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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

Where to Travel Next

7 Beautiful Places in Italy Without the Crowds

Ditch the crowds and spend some time in these destinations instead.

January 15, 2025 03:19 PM

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Laura Itzkowitz

Books

“Like a Secular Church”: Exploring 50 of the World’s Best Indie Bookstores

In a new book, journalist Stuart Husband and photographer Horst A. Friedrichs profile the agonies and ecstasies of 50 bookstores around the world.

April 26, 2021 05:50 PM

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Aislyn Greene

Hotel building with three stories in the middle of a snowy landscape with the northern lights overhead

Stay Here Next

What It’s Like to Stay in Iceland’s Most Remote Hotel

Highland Base Kerlingarfjöll is making Iceland’s central highlands an all-seasons destination for those adventurous enough to make the trek.

June 21, 2024 05:45 AM

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Lyndsey Matthews

Trains

A New High-Speed Train Will Connect These 2 Iconic Italy Destinations Directly

Starting in 2024, travelers will be able to take a single train (versus a cumbersome connection) to travel from the capital to this famed archaeological site.

June 16, 2023 03:00 PM

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Bailey Berg

The Detroit venue El Club is a dedicated supporter of independent music.

Cities We Love

The Ultimate 48 Hours in Detroit for Music Fans

From the Motown Museum to historic venues, check out these go-to spots recommended by local rapper and record label CEO Ty Farris.

Sponsored by VisitScotland

COVID + Travel

With No Tourists to Bully, Bali’s Hungry Monkeys Are Raiding Villages

Indonesian macaques are well-known for their food-aggressive behavior towards humans. But now that the tourists are gone, the problem has only worsened.

September 7, 2021 02:46 PM

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Firdia Lisnawati

AFAR-Birchbark-Bookstore-MN-Jaida-Grey-Eagle-Photography.jpg

Art + Culture

6 Bookstores Across the U.S. That Give Back

From raising up underserved communities to fighting book bans, these indie shops are on a mission.

April 8, 2024 03:09 PM

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Nicholas DeRenzo

Gora Kadan Fuji room with shoji screens leading to a garden

Hotels

The Best Luxury and Boutique Hotels in Japan—Beyond Tokyo and Kyoto

As travel to Japan continues to boom, we rounded up 23 of the best hotels across the country, many in sublime—and often less-visited—destinations.

April 22, 2026 04:18 PM

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Adam H. Graham

Sensoji Temple, Tokyo with red columns, a tall pagoda, and red, black, and gold lanterns with Japanese characters on them

Air Travel News

Alaska Airlines Will Begin Flying New International Routes in 2025—Here’s Where

Following the acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines and its longer-range aircraft, Alaska is expanding its international and domestic flight network for 2025 and adding lounges.

December 30, 2024 09:58 AM

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Bailey Berg

Museums + Galleries

Bob Dylan Museum Debuts in Tulsa

The new center takes visitors on an immersive journey through the artist’s decades-long legacy and indelible mark on music and pop culture history.

May 9, 2022 05:34 PM

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Michelle Baran

4 Days In

4 Days in Tokyo: Vintage Denim Boutiques, Playful Museums, and Surprisingly Great Pizza

Don’t let the city overwhelm you—use this local-created guide to find the best neighborhoods, shops, and food.

February 12, 2026 03:36 PM

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Yukari Sakamoto

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