Rudy Maxa's World

From the serene beauty of one man's love poem to a woman, the Taj Mahal, to the crowded alleys of downtown New Delhi, India is a feast for the senses. Maxa discovers temples straight out of Disneyland and consults a street astrologer who tells him he will live a long life but his hotel room number is not an auspicious one.

Everywhere in the Turkish capital is evidence of civilizations that tried to tame it. From the Romans to the Ottomans, this tumultuous city has seen it all, and its architecture, cuisine, and customs reflect that reality. Prowl some of the Grand Bazaar's 2,000 shops and tour some of the world's great buildings--Topkapi Palace, the Aya Sofia, the Blue Mosque, and the downtown Spice Market.

Great, ancient towns of Ephesus, Antalya, Myra and Dalyan dot the Turkish coast, tempting visitors to step back into time when lavish Roman homes and markets dotted the landscape. Boarding a gulet, the traditional wooden Turkish boat, for a Blue Cruise, Rudy departs from the popular seaside town of Bodrum for a watery visit along the coast with stops to tour dramatic, historic ruins.

Rudy takes you to back streets and the quiet, residential klongs, or canals, of Bangkok. Marvel at the Emerald Buddha visit the city's flower and fish markets, join locals offering incense and flowers at colorful outdoor shrines, celebrate the king's 80th birthday with an all-day and all-night party, and take a wooden boat along the city's main artery, the wide Chao Phraya river.

Join Rudy as he takes mahout lessons and gets soaked steering his elephant into the river that separates Thailand from Burma. Visit an Akha hill tribe village trying to maintain its traditions in the face of tourism. The saffron robes of Buddhist monks, the vivid colors of local blossoms, and the brilliant emerald of rice fields make the Golden Triangle a magical corner of the world.

Some of the world's most beautiful waters and beaches await visitors to southern Thailand, where the names of Andaman Coast towns such as Phuket are well known to backpackers and sun seekers. Join Rudy as he paddles through hidden entrances of small islands to find mangroves few people ever see. Visit the Dramatic limestone cliffs and rock formations jut from translucent waters of Phang-nga Bay.

Venture into the countryside of Estonia, to the islands of Saaremaa and Muhu, where you'll find windmills, thatch-roofed farmhouses and quiet waters. Rudy interviews Mart Laar, the prime minister who took over a country that was an economic and psychological basket case following the withdrawal of Soviet troops and turned Estonia into one of Europe's most dynamic and forward-thinking countries.

St. Petersburg--enjoying a renaissance since its favorite son, Vladimir Putin, ascended to office--is no longer the gloomy city it once was as billions of rubles pour in to restore the place to its former glory. From the splendors of Peterhof to the quiet grace of the city's many canals, this former capital built by a czar has reclaimed its position as one of the world's great destinations.

The style and verve of one of South America's most beautiful capitals is highlighted with Argentina's national dance, the tango, as well as the energy that its diverse population brings to the urban landscape. We wander the famous Recoleta cemetery in downtown Buenos Aires, where incredible monuments to the departed, feature winged angels and other fantastically decorated crypts.

Rudy drives into the thin air of the Andes, visiting the graveyard of those who died trying to summit Aconcagua. His choice for high-altitude adventure: getting soaked while whitewater rafting. Back at sea level, he meets winemakers whose well-priced and elegant Malbecs are shaking up the world's wine market.

From bathing in the neon lights of the Shibuya neighborhood at night, to marveling at the city's spring explosion of cherry blossoms, to learning your fortune by consulting a joss-stick at a Buddhist temple, Tokyo offers a rainbow of experiences guaranteed to fascinate.

The spiritual heart of Japan, Kyoto offers a glimpse of Japanese life as it used to be, primarily because it was never bombed during WWII. Tiny streets with wooden homes, impressive temples, and a dedication to ancient Japanese traditions make Kyoto one of Japan's most visited cities.