Hormuz Island

Iran's Hormuz Island is a geologist's Mecca + Disneyland. A storyteller. Must visit.

Useful links:

https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20211020-the-rainbow-island-most-travellers-dont-know

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/hormuz-island

The Sahara's Blue Men

Men in blue. The Tuareg people are considered the blue men of the Sahara, a fashion born from trade.

Useful link:

https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20210927-the-blue-men-of-the-sahara

Fungi Foundation

Get to know Giuliana Furci. She has dedicated her life to studying, protecting and championing one of the planet's most important but least known group of organisms.

Useful links:

https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20210811-the-chilean-biologist-celebrating-fungis-hidden-kingdom

https://ffungi.org

The Transcaucasian Trail

Svaneti is at the centre of a Caucasus-wide experiment in sustainable tourism. This year, visitors can walk roughly 250 km of trails across Georgia's mountains as part of a planned 1500 km walking route that will eventually link the Black Sea to the Caspian Sea, connecting Georgia with Armenia and Azerbaijan. Known as The Transcaucasian Trail, the hope is it will lure visitors eager to learn about the region's unique cultural and environmental  diversity, as well as investment to protect it. Responsible tourism does work.

Useful links:

https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20210714-transcaucasian-trail-a-new-route-between-europe-and-asia

https://transcaucasiantrail.org

https://www.cepf.net

The Sound Tracker

Get to know Gordon Hempton. Must listen.

Useful links:

https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20210712-the-worlds-most-endangered-sound

https://www.soundtracker.com

The Wakhan Corridor

It is barely habited and hard to get to, few people even know of its existence. It's undoubtedly one of the remotest, and most beautiful places in the whole of Asia. 

Useful link:

https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20210701-a-new-road-to-an-inaccessible-land

Ancient Eats

Explore the cultures and traditions where they were born.

Useful link: http://www.bbc.com/travel/columns/ancient-eats

Algeria

Must visit. There is a lot to learn from the Algerians. 

Useful link: http://www.bbc.com/travel

Waldeinsamkeit

There is no better introduction to the enduring ideology of waldeinsamkeit (forest loneliness) than a visit to the Black Forest in Germany. A good starting point to better understand forest loneliness is Schutzgemeinschaft Deutscher Wald, the German Forest Protection Association. It works.

Useful links: http://www.bbc.com/travel I https://www.sdw.de

Yaupon Tea

 A fascinating story on the rebirth of America's forgotten tea.

Useful links: http://www.bbc.com I https://www.yauponbrothers.com I https://www.catspringtea.com

Mizoram

Mizoram is the most fascinating state in India, because of their strong refusal to copy-paste what India does. They just don't. They don't want to do it. They hang onto their value such as tlawmngaihna so they remain Mizo. Must visit.

Useful links: https://www.mountaininitiative.in I https://mizoram.gov.in I http://www.bbc.com/travel

Kolonya

In Turkey, Kolonya has been a symbol of health and hospitality since the Ottoman Empire and is often sprinkled on guest's hands as they they enter a home. Kolonya is additionally effective because it is something that many people already have and is a part of their daily routines in Turkey. They don't need to learn a new way to protect themselves against corona virus. We should adopt the same in our daily lives. 

Useful links: http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20200407-turkeys-unique-hand-sanitiser I https://www.atelierrebul.com

Why Finnish People Tell The Truth

Shristi Chaudhary was spot on. Perhaps it's the Protestant roots. In Finland, the state is a friend, not an enemy. Finns are helpful but not interfering, warm yet stoic, and clear but not extremely expressive. I have collaborated with a lot Finns during my stay in Thailand. They are different.

Useful links:
http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20200615-why-finnish-people-tell-the-truth?referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.com%2Fnews
http://www.srishtichaudhary.com

Welcome To The World's New Greetings

As social distancing lingers, many cultures around the world are adapting their distinct greetings to fit the new normal. Take a look.

Useful link:

http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20200512-say-hello-to-the-worlds-new-greetings

The Lazarettos Of Dubrovnik: The Medieval City Designed Around Quarantine

The protocols of quarantine: isolation and discipline. Must visit.

Useful link:
http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20200421-dubrovnik-the-medieval-city-designed-around-quarantine

The World's Best Banana Bread?

Visit Maui.

Useful links:
https://www.twinfallsmaui.net/farm-stand
https://www.foursisterskitchen.com
http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20200420-banana-bread-the-internets-most-searched-for-recipe

Will Empty Middle Seats Help Social Distancing On Planes?

Will it work? Can they afford it?

Useful link:
https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20200422-when-can-we-start-flying-again

The Goji Berry

This small, oval-shaped berry has been called the red diamond, thanks to its anti-ageing powers and newfound global status as a superfood. To the people of China, who have been using it medicinally since the 3rd Century, it's simply called the goji berry or wolfberry. Visit Ningxia.

Useful links:
http://www.gojihome.com
http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20200226-the-berry-that-keeps-asia-looking-young

Thimmamma Marrimanu

The world's largest single tree canopy. Visit Andhra Pradesh.

Useful link:
http://www.bbc.com/travel/gallery/20200219-thimmamma-marrimanu-the-worlds-largest-single-tree-canopy

Purple Sands Beach

Purple Sands Beach owes its coloring to the mineral garnet, which is found inside rocks that date back more than a billion years. Visit Candle Lake.

Useful links:
https://www.tourismsaskatchewan.com
http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20200210-canadas-little-known-geological-wonder