“The freedom to roam is the principle, protected by the law, that gives all people the right to roam free in nature. Sleep on mountaintops, by the lakes, in quiet forests or beautiful meadows. Take a kayak out for a spin or experience the wildlife firsthand. Pick berries and mushrooms and flowers from the ground – all completely free of charge. The only thing you have to pay, is respect for nature and the animals living there.” —Visit Sweden

In the shadow of the Great Wall of China and the Forbidden City lies a forgotten jewel: Taiwan.

Most visitors to Belgium tour its capital, Brussels. But Bruges, just an hour away from Brussels, is Belgium’s hidden jewel. Bruges is a city of wonderfully preserved medieval houses and picturesque canals. While the official language of Bruges is Flemish, many of its occupants speak English well and are very friendly to tourists. During your visit to Bruges, a boat tour is the best way to see the city. Bruges is riddled with canals, and drifting through tranquil waters is a wonderful way to spend the afternoon. The river guides are incredibly informative, and you will learn a lot about the history of Bruges. The waters are lovely, but Bruges does tend to be cold—don’t forget to bring a jacket.

We choose the places we travel to according to a variety of interests―relaxation, culture, food, aesthetic natural phenomenon, history, or maybe just bragging rights―but for most of us, such expeditions must always come with another concern: expense. One little Central American country, however, comes with an attractive mix of tourist-satisfying experiences as well as a modest price tag―El Salvador, the smallest but most densely populated country in Central America. For the travel-savvy tourist, El Salvador offers beautiful rural countrysides and a comparatively safe and stress-fee Central American experience. Yes, you’ve probably heard about the safety concerns, and yes, crime rates in El Salvador are high, but almost all of these dangerous altercations relate to gang activity connected to the drug trade. Tourists who practice safety precautions, such as not walking around at night, avoiding bad neighborhoods, and keeping their valuables hidden, should be fine.

Everyone knows that fried chicken and hushpuppies are classic Southern foods, but here are a few lesser-known recipes to give you another taste of the South. Enjoy!