Search results for

While in Tokyo, stroll the grounds of one or more of the thousands of Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines. The peace and relaxed nature of the temples and shrines offer welcome respite from Tokyo’s more hectic side.

Temples are wonderful places for exploring. Whether they are ancient ruins or an active place of worship with vibrant colors and smells, you can’t go wrong visiting any of these temples.

How do you make sense of diverse, dizzying São Paolo? Talk to the people who make the sushi, spray the graffiti, and build the giant watermelons.

You could easily spend your entire time in Japan roaming between gardens, temples, and shrines—and it would be time well spent. Meander through Kyoto’s moss and rock gardens or explore Tokyo’s Imperial palace garden. Stay the night in an ancient temple and eat among Buddhist monks or visit one of Japan’s three great Shinto shrines situated in Tokyo, Ise, and Nagoya.

A new generation of tastemakers puts Beijing on the fashion map.

Palermo, Sicily’s capital, is a marvelously jumbled, crumbling blend of old and new—a canvas upon which the region’s complex and ever-shifting history has been painted. Over the centuries, the port of Palermo was controlled by forces from the far corners—from Phoenicians, Greeks and Romans, to Arabs from North Africa, and then Normans from France, who oversaw a renaissance during which many of Palermo’s iconic landmarks and modern tourist attractions were built.

To see some of the vestiges of ancient empires, take a day trip from Palermo to the Valley of the Temples at Agrigento, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its Greek and Roman ruins, including the Temple of Concordia, remain wonderfully intact. Within the city itself, explore the attractions in historic neighborhoods such as the Arab district of La Kalsa, home to the finery-filled Palazzo Mirto. The Quattro Canti (Four Corners) lies in the heart of the old city, with Piazza Pretoria on the corner. From there it’s only a short distance to Palermo’s Norman Palace, another UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Palermo’s star attractions, which houses the Palatine Chapel, famous for its intricate mosaics.

Palermo is also a perfect jumping-off point for sightseeing excursions to the idyllic beaches of Mondello, the medieval coastal town of Cefalù and the mountain village of Monreale, which is known for its exceptional Norman cathedral.

The gateway to the ruins of Angkor, Siem Reap draws temple tourists from around the globe. From Ta Prohm, Angkor Wat, and Banteay Srei, the temples of Angkor date back to the 12th century, if not farther back.

Hoi An’s iconic noodle dish was tangled in mystery for decades. Then writer David Farley came to town.

A writer seeks out the disappearing workshops that have been the source of elegance in Naples for generations.

The extraordinary tastes and flavors of Vietnam, found everywhere from the chaotic stalls of the night markets to the hushed dining rooms of luxury hotels, plucked from skewers and slurped from bowls, have a way of imparting an immediate connection to the country’s culture. Discover Vietnam by biting into a just-made spring roll, tasting fiery noodles, seeking the influence of French colonial cuisine in a sandwich bought on the street, or just contemplating the complex wonders of a humble country meal. You’ll remember all your first tastes here.

Chris Colin experiences a Caribbean paradise from both sides of a resort’s walls.

AFAR chose a destination at random—by literally spinning a globe—and sent Vendela Vida on a spontaneous journey to St. Maarten.

Start by seeking out the country’s beer-brewing monks.

In a square mile of West Texas, Chris Colin finds family and traces his roots back to a wilder America.