While breathtaking views and energy typify Hong Kong, the city is perhaps most hospitable in fall and early winter, as pesky summer typhoons and brutal humidity have come to an end. Making a visit even more rewarding right now is a handful of season-specific culinary delights, festivals, and shiny new developments. Wine and Dine Month As West Kowloon continues its transformation into the next big thing—a st ...

The Pacific Northwest is well known for its "fresh" philosophy—about everything from farm-to-table and sustainable cuisine to alternative music and art. So it's no surprise that its two main cities, Seattle and Portland, are full of great food, wine, wellness, and arts experiences that make them a wonderful vacation combo. Fly to one and then drive or hop an Amtrak train (just over three hours and about $35 ...

In a land where dark winters with cold polar nights are replaced with extended sunshine-filled summer days, Finland is a country of contrasts. Due to Helsinki's prestigious title of the 2012 World Design Capital, creativity is just one of many reasons why tourists flock here every year. Despite their impressive architectural projects and technological advances, Finns appreciate simple pleasures. Many retrea ...

For many people, just the phrase "going on safari" is thrilling and evocative. It speaks of an adventure to be undertaken both far from home and comfort zone. It is an eagerly anticipated, once-in-a-lifetime trip. Sometimes, too, this first trip is the start of a long love affair with Africa, involving many repeat visits. One thing is clear— first-time visitors want their trip to be unforgettable for all th ...

Whether you like it or not, cruises touch on a tantalizing vacation trifecta: good value, hassle-free planning, and the promise of adventure. Pay an upfront rate and you've got a floating hotel, three meals a day, ample entertainment and activities, luxe services, and an expert itinerary in multiple destinations. Now add to that the fact that you only have to unpack your bags once. We know the reputation th ...

Beautiful, mysterious, and so very far away—Japan's appeal for the traveler is eternal. But there's a lot to know about this enigmatic country before you set foot within its borders. Here are some insider tips to a country that's equal parts ancient and ultra modern. Tipping is Not Required Blast the trumpets and open the pearly gates—tipping is not big in Japan. Restaurants? No tipping. Bars, taxis, salons ...

Thanksgiving is the official start to the holiday season. It brings families together for various traditions from watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade bright and early to post-turkey-feast coma-style-napping. But late November is also one of the best times of year to visit somewhere new—to experience the fall foliage in Philly's Fairmount Park, eat truly farm-to-table meals at Tennessee's Blackberry ...

My fascination with Shanghai began when I was a girl and my grandpa would show me photographs from his time there as a sailor in the early 1930s. Years later, when I began writing The Map of Lost Memories, which takes place in 1925, I knew in my heart that the novel must open in the former Paris of the East. As a result of the First Opium War, Shanghai was forced to open its port to foreign trade in 1842, a ...

July and August may be peak months for tourism, but autumn in Prague has its own allure. The weather is pleasant throughout September—especially during babí léto (the Czech equivalent of Indian Summer); and in October daytime temps remain in the mid-50's. Moreover, due to the low angle of the sun, there's a special quality of light that heightens the city's romance quotient and turns its already-beautiful b ...

Transportation ground to a halt along the U.S. Northeast coast on Monday, stranding local rail commuters, cruise passengers and air travelers from as far away as Europe and Asia, as Hurricane Sandy prompted closure of air, ship, rail and even highway service. The transport woes also hit cargo operations, adding another dimension to the storm's economic toll. New York said it would close seven major bridges ...