Travel for Life

As you drive through Highway 495 near Kensington, Maryland, the majestic Washington D.C. Temple ⭐will soar above you, its spires piercing the sky. The temple is the tallest temple in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), with a spire that reaches 288 feet into the sky. It is also the first temple to feature six spires since the construction of the Salt Lake Temple, which inspired the design. The Washington D.C. Temple was dedicated on September 17, 1974, after an open house that attracted over 750,000 people, including several international dignitaries. The temple was the first temple built by the church east of the Mississippi River since 1846, when the original Nauvoo Temple was dedicated. After viewing the  Washington D.C. Temple  from Highway 495 for over 40 years, I finally had the opportunity to visit it as part of the Yage Chorus of Washington Annual Concert .  The photo gallery and concert footage below, recorded on 06/03/2023 , are a test...

TOP 10 Things to do in Lugano, Switzerland (YouTube link ) Lugano ⭐is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Switzerland, and for good reason. This beautiful city, located on Lake Lugano in southern Switzerland, offers stunning scenery, a relaxed atmosphere, and a variety of activities to enjoy. Lugano is home to a number of historic buildings and museums, as well as many natural sights in the surrounding area. Visitors can explore the charming city center, take a boat trip on Lake Lugano, or visit the Monte Bre for stunning views of the city and the lake. Lake Lugano and the surrounding mountains provide a wide variety of outdoor activities. The area surrounding Lugano is home to over 300 kilometers (190 miles) of mountain biking trails, making it one of the most popular destinations for mountain biking in Switzerland. View an interactive version of Google MyMaps here Things to See and Do Lugano is a beautiful city with a lot to offer visitors. It is a great place to relax a...

Rome ⭐⭐is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, and for good reason. Rome is a city steeped in history and culture, with something to offer everyone.   TOP 10 Things to do in ROME (YouTube link ) How many days to visit Rome? The ideal number of days to visit Rome depends on your interests and how much time you have available. Suggested itineraries for a 3-day and 5-day trip to Rome: 3-day trip: Day 1: Visit the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the Palatine Hill. Day 2: Visit the Vatican City, including St. Peter's Square and the Sistine Chapel. Day 3: Visit the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, and the Piazza Navona. 5-day trip: Day 1: Visit the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the Palatine Hill. Day 2: Visit the Vatican City, including St. Peter's Square and the Sistine Chapel. Day 3: Visit the Trastevere neighborhood and enjoy its lively atmosphere. Day 4: Take a day trip to Pompeii, an ancient Roman city that was destroyed by a volcanic eruption in 79 AD. Day...

Sistine Chapel ,  CC BY-SA 3.0  , via Wikimedia Commons Vatican City ⭐⭐⭐is a city-state located within Rome, Italy. It is the smallest country in the world by both area and population. Vatican City is the headquarters of the Catholic Church and home to the Pope. Vatican City - Complete Travel Guide (YouTube link ) Things to Do Here are some of the things you can do in  Vatican City : Visit St. Peter's Basilica St. Peter's Basilica is one of the largest and most important churches in the world. It is home to many important works of art, including Michelangelo's Pietà . See the Sistine Chapel The Sistine Chapel is a chapel located within the Apostolic Palace , the official residence of the Pope.  It is famous for its ceiling frescoes painted by Michelangelo and its wall frescoes painted by Sandro Botticelli and other Renaissance artists. Visit the Vatican Museums The Vatican Museums are a group of museums located within Vatican City. They house a vast collect...

Lake Como seen by Yann Arthus-Bertrand (YouTube  link ) Lake Como ⭐⭐⭐ is one of the most beautiful and popular tourist destinations in Italy. It is known for its stunning scenery, charming villages, and luxurious villas.   Lake Como: A Jewel of Northern Italy Lake Como  is one of the most beautiful and popular tourist destinations in Italy. The lake is located in northern Italy, about an hour's drive from Milan. It is surrounded by picturesque mountains and forests, and its waters are crystal clear. The  best months to visit Lake Como  are  mid-April-May  and  mid-September to mid-October . [13]  That's when everything is open, the weather is mild, and it's not too busy. View an interactive version of Google MyMaps  here 6 Charming Lakeside Villages Lake Como  is a great place to visit for a relaxing vacation or a romantic getaway. Among the many noted lakeside resorts are: Como Commo is famous for its beautiful lake, its elegant vi...

陶工坊Entrance Jiufen Teahouse ⭐⭐is one of many teahouses in Jiufen , but it stands out for its unique interior design and detached storage room where a craftsman works.  The front entrance of  Jiufen Teahouse  is simple and understated, but don't let that fool you. Inside, you'll find a unique and inviting teahouse experience. For an overview of  Jiufen Old Street , please see the companion article: Jiufen Old Street: A Must-Visit for Foodies and Photographers   Pottery craftsmanship Pottery craftsmanship is the art and skill of creating pottery by hand. It involves a variety of techniques, including hand-building, wheel throwing, and glazing. Potters use their hands and tools to create vessels that are both functional and beautiful. Through conversation with the craftsman at  陶工坊 , I learned more about the craftsmanship of pottery. It can be crafted by electricity, gas, or firewood, and the final product varies greatly depending on the burning process. Pott...