Travels Jessica Knowlden Travels Jessica Knowlden

Red City of Marrakesh

The "Red City" of Marrakesh is a wonderful mix of European, Middle Eastern and African culture. Set in the foothills west of the Atlas Mountains, the city home to beautiful boutique hotels, intimate gardens, upscale spas and hammams, delicious restaurants and charming riads.

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Travels Jessica Knowlden Travels Jessica Knowlden

Sint Maartenโ€™s Dutch Inspired Paradise

Busting with idyllic beaches, parrot sanctuaries and wild zip lines, Sint Maarten is a Dutch territory and country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Part of the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean Sea, this little island is also home to Saint Martin in the north.

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Travels Jessica Knowlden Travels Jessica Knowlden

Ancient Aztec City of Tenochtitlรกn

A lush metropolis full of green space, Mexico City has a vibrant art scene, fascinating architecture and out of this world cuisine. It's both the oldest capital city in the Americas and one of two founded by Indigenous people, originally built by the Aztecs on a group of islands in Lake Texcoco around 1325.

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Travels Jessica Knowlden Travels Jessica Knowlden

Travel Doโ€™s & Donโ€™ts

Even after a decade of solo travel to more than 50 countries around the world, I'm often reminded that most others aren't as adventurous as myself. Still, it only takes following a few tips to create a seamless and safe holiday trip.

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Travels Jessica Knowlden Travels Jessica Knowlden

Charming Temples, Gardens & Geisha of Kyoto

Coined the "City of a Thousand Temples," Kyoto oozes old world charm, steeped in centuries of spiritual tradition. It's also the perfect jumping off point for areas like Fushimi Inari Taisha, Arashiyama Bamboo Forest and Nara Park.

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Travels Jessica Knowlden Travels Jessica Knowlden

East Meets West: One City, Two Continents

Formerly Constantinople, Istanbul straddles both Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus Strait and is the largest city and main seaport in Turkey. Delight in all things spices, traditional meze, Turkish baths and towering mosques.

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Travels Jessica Knowlden Travels Jessica Knowlden

Viejo San Juan

Established in 1521 by the Spanish, Old San Juan is the oldest city in the United States and its territories. There you'll find colonial architecture, impressive fortifications, cobblestone streets, open plazas, and hidden patios. Nearby, el Yunque National Forest is the sole tropical rain forest in the U.S.

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Travels Jessica Knowlden Travels Jessica Knowlden

Mogote Hills of Viรฑales Valley

Viรฑales a small town west of Havana with green rolling hills planted with fruit, vegetables, coffee and tobacco. Itโ€™s known for steep limestone hills called mogotes which dot the landscape and gardens full of palms and orchids.

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Travels Jessica Knowlden Travels Jessica Knowlden

All You Need to Know Before Visiting Japan

Though I'd already lived in Asia, some of Japan's rules were simply lost on me. And as predicted, it was a tough country to explore on my own. Tricky transportation, swarming tourists and wild weather were a challenge to navigate.

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Travels Jessica Knowlden Travels Jessica Knowlden

Elephant Watching in Pinnawala

Pinnawala is a village near Sri Lanka's capital city of Colombo. The small village is special because of its elephant orphanage, nursery and captive breeding ground for wild Asian elephants. Pop over for a night and grab a room overlooking the elephant's watering hole.

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Travels Jessica Knowlden Travels Jessica Knowlden

Chasing Waterfalls in Cienfuegos

Located on Bahรญa de Cienfuegos, a bay on Cubaโ€™s southern coast, Cienfuegos is a peaceful town oozing charm. Known for colorful colonial-era buildings, the town is a chief seaport for sugarcane, coffee and tobacco.

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Travels Jessica Knowlden Travels Jessica Knowlden

Cobblestone Streets of Trinidad

A UNESCO World Heritage site since 1988 because of its historical importance as a center of the sugar trade in the 18th and 19th centuries, Trinidad is also one of the most well-preserved cities in the Caribbean.

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Travels Jessica Knowlden Travels Jessica Knowlden

Old Havana

Founded by the Spanish in the 16th century, Havana has had many lives. The city is celebrated for its vibrant culture, rich history and mix of architecture, including Colonial, Baroque and Neoclassical. The tropical climate helps give way to beautiful parks and al fresco dining.

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Travels Jessica Knowlden Travels Jessica Knowlden

Cusco: Once the Capital of the Inca Empire

Once capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco is famed for its rich history, culture and architecture. Cobblestone streets lead visitors to Plaza de Armas, alongside archaeological remains like the Twelve-Angled Stone. It's also the spot for freshwater trout ceviche and the perfect jumping off point for Sacred Valley and Rainbow Mountain.

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