The World Culinary Awards just hosted its fifth annual ceremony, doling out awards for culinary excellence at a dazzling reception in Dubai. While no U.S. restaurants or culinary institutions were named best in the world, the winners in the U.S. are not far behind when it comes to incredible food. The awards are determined by votes from travel industry professionals...

　　Portland, Oregon, has been the butt of the joke for many yearsfrom Portlandia-era harmless teasing about the citys preoccupation with sustainable food, to more insidious critique from right-wing politicians. The citys identity has been simplified to a meme, a calling card, a dog whistle. At its core, Portland is a much more varied, complex city than its been given credit...

Día de los Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead, is a tradition that has been practiced for more than 3,000 years in Mexican culture. It’s a time when we remember and honor loved ones who have passed. While some may think this holiday is a gloomy one, it is the complete opposite. It’s a celebration that takes place...

　　Mumbai is Maximum City, Bengaluru is the Garden City, and Kolkata? Well, it is the City of Joy. Visit Kolkata during Durga Puja and you will understand why it got that label. The autumnal festival of Durga Puja is one of the most popular celebrations in Kolkata. Durga Puja was added to UNESCO's list of 'Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity'...

　　As Durga Puja 2024 approaches, the vibrant streets of Kolkata have started to transform into a grand spectacle of art, culture, and devotion. Each year, the city outdoes itself with elaborately themed pandals that blend tradition with contemporary creativity, making this festival a visual treat. From surreal recreations of ancient temples to modern-day marvels inspired by global art movements, Kolkata’s...

　　Halloween originated from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, which marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. The Celts believed that on October 31, the boundary between the living and the dead became blurred. The arrival of Irish immigrants to America transformed this pagan holiday into a cultural and visual extravaganza that we know as...

　　I must admit I’m a cruise addict with two dozen voyages and counting. But there’s one place I travel often, and that’s Alaska. Having cruised with all the major cruise lines, I jumped at the chance to experience a new voyage on Cunard Queen Elizabeth. 　　Whether you’re a past cruiser or considering a leap of faith in a floating hotel,...

　　On October 5, 2024, the prime minister of India, Narendra Modi, inaugurated a new museum in Poharadevi, a town in the Washim district of Maharashtra. The Banjara Virasat Museum is dedicated to the Banjara community—a group of nomadic tribes originally from Rajasthan who have now settled in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra. 　　Here’s what you can expect...

　　These days, few places on earth seem terribly far away. But at least one remains magnificently remote the Zanskar valley in Ladakh, enclosed by high mountains, stark as the moon, bitterly cold, inaccessible for eight months of the year, threaded by a beautiful river. Rafting down this river is the trip of a lifetime. 　　 　　First you have to spend...

　　Thalassery in Kerala is a charming coastal town with a rich history and cultural significance. Located about two hours north of Kozhikode, it used to be famous for pepper trading, with its grand, fading spice warehouses by the sea. It is said to be the birthplace of cricket in India, and the enchanting aromas of the first cake ever baked...