Picks

What is it about Japan that so thrills us with almost uninhibited enthusiasm? What is the grand secret the Japanese are able to conjure almost at will in their quest to be exquisitely precise in all they do?

Despite its reputation as a bustling, modern city, South Korea’s Seoul is also quite rich with history, so there is wonderful contrast between Old Korea and New Korea. It was this juxtaposition that drew me in.

To truly appreciate this most famous of Mongolian traditions, I recommend that you seek out a rural Naadam as well as observe the well-known Ulaanbaatar Naadam of the Country, just as I did in my recent trip to Mongolia.

One of the most remarkable things about flying privately through Mongolia is that the whole country becomes available to you, and roads, airports, and accommodations are no longer considerations of your visit.

Golden Rock, which is known locally as Kyaiktiyo Pagoda, is located in the Mon State of Myanmar.

Varanasi is a shock to the senses, and is pure India at “full speed ahead” mode. It is crowded, dirty, bizarre and 100 other adjectives.

Recently I journeyed to Sukhothai in an effort to learn the secrets of this mysterious, quiet and charming place. It is one of the true hidden jewels of Thailand.

Imagine a festival in which every American from Denver to the Pacific, from Seattle to Phoenix and from Cheyenne to San Diego was in attendance – between 80 to 100 million living souls. India’s Kumbh Mela is indeed such a festival.

My memories of the Great Wall are numerous. I have visited several sections of the wall and each section has unique features.

The Philippines’ spectacular Banaue rice terraces are over 2000 years old, and home to the Ifugao former headhunters. The perfect place for an exhilarating and exhausting adventure.

Sagada is a mysterious village in a mountainous province of the Philippines, about 250 miles from Manila. It’s just under a mile above sea-level and situated near the Chico River, much of it on switch back mountain roads.

A visit to the notorious Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, known as S-21, as well as the Killing Fields to learn more about what happened here.