As the commercial capital of the country, the urban metropolis is often referred to as the City of Dreams due to its career opportunities in finance, media, tech and film (it’s the heart of the Bollywood film industry). For travelers, Mumbai offers the chance to experience the vast spectrum only India can provide.

Think of it as Sydney’s cooler and slightly grungier little sister. While Sydney can feel more polished and upscale, Melbourne has a grittier vibe with graffitied laneways filled with hidden cafes and distinctive bohemian neighborhoods.

Field Notes are firsthand travel recommendations for and by our ECT Clubhouse members. This week, Krista M. shares her notes from Roatán, Honduras.

Touchdown in Stockholm and one of the world's most beautiful waterfront capitals awaits. Built across 14 islands, Stockholm is often called the "Venice of the North" due to its stunning waterfront views, colorful historic buildings, and scenic bridges.

Nowhere else blends the future and the past quite like Dubai, largely considered the cultural and economic heart of the UAE. From futuristic shopping malls to architectural marvels and man-made islands, Dubai is a place that’s constantly pushing the limits of what’s possible.

I’m excited to try something new with you. I often get questions, emails, and DMs about how to break into the travel industry. I also know many of you are avid travelers who dream of making travel your career but aren’t sure where to start.

The truth is, the travel industry is massive and offers countless ways to get involved.

Don’t arrive here expecting to find aesthetic grandeur as you would in Venice, Rome, or Florence. Milan is more of an industrial and international city—as Italy’s economic capital, it’s a business and financial hub that’s home to a global crowd. It feels more modern than other Italian cities, and as a result, it has more of a pace to it.

Helsinki isn’t your typical capital city—it’s compact (home to just half a million people), laid-back, unpretentious, and entirely surrounded by nature. Situated between the Baltic Sea and nearby forests, this water-facing city is bordered by the sea on three sides and is recognized as a UNESCO City of Design,

There’s no shortage of advice online for Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain, so we’ve done what we do best by covering the best places to wine, dine, shop, and experience the local culture beyond the iconic sites.

Dare we say it, but we think it’s impossible not to love Edinburgh. Scotland’s capital offers everything you look for in a city, without the cosmopolitan bustle that can often be overwhelming in other cities. True, it doesn’t get particularly warm, but the chill is all part of its cozy charm.

You might find the city charming or you might find it chaotic, but one thing is for sure—it is never ever dull. The best way to enjoy Hanoi? Pull up a street stall, order some heavenly food, and watch it all unfold in front of you. 

A combination of rugged landscapes, sparkling coastlines, and rustic villages has made Mallorca one of Europe’s top-visited destinations. Located off the eastern coast of Spain, Mallorca’s reputation has evolved over the years from a quiet, secluded Mediterranean island, to one of the first all-inclusive travel destinations, to a bohemian escape for artists.

The juxtaposition of ‘new meets old’ is thrown around a lot in travel, but Cairo takes it to the extreme. Where else can you see ancient iconic marvels and centuries-old mosques sitting alongside a rapidly modernizing metropolis? This striking contrast is just one of the reasons why few cities in the world offer an experience like Egypt’s capital.

While its heritage is what makes Kyoto unique, it is still very much a modern city with cool concept stores, boutique galleries, and a surge of new contemporary hotels. Take the time to get to know this side of it to escape the tourist overcrowding and give you a better understanding of the city beyond its picturesque image.

Think you know Thailand? Think again. In a country best known for its islands and temples, Thailand’s Northern capital offers an urban destination that has quietly emerged as an art and design hub. In true ECT style, we’ve delved into the current artistic energy of the city to uncover the brands, bars, galleries, and cultural hubs you should know about.

We sat down with award-winning writer and editor, Silvia Moreno-Garcia, author of Mexican Gothic and The Seventh Veil of Salome to discuss challenging Mexican stereotypes through fiction, religious art in Mexico City, and nature excursions in Baja California. 

“Sometimes people feel frustrated when they visit Saigon because they couldn’t get to know the feel of the city better,” explains Jonathan Morana, ECT Clubhouse Travel Expert for Vietnam. We worked with Jonathan to curate a list of the best recommendations for getting to know the feel of the city at a deeper level.

This interview is part of a collaboration with Penguin Random House to celebrate Latine and Hispanic Heritage Month. We sat down with award-winning writer, Cleyvis Natera, author of Neruda on the Park, a novel that explores the impact of gentrification in a predominantly Dominican part of New York City.

A vibrant island off Italy’s southern coast, Sicily is a feast for the senses. With a rich history, diverse landscapes, and a cuisine that reflects centuries of cultural influences, this island captures the essence of Italy in every possible way.

We sat down with acclaimed Cuban-American writer, Cristina García, the author of eight novels including Dreaming in Cuban, a finalist for the National Book Award which tells the story of a Cuban family across three generations as they experience the country’s revolution.