In brief: “Go to Mangystau,” our Kazakh friend advised. Our first day there more than justified the trip. The second delivered expansive vistas, monumental mounds, and a lot of balls. Day 2 Northern Mangystau Click…
In brief: “Go to Mangystau,” our Kazakh friend advised. But going required a big commitment of time and money. Here’s why it was worth the trouble. “Go to Mangystau,” our Kazakh friend advised. “It’s the…
In brief: Whether celebrating ancient practices or inviting devotion to Allah, the Kazakhs proudly herald their independence and depth of culture. In the 4th century BC, the Scythian or Saka people occupied the area now…
In brief: It's a much finer road with friends on it, as in Astana We have been fortunate to meet interesting people throughout our travels and maintain friendships long after. Especially in a country new…
In brief: When Astana became Kazakhstan's capital 30 years ago, a new city was built atop the old. It's wealthy, friendly, growing rapidly, and often monumental. Astana, Kazakhstan, is a largely invented capital city, created…
In brief: We relished the opportunity to enjoy a 10-kilometer hike in hilly countryside near Lisbon, starting from the charming village of Bucelas. After months of storms and gloom, we were cheered by a sunny,…
In brief: In a rainy off-season, we finally had the chance to visit this old fortified town. “Oh, you must visit Monsaraz!” “You must visit Monsaraz!” We’ve known about this walled hilltop town in the…
In brief: Even when the rain drenches Spain, Córdoba offers delights. We just visited Córdoba in as off an off-season as you could choose: cold and rainy, with a series of drenching storms from the…
In brief: At Córdoba's famous Mosque-Cathedral, the blending of styles and materials reminded us how faiths could harmonize as well. For millennia, in Europe, wealthy cultures would build grand spaces where the devout could gather,…
In brief: We hold many memories of sight, sound, and taste from our visit to the Kingdom. In the end, though, it’s the people such as those below that made the time special. We also…