In 2017, I spent several nights living in a simple Buddhist temple surrounded by trees, high up on Japan’s Mount Kōya. I booked this retreat because several friends had recommended it to me as an intriguing cultural immersion....

Masks have become the unexpected must-have fashion accessory for 2020. Some people may grumble about wearing facial coverings, but we’re doing it to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. Currently, the Canadian government recommends donning a mask whenever you...

All photos by La Carmina As a travel blogger who typically visits a dozen countries a year, I feel as if I’m at a standstill in 2020. Since mid-March, when the Canadian government declared COVID-19 a public health...

https://www.tiktok.com/@lacarmina/video/6899972846987054338?sender_device=pc&sender_web_id=6903945952252577285&is_from_webapp=1 I miss flying somewhere and meandering around art museums—activities that are now impossible because of the pandemic. While researching virtual tours, my antenna lit up when I learned of “telepresence robots,” which let us visit far-off places...

Greece is a summer travel destination that lives up to its postcard-perfect reputation. Picture this: crumbling white ruins, blue churches, and sunsets over the Aegean Sea. There’s a laid-back timelessness here that is certain to charm every type...

I’ve been fascinated by Egypt since childhood. Tales of the ancient civilization – a land of cunning queens, cat worship and mummies – grabbed my imagination. After decades of dreaming, I took the leap and booked a flight...

The charming plaza in front of the yellow church of Santo Angel Custodio is shown here from a balcony. This location inspired celebrated Cuban author Cirilo Villaverde to write his novel “Cecilia Valdés.” In this hectic smartphone age,...