Google My Maps is an underrated gem for travel planning. Released in 2007 and updated in 2014, Google My Maps allows users to create their own maps.

A few years ago, I went to the mall for a new jacket. Armed with promising coupons, I headed down the hall to Macy’s, but just outside the store a young salesperson stopped me.

You’ve finally arrived in Cuba and it’s absolutely picturesque—pastel houses, cobblestone streets, turquois beaches—and you don’t want to forget a single detail. You pass by a large decorated building ornamented with security guards; it looks impressive and important, so you snap a few pictures to show your friends back home. Before you’ve even put your camera down, a scowling security guard is blocking your view, demanding to see your camera, and interrogating you as if you’re some kind of criminal. You don’t even know what you’ve done wrong!

(frankieleon)

So this is how it ends. As the motorboat sped away from the lush shore, the beautiful blue waters of Oahu started to look less like paradise and more like a watery grave. Swimming with sharks—without a cage—had seemed like an adventure when I signed up, but now, as the green island grew smaller, even the dolphins jumping alongside the boat couldn’t ease my nerves.

They say that everything is more fun—masaya—in the Philippines. Known for having some of the friendliest and most hospitable people in the world, along with white sand beaches, waterfalls, and majestic bright green mountains, the Philippines should be on everyone’s travel list. Even getting around can be fun. Instead of taxis, you’ll find jeepneys (WWII jeeps converted into bus-like transportation) and tricycles (motorcycles with sidecars for passengers). While you’re in the ’Pines, try fresh, sweet mangoes; sour soup called sinigang; and if you’re feeling brave, balut: boiled fertilized duck egg. If you’re looking for adventure and a whole lot of fun, the Philippines is the place to be. Here are four travel destinations to plan your vacation around:

Flatbreads have been with the human race for over 6,000 years, and since then, they have remained an integral part of many societies. The dish is still popular worldwide, and every country has its own unique flatbread variation. Here are a few flatbread recipes from around the world, along with explanations of their significance. Indian NaanNaan has been a traditional Indian bread since the fourteenth century and was first cooked in the Imperial Court at Delhi. Its versatility and soft texture have made it a popular addition to many South Asian meals.Ingredients2 tsp dry active yeast1 tsp sugar1/2 cup water2 ½ –3 cups flour, divided1/2 tsp salt1/4 cup olive oil1/3 cup plain yogurt1 large eggDirections Dissolve yeast and sugar in water, then let sit for a few minutes or until it is frothy on top. Whisk in the oil, yogurt, and egg until evenly combined. Add salt and flour. Stir until well combined. Continue adding flour, a half cup at a time, until you can no longer stir it with a spoon (about 1 to 1½ cups). Turn the ball of dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead the ball of dough for about 3 minutes, adding small amounts of flour to keep the dough from sticking. You’ll end up using between 2½ to 3 cups flour total. The dough should be smooth and very soft but not sticky. Avoid adding excessive amounts of flour, as this can make the dough too dry and stiff. Cover the dough and let it rise 1 hour. Gently flatten the dough into a disc and cut into 8 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a small ball. 5. Heat a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat. Roll each ball out until it is about 1/4 inch thick or approximately 6 inches in diameter. Place the dough on the hot skillet and cook until the bottom is golden brown and large bubbles have formed on the surface. Flip the dough and cook the other side until golden brown as well. Stack the cooked bread on a plate and cover to keep warm. Serve plain or brushed with melted butter and sprinkled with herbs.Adapted from budgetbytes.comMediterranean Pita BreadFor over 4,000 years, the pita has been a staple in the Middle Eastern diet. The “pocket” that forms when cooking makes pita bread perfect for all sorts of fillings and turns it into not only a food, but a utensil.Ingredients2 tsp active dry yeast1 cup lukewarm water½ tsp sugar¼ cup whole-wheat flour2 ½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour, divided1 tsp kosher salt2 Tbs olive oilDirections Dissolve sugar and yeast in water. Whisk in whole-wheat flour and ¼ cup all-purpose flour. Put bowl in a warm place, uncovered, until mixture is frothy and bubbling, about 15 minutes. Add salt, olive oil, and nearly all remaining allpurpose flour (reserve ½ cup). With a wooden spoon, stir until mixture forms a shaggy mass. Dust with a little of the reserved flour, then knead in bowl for 1 minute, incorporating any stray bits of dry dough. Turn dough onto work surface. Knead lightly for 2 minutes, until smooth. Cover and let rest 10 minutes, then knead again for 2 minutes. Cover bowl tightly and put in a warm place. Leave until dough has doubled in size, about 1 hour. Heat oven to 475 degrees. On bottom shelf of oven, place a heavy-duty baking sheet. Punch down dough and divide into 8 pieces. Form each piece into a little ball. Take a ball and press into a flat disk with rolling pin. Roll to about 1/8 inch thick, dusting with flour if necessary. Carefully lift the dough circle and place quickly on hot baking sheet. After 2 minutes the dough should be nicely puffed. Flip and bake 1 minute more until pita is pale with only a few brown speckles. Repeat with the rest of the dough balls.Adapted from cooking.nytimes.comNative American FrybreadWhen Native Americans were forced from their homelands in the mid-1800s, they were sent to land that lacked farming resources the people needed. The US government sent help in the form of canned rations and flour, sugar, and lard. These ingredients were used to create frybread. Today, frybread has become a symbol of Native American strength and pride.Ingredients4 cups all-purpose flour1/2 teaspoon salt1 tablespoon baking powder1 ½ cups lukewarm water4 cups shorteningDirections Combine flour, salt, and baking powder. Stir in 1½ cups lukewarm water. Knead until soft but not sticky. Shape dough into balls about 3 inches in diameter. Flatten into patties ½ inch thick, and make a small hole in the center of each. Fry one at a time in 1 inch of hot shortening, turning to brown on both sides. Drain on paper towels.Recipe adapted from allrecipes.comNorwegian Potato LefseNorwegian folklore claims that lefse was a gift from the ancient Norse gods. This is likely untrue, seeing as the dish is only 350 years old. Despite this, Norwegians take great pride in lefse. The flatbread is a traditional Christmas treat and a symbol of Norwegian heritage. Due to its sacred, revered status, some have referred to it as Norway’s own “holy bread.”Ingredients5 lbs russet potatoes, peeled2 sticks unsalted sweet cream butter (room temperature)1 teaspoon salt1 ¼ cups all-purpose flourDirections Bring a large stock pot full of water to a boil. Cut peeled potatoes into 2-3 pieces and cook until tender. Rice cooked potatoes into a large bowl with a potato ricer. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Remove potatoes from refrigerator and let them warm to room temperature. Move approximately half of the riced potatoes to a smaller bowl. Add flour in 1/4-cup increments, along with ½ stick of butter and salt. Knead until well-mixed. The dough should have a texture similar to light pie dough. It should form into a ball without sticking to your hands and hold its shape without cracking when pressed lightly. Warm griddle to 400°F. Form finished potato mixture into balls about the size of a golf ball. Flour a pastry board covered with a pastry cloth and rub flour into cloth. You want just enough flour so that lefse will not stick. Roll out lefse until it is 1/8 inch thick. Transfer lefse to griddle and cook until bubbles form and each side has browned. Place lefse on damp towel to cool slightly and then cover with damp towel until ready to serve.Recipe adapted from www.sofn.com

Experience Mackinac Island’s tasty treats, vibrant small town, and biking roads. Nestled between the Upper and Lower Peninsulas of Michigan, Mackinac (pronounced MACK-i-naw) Island lies untouched by recent decades. Victorian-era houses line the downtown streets, and the only highway around the island is teeming with tourists on bicycles. More than a dozen fudge shops inhabit the island, which make for good stops after exploring caves and old army forts. This quaint island, measuring only 3.8 square miles, is a popular summer getaway and an unforgettable weekend destination.

Many of the hiking trails in the Parkway feature beautiful views, such as in this photo of Crabtree Falls (Ken Lane). There’s a reason the Blue Ridge Parkway is America’s most visited National Park Service site. The 469-mile road does more than connect the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina to Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. It is both a fascinating display of the nation’s history and a gorgeous landscape to explore. It is renowned for its beauty and for its peaceful natural atmosphere—even though it is a popular vacation spot, the park is large enough that it feels secluded and peaceful.

Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote the beloved Little House series that generations of children have read and continue to read. Laura recorded her family’s trek across the mid-western United States, and many of the towns she lived in with
her family have built museums and replicated houses in honor of them. This article will take you on a tour of the most popular sites, where you will see many log cabins and learn more about pioneer life. Whether you stick with a virtual tour or visit the sites in person, you will discover the sacrifices that pioneers made for their posterity, creating a new appreciation for hard work and love.

If you visit New Zealand, put down the delicious local chocolate (I know it’s hard), plan to visit Hobbiton another day, resist jumping out of the car to pet the endless droves of fluffy sheep, and head to Waitomo Caves for a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience—black water rafting through a glowworm cave.

Geiko Toshikana at Ryuhonji Temple. (kyoto flowertourism) “Next stop is the geisha district,” Peter said before remounting his bike and leading us across the street. I pedaled behind him and thought about what I knew about geisha. I knew that they wore kimonos. I knew that they painted their faces white. I knew that there was a Hollywood movie about a geisha that my mom wouldn’t let me watch. That’s all. And because that movie had been labeled “bad” in my middle school brain, geishas had been too. But I was about to learn the truth and come to respect and admire the geisha culture.

Music varies widely among different communities and groups. As widely varied as music is, so too are the instruments that are used to pluck out a melody. Instruments carry special significance in their countries or communities. They can be symbolic or spiritual, or they can simply be a reminder of a people’s origin. Like many other places in the world, Europe’s culture is pervaded with these instruments. Instruments help shape the culture of each country and its people.