Tourists are flocking to the posh parts of Buenos Aires, but there’s a grittier side to this city. ANDE WANDERER discovers the latest tourist attraction: the villa. Buenos Aires, Argentina See AP archival version Sultry tango, a few succulent steaks, a bit of liposuction perhaps. Now that Argentina has stabilized considerably after it’s 2001 economic […]
Denver’s Lake Steam Baths: An ‘Old World’ Way to Let Off Steam
Denver’s Lake Steam Baths is a family-run bath house and spa on the Mile-High city’s most famous street, Colfax Avenue. Open since 1927, it used to be a place where Russian-Jews would go for ceremonial schvitz. Today, this Denver institution is open to anyone seeking a relaxing, affordable no-frills day spa experience. There are a […]
‘Haunted’ Denver: Ghost Stories of the Northside
Denver has a sordid wild west past that still haunts the historic Colorado capital today. Find out some of the spooky stories from Northwest Denver as told by paranormal experts, a local historian and residents with homes haunted by ghosts. How can you explain the smell of tobacco in a smoke-free house, lights and […]
Discovering the Pura Vida in Costa Rica
It’s May and that means it’s the rainy season in Costa Rica! Perfect time to go for budget nomads — off-season rates apply and you won’t be encountering more Americans than Ticos, (as Costa Ricans are affectionately called). Besides, it only rains a little in the afternoon — big damn deal! There’s muchos reasons to visit […]
Chilling in Chacala, Mexico
Most folks haven’t heard of Playa Chacala, and that’s part of its beauty. The idyllic fishing village 56 miles north of Puerta Vallarta provides a low-cost authentic vacation alternative to the mega-resorts for which Mexico is famed (some say shamed). A visit here is a recipe for relaxation and has little negative environmental impact. It […]
The Holy Coast of Kenya: Mombasa, Lamu and Beyond
When most people imagine Kenya they conjure up images of safaris, elephants and Maasai warriors, but there’s another side of Kenya for visitors, a laid back alternative to the adrenaline rush provided by animal chasing on the plains. It’s the mellow Swahili coast of the country with its eclectic cultural, delicious deserted beaches and a […]
Tattooing for Better Karma: Ink in the Hindu Belt
Despite the intense appreciation and prevalence of tattooing in the “Hindu belt” of Asia, specifically the countries of Nepal, India and Indonesia, we hardly ever hear or read about the tattoo traditions of these countries. Tattooing is an integral part of the lifestyle, and although the artists are not held in high esteem (as are […]
Hampi: City of Victory
Any place with a temple dedicated to the dancing God from the Bhagavad-Gita (that is um, Shiva) is okay by us. It’s like a petrified dream taken from storybooks of ancient Hindu mythology: red rock structures framing the landscape and ruins. This is Hampi, the modern-day capital of the Vijayanagar empire. Located in southern India’s […]
Eco-Volunteer in Argentina at Gaia
Ecovillage Gaia is a sustainable community in the Buenos Aires province. The founders were Argentine pioneers in permaculture architecture, sustainable farming and living in balance with the environment. Since its founding in the early 1990s, the village has welcomed visitors and volunteers around the world and also established the International University of Permaculture. Those interested […]