These stories explore the history that defines the paths we walk or the traditions that animate the modern lives we encounter when travelling the world. Our History & Culture stories dig into the past to illuminate the present and help us learn more about ourselves by learning about the lives of others.
New & Noteworthy
In an age of AI-generated imagery, something as astonishing as the rice terraces in Banaue, Philippines might not seem real, but trust us, they are. The region’s feats of ancient engineering are some of the most picturesque landmarks in Southeast Asia. But where did they come from and how can you get there to see them with your own eyes?Where are the Banaue Rice Terraces?The Banaue Rice Terraces sit amidst a remote area of the Cordillera Central Mountain range in northern Luzon, just…
No country touches the senses quite like Morocco. Rounding Africa’s northwest tip just 9 miles / 15 kilometres across the Strait of Gibraltar from Spain, Morocco calls to a special kind of globetrotter drawn by artistry, crafts built on centuries of fine tradition, and experiences that seamlessly blend aesthetics with adventure. From grand, imperial cities to historic Atlantic ports and the photogenic Atlas Mountains, Morocco surprises with each new destination, and perhaps most…
It’s commonly said that in Japan that “the nail that sticks up will be nailed down.” Of course, some nails just won’t go, and Japanese culture is all the richer for them. Under that thin veneer of social homogeny, Japan’s creative energy runs hot, producing bold, innovative artists that continually challenge the norm in performance, cinema, music, fashion, the fine arts, and countless other forms of creative expression. Creative Japan flourishes all over the country, from…
By Christian BainesMar 31, 2026
In today’s Japan, tradition persists in the shadow of modernity. Unique cultural icons break out from the conformist norm to find fans around the world. Japanese cuisine appears simple, yet chefs often devote a lifetime to mastering the balance and beauty of just one dish. No surprise then, that while only a quarter of Japan’s people claim a religion, two ancient faiths shape daily life for everyone, from the emperor to curious tourists. It’s said that in Japan one is born Shinto…
By Christian BainesFeb 22, 2026
When you arrive in the vast, ever-changing urban landscape of Beijing, you can feel you’re in the cultural and economic heart of modern Asia. While the name Middle Kingdom (or Zhongyuan in Chinese) has fallen out of favour, there’s a lingering credibility to it as China’s influence stretches across oceans. Yet, beneath China’s long history and boundless ambition sits a capital city of over 22 million people that routinely steals visitors’ hearts—not with grand architecture or…
By Christian BainesFeb 09, 2026
Hong Kong has always been a city on the move, forging its own path while serving as the cultural, economic and geographic crossroads of Asia. Return to Hong Kong after a few years away, and you’ll find a city reinvented, even as it preserves the heritage of its past.From timeless traditions to thriving, reinvented cultural districts to new engineering marvels, here’s our guide to all that’s new–and timeless–about today’s Hong Kong.The Traditions Keeping Hong Kong’s Soul AliveStep…
By Christian BainesNov 26, 2025
Even if you’ve never been to Budapest, you probably recognize the Hungarian Parliament Building. This sprawling masterpiece stretches across 18,000 sq-m (193,800 sq-ft) on the edge of the Danube River, its neo-Gothic spires capturing your attention by day and night. It’s an architectural wonder that embodies the opulence of Budapest, a city that’s one of the most beautiful in Europe, but never seems to get its due, at least until now.In past centuries, people understood the romantic…
By Aren BergstromOct 29, 2025
Likely the first time I ever saw an image of Jordan was when watching Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade as a child. In his search for the Holy Grail, Harrison Ford’s famous archaeologist passes through a cliff fissure and is met with the sight of a massive structure carved into the cliff wall. In the film, the Holy Grail waits for Indy inside, but I was struck by the building itself, which transforms the red rock face into one of the most elaborate designs I had ever seen. This…
By Aren BergstromOct 01, 2025
I remember this feeling. It’s been a couple decades since I last waited in the wings of my high school’s Romeo and Juliet production, but I’ll never forget the electric hum of a theatre about to come alive. I’m backstage at JOYÀ, a surreal and spectacular Cirque du Soleil show. Performers stretch in quiet focus, stagehands move massive set pieces in hurried choreography, and just like in high school, I stay out of the way. Cirque du Soleil started as a group of street…
By Mitchell AlexanderJul 24, 2025
Can punctuality be learned? I travelled to Switzerland to find out. As a non-chronically late person who still manages to be a wee bit tardy sometimes, I thought I might glean insights into the mechanics of timekeeping here, where watch brands grace Geneva's grandest façades and the trains are so ridiculously efficient, I calculated the exact moment a Lausanne-bound train would pass behind a herd of clanging dairy cows based on the Château d’Œx-bound cars passing a few minutes…
By Crai BowerJun 05, 2025
History & Culture
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Meet Our Authors
Get to know the voices behind our stories — travelers, writers, and creators sharing their unique perspectives.
Carolyn Weppler
Senior Vice-President
Carolyn Weppler has tracked gorillas in Rwanda, been proposed to in Paris (she accepted, naturally!), and travelled to 70 countries, counting Uzbekistan, Lebanon, Russia, Sri Lanka and even Afghanistan among...
Bronwyn Hodge
General Manager
Growing up in a family travel business, Bronwyn has been travelling from a very young age. Her favourite experience was 3 months spent backpacking through India and Southeast Asia. She...
Adam Hodge
Senior Vice-President
When he’s not paddling a canoe or drinking copious amounts of coffee, you’ll find Adam talking about some kind of travel plans. He spent a month doing Tai-Chi in China,...
Meg Boyd
Product Manager
Melbourne-born Meg arrived in Canada in January with no winter coat, one suitcase, a one week booking at a youth hostel, and a sight-unseen job offer at Goway Travel. She...
Moira Smith
Vice-President
South African-born Moira has lived in San Francisco and Toronto, but her travel map includes over 50 countries. Her heart still swings toward all things African, particularly Zambia’s Lower Zambezi...
Don Forster
Trade Training Manager
Born in Australia and raised in Canada and Papua New Guinea, Don took his first solo trip to Bali – aged just 13. Since then, Don’s travels have taken him...
Bruce Hodge
Founder & President
Bruce Hodge is the Founder & President of Goway Travel. In 1970, he started the company out of his Toronto apartment with nothing but a telephone and a projector. Over...
Christian Baines
Contributing Writer
Christian’s first globetrotting adventure saw him get lost exploring the streets of Saigon. Following his nose to Asia’s best coffee, two lifelong addictions were born. A freelance writer and novelist,...
Nadya Phelan
Training Director
Although born in Canada, Nadya has spent much of her life globetrotting, as her parents believed that travelling was a form of education. At 20, she packed her backpack and...
Aren Bergstrom
Managing Editor, Globetrotting Magazine
You might say that Aren was destined to become a globetrotter after his family took him to Germany two times before he was four. If that wasn’t enough, a term...
What do the experts say?
You should try a Zen meditation session. Imagine slipping into a silk kimono for the day—carefully tied by an expert dresser, every fold precise, every colour chosen to suit the season. It’s a ritual that feels as personal as it is timeless.
What do I love about Japan? In a word - EVERYTHING. The incredible contrast that Japan offers - new/innovative vs old/traditional, the warm and welcoming people, the incredible rich culture, the culinary wonders awaiting around every corner, the cleanliness, efficiency and safety. It's one of the best places to visit in Asia in my opinion.
Pub Street in Siem Reap, Cambodia, is a local favourite with very inexpensive drinks. It's also a great place to try the local delicacy, BBQ frog.
I love how laidback and relaxed Laos is compared to other countries in Southeast Asia. It's like the best of Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand all rolled into one, and then sent back in time 20 to 30 years.
The Festes Majors are summer festivals held in the villages of Andorra. Each festival is unique to the village, with its own distinct style.
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