Sugar Editorial Picks
Jul 09, 2009 -
Afghanistan traditionally has a reputation as an unfriendly (to say the least) place for women and it also happens to be a war zone — but that's not stopping the country from attempting to be a tourist destination.
As tourist information centers pop up in Afghanistan's central Bamilyan valley, tour guides and restaurant owners are being trained in the art of customer service.
The country hopes to attract adventurous spirits to the history-rich country.
- 8 Comments
Dec 11, 2008 -
Thailand's opposition is set to form a new government, after protesters help wrestle power from the prime minister. Thai courts banished PM Somchai Wongsawat from politics thanks to electoral fraud. Shutting down Bangkok's airport proved to be the most successful protest tactic, but it also left 300,000 foreign travelers stranded.
- 3 Comments
Sep 22, 2008 -
He may have become more beautiful with age, but Michelangelo's David needs some serious work done if he's not to collapse.
Engineering experts say that restoration work of up to 1 million euros ($1.45 million) must be done to save the Renaissance statue. David's nemesis isn't Goliath this time, but rather the masses of tourists who have walked past the warrior too many times, causing damage.
- 20 Comments
Jul 28, 2008 -
Tour guides in Philadelphia think a new city law requiring history tests before they receive a license, violates their right to freedom of speech. This new rule will require guides to pass a written test, or pay a fine, the same requirements for guides in Washington, DC, New Orleans, and Charleston, SC.
Opponents paint the law as making speech conditional on government permission.
- 24 Comments
Jun 25, 2008 -
While there are some exotic vacation and honeymoon spots with a dangerous rep that are softening to tourism now, some popular and seemingly harmless getaway locales require a little extra vigilance. Here are some tips, straight from the local police, to make sure your next getaway is as romantic and trouble-free as you'd like.
Heading Abroad?
- 16 Comments
Jun 20, 2008 -
If you're booking a vacation, here's an option you might consider: visitors to Munich are clamoring to head out on Adolf Hitler walking tours. Exploring the German city where the dictator began his Nazi Party 10 years before he was elected German chancellor. The tour wends through city sites with Adolf Hitler significance — which most contemporary locals are no longer even aware of, like the location where Hitler gave his first public speech (upstairs at the world-famous Hofbraeuhaus beer hall in 1918) and a nearby pub where he liked to drink and skip out on the bill.
- 17 Comments
Jun 16, 2008 -
Landlocked by Communist rule for years, Russians were denied life's many pleasures, especially travel. But now as the middle class grows strong, they have money to spend and are taking it to the beaches of Turkey.
A mini-industry has popped up on the Turkish coast that has begun to cater to the whims of Russian tourists.
- 25 Comments
Jun 12, 2008 -
Reputations die hard — especially when you're a gorgeous country who's historically been mired in conflict, giving you the reputation of "Warning! Tourists Keep Out!" Just today the US Embassy in Djibouti warned against American travel to the African port city — branding it scary in addition to its beauty.
- 33 Comments
Apr 30, 2008 -
Eight million rats live in Paris, France. That's about four times the amount of people! Maybe it's the cheese!
- 16 Comments
Apr 26, 2008 -
I love finding compelling stories when I'm least expecting them — it almost seems like the tale is twice as striking given the company it keeps. Marie Claire has really oomphed up their international coverage lately, and I came across this story of the long-neck women of the Kayan tribe in Thailand.
The piece follows one woman named Zember who's removed her neck coil in protest of "Thailand’s shameful secret: that the long-neck women are Burmese refugees who are being prevented by Thai authorities from taking up asylum overseas.
- 12 Comments