One of the things I did to prepare for my trip to Turkey was to take measurements of rooms in my house where I would like to put a beautiful hand woven Turkish carpet. I wasn’t sure if I could afford such a souvenir but I surely wanted to be prepared if opportunity presented itself.… Continue reading »
Dec
21
My Bucket List Birthday in Cappadocia
Naturally, a travel blogger with a pen name like Travel Maestro has a travel bucket list. Mine is not really an ordered list – more of an “Oh, I want to go there someday, too!” list. Except for one item. The big one. The experience that, in my mind, is the most captivating, most enthralling,… Continue reading »
Dec
18
Turkish Delight
Turkey is an exotic land of sultan’s treasures, Byzantine mosaics, Whirling Dervishes and covered bazaars. It is also a land of incredible beauty, from the sandy beaches of the Aegean to the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia. The antiquity of remarkable historical sites like Ephesus and the ruins of Bergama tell the tale of the rise… Continue reading »
Jul
27
Off India’s Beaten Path
It’s virtually required that any traveler to India visit the Taj Mahal — one of the New Seven Wonders of the World — along with UNESCO World Heritage-designated cities such as Jaipur and Udaipur. Yet a culture that reaches back more than 5,000 years is sure to have treasures that often get overlooked. India has… Continue reading »
Jun
12
World Heritage Sites of Japan
Japan is a fascinating country to visit; a mixture of ancient tradition and contemporary technology. Westerners will be enchanted by the lantern lights of a traditional ryokan (a Japanese style inn) and amazed at the swift efficiency of the bullet trains. Experiences such as watching a Maiko (apprentice geisha) dance performance or private access to… Continue reading »
Jun
01
Mekong River – Lifeblood of Southeast Asia
Just as the Nile is to Egypt and the Yangtze is to China, the Mekong River is the very heart and soul of Southeast Asia. It flows more than 2,600 miles from its source in the Tibetan Plateau and together with the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers, it forms the Three Rivers Area. The mighty Mekong… Continue reading »
Oct
11
Your Ticket to Paradise
Imagine watching the fiery sun sink into the horizon from the vantage of a palm-fringed beach. Or envision luxuriating in a mid-afternoon nap while your hammock is gently rocked by the warm breezes. These are just two of the pleasures that await you in the islands of Hawaii and French Polynesia. Covington Travel’s resident South… Continue reading »
Aug
12
The Gravity-Defying SkyPark of Singapore
The SkyPark is a huge boat-shaped, cantilevered observation deck crowning three 55-story towers of the Marina Bay Sands hotel in Singapore. It is an engineering wonder that gives visitors the most spectacular 360º views of the city and marina of Singapore. The view at sunset, as the lights of the city come alive, is particularly… Continue reading »
Oct
29
10 Favorite Things To Do In Malaysia
10 Things to do in Malaysia – from food to adventure, this country has a smorgasbord of exhilarating experiences to indulge in.
Jun
11
The Idyllic Islands of French Polynesia
A view of the impossibly azure lagoon, balmy sun warming your face, and soft breezes stirring your hammock; French Polynesia is an idyllic destination for couples and honeymooners. The pace is slow and the stunning beauty just exudes romance.
