Gangstad Gårdsysteri

Get to know Ole and Maren Gangstad, winning cheesemakers from Gangstad Gardsysteri, with their champion cheese Nidelven Bla. Many thanks to Tamara Hardingham-Gill of CNN Travel for sharing the information.

Useful links:

https://edition.cnn.com/travel/worlds-best-cheese-awards-2023-norway

https://ysteri.no/english-information

https://gff.co.uk/awards/world-cheese-awards

Geumjeongsanseong Makgeolli

Korea's first folk wine is a storyteller. Must try.

Useful links:

https://edition.cnn.com/travel/busan-geumjeongsanseong-makgeolli

https://visitbusan.net

Lonely Planet Best In Travel 2024

Take a look at the list and travel responsibly.

Useful links:

https://edition.cnn.com/travel/lonely-planets-top-places-to-go-in-2024

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/best-in-travel-2024-letter-from-the-editor

Zeyrek Çinili Hamam

Seeing is believing. Many thanks to CNN Travel for the insightful report.

Useful links:

https://edition.cnn.com/travel/cinili-hamam-istanbul-500-years-old

https://zeyrekcinilihamam.com

MSG

A quick recap of MSG's history.

Useful links:

https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/msg-changing-views-cmd

https://www.ajinomoto.com

Patagonia: Life On The Edge Of The World

The visually stunning docuseries explores one of the world wildest places on Earth. Must watch.

Useful link:

https://cnncreativemarketing.com/project/patagonia

Azores

Azores is a necklace of nine enchanting islands that huddle in the middle of the Atlantic but are part of Portugal. The archipelago is an autonomous region located roughly 1000 miles from the Portuguese mainland. Must visit.

Useful links:

https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/azores-portugal-experiences

https://www.visitazores.com

Santo Musumeci

The secret to their success? Telling the story of the area, and of the gelato. Get to know Giovanna Musumeci. Many thanks to CNN Travel for the insightful story. Must visit.

Useful links: 

https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/gelateria-randazzo-sicily-musumeci

http://www.santomusumeci.it

Castiglione di Sicilia Offers Houses For One Euro

It's the turn of another Sicilian town, Castiglione di Sicilia, to offer houses for the price of a coffee. On the slopes of Mount Etna, near Taormina and the beaches of Sicily's east coast, the town is selling a bumper crop of houses: roughly 900 abandoned homes. Most are located in the oldest parts of the town. Around half are ruined, and will be given away at a symbolic price of one euro. The rest are in better condition, and will be sold off cheaply, starting from 4000-5000 euros.

Useful links: https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/castiglione-di-sicilia-one-euro-houses I http://www.comune.castiglionedisicilia.ct.it

How Dubai Became The City Of Gold

Pre-pandemic, the gold and jewelry market made up 20% of the UAE's total non-oil exports---the majority of that coming from Dubai. As estimated 20%-40% of the world's gold stocks pass through Dubai every year. Finally, Dubai is a lucky country, period.

Useful link: https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/dubai-gold-industry

Watercolor By Shibasaki

Harumichi Shibasaki's YouTube channel, Watercolor by Shibasaki is a must watch. He has played a role not only in making these videos to improve people's watercolor skills but also healing people's hearts through painting. 

Useful links: https://edition.cnn.com/2020/12/09/asia/shibasaki-japan-youtube-star-spc-intl I https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPiQ_mEXdEbB-3Yhiq7gq5w

Christmas Markets 2020

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some well-known Christmas markets will not be taking place this year. Please do check before traveling.

Useful link: https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/top-christmas-markets-2020

Maya Gabeira

Maya Gabeira has been declared by the World Surf League as winner of the cbdMD XXL Biggest Wave Award. To see a woman excel in a male dominated sport is truly amazing. Hats off to MG!

Useful links:
https://edition.cnn.com/2020/09/12/us/guinness-world-record-brazilian-surfer-wave-trnd
https://www.mayagabeira.co

Vøringsfossen Waterfall Bridge

An architectural marvel. Only in Norway. Must visit. Those with a fear of heights may want to steer clear.

Useful links:
https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/norway-waterfall-bridge
https://www.holmebakk.no

Ozu Castle

Ozu Castle in Ehime prefecture's Ozu town is the first and only castle keep in Japan to allow travelers to stay overnight. With a history dating from 1617, it's also one of only a handful of timber castles left in Japan.

Useful links:
https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/ozu-castle-town-urban-regeneration
https://www.ozucastle.com

Our Great Indoors

Get to know Erin Sullivan.

Useful links:
https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/photographer-travel-scenes-quarantine-erin-sullivan/index.html
https://erinoutdoors.com

The Thrill Of The Chase

The chase (search) is over. Forrest Fenn has confirmed that treasure has been found.

Useful links:
https://edition.cnn.com/2020/06/07/us/forrest-fenn-rocky-mountains-treasure-chest-found-trnd/index.html
https://www.oldsantafetradingco.com

World Champion Cheese

Hats off to Rogue Creamery!

Useful links:
http://www.roguecreamery.com
https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/world-champion-cheese-2019-rogue-river-blue-trnd/index.html
https://gff.co.uk

Breakup Tours

We are living in interesting times. A Hong Kong-based company has started offering experiences and services aimed at people who are dealing with heartbreak. I hope they succeed.

Useful links:
https://www.breakuptours.com
https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/breakup-tours-travel-app/index.html

World's 50 Best Restaurants For 2019

There's a new world's best restaurant: Mirazur, Menton, France.

Useful links:
https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/worlds-50-best-restaurants-2019/index.html
http://www.maurocolagreco.com