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50 articles about travel, destinations and practical travel tips.
Who Expects a Tip? Asia, Africa, the Middle East and the Pacific
In Tokyo a tip can be handed straight back, while in Cape Town and on a Kenyan safari it is part of someone's wage. Here is how tipping really works across more than 20 countries, from service charges on the bill to car guards and trekking porters.
Tipping in Latin America: Mexico to Argentina, Country by Country
A 10 percent line on the bill can be a legal service charge, a polite suggestion or nothing at all, depending on which border you just crossed. Here is how tipping really works from Mexico and Central America to the far end of South America.
Shopping in the Philippines: Malls, Markets and What to Bring Home
From Manila's giant malls and bargain districts to Vigan's potters, Baguio's weavers and Cebu's guitar makers, the Philippines rewards shoppers who know where each thing comes from. Here is what to buy, where, and how to bargain the Filipino way.
Best Time to Visit the Philippines: Seasons, Typhoons and Islands
Dry season, monsoon winds and typhoon months play out differently on every island. Here is how the Philippine year really works, from Palawan and Boracay to Siargao and the cool Cordillera.
Jerk, Conch and Ti' Punch: Eating the Caribbean Island by Island
Every Caribbean island cooks its own history, from Jamaican jerk pits and Friday fish fries in Barbados to Creole kitchens on Martinique and roadside pork in the mountains of Puerto Rico. Here is where to eat, drink and go out, island by island.
Best Time to Visit the Caribbean, and the Truth About Hurricane Season
The temperature hardly changes all year, yet prices, crowds, rain and storm risk do. Here is how the Caribbean calendar really works, month by month and island by island, from Carnival in February to the quiet, cheap weeks of September.
Shopping in Nepal: What to Buy, Where, and How to Spot the Fakes
From the gear shops of Thamel to the potters of Bhaktapur and the metal workshops of Patan, Nepal is full of beautiful handmade things. The trick is knowing which ones are real, what they should cost and what you are allowed to take home.
Food in Nepal: From Kathmandu Momos to Dal Bhat at Base Camp
Nepal's kitchens change as fast as its landscapes, from Newari feasts in the Kathmandu Valley to Sherpa stews on the Everest trail. Here is what to order, what it costs and how to eat well without getting sick.
Best Time to Visit Nepal: Trekking Seasons, Monsoon and Festivals
Nepal stretches from steamy jungle to the roof of the world, so the right month depends on where you go and what you want to do. Here is how the seasons, the monsoon and the big festivals shape a trip.
Shopping in Vietnam: Hoi An Tailors, Night Markets and the Best Buys
Made-to-measure suits in three days, silk lanterns that fold flat, pearls that may not be pearls. How Vietnam's tailors and markets really work, from Hanoi to Phu Quoc, and what is worth the space in your suitcase.
Getting Around Vietnam: Trains, Sleeper Buses and Short Flights
Vietnam is more than 1,600 kilometers from end to end, and how you cover that distance shapes the whole trip. Here is how the trains, sleeper buses, domestic flights, ride apps and scooters actually work, and what they cost.
Food in Vietnam: What to Eat From Hanoi to the Mekong Delta
Pho in Hanoi, bun bo Hue in the old imperial capital, cao lau in Hoi An and broken rice in Saigon. Vietnam's food changes with every few hundred miles, and the best way to see the country is to eat your way down it.
Best Time to Visit Vietnam: North, Center and South Explained
Hanoi can be cool and gray while Hoi An floods and Ho Chi Minh City bakes in the sun, all in the same week. Here is how Vietnam's three climates work, month by month, and what the averages leave out.
Vietnam's Beaches, Bays and Mountains: Where to Go and When
From the limestone bays of the north to turtle beaches in the far south, Vietnam's landscapes change as much as its weather does. Here is how to choose between cruises, treks, caves and islands, and when each one is worth the trip.
Temples, Lanterns and Harvest Dances: Culture and Festivals in Taiwan
Four centuries of history sit side by side in Taiwan, from Qing dynasty temples and Japanese-era streets to Indigenous villages on the east coast. Here is where to see them, which festivals to plan around and how to behave at the temple door.
Best Time to Visit Taiwan: Weather, Festivals and Crowds by Season
Snow can dust the mountains while people swim off the southern beaches, and a single holiday week can empty the restaurants and fill every train. Here is how Taiwan's seasons, typhoons and festivals play out across the year.
Taiwan's Great Outdoors: Gorges, High Peaks, Hot Springs and Islands
Two thirds of Taiwan is mountains, and the rest is ringed by cliffs, reefs and small islands. Here is where to go for forest, coast and wildlife, and what has changed since the 2024 earthquake.
Shopping in Bali: Markets, Craft Villages and What to Bring Home
From the silver workshops of Celuk to the boutiques of Seminyak, Bali is one long shopping street with rice fields in between. Here is where to go, what is worth buying and how to get a fair price.
Bali Beaches and Rice Terraces: Choosing Where to Base Yourself
Cliff-backed surf coves, reef-calm family beaches, black sand snorkeling villages and terraced hills an hour inland. Bali packs a lot into a small island, and where you stay decides which version of it you get.
Is Mexico Safe? A State-by-State Guide, Plus Belize and Roatán
Mexico's safety warnings range from "normal precautions" to "do not travel," sometimes within a few hours' drive. Here is what the U.S. and UK advisories actually say about Cancún, Cabo, Puerto Vallarta and other favorites, which everyday risks matter more, and how Belize and Roatán compare.
Money in Mexico and Central America: Pesos, Dollars and Real Costs
Dollars work almost everywhere from Cancún to Roatán, but they are rarely the cheapest way to pay. Here is how currencies, ATMs, cards and prices really work in Mexico's resort towns, Belize, Honduras and Costa Rica.
Best Time to Visit South Korea: Blossoms, Monsoon, Maples and Snow
South Korea changes completely from one season to the next, from cherry blossoms and spring dust to a muggy monsoon, blazing maple hills and dry, freezing winters. Here is what each month really brings, and the holidays that can upend a trip.
Nightlife in South Korea: Seoul, Busan and Quieter Nights Beyond
Korean nights start at the dinner table and can end in a karaoke room at dawn. From Seoul's districts to Busan's lit-up bridge and Jeonju's rice wine alleys, here is where to go, what it costs and the etiquette that matters.
Food in South Korea: What to Eat, Where to Go and How to Order
Barbecue with a table full of side dishes, bibimbap in Jeonju, pork soup in Busan and black pork on Jeju. Here is how Korean food works, region by region, and what a meal really costs.