This past weekend was the one year anniversary - blogiversary - of The Royal Tour, so I thought it would be appropriate to take a look back at this first year, what I've done, and where I am going. First, though, I want to sincerely thank you all for reading and supporting this endeavor. To…
I feel like I am out of appellations for Singapore. You already know it is my favorite city in existence. It blends the excitement of a culturally diverse metropolis with the calm of the natural world. But the best part? The food. If Asian food is your thing, this is the best place in the…
When most people think of Singapore, they will rightly think of a city. They will think of a financial center, and of incredible cultural attractions. Only those who really understand Singapore will realize that what makes it truly special is the celebration of nature that occurs there. Singapore sits at one degree north of the…
Let me say it again: Singapore is my favorite city on the planet. It is clean, safe, and friendly. It also has one of the best mix of cultures anywhere in the world. Colonial buildings stand beside beautiful modern architectural gems. Religious sites abound. And museums celebrating some of the most impressive civilizations in the…
It's hard to describe the feeling at that first look into North Korea from the Dora Observatory, just outside the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separating North and South Korea. Through coin-operated telescopes, tourists can gaze toward a North Korean empty propaganda village along the border, and farther to the city of Kaesong, North Korea's third largest.…
Seoul is a massive metropolis. Home to roughly 25% of South Korea's 50 million inhabitants, the city sprawls along both sides of the Han River. From the historical sites in the north to the upscale Gangnam district south of the river, Seoul is a bustling modern city with fun things to discover around most corners.…
While China and Japan get most of the publicity and tourism dollars in East Asia, Korea has just as long of a history, and just as proud of an empire. Visitors to Seoul, the bustling capital of South Korea, will still find remnants dating back to those imperial days. While there have been people living…
I had always subscribed to the theory that solo travel was not going to be fun, and more importantly, it would be scary. Heading to a new country where I didn't know anyone or speak the language, and not having a companion to lean on, was a situation I avoided. However, last fall I took…
Eleven years ago, I knew virtually nothing about art. Sure, I had been to a few museums, but I didn't know anything about any artists beyond the classics, and the thought of collecting fine art never entered my mind. I was on a cruise through the Baltic, and signed up for a tour of the…
The countdown to a trip is always a source of excitement for me. Last minute arrangements, sourcing my favorite travel sites for recommendations, and generally figuring out what I am going to do (though I always try to remain flexible) are a lot of fun. So here I am in the final days before my…