Topics

Oct

Travel Tip: Savvy Travelers Hire Tour Guides

by Joyce McGreevy on October 23, 2018

A tour guide with travelers in Athens, Greece provides the cultural context that elevates travel into a life-changing experience. Image © Joyce McGreevy

In Athens, tour guide Constantin Kalafakakos decodes an array
of native herbs and their traditional uses.
© Joyce McGreevy

It’s All About Cultural Context

Who needs a tour guide? Today 48-59% of U.S., European, and Asian smartphone users research and plan their entire trip to a new destination using only a mobile device. “I get all the travel tips I need online for free” is standard operating procedure.

Trouble is, the top research sites comprise brief impressions by first-time, short-term visitors—folks who arrived a few weeks before you. Read more...

Joyce McGreevy 4 Comments

Art of Travel/Cultural Encounters/Worldwide Sites

Oct

Grand Openings

by Joyce McGreevy on October 9, 2018

A facade in Hobbiton, New Zealand evokes the cross-cultural stories of doors and windows. (Image © Joyce McGreevy)

What’s behind doors and windows? In Hobbiton, New Zealand, that’s a trick question!
© Joyce McGreevy

A Cross-Cultural Tour of Doors and Windows Around the World

With more than 12 million posts and counting, doors and windows around the world are among the most shared objects on Instagram. Clearly, doors can be adorable and windows wonderful. But beyond pretty pictures, what cross-cultural stories do doors and windows tell?

A window in Lismore, Ireland evokes the cross-cultural stories of doors and windows. (Image © Joyce McGreevy)

In Lismore, Ireland, a medieval window has been silent witness to both
Sir Walter Raleigh and John F. Kennedy.
© Joyce McGreevy

A facade in Zagreb, Croatia evokes the cross-cultural stories of doors and windows. (Image © Joyce McGreevy)

In Zagreb, Croatia, a post-Civil War window showcases the city’s renaissance.
© Joyce McGreevy Read more...

Joyce McGreevy 2 Comments

Crossing Cultures/Cultural Symbols/The World's Art & Design/Worldwide Sites

Oct

A Secret World of Discovery

by Meredith Mullins on October 1, 2018

Colorful historical scene from a Costa Rican banknote, showing the cultural heritage and traditions of a country. (Image © Meredith Mullins.)

What can we learn from this work of art?
Image photo by Meredith Mullins

Cultural Heritage and Traditions Revealed

Countries reveal their cultural heritage and traditions through art, dress, storytelling, history, heroes, architecture, monuments, museums, language, music, products, and leaders.

They are also proud to present their natural treasures such as flora, fauna, and other gifts of nature.

Great wall of China on Chinese banknote, showing cultural heritage and traditions of China. (Image © Meredith Mullins.)

Natural and human-made treasures
Image photo by Meredith Mullins

What do these two images have in common? Read more...

Meredith Mullins 5 Comments

Cultural Heritage & Traditions/Worldwide Sites

World Views: