Tucson, Arizona.

Saguaro cacti in the Sonoran Desert. This photo was taken at Saguaro National Park near Tucson, Arizona.

Mt. Sinai, Egypt

The experience of watching the sunrise on Mt. Sinai is remarkable. Travelers first climb a rocky trail from about 2:30 to 5 a.m., alongside Bedouin tribesmen and their camels. Then they sit and await the dawn, which arrives when celestial rays pierce the darkness and illuminate a jagged, lunar-like landscape. The sensation of being atop Mt. Sinai as the sun appears in the morning sky will be etched in your mind forever. Even if you’re not religious, you can envision Moses having a divine experience there. After trekking back downhill, you’ll also want to stop at St. Catherine’s Monastery to see the bush that claims to be descended from the burning bush of the Bible.

The Ganges River in Varanasi, India, at sunrise.

Ganges River, Varanasi, India

It’s amazing to trudge the narrow, dirty streets of Varanasi in the predawn hours and then emerge atop the ghats that line the sacred Ganges River. There, you’ll be treated to the sight of a vibrant sunrise, as well as Hindu pilgrims bathing and praying at the water’s edge. Varanasi is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world, with a past that stretches back 3,000 years, and thousands of Hindus still make their way each morning to one of the city’s 100 or so ghats to bathe in the river at dawn. The best way to take in the scene is on one of the rowboats that ferry visitors up and down the Ganges.

Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

You could just as easily mark this down as Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, as the wildebeest don’t distinguish between national boundaries as they make their annual migration here from July to October. Regardless of the country, however, the scenery is fabulous and you can combine sunset viewing with a safari experience. Imagine spending late afternoon on a game drive, watching elephants, gazelles, lions and wildebeest, and then topping off the day by soaking in a purple and orange sunset as a giraffe meanders past an acacia tree.

Oia, on the island of Santorini, Greece

Every day, in late afternoon, travelers wind their way to the western edge of the Greek island of Santorini. There, in the small town of Oia, amidst whitewashed homes that are impossibly perched on the edge of a stunning caldera, they stand along the road and sit with legs dangling from walls, waiting for the sun to disappear beneath the waves of the Aegean Sea. The intense light of the Aegean manages to produce a particularly dramatic sunset. So dramatic, in fact, that the gathered crowd invariably breaks out in applause. If you want to experience a sublime sunset with a group of cheering travelers, Santorini should be near the top of your list.

Haleakala Volcano on the island of Maui, Hawaii

On the island of Maui, you can drive 38 miles from sea level up to 10,000-feet in about two hours and end your journey near the peak of the Haleakala volcano. More than one million people make this journey annually, many of them in the predawn hours so they can watch the sunrise in Haleakala National Park. Once the sun is up, you can hike into Haleakala Crater. Or, if you’re more adventurous, you can take a van up to the peak and then enjoy an exhilarating ride back down on a rented mountain bike.

Sunset over Phnom Bakheng temple in Cambodia.

Phnom Bakheng temple, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Phnom Bakheng is a Buddhist temple that was built in the late 9^th century on a hillside outside of what is now Siem Reap, Cambodia. Visitors to the Angkor Archaeological Park are enticed to the ruins of Phnom Bakheng for its sunset views. The top of the temple is only accessible via a steep staircase, but from there one can look down on the sacred site of Angkor Wat and out across the forested expanse of northern Cambodia. It’s not a bad day: begin by visiting the majestic ruins of Angkor Wat and end by watching the sun set in a splash of color over the edges of another ancient Buddhist temple.

Cape Town, South Africa

There are only a few other places on Earth where you’re closer to the bottom of the planet than you are in Cape Town. Often hailed as one of the world’s most beautiful cities, Cape Town is on the southwestern edge of the African continent and has as its backdrop the flat-topped, 3,500-foot peak of Table Mountain. For an extraordinary sunset experience, book a ride with one of the local boat companies that offer late afternoon cruises. You’ll ply the waters near where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet, look back at the majestic sight of Table Mountain, and perhaps sip a glass of wine as the sun dips below the African horizon.

Photo credits: Bob Riel

Note: This list is adapted from a previous article of mine that was published by Matador Trips.

A spice market in India.

One of the best ways to experience a country’s culture is to eat its food. And, of course, explore its food markets. But what are the best places in the world to experience some of these culinary delights? There are the usual suspects, of course, but Gadling recently decided to come up with a list of 20 of the world’s greatest food cities that are not named Paris or New York. It’s a diverse and interesting group, stretching from Australia to Argentina and from Italy to India. Here is a sample of their selections:

Melbourne, Australia- The Botanical, the Koko, the Vue de Monde… some argue that Melbourne is the food capital of Australia, and for good reason. Melbourne is host to some of the most fantastic dining establishments in the world, and might just have more restaurants than any other city on the continent. Its strong fashion sense and sharp clientele demand a classy dining experience and only the tastiest cuisine can last in a city with such competition. Award winners abound in central Melbourne, so any visit here is unlikely to disappoint.

New Orleans, Louisiana, USA- If you love gumbo and jambalaya, take a trip to New Orleans for a traditional delight. In addition to the cajun food, make sure you try the fried pastries (beignets) paired with a cup of coffee while you’re in town. If you like to bar-hop and need a bit of liquor to cool your mouth from the jambalaya, try the French Quarter to move between establishments.

Buenos Aires, Argentina- Argentina’s capital is awash with cafes and shops, many specializing in just a quick bite to eat and many others capable of bringing the full bodied Argentinian flair to your plate (a new experience for many, a regrettable one for none). What really makes Buenos Aires’ kitchens worthwhile is their infusion of Spanish and Italian influences that form unique nuances derived from both, but brought to full potency only here, in Argentina.

Mumbai, India- Any foodie looking for a taste of truly authentic India will be satisfied (and stuffed!) here. No matter what variety you’re looking for, be it coastal cuisine or seafood, a good kebab, or just some hot tandoori, it doesn’t get any better than this. The unique spices and flavors native to India offer a festival for the palate you’re unlikely to find anywhere else. Stop in to any one of the “innumerable restaurants” in the area and be prepared for something spicy! You won’t be able to say “naan” to these choices!

Check out Gadling’s 16 other food cities in the full article. What would you add to the list?

Photo credit: Deepak via Wikimedia Commons.

There are up to 3,000 onsen hot springs scattered across Japan, a result of the churning volcanic activity that takes place underground, and these springs are often connected to public bathing facilities. The bath’s thermal waters are believed to have a curative effect and they serve as a relaxing sanctuary for many people. At one time, such facilities were an integral part of the social culture in Japan but the advent of modern plumbing has considerably lessened the role of community baths. Nevertheless, they remain popular among the Japanese and are increasingly frequented by visitors to Japan. Some onsen offer mixed-sex bathing, but the majority are segregated by gender.

When I was in Tokyo a few years ago, my wife and I spent time with a Japanese family (mother and two adult daughters) with whom we had become friends. They wanted us to have a few local experiences and so they took us away from the city to an onsen in the countryside. Here is my account of that perplexing and humorous – but also quite interesting – cross-cultural experience. It’s excerpted from my travel memoir, Two Laps Around the World:

Initially, I was quite looking forward to this experience. I’d previously been to a Finnish sauna and a Turkish hamam, so I was excited to experience a Japanese onsen. After we arrived, though, it occurred to me that I had no idea what to do once I got inside and that my four traveling companions were all women and hence were heading to the women’s bath, leaving me to fend for myself among a bunch of naked Japanese men.

“It’s not a problem,” said Yumiko. “Just go in and follow what everyone else is doing. Meet us back out here in about an hour.”

Just follow what everyone else is doing. Well, that’s good advice for a sauna, where you merely sit there naked, or maybe run out and jump in cold water once in a while. But there is a ritual to a Japanese bath. A ritual about which I had no clue.

Nevertheless, I gamely walked into the dressing room, ignoring the stares that came with being the only Western male at a bath in the Japanese countryside. I undressed and walked into the next room, trying to disregard looks from a dozen naked local men. (I considered doing a naked version of the chicken dance or the macarena, so they’d really have something to look at, but, well…no.)

In the room adjoining the lockers, there was a row of stools next to some shower heads, with men washing themselves. There were also two tubs, with men soaking in them. Then there was a door leading outside to some hot springs. Two, maybe three, options. I searched my brain, for I knew that somewhere, someplace I had read about Japanese baths. I knew there was an order to the bath, just as there is an order to almost everything in Japanese society. Should I sit at a stool and start scrubbing? Should I lower myself into a hot tub next to one of those men? Should I…Should I…

Punt.

Yes, I cracked under the pressure of the stares. Not to mention the fact that contemplation time is severely limited when you are stark naked in a roomful of strangers. So I walked straight through the room and went outdoors. Except I couldn’t very well stand outside naked for any extended period of time, either, and I still didn’t know whether I could get into the hot springs without committing a social blunder. Soon, though, it became clear that the first thing the men seemed to be doing was washing themselves, and then soaking. Well, that made sense, I supposed.

For future reference, then, proper onsen etiquette is as follows:

1. Remove all pieces of clothing and put them into the basket or locker that is provided. No swimsuits should be worn.
2. Walk into the bath in the adjoining room and take along your wash towel. This towel is approximately large enough to cover your elbow and is used by many people as an interesting but not very effective means of covering their pelvic area. The pretense, though, is generally more important than the reality.
3. Find an empty stool in front of one of the shower heads that comes out of the wall at hip level. Proceed to soap and rinse your body.
4. Relax for as long as desired inside the tub of hot water, the outdoor hot springs, or both. Remember, the tub is where you relax after you are already clean.
5. Dry off and get dressed again.

So I went back inside, grabbed a stool, soaped up and rinsed off. Quickly. My ritual duty thus complete, I retreated back to the outdoor serenity of the hot springs. There, I sank into the thermal waters and found a resting spot against a rock.

Once I settled down, the hot springs were perfectly relaxing. A misting rain fell and there was a cool bite to the air that contrasted nicely with the hot water. I sat buried to my neck in the heat and let myself be hypnotized by the rising steam as it faded into a silver-blue sky.

So there you have it. Next time you’re in Japan, be sure to seek out a local onsen. And feel free to clip and save my rules for onsen etiquette.

Photo credit: Tsushima via Wikimedia Commons.

Charlottesville, Virginia

A view of Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson, near Charlottesville, Virginia.

Other articles in the “Ancient Ruins Tour of the Americas” series:
- From Aztecs to Zapotecs in Mexico
- The Mayan world of Central America (coming soon)

The Mayan civilization continues to fascinate contemporary observers and not just because of interest in the year 2012 and the Mayan calendar. In fact, the Mayan culture that reached its peak in the late first millennium had not only a written language, but also very impressive architecture and well-developed systems of math and astronomy. The cities of the Mayan world stretched across much of what is now southeastern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras and El Salvador, so if you’re interested in tracing Mayan history through its ruins then it could turn into quite a trip. Perfect for a career break!

In this overview, we’ll look at the Mayan ruins of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula and will cover Central America in a future article. If you’re continuing on from the previous piece in this series (which looked at ruins in central and southern Mexico), then we left off at the Mexican town of Villahermosa. From here, it’s a short trip to Palenque, which represents the western edge of what was the Mayan empire.

Mayan ruins at Palenque.

Southern and Western Yucatan Peninsula

Palenque is one of the most magical and interesting of the Mayan sites because of its setting amidst the jungles of Chiapas and its extensive hieroglyphic records. The most famous structure here is the Temple of Inscriptions, but there are many other notable buildings, among them The Palace and the Temples of the Cross.

More Mayan ruins are scattered through the jungles of Chiapas, but they’re not as easy to reach. If you’re intent on hitting as many relics as possible, though, then Bonampak, Yaxchilan and Chinkultic can be visited with a bit of effort or through an organized tour.

Palenque can also serve as a jumping off point for some ruins in the southern Yucatan that aren’t easily accessible from other cities. You can first head to the Rio Bec ruins – including Becan, Chicanna and Xpuhil – that are situated east of the town of Escárcega. Also in the region but even more off the beaten path are the impressive ruins of Calakmul, near the Guatemalan border. One of the largest of the Mayan sites, with hundreds of structures, it’s in the midst of the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve.

From here, you can head north towards the city of Campeche and then commence a clockwise tour of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula that will bring you to at least another 10 sites. Campeche, on the Gulf coast, has an historic city center and is close to several ruins, with the most notable being Edzna.

Then, just south of Merida are the ruins of Uxmal, one of the larger Mayan cities of its time and among the best preserved of the Yucatan sites today. Uxmal’s most famous structure is the Pyramid of the Magician, which has a unique rounded shape. The smaller ruins of Kabah, Sayil and Labna are also nearby and were jointly declared a World Heritage Site with Uxmal. Other destinations near Merida that are worth a visit are Mayapan and Dzibilchaltun, the latter of which has a museum with Mayan and Spanish artifacts.

Temple of Kukulkan at Chichen Itza.

Eastern Yucatan Peninsula

From here, the route turns east towards Chichen Itza, one of the most visited of all the Mayan sites. In 2007, in fact, it was voted as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. Chichen Itza was an important regional capital in the northern reaches of the Mayan lands  and there are numerous temples, pyramids and other buildings for visitors to explore. The most well known and photographed is the Temple of Kukulkan, a step pyramid that is also known as El Castillo, or “the castle.” During the spring and fall equinox, the pyramid casts a serpent-shaped shadow at sunrise and sunset. Among the other fascinating structures are the Temple of the Warriors and the Great Ballcourt.

From Chichen Itza, it’s not far to the Yucatan’s Caribbean coast. This is a popular vacation region and you’ll no doubt want to relax a bit on the beaches of Cancun or Playa del Carmen. But the nearby Mayan sites of Tulum and Coba are also worth seeing.

Tulum is a small site but is one of the most visited due to its proximity to Cancun. It is also well known for its location on a bluff overlooking the Caribbean. Coba is less frequently visited but is a larger site and boasts the Yucatan’s tallest pyramid, Nohoch Mul. Many of Coba’s structures have yet to be cleared from the jungle, which lends an aura of mystery to the ruins.

That’s 18 Mayan sites on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, and there are other smaller sites that I haven’t covered here. It will keep you busy for a while exploring the ancient history of this fascinating Indian civilization. But remember, this is only the northern half of the Mayan world. There are other equally impressive sites awaiting you in Central America, which we’ll cover in the next article.

Photo credits: Peter Andersen via Wikimedia Commons (Palenque), and Uspn via Wikimedia Commons (Chichen Itza).

The Bernina Express in Switzerland.

Train journeys are truly one of the great ways to travel. If you’re not in a hurry to get somewhere, it’s hard to beat the opportunity to just sit back and watch the landscape change and the miles drift by from the comfort of your seat, perhaps as you sip a coffee or read a book. And train travel is about more than just making your way to a new destination – the trip itself can easily serve as a memorable travel experience. National Geographic Traveler recently published lists of their favorite train journeys in Europe and North America, and there are some wonderful selections to consider for your next adventure.

Here are a couple of their North American train journeys:

Northwest Passage. Amtrak Cascades. Eugene, Oregon to Vancouver, British Columbia – This scenery-filled route offers “seascapes, mountain peaks [including Mt. Rainier in the south and Mt. Baker in the north], distant islands, rain forests, farm scenes, clouds, mist, and wildlife,” says Francesca Lyman, an editor and experienced rail rider in Kirkland, Washington. “If you don’t see orcas breaching in Puget Sound, you might see harbor seals or otter. Bring binoculars. Also watch for bald eagles, flying fish, and waterfowl.” Prefer cities? Explore Portland or Seattle.

On the rim of Copper Canyon: Chihuahua Pacific Railway. Los Mochis to Chihuahua, Mexico – “El Chepe,” as the train is known, features two departures—first class, meant for tourists, and economy class, about half the fare but making some 50 local stops. Stick with the former for the most comfort. The trip starts near the Pacific coast in the state of Sinaloa and travels more than 400 miles over 37 major bridges and through 86 tunnels in a climb to 7,874 feet above sea level, where a short stop at Divisadero allows for snapshots of the mammoth Copper Canyon.

And two from their European list:

Tunnels Galore: The Bernina Express. Chur, Switzerland, to Tirano, Italy – This narrow-gauge, vertigo-inducing train takes on seven-percent inclines, a 360-degree spiral, 55 tunnels, and 196 bridges—reaching an apex of 7,391 feet and then descending 5,905 feet before coming to a stop. The word “express” refers to the availability of short-notice seat reservations, rather than the train’s velocity as it courses through the Alps south from Switzerland’s oldest town to a charming Italian town of just under 10,000 people. Part of the route is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The Epic Journey: Trans-Siberian Railway. Moscow to Vladivostok, Russia – This fabled route, an icon of Russian culture, crosses eight time zones to connect the Russian capital with a port on the Pacific Ocean. On board, poor mingle with rich, young with old, foreigners with locals. Social barriers disappear as passengers share a unique rail experience—and shots of $3-a-liter vodka. You can book a private car via a tour operator for added comfort; schedule any number of side excursions from trekking and scuba diving to city tours.

There are 20 train journeys in all, 10 each from North Amnerica and Europe. Check out the full stories for the other selections. What would you add to the lists?

Photo credit: Iter1 via Wikimedia Commons.

Big Sur, California

It’s true that Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco get much of the attention, but don’t dismiss California’s Central Coast as a travel destination. The region has an abundance of natural wonders and you can piece together quite an enjoyable road trip there. It’s not an exaggeration to say the 280-mile journey from Santa Barbara to Santa Cruz is one of the most beautiful drives in the country. What’s more, the attractions are numerous enough so that you can turn this trek into either an adult-friendly or a kid-friendly adventure.

I recently published an article on Examiner.com that outlines such a road trip. Here is an excerpt that covers the early portion of the journey, from Santa Barbara to San Simeon.

Santa Barbara, which lies between the Santa Ynez mountains and the sea, is often referred to as the American Riviera for its Mediterranean climate and appearance. You’ll delight in the beaches, of course, with at least 10 to choose from, including popular East, Goleta and Leadbetter beaches. But you’ll also appreciate the restaurants and shopping in Santa Barbara.

 

If you like history, then be sure to check out Old Mission Santa Barbara, one of the most beautiful sites on the California Missions Trail. Or, if you have children with you, consider a visit to the Santa Barbara Zoo, where kids will love the zoo train, carousel and giraffe feeding, not to mention the views over the Pacific Ocean.

 

When you’re finally able to tear yourself away from Santa Barbara, just point your car north. If you’re interested in some unique non-coastal attractions, then in less than an hour you’ll stumble across the Danish replica village of Solvang, as well as the distinctive park known as OstrichLand, where you can see and feed a collection of ostriches and emus.

 

Eventually, though, you’ll make your way to the lovely town of San Luis Obispo, where you can kick back in an eclectic and appealing college town. While you could spend more hours at a nearby beach, you might enjoy even more the chance to sip wine at a vineyard, check out an olive oil tasting at an olive farm, enjoy some of the region’s miles of hiking and biking trails, or make time for more history at Mission San Luis Obispo.

 

Just north of here is San Simeon. There, you’ll find the remarkable Hearst Castle, an opulent 90,000-square-foot mansion that belonged to William Randolph Hearst. Of course, you may be just as amazed by the thousands of elephant seals that converge on nearby Piedras Blancas beach.

View Central Coast of California in a larger map

Volcanoes National Park in Hawaii

If you’ve heard of the book 500 Places to Take Your Kids Before They Grow Up, or if you have children and it sounds like a topic you’d be interested in, then you might enjoy this recent Yahoo/Frommers article that reviews 10 of those 500 destinations. The book covers travel spots around the globe, while this smaller piece focuses just on the United States. In any case, there is no shortage of ideas for attractions that would be popular with both children and adults, from volcanoes in Hawaii to mountain drives in Colorado, and from a natural history museum to a sports hall of fame. Here is an excerpt from the story:

Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii- Hawaii Volcanoes National Park beats out all the other U.S. national parks on two scores: It has the only tropical rainforest, and it has the only active volcano. Since 1983, the Big Island’s Kilauea volcano has been erupting regularly, although these are “quiet” eruptions, with gas escaping slowly instead of exploding violently. Its slow-moving red lava oozes over the landscape, sometimes even over the park roads. The kids may wish they could see volcanic fireworks, but once they’re here, feeling the soles of their sneakers getting gummy from the heat below, they’ll realize this is spectacular enough.

San Juan Skyway, Colorado – Close to the Four Corners, where Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico meet at right angles, this 256-mile loop of highway is one of the country’s most spectacular drives, taking in the whole panorama of the Southwest — from ancient Native American cliff dwellings to Wild West towns to smart ski resorts, all against an incredible backdrop of 10,000-foot-high Rocky Mountain passes, canyons, waterfalls, and alpine meadows.

Baseball Hall of Fame, New York - The Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown sets the gold standard for sports museums. The very word Cooperstown has become synonymous with baseball history, for legend (now discredited) claims that Abner Doubleday invented baseball here. Opened in 1939, the Hall of Fame has been around long enough to amass an unparalleled collection of sports memorabilia. You don’t have to be a statistic-spouting baseball fanatic to feel moved by this homage to America’s pastime.

For seven more such destination ideas, check out the entire story. Or better yet, read the book.

Photo credit: Public domain image via Wikimedia Commons.

Netherlands

The Dutch are celebrated for an innovative playing style known as Total Football (football, of course, being what the rest of the world calls soccer). The concept is for players to be almost interchangeable – so that, for instance, if a defender attacks with the ball then another player will take over the defensive function. This continual shifting of roles requires players to maintain a persistent equilibrium between individualism and collaboration. It also allows defenders to play more forward, which effectively reduces the size of the field and can alter the perception of space among players. David Winner, who wrote the book Brilliant Orange about Dutch football, has said that “space is the unique defining element of Dutch football.”

What does this have to do with Dutch culture, you ask? Well, interestingly enough, cultural consultants descibe the Dutch as people who value individual autonomy but make decisions by consensus. That is, they balance individualism and teamwork. More tellingly, the Dutch are famous for the way they’ve redesigned the spaces of their lives, such as the polder land reclamation projects that allow millions of people to live below sea level. The Dutch, it seems, are natural architects when it comes to space, whether at home or on the soccer field.

Germany

In contrast to the Dutch, the German players rarely improvise and almost never change positions. They’re disciplined players who stick to specific roles. The Germans emphasize organization and precision between teammates and their style of offense tends to involve direct and aggressive attacks.

Not surprisingly, the Germans also have a distinct sense of order in their daily lives. They are a formal people who emphasize structure and punctuality. They’re also a direct people who get straight to the point in conversation and hardly ever “beat around the bush.” Add it together and you’ll see why the trains always run precisely on time in Germany and why the national soccer team functions like a well-oiled machine.

England

The English are also a direct people. For a country that gave birth to the Industrial Revolution and the concept of “time is money,” it’s not surprising that the English have a direct style of play on the pitch. The English are methodical, tactical players and their traditional offense utilizes long passes to negotiate the field. This, naturally, has the effect of moving the ball forward as directly as possible and with a minimum number of passes. Time is money, after all.

Italy

The Italians are known for strong defense, even if it did fail them a bit this year when their team failed to advance out of the first round. The catenaccio style made famous by Italy involves a stifling defense and an ability to counterattack at the pefect moment. In other words, they’re cautious until opportunity presents itself. The Italians are also known for pushing the boundaries of the rules. Andrea Tallarita has written extensively about football in Italy and, while acknowledging the Italians’ “reputation as the dirtiest players,” he argues that their objective is not to break the rules but to “learn how to exploit them” with tactical fouls or psychological games.

Is any of this connected to Italian culture? In fact, cultural experts note that Italians are cautious and have a need to reduce uncertainty. The bureaucratic nature of Italian life also leads people to look for ways to “beat the system.” It’s been said that Italians see rules as guides rather than commandments. Sound anything like the Italian playing style?

Brazil

Brazil is the country most identified with soccer success and its jogo bonito style may be the most popular in the world. The Brazilian players have always been identified with an exuberant, imaginative approach. They’ve been compared to samba dancers for the spontaneous and improvisational way they move with the ball. Their offense utilizes short, precise passes and emphasizes ball possession, as opposed to long passes and direct attacks.

Well, everyone is surely familiar with Brazil’s fun-loving spontaneity, as symbolized by the annual Carnival celebration. But the Brazilians are also a naturally improvisational people – their language even has a word, jeitinho, which refers to the ability of Brazilians to work around rules. Likewise, the culture exhibits little of the “time is money” mentality, instead maintaining a more relaxed notion of life and schedules.

United States

And the Americans? There is seemingly less to say here, since most observers believe the still-developing American soccer culture has yet to develop a national style of play. But if you read a few stories about the U.S. soccer team, you’ll actually see some of the same descriptions pop up repeatedly. Such as: the team favors speed, has an innate optimism and confidence, and is able to adapt easily to changing situations and strategies.

And you know, that’s actually not a bad description of some American cultural traits. Which only adds to the notion that national culture plays an central role in developing a playing style on the field.

These are some of the most obvious examples of how culture interacts with tactics in soccer. So if you pay attention during the rest of this World Cup, you’ll see not only some great soccer teams but also some wonderful demonstrations of culture around the world.

Photo credit: Pallo_valmiina via Wikimedia Commons.