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50 articles about travel, destinations and practical travel tips.

Shoppers walking along a Myeongdong shopping street in Seoul at night under illuminated shop signs
South Korea

Shopping in South Korea: K-Beauty, Night Markets and What to Bring Home

Seoul's cosmetics shops get the headlines, but Korea's best buys also include hand-pressed paper from Jeonju, carved masks from Andong and fabric sold by the meter in Dongdaemun. Here is where to shop, what to pay and how to get the tax back.

Geunjeongjeon throne hall at Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul, seen across its stone courtyard under a blue sky
South Korea

Palaces, Temples and Festivals: South Korea's Heritage Trail

Royal palaces rebuilt stone by stone in Seoul, Silla tombs in the middle of Gyeongju, mask dancers in Andong and lanterns on the Nam River. Here is where to find Korea's living heritage, which festivals to time a trip around, and what closes when the whole country goes home for the holidays.

A KTX-Sancheon high-speed train waiting at the platform of Daejeon Station in sunshine
South Korea

Getting Around South Korea: KTX, Subways, Buses and the Jeju Hop

Bullet trains that put Busan a morning away from Seoul, subways with English signs and one tap card for nearly everything. Here is how Korea's transport fits together after the 2026 rail merger, plus the trips that work differently, like the DMZ and Jeju.

Aerial view of the green crater of Seongsan Ilchulbong rising from the blue sea on the east coast of Jeju Island
South Korea

Korea Beyond the Cities: Jeju, Mountain Parks and the Best Beaches

Volcanic Jeju, granite peaks at the end of a subway line, Busan's city beaches and cranes wintering by the DMZ: South Korea's outdoors is closer and more varied than most visitors expect. Here is where to go, what it costs and how Korean hikers do it.

Booths, tables and a long counter inside a classic American diner in Philadelphia
Money & Tipping

Tipping in the USA and Canada: Who to Tip, How Much and Why

A blank tip line, a card reader suggesting 25 percent, a service charge you almost missed. For visitors used to service being included, North American tipping is full of unwritten rules. Here is how it really works, from Las Vegas to Montreal.

Restored historic shophouse facades with shop signs and awnings on Dihua Street in Taipei
Taiwan

Shopping in Taiwan: What to Buy and Where, From Night Markets to Tea

Taiwan rarely makes lists of great shopping destinations, yet it sends visitors home with some of the best tea in Asia, handmade ceramics and boxes of pineapple cakes. Here is where to find them, what to pay and how to get the tax back.

Railway tracks and platforms at Duoliang Station running along a green hillside above the blue Pacific Ocean on Taiwan's east coast
Taiwan

Getting Around Taiwan: Bullet Trains, Coast Railways and Island Hops

A bullet train down the west coast, a cliff top railway along the Pacific, a logging line into the clouds at Alishan and short hops out to Penghu. Here is how Taiwan's transport fits together, what it costs and what to book ahead.

Outrigger bangka boats scattered across the turquoise water of Bacuit Bay off El Nido town, with limestone islands on the horizon
Philippines

How to Get Around the Philippines by Plane, Boat and Tricycle

Turboprops to tiny island airports, overnight ferries, outrigger bangkas and tricycles for the last kilometer. Here is how transport in the Philippines actually works in 2026, what it costs, and where trips tend to come unstuck.

The symmetrical cone of Mayon Volcano rising behind green rice fields near Cagsawa under a blue sky with white clouds
Philippines

Beyond the Beach: Volcanoes and Rice Terraces of the Philippines

Mayon's perfect cone, the terraces of Ifugao, the caves of Sagada and a summit above the clouds on Mount Pulag. The Philippine highlands are a different country from the beach resorts, with their own seasons, rules and packing list.

Palm trees and visitors on White Beach in Boracay at sunset, with sailboats on the water
Philippines

Nightlife in the Philippines: Where the Nights Are Good

From Poblacion's cocktail bars to Boracay's beach path and Siargao's surf-town parties, Filipino nights are social, loud and cheap. Here is where to go, what it costs, and the rules that surprise visitors.

A kamayan feast laid out on banana leaves, with grilled fish, pork and vegetables framed by a border of white rice
Philippines

Food in the Philippines: What to Eat, Island by Island

Filipino food is sour, porky, generous and far more regional than its reputation suggests. Here is what to order, how a day of eating works, and which towns and islands are worth a detour for a single dish.

An outrigger boat in the turquoise water of the Big Lagoon at El Nido, surrounded by limestone cliffs
Philippines

Which Philippine Island? Beaches, Reefs and Diving Compared

Palawan's lagoons, Siargao's surf, Cebu's sardines and thresher sharks, the turtles of Apo Island and the long white sand of Boracay: here is how the Philippines' best-known islands differ, what the boat trips and fees cost, and when to go.

Water taxis and small boats moored at a wooden dock on Caye Caulker, with palm trees and beachfront buildings behind
Mexico

Getting Around Mexico, Belize and Roatán: Airports, Buses and Ferries

Airport taxis, ADO buses, colectivos, the new Tren Maya, island ferries and tiny planes over the Belize cayes. Here is how transport really works on Mexico's beach coasts, in Belize and on Honduras' Bay Islands, and what it cost in 2026.

Horse-drawn kalesa carriages on Calle Crisologo in Vigan, a cobblestone street lined with Spanish colonial houses
Philippines

Festivals and Heritage in the Philippines: When to Go, What to See

Sinulog drums in Cebu, rice wafer houses in Lucban, smiling masks in Bacolod and coffins on the cliffs of Sagada. Here is how to time a trip to the Philippines around its festivals, and which Spanish, American and Indigenous heritage sites deserve your days in between.

The pointed summit of Ama Dablam and snowy Himalayan peaks above a high valley with a glacial lake in the Everest region
Active Holidays

Trekking in Nepal: How to Choose Between Everest, Annapurna and More

Everest Base Camp, the Annapurna Circuit, Langtang or a few days on Poon Hill? The big Himalayan treks differ more than their names suggest, and the rules for independent trekkers have changed. Here is how they compare.

Aerial view of the Great Blue Hole, a dark blue circle in the turquoise reef of Lighthouse Reef, Belize
Nature

Reefs and Rainforests: Wildlife in Belize, Honduras and Costa Rica

The Great Blue Hole, nurse sharks at Shark Ray Alley, whale sharks off Utila, howler monkeys and nesting turtles: Central America's wildlife trips are famous, but they are not all what the photos promise. Here is what each one is really like, what it costs and when to go.

The short runway of Gustaf III Airport on Saint Barts seen from the hill, with small planes parked and Saint-Jean Bay behind
Caribbean

Getting Around the Caribbean: Airports, Ferries and Island Hops

Short ferry rides, tiny planes, fixed taxi fares and islands that drive on the left: moving between Caribbean islands takes more planning than flying in. Here is how the main gateways and island hops actually work.

White sand, beach umbrellas and loungers on Grace Bay, Providenciales, with a tour boat on turquoise water
Money & Tipping

Tipping in the Caribbean: How Much to Tip, Island by Island

A 15 percent line already on the bill, a resort that forbids tips, a law that sets the gratuity for you. Tipping in the Caribbean changes from island to island, and the habits from home do not always fit.

White sand and turquoise water along Seven Mile Beach on Grand Cayman, with beach umbrellas and hotels under a blue sky
Safety

Is the Caribbean Safe? Crime, Hurricanes, Bugs and Sharks

The Caribbean is not one destination but more than two dozen, and the risks range from street crime in a few cities to rip currents, dengue mosquitoes and a beach tree you should never touch. Here is an honest, island by island look at what to watch out for.

Panoramic view over Gustavia harbor on Saint Barts, with red roofs, anchored boats and green hills under a blue sky
Caribbean

Who Owns the Caribbean? Flags, Languages and Passports by Island

Some Caribbean islands are independent nations, others are part of France, the Netherlands, Britain or the United States. Here is who runs which island, and what that means for your passport, your wallet and the side of the road you drive on.

Shallow turquoise water and white sand lined with palm trees and parasols at Playa Norte on Isla Mujeres
Beach Holidays

Which Mexican Beach Town Is Right for You? Caribbean vs Pacific

Cancún or Cabo, Tulum or Puerto Vallarta, Holbox or Huatulco? Mexico's two coasts offer very different beach holidays, and the right choice depends on who you are and when you travel.

The Temple of Kukulcán at Chichén Itzá under a blue sky with white clouds
Sights

Mayan Ruins of the Yucatán and Belize: Which Are Worth It?

From Chichén Itzá and Tulum to jungle cities like Calakmul and Caracol, the Maya sites of the Yucatán and Belize differ hugely in crowds, cost and how close you can get. Here is how to choose, and how to time your visit.

Food stalls and neon signs on Raohe Street Night Market in Taipei, with the lit temple style entrance gate behind
Taiwan

Food in Taiwan: The Dishes Worth the Trip and Where to Eat Them

Beef noodle soup in Taipei, danzai noodles in Tainan, tea in the mountains and seafood on Penghu. Here is how to eat your way around Taiwan, from the night market rules to what a meal really costs.

Wide white sand beach at Orient Bay on Saint Martin with turquoise water and small islands on the horizon
Caribbean

Which Caribbean Island Is Right for You? An Honest Match-Up

French cafés under a volcano, Dutch dive sites you can drive to, quiet British beaches or San Juan nightlife: the Caribbean islands are far more different than the brochures suggest. Here is how to find the one that fits your trip.