Here and There

I had always wanted to go to Greece, and when I finally went, it was better than I could have imagined. The first part of my trip was to Santorini, and the island’s beauty was breathtaking. If you’re lucky enough to find yourself on this small dot in the Aegean Sea, here are some fun activities to make your trip memorable: 1. Visit a volcano. Take a quick boat cruise to Nea Kameni, an uninhabited island just off the coast of Santorini. You can climb about 425 feet (130 meters) to view a crater and walk around its rim. 2. Swim in hot springs. Just next to Nea Kameni is Palea Kameni, another island where you can experience natural hot springs. But don’t worry, the water isn’t scalding—it feels just like a bath! 3. Rent a scooter or quad bike. If you have an adventurous side, rent an alternative form of transportation and feel the wind whip through your hair as you explore the island. 4. Visit black and red beaches. Most of Santorini’s beaches are made of dark volcanic sand,...

When people think about Hong Kong, they often picture a megalopolis with endless skyscrapers. When I think of Hong Kong, I picture something totally different—nature!  On a recent trip to the island, I learned that the Hong Kong is a true hiker’s paradise, with four major hiking trails and many other ones, too. The four major trails are The Hong Kong Trail (31 mi/50 km, 8 sections), the Maclehose Trail (62 mi/100 km, 10 sections), the Lantau Trail (43 mi/70 km, 12 sections), and the Wilson Trail (48 mi/78 km, 10 sections). After hiking over 70 miles/110 km on these trails, my favorite hike of all was section 3 of the Lantau Trail. On this hike, you climb Hong Kong’s second highest peak, Lantau Peak (3,065 feet/934 meters). You then descend into the village of Ngong Ping, where you can see the Tian Tian giant Buddha (34 meters or 111 feet tall) and visit the Po Lin Monastery. For people wanting to hike a little closer to the city center, Victoria Peak is another great optio...

I’ve lived in San Francisco for nine years, and I lived in NYC for four years before that. While I enjoy my new home, here are some things I miss about the Big Apple. 1. The energy. The second I arrive in New York, I’m energized by the size of the buildings, the number of people (~10x more than in San Francisco), and the seemingly unlimited number of things to do. New York truly is a city that never sleeps. Whether you’re up at 6 am or out until 4 am, you can find something exciting to do. 2.  The summers. San Francisco weather is mild and pleasant most of the year, but I really miss warm summer days (and nights). While it rarely reaches 80 degrees Fahrenheit (26 degrees Celsius) in San Francisco, New York summers are sweltering. Since New Yorkers know their warm weather isn’t going to last, people also make the most of the season with outdoor movie screenings, alfresco dining, rooftop get-togethers, and more. 3. The public transportation system. Sure, we have public ...

Yosemite is one of America’s great national parks. And one of the park’s best features is its waterfalls. On my last trip to Yosemite, I hiked up the Mist Trail to see Vernal and Nevada Falls. On this trip, I decided to do the Four-Mile Trail for views of Yosemite Falls. The Four-Mile Trail’s name is a little deceptive, as it’s about 4.8 miles one-way. After soaking in vistas of Yosemite Falls and El Capitan, you end up at Glacier Point, where you can finally see Half Dome. Glacier Point can be crowded, as many visitors drive here instead of hiking.  If you have energy after your ascent, you can return to your starting point for a 9.6-mile hike. Or, if you’re tired, you can take the free park shuttle back to the Valley (open seasonally). I loved this hike and seeing the waterfall from this vantage point. Next time, I’ll try the Yosemite Falls Trail for even closer waterfall views.

Most tourists visiting Paris make a beeline for the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe, but if you want to feel like a local, there are countless other places to go. Here are a three of my favorite spots. Canal Saint-Martin You may have strolled along the Seine River, but have you explored the Canal Saint Martin? Here, you’ll find people sitting along the banks of the canal strumming guitars, drinking wine, and picnicking. There are also plenty of shops and restaurants to check out right off of the canal. La Coulée Verte (La Promenade Plantée) This is a former railroad line that has been transformed into a peaceful greenway. This 2.8 mile/4.5 km pedestrian route starts at the Opéra Bastille (Bastille opera house) and ends at the Bois de Vincennes, Paris’s largest park. You’ll walk on footbridges, traverse tunnels, and pass under arcades covered in greenery. Bois de Boulogne The Bois de Boulogne is a large public park in western Paris that once served as a hunting ground for ...