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Travel

Hanamikoji street, Geisha district, Gion, Kyoto

In Kyoto, Feeling Forever Foreign

Travel writer Pico Iyer remains both fascinated and puzzled by the ancient Japanese city

Rainbow Bridge is a massive natural rock formation almost 300 feet high from the base, with a span of 275 feet that is 42 feet thick at the top.

Tracking History Through Rainbow Bridge

Old photographs of early 20th century outdoorsmen outline the path used by hikers today seeking the American Southwest landmark

The current game of jeu de paume evolved from a game played by southern French villagers and monks in the 11th century.

Jeu de Paume: Holding Court in Paris

Court tennis, the quirky game of finesse and speed that once dominated France, is now kept alive by a small group of Parisians

Rick Steves’ Europe: Venice, Italy

Piazza San Marco—the storied square punctuated by its 11th century basilica—endures as an awe-inspiring portal to the city’s many splendors

Rick Steves’ Europe: Rue Cler, Paris, France

The “best little street in Paris” offers tasty cheese, delectable pastries & old-fashioned merchants - an irresistible slice of authentic neighborhood life

Rick Steves’ Europe: Rome, Italy

An after-dark walk takes in the Eternal City’s most famous fountains, grand palaces, a soaring temple, candlelit outdoor cafes and street musicians

Rick Steves’ Europe: Prague, Czech Republic

The city’s historic core is an exquisitely preserved showcase of Czech culture, including Art Nouveau architecture and some of the best beer in Europe

Rick Steves’ Europe: Mostar, Bosnia-Herzegovina

A decade and a half after an ethnic war, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s most inviting city is re-emerging as a tourist destination

Rick Steves’ Europe: Istanbul, Turkey

A bustling modern metropolis, the Turkish city also reminds travelers that the charm of traditional cultures is still something to value

Rick Steves’ Europe: Hydra, Greece

For those willing to follow the uphill lanes, this Greek island offers tradition, magnificent views of the harbor and a relaxing vacation spot

A throbbing two-block entertainment district is all that is left of old Beale Street, most of which was razed in urban renewal schemes.

The Soul of Memphis

Despite setbacks, the Mississippi River city has held onto its rollicking blues joints, smokin’ barbecue and welcoming, can-do spirit

Route 100, studded with historic landmarks like the Scott Bridge, "offers such remarkable visual experiences," says filmmaker Dorothy Lovering.

Vermont’s Venerable Byway

The state’s Route 100 offers an unparalleled access to old New England, from wandering moose to Robert Frost’s hideaway cabin

Filoli owes its painterly splendor to two visionary figures—William Bowers Bourn II and Lurline Matson Roth.

Filoli: Garden of a Golden Age

Filoli—a lavish early 20th century estate that is the last of its kind—harks back to when San Francisco’s richest families built to dazzle

Rick Steves’ Europe: Hallstatt, Austria

When Austrians want to enjoy the great outdoors, they head for a region of forested slopes, beckoning trails—and great fishing

Rick Steves’ Europe: Gimmelwald, Switzerland

On a mountainside above the Lauterbrunnen Valley, Swiss traditions persist in a 700-year-old hamlet populated by contented cows and hospitable villagers

Rick Steves’ Europe: Florence, Italy

In Florence, Michelangelo’s masterpiece epitomizes the heroic power and surpassing artistry of the Renaissance

Rick Steves’ Europe: Tallinn, Estonia

Dominated by the Soviets for 50 years, the Estonian capital boasts medieval architecture and signature chic, attracting admirers of Old World character

Rick Steves’ Europe: Dingle, Ireland

On western Ireland’s remote and rugged peninsula, traditional Irish culture thrives

Rick Steves’ Europe: Cotswold Villages, England

The storybook countryside of hedgerows, grazing sheep, thatched-roof cottages and stately homes harks back to the days of the medieval wool trade

Rick Steves’ Europe: Cinque Terre, Italy

Italy’s answer to the French Riviera offers swimming, hiking, romance and relaxation along the Mediterranean

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