corneredglobe

There's a reason why all travelers sing praise to Chiang Mai. It's the perfect tourist destination.

It's a place that invites you to dig into Thailand's rich and textured history by exploring its many wats and temples. There's Old Town, the bustling city center, that's a maze of streets and a bee hive of activity. Then there's the food, it's the best in Thailand. That's not an exaggeration.

Below is my essential list of Chiang Mai experiences you must try.

Thailand has some of the world's best islands. Each has its own personality, catering to different tastes.

Some are famous for their wild nightlife, others are known as the perfect family getaway. There are islands that offer incredible scuba diving while others have remote beaches where you can live out your beach bum fantasies.

To help you plan your paradise getaway, below is a quick guide to Thailand's different islands.

New York is an amazing city that has so much to offer its visitors from incredible landmarks, to museums and Broadway shows, to its hip and alternative cultures, to enjoying the simple pleasures of exploring any of its historic or up and coming neighborhoods.

New York can seem like a hard and intimidating place at first glance, but on closer inspection you'll find its a melting pot of different cultures and ideas. It's a place where uniqueness is embraced and cherished, allowing people to be fearless and take chances. This has created a dynamic world with unique experiences you won't find anywhere else.

This is my ultimate list of things to see when you're in New York.

Normally, writing my "24 hour in .." a city posts are tough, because 24 hours is never enough. In Bangkok's case, it's perfect amount of time. This is one of my least favorite cities that I've ever visited. I disliked the oppressive heat and humidity, the crazy traffic and the awful stench that follows you wherever you are in the city.

So, after that rousing introduction, here's my 24 hours in Bangkok itinerary.

Osaka is an interesting city that’s referred to as the “nation’s kitchen”. Osakan's love of food is so well known there's a famous quote that says:

“Kyoto-ites are financially ruined by overspending on clothing, Osakans are ruined by spending on food.”.

So in the spirit of exploring Japan's Kitchen, this is a list of dishes to try in Osaka.

I have to admit, Bangkok isn't my favorite city in Thailand. The chaos, dirtiness and unforgiving heat and humidity makes for a less than pleasant experience while exploring this town. Regardless, below is my list of top attractions to checkout in Bangkok.

Japan has approximately 190,000 temples and shrines and an estimated 200,000 festivals. Think about it, 200,000 events -- that averages out to almost 550 festivals a day!

The great thing about these festivals is the variety. There's the religious, fire, dance, snow, music, performance and the outrageously strange festivals.

Below is my list of the best festivals you must try if you're ever in Japan.

New York has a well earned reputation for being very expensive, even a short visit can be ruinous to your budget. It's one of the great ironies of the Big Apple, everyone wants to go there but few can make it work. When I visited New York this year, I was at the end of my sabbatical and my finances where pretty much in tatters. I had a limited budget and yet I was determined to make the most of my time in this incredible city. With a little planning I was able to go to the US Open, enjoy a Broadway show and explore the cultural and artistic side of this town with the limited funds that I had left.

Below is my cheapskate's guide to the city.

It's autumn and the trees in Japan are colored with a stunning rainbow of deeps reds, yellows and greens. If you're ever in Japan during the fall then you must visit Nikko. This town is a popular day trip with locals and tourists alike. It's known for its elaborately decorated shrines and temples, beautiful parks, hiking trails and waterfalls.

Nikko is a nature lovers dreamland.

Coming to New York for the first time can be a daunting experience. There's so many things to see and do that deciding how to structure your trip can be confusing. I've been fortunate to visit New York several times over the years, and I love it. I love the manic energy of the city, the diversity of the people you meet and the dynamic artistic culture that thrives in this environment. So I decided to make my version of the perfect New York itinerary for people visiting for the first time. This will give you the classic overview of the city's main attractions and some unique experiences you definitely should try in the Big Apple.