One of my favorite memories of Khiva takes place in an odd location: sitting at a folding table covered by a blanket, sheltered from the street’s view by a fluttering wall of suzani embroidery, learning from a woodcarving master. Behind the suzani wall, the Islam Khoja Minaret stood above us, and countless travelers passed us…
What’s that Mike Tyson quote? Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth? That’s how I feel about Bishkek Airport. I’ve landed solo in many an international airport in my lifetime. I’ve visited about 80-odd countries, and probably flew into about half of them solo. But Bishkek’s Manas Airport has to take…
Within the UNESCO-listed fortified city of Itchan Kala, there are many places that easily take your breath away: this part of the city packs more sights per square inch than anywhere else I can think of in the world. And yet tucked away behind rather nondescript stone walls — hence its rather literal name, meaning…
People go to Vietnam for many reasons: the food, the landscapes, the intriguing history, and the enduring culture. But for me, I have to confess, one of the main reasons I keep returning to Vietnam is for its coffee. I have spent nearly every trip to Vietnam absolutely blitzed out of my mind on caffeine…
![7 Unique & Aesthetic Cafés in Hanoi City Center [2026]](https://eternalarrival.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Hanoi-Cafes_4256-768x1024.jpeg)
It seems almost unfair to write a post about the delicious cafés in Hanoi city center: there are simply too many of them, and I know just by writing this post, I will surely leave some out. However, as a huge coffee fiend who loves to visit specialty cafés everywhere I visit (see my coffee…
![10 Mistakes to Avoid When Visiting the Colosseum [2026]](https://eternalarrival.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Visiting-the-Colosseum-23-768x576.jpg)
While Rome is filled with wonderful squares, fountains, and awe-inspiring ancient ruins, nothing will capture your interest like the Colosseum! The nearly 2,000-year-old amphitheater is the symbol of the Eternal City and a must-see on any Rome itinerary — whether you have one day, 3 days, or a full week! But visiting the Colosseum comes…
Of all Bulgaria’s top tourist attractions, Rila Monastery figures highly on that list. And yes, it’s absolutely worth the hype. In fact, it actually may not be hyped enough, in my opinion. Tucked into the piney Rila Mountains, its Eastern Orthodox architecture stands out against the nature it’s hiding in: classic striped arches, jewel-toned frescoes,…
If you’re landing at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, you’re actually quite a ways out of the city and you’ll need to make your way there. Most hotels are about 25-30 kilometers away from the airport. Taxis, buses, and private transfers are all your standard options, but in-the-know travelers in Southeast Asia often find…
Messina sits almost at the northeastern tip of Sicily, just across the strait from Reggio Calabria, the southernmost city in mainland Italy. Despite its prime location, Messina is often overlooked by travelers compared to flight hub cities like Palermo and Catania, it is still a rather popular stop for cruise ships due to its port,…