5 Wonderful Festivals of Lights Not to Be Missed
The symbolic power of light has always played a powerful role in the world’s many cultural and religious traditions. But apart from their traditional significance, festivals of lights are also…
Venice Film Festival History: through its Poster Art
It’s no less than 86 years ago since the famous Venice Film Festival first saw the light of day in August 1932, making it the oldest film festival in the…
Five Unmissable Hindu Festivals of India
Considering its vast size and enormous population, it’s no surprise that India is an incredible diverse country home to many different ethnic groups and religions. And with each of these…
Voyage to the Sundarbans Mangrove Forest
Taking an old paddlewheel steamer from Dhaka to the Sundarbans Mangrove Forest in Bangladesh, Johan Smits finds poetry, a lost city and a vast water forest. “What beauty, what shades,…
Dhaka, Bangladesh – the World’s Most Crowded City
Johan Smits takes a deep breath before plunging into the world’s most crowded city, Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka. I’m a fan of Sci-Fi films. And often it’s the atmospheric, non-tech parts…
Things to Do in Ubud: a Town Hiding in Plain Sight
A firm fixture on the tourist trail, Ubud upholds its integrity as Bali’s cultural hub, finds Johan Smits looking for things to do in Ubud. “You can’t just go in…
Luang Prabang: Laos Past or Future?
Searching for peace, quiet and beauty, Johan Smits finds in Luang Prabang a stunning little town at a crossroads. One tropical evening we find ourselves sitting in the nearly empty…
Groundbreaking Bangkok Art Biennale 2018
Thailand’s first ever Bangkok Art Biennale 2018, the biggest contemporary art event in the country’s history, is still ongoing until 3 February next year and has so far received overwhelmingly…
Cultural Taiwan: Top Five Unmissable Experiences
For a small island nation, cultural Taiwan has been punching well above its weight with the establishment of several world-class performance venues in only…
Space Travel: the Final Frontier in Tourism?
On the occasion of the Orionids Meteor Shower, a new interactive guide imagines all nine planets in our solar system as holiday resorts on your space travel.
Ethical Travel Dilemma: To Boycott or Not to Boycott
From Israel to Myanmar, and Uganda to the USA, the list of countries you could avoid due to ethical travel concerns seems endless. Johan Smits tackles the thorny issue of…
Thailand Travel Tips: Do’s and Don’ts
Having lived three years in the Thai border town of Mae Sot and visiting the kingdom more times than he can recall, Johan Smits shares his Thailand travel tips to…
