Places That Change You

Most recent stories in Places That Change You

• “Travel writer Pico Iyer meets a human haiku, who shows him the living, seldom-seen heart of traditional Japan.”

  

  BBC Travel

  

  The mysterious man who gave me Japan

  BBC Travel - Pico Iyer

  Travel writer Pico Iyer meets a human haiku, who shows him the living, seldom-seen heart of traditional Japan. An elegant middle-aged man, in a spotless black jacket, came up to me, hand extended, to say hello, and I was startled. My neighbours in Japan tend to be formal and reticent; few of them …

• “Benjamin Zand travelled to Pakistan – a place often associated with the Taliban – to meet some of the many young, forward-thinking people working to make their country a better place.”

  

  BBC Travel

  

  The world's most dangerous city?

  BBC Travel - Benjamin Zand

  Benjamin Zand travelled to Pakistan – a place often associated with the Taliban – to meet some of the many young, forward-thinking people working to make their country a better place. Although Pakistan is often associated with restrictive social policies and Taliban violence, the country is home to …

• “More than 60 years ago, a volcanic eruption destroyed Benito Aclo’s home while he was out running an errand. But his story doesn’t have a tragic ending.”

  

  BBC Travel

  

  The man saved by a tin of fish

  BBC Travel - Sharon Crowther

  More than 60 years ago, a volcanic eruption destroyed Benito Aclo’s home while he was out running an errand. But his story doesn’t have a tragic ending. After a gruelling four-hour hike through a steep entanglement of jungle, my hiking guide, Baebot, and I finally reached the summit of Mount Hibok …

• “When Ben and Lisa Newton sold their businesses and homes to sail through the South Pacific, they never expected to own one of the islands they dreamed about.”

  

  BBC Travel

  

  What to do when you’re given a tropical island

  BBC Travel - Brianna Randall

  When Ben and Lisa Newton sold their businesses and homes to sail through the South Pacific, they never expected to own one of the islands they dreamed about. As we waited for Ben's boat to appear, birds searched through the sandy mud exposed at low tide. The tropical sun beat down, its heat only …

• “In a world of global tension and conflict, it’s both endearing and unusual that two countries that don’t even share a border have set aside a day solely to appreciate their friendship.”

  

  BBC Travel

  

  Two countries as close as brothers

  BBC Travel - Quinn Hargitai

  When I was growing up, my father used to tell me stories of his travels to Poland. “It was a rite of passage for Hungarian youth,” he said. “Once we got to Poland we would hitchhike around and stay with locals; we’d just need to hold out a small Hungarian flag on the side of the road and we’d be …

• “It’s almost an unthinkable practice in our modern era and one that may teach us a lot about generosity: giving to your community until you have little else to give.”

  

  BBC Travel

  

  A surprising way of showing gratitude

  BBC Travel - Cat Perry

  It’s almost an unthinkable practice in our modern era and one that may teach us a lot about generosity: giving to your community until you have little else to give. In remote fishing communities across southeast Alaska live the intensely generous Tlingit (pronounced klink-kit) and Haida tribes, a …