Fado, a genre of music distinct to Portugal. Performed in pubs, cafes, and restaurants like this one, it’s slow, lyrical, melancholic. This type of music is often paired with the word saudade, meaning longing, as relating to the Portuguese culture of Maritime adventure. A loss with great consequences. Those who venture out to sea, never to return. This genre is completely unique and unlike anything we’ve experienced. There is an intimacy with a live performance.
Read MoreThe Santa Justa Lift or Carmo Lift is an elevator that opened in 1899, connecting the lower streets of Baixa to Carmo Square. Because Lisbon has so many hills, an elevator like this one is very practical in reaching new heights.
Read MoreA low-key and free terraced spot with amazing views of the Tagus River and the red rooftops of Lisbon. It’s nestled along the 28 tram and proves a beautiful respite from hill-climbing and exploring. This vantage point provides sweeping views of Lisbon from the Alfama neighborhood and is rather popular with visitors.
Read MoreLush green against the backdrop of skyscrapers, KLCC Park in Kuala Lumpur is a great reprieve in this modern city. A well kept public space, it features a manmade lake and a water show with fountains. Conveniently located next to the Petronas Towers, Aquaria KLCC, Suria KLCC shopping mall, this park is a sturdy staple in the city center.
Read MoreIt’s not often that one raves about the views from a hotel but with the lobby at 40 stories from ground level, the Element Kuala Lumpur by Westin offers fantastic views of the city, almost rivaling the Petronas Tower. Emphasis on almost.
Read MoreSeoul is the capital of South Korea, a very modernized city with an appreciation of the history that carried it into this century. Huge skyscrapers, a very efficient transportation system, and affinity for pop culture meshes well with old temples, palaces, and street markets.
Read MoreThe Fortress Wall of Seoul or Seoul City Wall surrounds the original city and runs nearly 19 kilometers around the city center. The stone borders, set along the four inner mountains of Bukhansan, Naksan, Namsan, and Inwangsan have gone through renovation efforts, though much of it remains the same.
Read MoreThe Gwangjang Market in Seoul is home to many delightful vendors and restaurants, with more than five thousand shops. Previously known as Dongdaemun Market, this traditional street market is one of the oldest and largest in South Korea and hosts nearly sixty-five thousand visitors daily.
Read MoreA stroll through Seville’s winding streets, with narrow walkways and high walls makes the average tourist feel like a rat stuck in a maze. Every turn leads to a new plaza and new visual delights and sometimes dead ends with gorgeous entryways. Like most older European cities, the streets are narrow but pedestrians can access most anywhere.
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