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Everything You Need to Know About Holi, India’s Festival of Color

Festivals + Events

What to Know Before the Start of Holi, the Hindu Festival of Color

Before this festival begins, there are several things to keep in mind.

March 7, 2023 05:14 PM

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Nikhita Venogupal

View of an Asian temple framed through pillars

UNESCO World Heritage

How to See Angkor Wat at Its Least Crowded—and Most Beautiful

This legendary landmark is worth the rain.

November 26, 2024 02:33 PM

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Anna Mazurek

One of the hallmarks of the tradition is its use of the “<i>kadhua</i>” and “<i>phenkua</i>” techniques. The former refers to when threads are woven in one-by-one, whereas the phenkua (which literally means “to throw”) involves weaving in threads by passing a shuttle machine—which holds yarn—back and forth.<br/>

Longreads

The Silk Weavers of Varanasi

In India’s holiest city, an ancient community of handloom weavers faces an electrically powered future.

February 23, 2023 12:39 PM

Balinesse family rowing the boat to reach Tamblingan Temple for morning worship.

Off The Tourist Trail

How to Experience Bali Without Feeling Like a Tourist

An island resident shares insider tips for avoiding Bali’s busiest spots, with recommendations for quieter villages, lesser-known temples, and local night markets.

March 12, 2026 03:14 PM

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Kathryn Romeyn

Hundreds of carved stone stupas in a field in Bagan, Myanmar

UNESCO World Heritage

18 of the World’s Most Incredible Ancient Ruins

These UNESCO World Heritage sites in Lebanon, Scotland, and Ethiopia are all worth the trip.

December 6, 2024 11:57 AM

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Pat Tompkins

Rajasthan-based textile collective Saheli Women recently planted a cotton farm in the village of Kali Beri—part of a broader commitment to circularity and local sourcing.

Spring 2026

Rajasthan’s Famous Textile Traditions Were Disappearing. Visit the Women Helping to Revive Them

Saheli Women, a craft collective headquartered outside Jodhpur, works to preserve and promote traditional Indian textile arts—and the livelihoods of its skilled artisans.

April 22, 2026 12:06 PM

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Leslie Pariseau

Interior of mosque with arches and shadows and sunlight

LGBTQ Travel

Sharing Old Delhi’s Queer History, One Walk at a Time

On weekends, Iqbal Ali leads tours that bring another side of the city to life.

June 1, 2024 08:52 AM

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Manu Moudgil

History + Culture

The Girl Wrestlers of Varanasi, India, Are Changing the Rules of the Game

Inspired by a Bollywood film, young girls and women in northern India are taking up “kushti”—an ancient form of wrestling traditionally only practiced by men.

March 15, 2022 06:41 PM

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Eileen McDougall

Tips + News

Indians Celebrate Kamala Harris’s Win With Firecrackers and Prayers

“Congratulations Kamala Harris. Pride of our village.”

November 9, 2020 03:00 PM

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Aijaz Rahi

Rock formations at a beach, with turquoise and dark blue water in the foreground

Islands

10 Tropical Island Getaways Worldwide for People Who Are Tired of Being Cold

Ditch your parka for sunscreen and a beach read and warm up on one of these sunny islands.

December 22, 2025 12:16 PM

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Paul Rubio

Buahan, A Banyan Tree Escape is surrounded by Bali's dense green jungle.

Hotels

These Are Bali’s Most Stunning—and Environmentally Friendly—Hotels

Three luxury resorts on the Indonesian island of Bali are getting creative with waste reduction and recycling—and are educating travelers in the process.

March 22, 2023 02:44 PM

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Kathryn Romeyn

History + Culture

What’s in a Name? Why Turkey Is Now Türkiye

Türkiye is the latest country to attempt a rebrand. What motivated the move?

January 11, 2022 01:46 PM

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Jeri Clausing

Solo Travel

I Spent a Month Solo Hiking in the Himalayas. I Recommend It to Everyone.

As cliché as it sounds, sometimes you have to lose yourself to find yourself.

August 13, 2025 12:41 PM

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Kate McMahon

8 Meditation Retreats in the U.S. to Book Now

Health + Wellness

Find Your Zen, No Passport Required, at These 8 Meditation Retreats

You don’t need to go halfway around the world to escape from the stress of daily life.

July 9, 2025 02:09 PM

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Maggie Fuller

The Haldane Suite at the Raffles London at The OWO features dark wood paneling and gilt chandeliers.

Hotels

London Is Having a Big Hotels Moment. These Are the 6 Openings of 2023 We’re Most Excited About

Take advantage of the strong dollar at these ultra-luxurious debuts across the pond.

September 29, 2023 06:00 AM

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Heidi Mitchell

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