of around 9 million. It’s practically a world record… Whilst this mode … Read more

Why Faro Might Be Portugal’s Most Underrated City (And Why That’s Actually Perfect)

August 8, 2025 by Ben

Faro suffers from an image problem. Each year, millions of tourists pass through its airport before heading straight to Albufeira, Vilamoura or Lagos. The administrative capital of the Algarve remains in the blind spot of Portuguese tourism, caught between its role as an airport hub and that of an active university town. It’s a shame and a blessing at the same time. A shame because the city deserves better than its 45-minute taxi transit. A blessing because it spares it from the tourist development that has disfigured much of the coast. The fortified historic centre: 2 hours flat Faro’s old … Read more

Alberta’s Wild West: Canada’s Best-Kept Cowboy Secret

August 8, 2025 by Ben

When we think of the Wild West with its sweeping landscapes, Native Americans, cowboys, and countless tales both legendary and true, our minds naturally drift to the United States and particularly that American West which continues to draw visitors from across the globe. Yet just across the northern border in Canada, this same Wild West spirit lives on, particularly in Alberta… Where is Alberta? Alberta spans 255,541 square miles but houses fewer than 5 million inhabitants… It’s one of three provinces that make up what Canadians call “the Canadian Prairies” – those vast agricultural plains bordering the United States that … Read more

Italy Approves World’s Longest Suspension Bridge Project

August 7, 2025August 7, 2025 by Ben

The Italian government approved on Wednesday 6th August the colossal project for a 3.3-kilometre suspension bridge linking Sicily to Calabria. With an estimated cost of €13.5 billion, the project has sparked intense debate between supporters of economic development and opponents concerned about environmental and mafia-related risks. A ministerial committee gave its definitive green light on Wednesday to the €13.5 billion (£12.7 billion) project to build the world’s longest suspension bridge, connecting the island of Sicily to the mainland, announced a spokesperson from the Infrastructure Ministry. Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, the project’s main champion, described it as a “historic moment” … Read more