Best

This website contains over 2000 pages, so here is a brief summary of some of my favorite travel experiences. If you were looking for the best pictures, check out the Pictures page. If you were looking for the best videos, check out the Videos page (DUH!). For the dark side of traveling, see the “Worst experiences” page.

AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 TRAVEL EXPERIENCES – THE BEST OF

To paraphrase Lenin, “There are decades when nothing happens; and there are days when decades happen”. Many of these experiences only lasted a day, and yet they are worth years of life behind a desk. Personally, I live for these special moments, and strive to maximize their number and duration. I also recommend you pause at the end of each month and write down your best moments: in this website we are only focusing on travels, but your monthly special moments could also be a movie you saw, a song you listened to, a person you interacted with, a study/work/sport achievement, a funny situation that made you laugh... or whatever else that gave you joy. That list, at the end of your days, will represent your life.

With reference to my personal travels only, check out the following destinations!

BIG CITIES

Italy-Rome
Italy

Rome

The entire historical center is basically an open-air museum.

Israel-Jerusalem
Israel/Palestine

Jerusalem

So much history, crammed into so little space!

United-Arab-Emirates-Dubai
United Arab Emirates

Dubai

Extreme Middle-Eastern opulence in the middle of the desert.

singapore

Singapore

Visit the “Gardens by the Bay”, a futuristic botanical garden among skyscrapers.

Hong-Kong

Hong Kong

Expensive and polluted, featuring the rudest bus drivers on the planet… but you don’t want to miss the Avenue of Stars and its nightly Symphony of Lights among the sky scrapers.

China-Beijing
China

Beijing

The usual suspects (Great wall of China, Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City) and the Animals Market, where I hugged the fluffiest animal on earth.

China-Shanghai
China

Shanghai

I lived a long time in Shanghai, first in 1993 and then again 20 years later. So many nice memories in this otherwise not-so-nice city… but not much I can describe because this is a family-friendly blog. So just enjoy the before/after pictures.

Brazil-Rio-de-Janeiro
Brazil

Rio de Janeiro

Touristy, expensive and unsafe, but some iconic spots need to be seen: Corcovado, Pao de Acucar, Ipanema and Copacabana.

Italy

Rome

Italy-Rome

The entire historical center is basically an open-air museum.

Israel/Palestine

Jerusalem

Israel-Jerusalem

So much history, crammed into so little space!

United Arab Emirates

Dubai

United-Arab-Emirates-Dubai

Extreme Middle-Eastern opulence in the middle of the desert.

Singapore

singapore

Visit the “Gardens by the Bay”, a futuristic botanical garden among skyscrapers.

Hong Kong

Hong-Kong

Expensive and polluted, featuring the rudest bus drivers on the planet… but you don’t want to miss the Avenue of Stars and its nightly Symphony of Lights among the sky scrapers.

China

Beijing

China-Beijing

The usual suspects (Great wall of China, Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City) and the Animals Market, where I hugged the fluffiest animal on earth.

China

Shanghai

China-Shanghai

I lived a long time in Shanghai, first in 1993 and then again 20 years later. So many nice memories in this otherwise not-so-nice city… but not much I can describe because this is a family-friendly blog. So just enjoy the before/after pictures.

Brazil

Rio de Janeiro

Brazil-Rio-de-Janeiro

Touristy, expensive and unsafe, but some iconic spots need to be seen: Corcovado, Pao de Acucar, Ipanema and Copacabana.

GHOST TOWNS

Chile-Estancia-San-Gregorio
Chile

Estancia San Gregorio

Truly at the end of the world, an overwhelming mixture of abandoned colonial village and Antarctica outpost. This ghost town is chilling: dilapidated colonial buildings from 1876 on a deserted beach with rusting wrecks of 19th-century British steamships. Watch the sunset and enjoy the total darkness, total solitude and total silence. I realize that ghost towns are not for everybody, but for me this is another MUST SEE.

Argentina-Epecuen
Argentina

Epecuen

A popular lakeside resort in the roaring ‘20s, and then, disaster stroke… The abandoned slaughterhouse and adjacent dead forest are a perfect location for a horror movie. MUST SEE.

Benin-Gbecon
Benin

Gbecon

A.k.a “Les Comptoirs Coloniaux de Gbecon”. Among the fantastic deserted beaches of Grand Popo, a colonial outpost that was used to trade slaves, spices and other goods.

Ghana-Ada-Foah
Ghana

Ada Foah

A beach cemetery, an old Presbyterian church, the ruins of a colonial fort, and some dilapidated colonial buildings hosting wild hogs. The presence of humans (i.e. kids asking for money and adults using the fort as a public toilet) spoils the atmosphere.

Chile

Estancia San Gregorio

Chile-Estancia-San-Gregorio

Truly at the end of the world, an overwhelming mixture of abandoned colonial village and Antarctica outpost. This ghost town is chilling: dilapidated colonial buildings from 1876 on a deserted beach with rusting wrecks of 19th-century British steamships. Watch the sunset and enjoy the total darkness, total solitude and total silence. I realize that ghost towns are not for everybody, but for me this is another MUST SEE.

Argentina

Epecuen

Argentina-Epecuen

A popular lakeside resort in the roaring ‘20s, and then, disaster stroke… The abandoned slaughterhouse and adjacent dead forest are a perfect location for a horror movie. MUST SEE.

Benin

Gbecon

Benin-Gbecon

A.k.a “Les Comptoirs Coloniaux de Gbecon”. Among the fantastic deserted beaches of Grand Popo, a colonial outpost that was used to trade slaves, spices and other goods.

Ghana

Ada Foah

Ghana-Ada-Foah

A beach cemetery, an old Presbyterian church, the ruins of a colonial fort, and some dilapidated colonial buildings hosting wild hogs. The presence of humans (i.e. kids asking for money and adults using the fort as a public toilet) spoils the atmosphere.

FANTASTIC BEASTS

Cambodia

Skun

Cambodia-Skun

Play with tarantulas and eat them afterwards. Not sure that item was in your bucket list?

Argentina

Puerto Madryn

Argentina-puerto-Madryn

Whales copulating on the beach, steps from the shore.

Cambodia

Skun

Play with tarantulas and eat them afterwards. Not sure that item was in your bucket list?

Cambodia-Skun
Argentina-puerto-Madryn
Argentina

Puerto Madryn

Whales copulating on the beach, steps from the shore.

Argentina

Ushuaia

A backpacker trap, but the cruise on the Beagle Channel, with its sea lions and southernmost lighthouse, is certainly worth a visit.

Argentina-Ushuaia
Ghana-Tafi-Atome
Ghana

Tafi Atome

A nice monkey sanctuary in the bushes. Not as organized as the Monkey Jungle in Sosua, but still, lots of fun with our little furry friends.

Argentina

Ushuaia

Argentina-Ushuaia

A backpacker trap, but the cruise on the Beagle Channel, with its sea lions and southernmost lighthouse, is certainly worth a visit.

Ghana

Tafi Atome

Ghana-Tafi-Atome

A nice monkey sanctuary in the bushes. Not as organized as the Monkey Jungle in Sosua, but still, lots of fun with our little furry friends.

Ghana

Beyin

Super-cute baby turtles running from my hands towards the sea…

ghana-beyin-turtles
Philippines-tarsier
Philippines

Bohol island

Check out the Tarsier Conservation Center and the Tarsier sanctuary, featuring adorable mini-Yodas.

Ghana

Beyin

ghana-beyin-turtles

Super-cute baby turtles running from my hands towards the sea…

Philippines

Bohol island

Philippines-tarsier

Check out the Tarsier Conservation Center and the Tarsier sanctuary, featuring adorable mini-Yodas.

Amazon Jungle

Manaus

Watch live performances in a gorgeous colonial theater straight from Fitzcarraldo, greet indios kids in the jungle, suck the tail of an anaconda, kiss baby alligators, pet sloths, pink dolphins and hot Brazilian bundas, drive a boat on the Amazon river, fish and eat piranhas etc. MUST SEE.

Brazil-Amazon-jungle
Laos-Luang-Prabang
Laos

Luang Prabang

Unforgettable bareback elephant riding... then add caving, trekking in the mountainous jungle, kayaking on the Mekong river, and avoiding stepping on landmines, and you just got yourself another MUST SEE.

Colombia

Tayrona

Oversized iguanas begging for food, sandy beaches, car graveyard, sweet Colombianas.

Colombia-Tayrona
Benin-Ouidah
Benin

Ouidah

Dilapidated colonial buildings, slave trading, voodoo temples filled with snakes (check out the Pythons Temple). What else do you want?

Dominican Republic

Sosua / Cabarete

One of my favorite areas for living. Kissy-kissy with dolphins (and with ladies), colonial forts, abandoned lighthouses, sandy beaches, funny little monkeys eating papaya from your hand (and your entire body...), reliable infrastructure, cheap luxury accommodation in low season… all you need to be happy.

Dominican-Republic-Sosua
Benin-Dahomey
Benin

Abomey

What remains of the great Dahomey kingdom. The Royal Palace with its terrifying dark chamber (“chambre noire”, where kings committed suicide) and the biggest freaking spiders I have ever seen. Seriously, check out the pictures and tell me if I have discovered a new species, this is the stuff of nightmare.

Amazon Jungle

Manaus

Brazil-Amazon-jungle

Watch live performances in a gorgeous colonial theater straight from Fitzcarraldo, greet indios kids in the jungle, suck the tail of an anaconda, kiss baby alligators, pet sloths, pink dolphins and hot Brazilian bundas, drive a boat on the Amazon river, fish and eat piranhas etc. MUST SEE.

Laos

Luang Prabang

Laos-Luang-Prabang

Unforgettable bareback elephant riding... then add caving, trekking in the mountainous jungle, kayaking on the Mekong river, and avoiding stepping on landmines, and you just got yourself another MUST SEE.

Colombia

Tayrona

Colombia-Tayrona

Oversized iguanas begging for food, sandy beaches, car graveyard, sweet Colombianas.

Benin

Ouidah

Benin-Ouidah

Dilapidated colonial buildings, slave trading, voodoo temples filled with snakes (check out the Pythons Temple). What else do you want?

Dominican Republic

Sosua / Cabarete

Dominican-Republic-Sosua

One of my favorite areas for living. Kissy-kissy with dolphins (and with ladies), colonial forts, abandoned lighthouses, sandy beaches, funny little monkeys eating papaya from your hand (and your entire body...), reliable infrastructure, cheap luxury accommodation in low season… all you need to be happy.

Benin

Abomey

Benin-Dahomey

What remains of the great Dahomey kingdom. The Royal Palace with its terrifying dark chamber (“chambre noire”, where kings committed suicide) and the biggest freaking spiders I have ever seen. Seriously, check out the pictures and tell me if I have discovered a new species, this is the stuff of nightmare.

NATURAL WONDERS

Argentina-El-Calafate-glacier-moreno
Argentina

El Calafate

Trekking on the most amazing glacier, MUST SEE.

Brazil-Foz-de-Iguazu
Argentina and Brazil

The Iguazu falls

Arguably the best waterfalls in the world.

Egypt-Wadi-El-Hitan
Egypt

Wadi El Hitan and Wadi El Rayan

Nice desert landscape featuring whale skeletons (wait, whales in the desert!?)

Colombia-Bocas-de-Ceniza
Colombia

Bocas de Ceniza

From a Japanese surreal cartoon, a long, tiny strip of land in the middle of the ocean, blue water on one side, brown water on the other. A tiny colonial train riding in the middle. At the end of the strip, deep into the ocean, your reward: an abandoned lighthouse.

Ghana-Ankasa
Ghana

Ankasa National Park

A stunning “bamboo cathedral”, located on the border with Ivory Coast. Good luck reaching it.

Turkey-Kapadocia
Turkey

Kapadocia

Hot air ballooning over lunar landscapes, MUST SEE.

Morocco-Imichlil
Morocco

Sahara desert

I grew up there and perhaps this is where my love of deserts come from?

Philippines-Bohol-Chocolate-Hills
Philippines

Chocolate Hills

Quad driving and zip lining among weird-looking hills. Alas, no chocolate.

Bolivia-Ujuni
Bolivia

Ujuni

A giant cactus island in the middle of an even more gigantic frozen salt lake, one of the most astonishing landscape I have ever seen. The train graveyard is the icing on the cake. MUST SEE!

Peru-Nazca
Peru

Nazca

Ancient geoglyphs in the desert.

Peru-Huacachina
Peru

Huacachina

Ride a buggy, sand board down the dunes, then relax in the oasis.

Argentina-El-Chalten
Argentina

El Chalten

Some relaxing mountaineering in an all-white silent landscape.

Chile-Torres-del-Paine
Chile

Torres del Paine

Physically challenging. Go during the winter to experience glorious solitude (except for the herds of friendly lamas) and winds blowing you away at over 100 mph. The glacier Gray, with its immense sandy beach and floating icebergs, took my breath away. MUST SEE.

Argentina

El Calafate

Argentina-El-Calafate-glacier-moreno

Trekking on the most amazing glacier, MUST SEE.

Ghana

Ankasa National Park

Ghana-Ankasa

A stunning “bamboo cathedral”, located on the border with Ivory Coast. Good luck reaching it.

Argentina and Brazil

The Iguazu falls

Brazil-Foz-de-Iguazu

Arguably the best waterfalls in the world.

Egypt

Wadi El Hitan and Wadi El Rayan

Egypt-Wadi-El-Hitan

Nice desert landscape featuring whale skeletons (wait, whales in the desert!?)

Morocco

Sahara desert

Morocco-Imichlil

I grew up there and perhaps this is where my love of deserts come from?

Turkey

Kapadocia

Turkey-Kapadocia

Hot air ballooning over lunar landscapes, MUST SEE.

Philippines

Chocolate Hills

Philippines-Bohol-Chocolate-Hills

Quad driving and zip lining among weird-looking hills. Alas, no chocolate.

Colombia

Bocas de Ceniza

Colombia-Bocas-de-Ceniza

From a Japanese surreal cartoon, a long, tiny strip of land in the middle of the ocean, blue water on one side, brown water on the other. A tiny colonial train riding in the middle. At the end of the strip, deep into the ocean, your reward: an abandoned lighthouse.

Bolivia

Ujuni

Bolivia-Ujuni

A giant cactus island in the middle of an even more gigantic frozen salt lake, one of the most astonishing landscape I have ever seen. The train graveyard is the icing on the cake. MUST SEE!

Peru

Nazca

Peru-Nazca

Ancient geoglyphs in the desert.

Peru

Huacachina

Peru-Huacachina

Ride a buggy, sand board down the dunes, then relax in the oasis.

Argentina

El Chalten

Argentina-El-Chalten

Some relaxing mountaineering in an all-white silent landscape.

Chile

Torres del Paine

Chile-Torres-del-Paine

Physically challenging. Go during the winter to experience glorious solitude (except for the herds of friendly lamas) and winds blowing you away at over 100 mph. The glacier Gray, with its immense sandy beach and floating icebergs, took my breath away. MUST SEE.

MAN-MADE WONDERS

Italy-Venice
Italy

Venice

A logistic nightmare, but the most beautiful city I have ever lived in, with the most amazing art exhibitions held during the “Biennale”. MUST SEE.

Peru-Machu-Picchu
Peru

Machu Picchu

As in the case of the Pyramids, this destination is so famous that you feel you have already been there, even if you didn’t. But there is a reason for its popularity: it is truly spectacular. MUST SEE.

Uruguay-Colonia-del-Sacramento
Uruguay

Colonia del Sacramento

Well-preserved cars from the ‘30s in an atmospheric tourist trap.

Tunisia-Ksar-Hadada
Tunisia

Ksar Hadada

Star Wars’ planet Tataouine, for real.

Colombia-Villa-de-Leyva
Colombia

Villa de Leyva

The best-preserved colonial town in South America, and one of the many hidden gems of Colombia. As seen in the "Cobra Verde" movie...

Egypt-Sakkara-Abousir-Dahshur
Egypt

Cairo

Of course, the Pyramids... Yes, I know: commercial tourist trap, terrorism, civil unrest, Arab spring, hot summer, sun burn, whatever, this is another MUST SEE. And go beyond the Ghiza pyramids! Travel to Saqqara, Abusir and Dahshur for an even better experience. Climb on top of the pyramids, crawl inside etc.

Ghana-Elmina
Ghana

Elmina

As a big fan of colonial fortresses (and of Herzog’s movies), this castle had to make it on the list. During my 5 years in Ghana I ate my lunch many times next to the fort, before driving further west towards the beaches (and other great forts). Check out also the nearby Cape Coast castle and the Kakum national park with its suspension bridges.

Brazil-Natal
Brazil

Natal

Another Portuguese colonial fort, deep into the water of a deserted beach.

Italy

Venice

Italy-Venice

A logistic nightmare, but the most beautiful city I have ever lived in, with the most amazing art exhibitions held during the “Biennale”. MUST SEE.

Peru

Machu Picchu

Peru-Machu-Picchu

As in the case of the Pyramids, this destination is so famous that you feel you have already been there, even if you didn’t. But there is a reason for its popularity: it is truly spectacular. MUST SEE.

Uruguay

Colonia del Sacramento

Uruguay-Colonia-del-Sacramento

Well-preserved cars from the ‘30s in an atmospheric tourist trap.

Tunisia

Ksar Hadada

Tunisia-Ksar-Hadada

Star Wars’ planet Tataouine, for real.

Colombia

Villa de Leyva

Colombia-Villa-de-Leyva

The best-preserved colonial town in South America, and one of the many hidden gems of Colombia. As seen in the "Cobra Verde" movie...

Egypt

Cairo

Egypt-Sakkara-Abousir-Dahshur

Of course, the Pyramids... Yes, I know: commercial tourist trap, terrorism, civil unrest, Arab spring, hot summer, sun burn, whatever, this is another MUST SEE. And go beyond the Ghiza pyramids! Travel to Saqqara, Abusir and Dahshur for an even better experience. Climb on top of the pyramids, crawl inside etc.

Ghana

Elmina

Ghana-Elmina

As a big fan of colonial fortresses (and of Herzog’s movies), this castle had to make it on the list. During my 5 years in Ghana I ate my lunch many times next to the fort, before driving further west towards the beaches (and other great forts). Check out also the nearby Cape Coast castle and the Kakum national park with its suspension bridges.

Brazil

Natal

Brazil-Natal

Another Portuguese colonial fort, deep into the water of a deserted beach.

BELIEF SYSTEMS

Cambodia-Angkor
Cambodia

Angkor

Cambodia is full of gorgeous Buddhist temples, but the jewel on the crown is the Angkor Wat complex. On your way, check out also the Wat Choeung Ek (near Phnom Penh), the Phreah Reach Traop (in Oudongk) and the Wat Sen Serei (in Krong Stueng Saen).

Colombia-Ipiales-Las-Lajas
Colombia

Las Lajas

Yet another underrated Colombian destination, this place comes straight from a fairy tale. And, to quote for the second time the movie “In Bruges”: how's a fairytale town not somebody's f*****g thing?

Turkey-Istanbul
Turkey

Istanbul

Hundreds of gorgeous mosques, all freely accessible.

Ecuador-Quito
Ecuador

Quito Cathedral

All the army generals lined up for me in occasion of my visit! Or maybe it wasn’t for me. And probably they weren’t generals, and not even from the army but hey, these people did line up.

Pakistan-Nowshera
Pakistan

Nowshera

Near the border with Afghanistan, the ruins of an Hindu temple, and an interesting homemade alternative to bridges…

Benin-Porto-Novo
Benin

Porto Novo

Visit some odd voodoo temples, and you will discover where Star Wars’ Yoda come from.

Bolivia-La-Paz
Bolivia

La Paz

In the Witches Market (“Mercado de las Brujas”), you can get a free lama fetus when buying at least one kilogram of coca leaves. See how much useful intell I provide you…

Togo-Lome
Togo

Lome Voodoo Market

A.k.a. “Le Marche' des Feticheurs Akodessewa”, check out my interview with A. Joseph, the Voodoo master priest, for a detailed explanation of voodoo fetishes and their proper use.

Vatican-City

Vatican City

Just like Rome, another open-air museum. Visit on Sunday to see the Pope.

Cambodia

Angkor

Cambodia-Angkor

Cambodia is full of gorgeous Buddhist temples, but the jewel on the crown is the Angkor Wat complex. On your way, check out also the Wat Choeung Ek (near Phnom Penh), the Phreah Reach Traop (in Oudongk) and the Wat Sen Serei (in Krong Stueng Saen).

Colombia

Las Lajas

Colombia-Ipiales-Las-Lajas

Yet another underrated Colombian destination, this place comes straight from a fairy tale. And, to quote for the second time the movie “In Bruges”: how's a fairytale town not somebody's f*****g thing?

Turkey

Istanbul

Turkey-Istanbul

Hundreds of gorgeous mosques, all freely accessible.

Ecuador

Quito Cathedral

Ecuador-Quito

All the army generals lined up for me in occasion of my visit! Or maybe it wasn’t for me. And probably they weren’t generals, and not even from the army but hey, these people did line up.

Pakistan

Nowshera

Pakistan-Nowshera

Near the border with Afghanistan, the ruins of an Hindu temple, and an interesting homemade alternative to bridges…

Benin

Porto Novo

Benin-Porto-Novo

Visit some odd voodoo temples, and you will discover where Star Wars’ Yoda come from.

Bolivia

La Paz

Bolivia-La-Paz

In the Witches Market (“Mercado de las Brujas”), you can get a free lama fetus when buying at least one kilogram of coca leaves. See how much useful intell I provide you…

Togo

Lome Voodoo Market

Togo-Lome

A.k.a. “Le Marche' des Feticheurs Akodessewa”, check out my interview with A. Joseph, the Voodoo master priest, for a detailed explanation of voodoo fetishes and their proper use.

Vatican City

Vatican-City

Just like Rome, another open-air museum. Visit on Sunday to see the Pope.

THE UNDERGROUND WORLD

Bolivia-Potosi
Bolivia

Potosi

After the Vatican, travel to hell with me, and meet the devil (but beware, it has a huge penis). Not for the faint of heart. MUST SEE or MUST AVOID, up to you.

Laos-Vang-Vieng
Laos

Vang Vieng

This village is mostly known for its free booze and consequent drunk backpackers parties, but you definitely want to check out the caves, in particular the Tham Nam (“Water cave”, literally) and the Tham Phu Kham, with its lying Buddha.

Slovenia-Postojna
Slovenia

Postojna

I visited this cave twice, as a kid and teenager, and was deeply impressed. So big, you travel inside by train…

Colombia-Zipaquira
Colombia

Zipaquira'

Stunning underground cathedral in salt mine, boom-boom with sweet Colombiana, and the deepest toilets in the world.

Bolivia

Potosi

Bolivia-Potosi

After the Vatican, travel to hell with me, and meet the devil (but beware, it has a huge penis). Not for the faint of heart. MUST SEE or MUST AVOID, up to you.

Laos

Vang Vieng

Laos-Vang-Vieng

This village is mostly known for its free booze and consequent drunk backpackers parties, but you definitely want to check out the caves, in particular the Tham Nam (“Water cave”, literally) and the Tham Phu Kham, with its lying Buddha.

Slovenia

Postojna

Slovenia-Postojna

I visited this cave twice, as a kid and teenager, and was deeply impressed. So big, you travel inside by train…

Colombia

Zipaquira'

Colombia-Zipaquira

Stunning underground cathedral in salt mine, boom-boom with sweet Colombiana, and the deepest toilets in the world.

THE UNDERWATER WORLD

Philippines Oslob 2017 (4)
Philippines

Oslob

Scuba-diving with whale sharks. You cannot touch them (because they are a protected species, and also because they are huge wild sharks) but still another MUST SEE item in my list.

Philippines Moalboal 2017 (5)
Philippines

Moalboal Sardines Run

Scuba dive with me, the lovely Jane P. and 1 million sardines (I didn’t count them).

Thailand-Krabi

Thailand

Still my favorite country, after all these years, and not just for diving. You can dive in every beach locations, but for a special treat check out the Underwater World in Pattaya, where manta rays come eating shells from your hands. Or, the 5-Island tour in Krabi, in the company of the lovely Aphinya S.

Philippines

Oslob

Philippines Oslob 2017 (4)

Scuba-diving with whale sharks. You cannot touch them (because they are a protected species, and also because they are huge wild sharks) but still another MUST SEE item in my list.

Philippines

Moalboal Sardines Run

Philippines Moalboal 2017 (5)

Scuba dive with me, the lovely Jane P. and 1 million sardines (I didn’t count them).

Thailand

Thailand-Krabi

Still my favorite country, after all these years, and not just for diving. You can dive in every beach locations, but for a special treat check out the Underwater World in Pattaya, where manta rays come eating shells from your hands. Or, the 5-Island tour in Krabi, in the company of the lovely Aphinya S.

BEACHES

Dominican-Republic-Isla-Saona
Dominican Republic

Isla Saona

Poster child of the Caribbean islands. Visit quickly, before mosquitoes eat you alive.

Uruguay-Piriapolis
Uruguay

Piriapolis

Melancholic colonial beach town, with a medieval-shaped castle and dead penguins on a solitary beach.

Brazil-Canoa-Quebrada
Brazil

Fortaleza

The Ceará region, with its great sandy beaches, is my favorite place to live in Brazil. Check out for example the beaches of Canoa Quebrada, Morro Branco or Cofeco. Includes instructional video on how to “pump” a kite, Brazilian style.

Egypt-Sharm-el-Sheikh
Egypt

Sharm El Sheikh

Thousands of colored fishes await you in the crystal-clear water… You don’t even need to scuba dive, just swim near the shore! After this, hop on a car/camel combo and check out the Saint Catherine monastery, not too far away but where it actually snows.

Kenya-Mombasa
Kenya

Kisite-Mpunguti National Park

After you relax on the beach in Mombasa, hop on a Dhow boat towards the Tanzanian border for some beautiful deserted islands. By the way, if you have the misfortune of living in Nairobi as I did, check out the Nairobi National Park, which is just outside town, for some close encounters with friendly wildlife.

Dominican Republic

Isla Saona

Dominican-Republic-Isla-Saona

Poster child of the Caribbean islands. Visit quickly, before mosquitoes eat you alive.

Uruguay

Piriapolis

Uruguay-Piriapolis

Melancholic colonial beach town, with a medieval-shaped castle and dead penguins on a solitary beach.

Brazil

Fortaleza

Brazil-Canoa-Quebrada

The Ceará region, with its great sandy beaches, is my favorite place to live in Brazil. Check out for example the beaches of Canoa Quebrada, Morro Branco or Cofeco. Includes instructional video on how to “pump” a kite, Brazilian style.

Egypt

Sharm El Sheikh

Egypt-Sharm-el-Sheikh

Thousands of colored fishes await you in the crystal-clear water… You don’t even need to scuba dive, just swim near the shore! After this, hop on a car/camel combo and check out the Saint Catherine monastery, not too far away but where it actually snows.

Kenya

Kisite-Mpunguti National Park

Kenya-Mombasa

After you relax on the beach in Mombasa, hop on a Dhow boat towards the Tanzanian border for some beautiful deserted islands. By the way, if you have the misfortune of living in Nairobi as I did, check out the Nairobi National Park, which is just outside town, for some close encounters with friendly wildlife.

OTHERS

Philippines-Angeles-City-plane-pilot
Philippines

Angeles City

The day when I piloted my first airplane (without of course any permit or license, G*d forbid).

Peru-Puquio
Peru

Puquio

Living in a tiny mountain village in the Andes. Just because I couldn’t stand the endless bus rides anymore!

Senegal-Kaolack
Senegal

Kaolack

Playing football with kids in the village of the lovely Juliette G.’s grandparents.

South-Korea-North-Korean-border-Pan-Mun-Jom
South/North Korea Demilitarized Zone

Pan Mun Jom

“In front of them all”… and featuring the most dangerous golf course in the world.

Togo-Togoville
Togo

Togoville

Sailing in deep, deeper, deepest Africa. With a local village king boasting a Mercedes made of gold.

China-Harbin
China

Harbin

Near Siberia, at 30 degrees below zero, on a frozen lake, an ordinary night with the lovely Nancy W.

Cambodia-killing-fields
Cambodia

The Killing Fields

A monument filled with human skulls, a tribute to human madness offered by the Khmer rouge.

Vietnam-Thai-Nguyen

Vietnam

Not part of my favorite destinations, but I include it in this list because it is the best developing country I have worked in: safe, reasonable quality of life, rapidly-developing economy and lucrative employment possibilities for expats.

China

Harbin

China-Harbin

Near Siberia, at 30 degrees below zero, on a frozen lake, an ordinary night with the lovely Nancy W.

Philippines

Angeles City

Philippines-Angeles-City-plane-pilot

The day when I piloted my first airplane (without of course any permit or license, G*d forbid).

Peru

Puquio

Peru-Puquio

Living in a tiny mountain village in the Andes. Just because I couldn’t stand the endless bus rides anymore!

Senegal

Kaolack

Senegal-Kaolack

Playing football with kids in the village of the lovely Juliette G.’s grandparents.

South/North Korea Demilitarized Zone

Pan Mun Jom

South-Korea-North-Korean-border-Pan-Mun-Jom

“In front of them all”… and featuring the most dangerous golf course in the world.

Togo

Togoville

Togo-Togoville

Sailing in deep, deeper, deepest Africa. With a local village king boasting a Mercedes made of gold.

Cambodia

The Killing Fields

Cambodia-killing-fields

A monument filled with human skulls, a tribute to human madness offered by the Khmer rouge.

Vietnam

Vietnam-Thai-Nguyen

Not part of my favorite destinations, but I include it in this list because it is the best developing country I have worked in: safe, reasonable quality of life, rapidly-developing economy and lucrative employment possibilities for expats.

Well, what about you? Which places do you suggest I visit? What are your most memorable travel experiences?

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