Baracoa – Mirror of the Past

Baracoa was the very first capital of CUBA. It is a place where time stands still. A reflection of the past, with life in its present. Life seems simple to the foreign eye, yet poverty has planted moulds into its existence and hope. A cloud of melancholy floats above the city; yet faces glow with genuine smiles, homes are filled with love, and streets echo with music. This is a lieu of confusion rooted in motionless time. Visit The Compass to read the full article.

Cenotes- The Sacred Waters of Mexico

The Yucatan Peninsula, south-eastern tip of Mexico, is mainly composed of limestone; hence the region has almost no rivers and only a few lakes. Instead, one finds thousands of underground rivers, exposed to the outer world through cavern formations and passageways. It has taken thousands of years for these flooded underground rivers and caves to form. And once the roof of a cavern collapses due to erosion, it forms a water hole known as - cenote. Over four thousand cenotes are spread through Yucatan, with many still not having been studied nor registered. Read more...

A Breath of Dead Air- Czech Republic

“Would anyone like to stop by the Ossuary?” asked our tour leader with an uncertain voice. One brave lady and I raised hands with excitement. This was the moment I was waiting for! The rest of our passive group sank into the softness of their seats, giving us a disgusted stare with little whispers of, “Oh no, my goodness, No”.

The Sedlec Ossuary contains approximately 40 000-70 000 human skeletons in forms of decorations and furnishings. During the Black Plague of the 14th century, one of the most deadly pandemics in human history, Europe carried as many as 50 million deaths. Read more...

Sidi Bou Said- An Artist’s Mecca

The café overlooked an unknown square with the main street rolling down the hill into the Gulf of Tunis. The sun bounced against the white walls of this mysterious town creating a glare towards every direction. As I sipped on my mint tea, I was drawn into the everyday Tunisian life.

Sidi Bou Said, a little town located in the Northern Tunisia, is not only colourful in its appearance, but in its people too. At 20 km from the capital, it has become a popular tourist trap. Despite of it, it has still kept its traditions as an authentic lieu where Tunisians reside up to this very day. Once you leave the main street of Habib Thameur, you will begin to experience the real Tunisian life. You find yourself along hidden passages with carefully lined cobblestone streets and colourfully painted doors. Each door may have a new story to tell. Painted with unique patterns, they represent signatures and symbols of Tunisia. One may be the entrance to the mosque; another will lead you to the backyard of a local. It may even be a mere boutique hiding behind a green and red striped masterpiece.

Many speak of Sidi Bou Said as the ‘Artist’s Village’. Read more...

How to travel like a local

Most places have a double existence, one in reality and one in people's imagination. For instance, we have seen the romance and beauty of Paris in numerous music and movies. We dream of admiring the Eiffel tower sparkling in the night; strolling through little alleys; while listening to melodies on a distant French accordion. We dream of traveling there to experience it all ourselves.

Ah, Europe can be so romantic in movies but in reality those images live mostly in the imagination of the eager tourist longing to experience the dream portrayed on the silver screen. Truth is, traveling to a foreign country can be disappointing if one fails to acknowledge everyday life. Paris, Rome, even picturesque Venice are all very busy cities. People live and work just as they do in Toronto. For them it is not the sight of the sparkling Eiffel tower or the majesty that is the coliseum that makes their life enjoyable, since it all lies in the lifestyle, the way they live each day.

I have put together a few suggestions for anyone who would like to explore the ‘real’ Europe. Discovering a city's hidden beauty means to go further than visiting its museums and attractions, it lies in its people, its food, its harsh times and its historical moments.

1. Do what the locals do.
2. Leave your guidebook at home.
3. Walk with a purpose.
4. Explore the city by foot.

For more tips visit The Compass.