KOROFINA

Every season in Washington, D.C. has its own charm and beauty. For me, Spring and particularly the Cherry Blossoms season is simply magical around the city.  

New York City can be overwhelming because there is so much to see, do and enjoy. Here are a few places that I always find myself going back to. 

Travel is about embracing the unknown and stepping out of my comfort zone to connect with people from diverse backgrounds. It's a journey of learning and unlearning, where the kindness of strangers can be profoundly enlightening.

I ventured through Egypt and experienced the profound hospitality of its people. Despite language barriers, I found unexpected similarities and touching human connections, reinforcing the rich tapestry of life. This journey reminded me of the importance of living fully, as tomorrow remains uncertain. While initially daunting, this travel experience demonstrated that beneath the societal divisions we often face, love and respect still thrive.

Join me through this series of photos captured in Cairo and Luxor, and witness how travel goes beyond collecting passport stamps—it’s about discovering the warmth and similarities that unite us all, even across borders.

No matter your reason for visiting, London has something for everyone. The city is large, rich in options, and choosing a specific activity can be a tough choice. But here are a few examples of what I enjoy the most when in London.

Toujours très chic! There’s no denying of how much I enjoy being in Paris. The city of lights is magical and has so much to offer, from sunrise to sunset.

Beautiful, mysterious, quiet and so rich in history. Those are my personal adjectives of this southern town in Georgia. The locals delightfully talk about all the Hollywood movies that were filmed here and how it seems to be a tradition.

Personally, I enjoyed the Spanish mosh that framed mansions, walking through the pretty squares (so many of them), discovering the past of the historic Savannah and having ice cream at Leopold’s at the end of the day.

There are several things I cherish about this vibrant city, but I will just name three:

1. As the second largest French speaking city in the world (after Paris) I am always impressed to see that most Montrealers are bilingual. From the time you arrive at the airport, all signs throughout the city are both in French and English.

2. Montreal has the highest number of restaurants per Capita in Canada and the second in North America after New York City. Menus are literally from around the world! Foodies can also enjoy the many culinary festivals that take place during the summer season.

3. I avoid the cold and thankfully, this is an Underground City. A series of interconnected tunnels run for over 32km, connect shopping malls, over 2000 stores, 7 metro stations, universities, banks, offices, museums, restaurants and more….

Ok, I know I had said three main points but I have to add one more thing: did you know that all the maple cookies, maple butter, maple candy, and maple marinades that we eat are Montreal’s specialties? Actually, more than 85% of the world’s maple syrup comes from Quebec.

Lisbon is one of the world’s oldest cities, established long before London, Rome, and Paris by hundreds of years. You can feel this in every corner of the city and particularly in the district of Alfama. If you luge history, you’re there for in for a treat! If you’re like me, wandering without purpose, you will enjoy everything.

The city still runs the century-old wooden trams and iron funiculars that lurch up and down the narrow streets. They offer a special photographic opportunity for visitors to take a postcard photo of Lisbon, with an iconic yellow (occasionally graffiti’d) tram.

During a recent visit to Accra, Ghana, I was especially eager to visit the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum and Memorial Park. Nestled in the heart of the city, this site is the final resting place of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first president and a pivotal figure in the country’s independence.

The mausoleum is a striking architectural gem, designed by Dr. Erick George Alexander Don Arthur. Completed in 1990 and opened to the public in 1992, it houses the remains of both Nkrumah and his wife, Fathia. Its unique design—clad in Italian marble and shaped like an upside-down sword—draws inspiration from the symbols of leadership and authority among Ashanti chiefs. The structure blends modernist lines with rich cultural significance, making it both elegant and meaningful.

Surrounding the mausoleum, the park features statues, fountains, and displays of Nkrumah’s personal effects, offering a vivid glimpse into his life and legacy. At the top of the mausoleum sits a black star, a powerful national symbol and a tribute to Nkrumah’s vision for African unity. The black star, inspired by Marcus Garvey’s Black Star Line, stands for Pan-Africanism, freedom, hope, and unity. Adopted during Ghana’s independence in 1957, it appears on the Black Star Gate (Independence Square), national emblems, and even gives its name to the national soccer team, the Black Stars.

Visiting the mausoleum was a moving experience, connecting me not only to Ghana’s history but also to the broader ideals of unity and independence across Africa.

It’s easy to understand why millions of people visit New Orleans each year. The Crescent City is over 300 years old, with its own unique cuisine and culture. There’s also plenty to do for everyone: toss back PBRs on the parade route during Mardi Gras, dress up for dinner at a century-old restaurant, or dance late into the night to the beat of a brass band. …and let’s forget the beignets and cafe au lait in the French Quarter, taking a street car to the Garden District, or sitting on the Mississippi River levee bank and watching the ships roll by. I find New Orleans to be a joyful place!

Morocco has always been on my bucket list, and when I finally arrived, even a brief visit was enough to reveal its magic. Everywhere I went, I was greeted with delicious food and the warmth of Moroccan hospitality—always accompanied by a glass of mint tea.

Tangier, perched at the meeting point of Africa and Europe, is a city that instantly captivates. Its vibrant medina is a maze of narrow alleys, lively markets, and colorful storefronts, offering an immersive glimpse into daily Moroccan life. Street vendors call out their wares, craftsmen shape their goods in open workshops, and the air is thick with the scent of spices and grilled meats.

The city’s cultural richness is unmistakable. Tangier’s unique blend of Moorish and European architecture, flavorful cuisine, and local customs create a world apart. Its history is equally fascinating—visible in the centuries-old kasbah, grand mosques, and the faded grandeur of colonial-era buildings.

Atop old Tangier sits the Kasbah, its whitewashed walls overlooking the sea. The Place de la Kasbah is home to the Dar el-Makhzen, a former sultan’s palace now housing a museum of Moroccan history and art. Outside, the square bursts with life: snake charmers, flamboyant water vendors, and energetic dance troupes entertain passing crowds. From here, the view of the Atlantic is breathtaking—a panorama that once inspired artists like Henri Matisse, whose time in Tangier left a lasting impression on his work.

Tangier’s bohemian spirit lingers in its cafés and bookshops, a legacy of the writers and artists who flocked here in the twentieth century. The city’s street life is its greatest attraction; the sights and sounds spill out from the medina into every corner, making every walk an adventure.

Recent developments have brought a modern edge to Tangier, but the city remains true to its roots. The friendliness of the people stands out, especially in small gestures—like touching a hand to the heart after a handshake or thank you, a sign of sincerity I found deeply moving.

As I wandered the labyrinthine streets, dodging persistent salesmen, playful craftsmen, and the alley cats, I couldn’t help but wonder: how could anyone be in southern Spain—just a short ferry ride away—and not cross over to experience Tangier’s wonder? This city is a living mosaic of history, culture, and everyday magic—a place where every moment feels like a discovery.

The Basilica of Our Lady of Peace was commissioned by Félix Houphouët-Boigny, (1905-1993) the first president of the Ivory Coast. Intended as a memorial to himself, the basilica was part of Houphouët-Boigny's grand plan to transform his hometown of Yamoussoukro into the country's administrative capital.

The basilica's cornerstone was laid in 1985 and construction was completed by 1989. On September 10, 1990, Pope John Paul II traveled to Yamoussoukro to accept the basilica as a gift from Houphouët-Boigny on behalf of the Catholic Church.

It is constructed with Italian marble and furnished with French contemporary stained glass. Guinness World Records lists Our Lady of Peace as the largest church in the world, having surpassed the previous record holder, Saint Peter's Basilica, upon completion.

Old San Juan, the oldest settlement within Puerto Rico, is also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is characterized by narrow, blue cobblestone streets, and stone buildings that date back to the 16th and 17th century. Old San Juan is known for its old beauty and very colorful architectural peculiarity.

At night time, you can hear the coqui singing at each corner of the streets. It is a little frog typical to the island and which was named for the loud call the males make at night.

Whenever I visit with my family, I can guarantee you three thinks that I order at restaurants: mofongo, amarillos, and flan as desert.

Salud!

Bamako, the largest and capital city of Mali is home to over 2 million people. On market days, navigating through the city becomes a sport requiring patience, temerity, determination and lots of nerves.

From morning till dawn, you will see people, cars, motorbikes and wheel carts coming at you from every direction, but knowing well that in the end you will be fine and each one will get a compromise to get through.

Located in the northern part of the island of Santiago, Tarrafal is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered, with all its natural beauty and charm.

To reach this coastal paradise, we went through the picturesque town of Assomada, but there are apparently other roads. Whichever path you choose, the anticipation of what awaits you at Tarrafal will undoubtedly build with each passing mile.

This is not just a beach town. You can also visit the town square and be captivated by its vibrant colors and historical buildings. Each corner tells a story!

Athens is a city of diverse sceneries and attractions. Before visiting, a Greek friend of mine told me the following: “the best way to absorb everything is by foot and public transportation.” It is was so true! While most people tend to go to Greek Isles, Athens and its surrounding suburbs is just as beautiful.

What is also interesting is that you also get an understanding of how uneven and heavily densed the city developed.

The movie Madagascar put this massive island off the coast of Africa on the map, especially as it comes to the adorable, funny and nocturnal lemurs. While the island suffers from recurring fires, drought, and mass deforestation which critically threaten the lemur species, you can see six species when you visit Berenty Reserve.

This is a private wildlife reserve in the southern part of Madagascar and home to six species of lemurs (white sifakas, ringtailed lemurs, brown lemurs, and three nocturnal forms called white-footed lepilemurs, grey mouselemurs, and the newly discovered red-and-grey mouselemurs). Berenty also houses the country’s largest colony of fruit bats, over 100 bird species, 56 of whom breed in the reserve.

As for Lemurs, they only exist in Madagascar. One summer, I stayed for an overnight at the Berenty Reserve. There, I only saw three species because it was close to sunset. At night however, I was treated to what seemed to be a “jazz concert” on the roof top of my lodge!

When I traveled to Bangladesh, I visited several remote villages (about 80 kms from Dhaka) to get a glimpse of daily life and interact with the locals. The images of my trip have subsequently been widely used by international organizations to highlight a range of development issues, including the investment in people, health, education and children and adolescents.

These are just select views from the city of Boston, during a quick trip.