The Shinkansen is a crown jewel of modern Japanese technology, symbolizing innovation, speed, and national pride. By connecting distant areas to urban hubs, these trains played a significant role in shaping Japan's sprawling mega-cities like Tokyo and Osaka. The term "Shinkansen" translates as "bullet train" thanks to the train's sleek, bullet-like design that has become an iconic symbol of Japanese engineering. The Shinkansen's launch in 1964 marked a significant milestone that showcased Japan's remarkable post-war recovery. Do you want to take a ride?

This is the 2nd part of the article about the vibrant colours of Morocco. Here are the links to the Part 1 and Part 3.  

First time in Morocco?" a border security officer asked me with a strained smile. "Oh, is that an Arc'teryx bag you have? Can you lift it so I can show it to my colleague?" "Hey buddy, this is the bag I was talking about, from Canada." His colleague suddenly brightened up with excitement as my bag most certainly broke the monotony of his stamping routine. I stood there, waiting to get my passport back, unsure how much I should worry about my bag or any other possessions in this country. "Welcome to Morocco," said the officer cheerfully, "You'll like it." And I certainly did: Morocco turned out to be one of the most exotic and culturally rich places I've ever visited.

I've driven through Buffalo, NY at least a few dozen times before, in all four seasons and various weather conditions, yet it never appealed to me as a tourist destination. To me, Buffalo was synonymous with a dull, grey skyline visible from Interstate 195, numerous billboards advertising injury lawyers, and state troopers diligently ensuring that drivers crossing from Canada had adjusted their speed from kilometres per hour to miles per hour. My usual thought was, "Let's hurry to the Peace Bridge so I can return to Canada as quickly as possible." However, I realized this wasn't fair to Buffalo and its rich heritage, so I decided to fix this by taking a day trip from Toronto. And to make things more challenging, why not take public transit all the way?

Georgia. This country should be on every traveller’s bucket list! Sitting at the crossroads of major civilizations like Persia, Byzantium, and the Ottoman Empire, and serving as a bridge between Europe and Asia, the country is a cultural melting pot that showcases diverse landscapes stretching from the Black Sea coast to the majestic Caucasus Mountains. I had the pleasure of visiting Georgia multiple times between 2008 and 2014, and its appeal always called me to return. Despite both Ukraine and Georgia sharing over 70 years under the same repressive Soviet regime, Georgia struck me as the most exotic place I've ever visited. You will experience rich history, delicious cuisine, beautiful scenery, and very warmhearted people. In this article, I'm excited to share my top nine fascinating encounters in Georgia.  

Liechtenstein is one of the world's smallest countries, yet it has a big heart. The warm hospitality and friendliness of its people make any visit memorable. When I was in Bavaria in 2018, I seized an opportunity to make a day trip to Liechtenstein. At that time, my knowledge about this country was limited to its reputation as a financial haven where the wealthy securely stowed their money. Turns out, that this tiny country is well worth the visit as the people here embrace a strong sense of community, and visitors often experience a warm reception. 

The Boston Metro, also known as the "T," holds the distinction of being the oldest subway system in the United States, beating its closest rival, New York by more than seven years. It began operations on September 1, 1897, with a 1.5-mile stretch of track running from Park Street to Sullivan Square and addressed a particularly painful issue of street traffic congestion in the growing metropolis. With its rich history, a mix of vintage and contemporary cars, and the diverse architectural styles of its stations, the Boston Metro system holds a special place in the hearts of Bostonians, who view it as more than just a transportation system but an essential aspect of their city's identity. 

Bavaria is the largest state in Germany and, in my opinion, the most diverse, rich and charming one as well. I feel like the whole world knows what Bavaria is famous for - King Ludwig II’s castle of Neuschwanstein, BMW, Oktoberfest, pretzels and of course the best beer in the world! And if you're a soccer fan, FC Bayern Munich definitely tops your list of the best soccer clubs. But Bavaria is also infamous for sheltering the national socialist German workers party led by Hitler which gave birth to nazism and mass killings of millions of innocent people. I purposely added Dachau, the most notorious death camp in nazi Germany, to my itinerary as I felt the trip would not be complete without visiting this disgraceful place where thousands of victims, mostly Jews, would starve, suffer and eventually die in a gas chamber. We must never forget. Ready to see Bavaria? I hand-picked those 8 not to be missed places that should definitely be on everyone's bucket list. 

Tourists and locals alike recognize Ontario not only for its big-name attractions like Toronto or Niagara Falls, and not even for hungry mosquitos and black flies in the springtime, but also for its pretty, historic towns. Carefully preserved in time and maintaining the original 19th-century look, many of them compete to be named the quaintest or the coziest town in Ontario. Merrickville, located only 40 minutes from Ottawa and known as the "Jewel of the Rideau", often makes the cut.

April 15 marks the first anniversary of the fire that devastated Notre Dame de Paris, one of the greatest landmarks of Western civilization. The Cathedral was accidentally set ablaze likely by a short circuit due to an ongoing renovation and miraculously remained intact despite losing a spire and a wooden roof. Throughout its 850-year-old history, Notre Dame de Paris survived several swirling events including the French Revolution, World War I and World War II, as well as plague, smallpox, cholera, flu and other fatal diseases that ravaged France and the rest of Europe. The current COVID-19 pandemic has temporarily put breaks on the restoration of Notre Dame de Paris which is quite symbolic as it exemplifies the hardship and resilience of the French people. I was very fortunate to visit Notre-Dame de Paris in 2017 and was stunned by its grandeur and beauty, and today I'd like to share some of those memories with you.

European exploration of Upper Canada which makes most of Ontario today began at around present-day Ottawa and Kingston. Passable rivers and adjacent lakes were essential to maintain a reliable connection with other North American towns and cities and, of course, Europe. Being the oldest in the whole province, the area surrounding Ottawa and Kingston corners the prettiest towns built by the British and Irish settlers. One of those towns, Almonte, sits immediately west of Ottawa and was named by Expedia one of the 10 charming small towns in Canada.

If you read my previous article about my home city, I hope I convinced you that Kyiv ranks high among the top destinations in Eastern Europe. So while you are picking and choosing attractions you want to visit there, I'll tell you about this one particular hidden gem that I regard as one of the most interesting and unusual places in beautiful Kyiv. It's called Pyrohiv, an outdoor museum of Ukrainian folk architecture. Pyrohiv is like a time capsule that allows you to take a glimpse of what Ukraine was like a few hundred years ago.

As the April days are getting longer and warmer, you must spend more time outside. Especially when you can still enjoy it mosquito-free! I don't know about you, but I become very excited when I get a chance to explore a new place. And, by the way, a new place does not mean going far. Even if it's your own city or town, I guarantee there will always be something new yet to be discovered. That has been the case for me in Montreal where I happen to spend quite a bit of my time over the past two years. I've walked pretty much everywhere in the 5 km / 3-mile radius of the central train station. Mostly after work though when it's already dark outside. But longer spring days let me see more in daylight, that's why I'm always up for a nice walk after work. Continue reading to learn about an itinerary that I really enjoyed. It's strenuous due to its length and slightly off-the-beaten path, but I'm sure you'll like it too.

BMW is not the oldest brand in the automotive industry, and definitely not the largest one by sales or production. It's also often seen as too conservative when it comes to its design and playing catch-up in the electric vehicle market, reluctant to leave its famous gas-powered internal combustion engines behind. But there is something in BMW that attracts and retains so many loyal fans throughout the world, so I decided to visit its headquarters in Munich, Germany and take a plant tour to see how legendary BMW cars are produced.