Wild, jungle-blanketed volcanoes tower skywards, surrounding a large crystalline expanse of water. Its surface is unbroken except for the occasional wake of a passing ferry boat. The songs of tropical birds fill the pure air, and a lone fisherman floats in his homemade boat in the peaceful waters of Lago de Atitlan.

Chickens. Those fat little birds crowded desperately into farm sheds. Scrawny scavengers roaming the streets of third world countries. Delicious grilled, fried, or baked. Humans have eaten chickens for thousands of years. Chicken breasts, wrapped in shiny plastic packaging in the supermarket. Chicken legs, barbecued in the backyard on a sunny summer afternoon. But chicken heads, roasted on a stick? Are they delicious, delectable and juicy? Should you pounce on one the moment you see it? It’s up to you! I did, in Chaing Mai, Thailand!

Once you’ve “been there, done that” and seen Barcelona’s major tourist draws, it’s time to get off the beaten path and experience the Catalan capital’s hidden gems. Escape the tourist masses and uncover these six “secret” sights - plus a special bonus at the end, for good measure!  

Florida Culture for the Week of August 28 by Josh Garrick

Steph Dyson is a travel writer and educational volunteer who writers about adventurous travel and meaningful volunteering – two ways of travelling that she views as life-changing and accessible means of experiencing the world.

If there is a point in life when one is energetic, adventurous, and eager to learn about the world, it has to be during the college years. It is, therefore, sad that the majority of students do not get the opportunity to do things that would help them learn the most - like travel. Traveling helps students to explore the world, so that they can learn to connect with different people and become smarter and more confident in the process.

Josh Garrick and Friends to Celebrate 1st Anniversary at Henao Contemporary Art Center in Orlando with Public Opening on October 1, 2016 

My family has been traveling for years, and everywhere we go we meet people who want to travel. Excitedly, they list all of the places they want to see, experiences they want to have, and friends they would like to bring. Then comes the “but.” Everyone has one. Whether it is work, school, lack of funding, or simply insecurity, all wanna-be travelers have an excuse.

Possibly the most famous building in Bangkok’s bouquet of architecture, the Grand Palace is truly Bangkok’s prize gem. Covered in patterned glass and gold paint, the palace complex gleams in the light. This is where the King and the royal family used to reside. Now, however, it has been converted into a gigantic museum for tourists and locals to discover the roots of Thai history.