Christopher Ludgate

Spectacular Ancient Kourion Amphitheater Photo Photo: C_Ludgate_

The AMARA Hotel, Cyprus: Ancient Heritage Meets Modern Luxury

Cyprus is one of those intriguing destinations that evokes curiosity whenever I mention my visit there. Its identity is not quite like any on the European mainland, nor is it Middle Eastern. I’ve compared it to the red-soiled terrain of Morocco, found lots of similarities to Malta, and, of course, the DNA of Greece is everywhere in Cyprus. The island sits in the Mediterranean…

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Licensed Berlin Cathedral (Berliner Dom), Museum Island, Berlin, Germany, 14th August 2017

A Perfect Pairing in Berlin

I stood at one of the French balconies in the living room of my Pariser Platz Suite at the iconic five-star Hotel Adlon Kempinski, admiring the evening’s glow on historic Brandenburg Gate just outside. Pedestrians lingered in sprawling Pariser Platz below, marveling at the 235-year-old monument. Visits from royals and rock stars, intellectuals, artists, tyrants, and heads of state are the many tales told here. The legendary landmark was bathed in ambience as a street musician struck romantic chords. I leaned into the frame, sipping champagne, knowing that this was indeed the best view in the house; if not the entire city.

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Whitby Abbey was a significant inspiration for Bram Stoker's Dracula C. Ludgate

Enchantments on the UK Rail

It was just shy of two hours after leaving King’s Cross in London and gliding north into the unfolding countryside when I pulled into York Station. Beams of sunshine poked through the curved glazed ceiling onto the platform of the historic depot. The original clock hung above the imperial staircase in what used to be the world’s biggest rail station back in 1877. It loomed large enough to let passengers on the remaining eleven platforms know what time it was. These old stations can be so cinematic. My mind’s eye snapped a picture.

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The Art & Science of Seaweed Foraging

Along oceanic shores and rocky seascapes exists an integral part of the planet’s vast marine ecosystem. Here in this intercoastal environment, numerous species of this hearty algae family thrive in systematically formed symbiotic relationships. Packed with a wealth of valuable nutrients, seaweed provides a crucial food source for all kinds of co-existing microbiology, including seabirds. And, for many foraging cultures around the globe, seaweeds are a cherished commodity for both gastronomy and wellbeing.

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The fortified Walls of Old Quebec City Photo: C. Ludgate

Going Québécois: Un Petit Roundup of Québec City

Idyllic Québec City, often referred to as the birthplace of French America, is the capital of the Northeast Canadian province of Quebec. Founded in 1608, it is famous for its fortified Old Town (Vieux-Québec), a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring European-style cobblestone streets and iconic landmarks at every turn. As one of the oldest cities on the continent, nautical Québec City played a major role in Canadian history, serving as a colonial capital for both the French and the British. Its preserved remains are a big part of the city’s charm and romance, making for an immersive, cinematic trip back in time, unique from other popular urban hubs of Canada.

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Mountain Yoga Festival in St. Anton Austria Photo Karl Straub

An Elevated Wellness Immersion

I knew in an instant when I was finally able to do a full upward bow again, that I was where I needed to be. It was the Mountain Yoga Festival in St. Anton, Austria, and yogi nature lovers had been ascending up into the idyllic mountain village during the first days of September for the open-air wellness immersion. A dynamic variety of outdoor yoga classes, panoramic hikes, philosophy workshops, restorative meditations, and sound healing were just some of the experiences in the offing.

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Santa Maria was built upon the Temple of Juno in Gozo, Malta Christopher Ludgate

Off the Map in Malta

All to myself in the morning light of Gozo, I drifted through the tiny fortified alleys of Iċ-Ċittadella, hugged by lofty limestone ubiquitous in Malta’s architecture. Standing on a foundation more than 3000 years old, I ran my fingers along the fortress’s soft, porous stone, caressing the white specks of seashells embedded for millennia…

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