A charming riverside town with maritime soul and Pacific Northwest spirit Astoria, Oregon, population just under 10,000, is one of those places that rewards slow travel. Set at the mouth of the Columbia River where water meets sky and land, this little town blends rich history, maritime grit, and naturally dramatic scenery in a way […]

Floating in the Tyrrhenian Sea off Italy’s western coast, Elba is the largest island in the Tuscan Archipelago and famously the place of Napoleon’s first exile. The island is more than a historical footnote: it’s a place where you appreciate the salt on your skin, the sun on your shoulders, and the wine in your […]

Vietnam stretches the length of the Indochinese Peninsula, a long, narrow country of misty mountains, fertile river deltas, and a coastline that hugs the South China Sea. Its history weaves together indigenous kingdoms, Chinese and French influence, and a resilient spirit shaped by conflict and reconstruction, all of which surface in daily life. This deep […]

Happy 2026! We have now been doing this travel reading challenge for 9 years. It started as a simple project with friends, grew into a larger project with friends and friends of friends, and now we have a small community of travelers who love to read. I’ve been diligent with my reading, finishing 137 books. […]

This annual post is one of my favorites to write – a review of the 2025 year of travel. It’s a chance to look back at the travel memories for the year. A chance to dream about what’s coming up in 2026. And, when I publish it, it means I’m done with writing work for […]

If you’ve ever stared at your boarding pass and wondered why Los Angeles insists on being LAX or what mysterious organization MCO could possibly stand for, you’re not alone. Airport codes feel like an inside joke between geography and bureaucracy – a secret language seasoned travelers pretend to understand but mostly just memorize. Behind the three-letter alphabet […]

I’m a big fan of the “you don’t need more stuff” philosophy. I have everything I need, and a good portion of the things I want. And, thankfully, I no longer feel that “things” define who I am, my values, or my worth. Over the last year or so, we’ve been trying to take more […]

From the peaks of the Cascade Range to the beauty of the Olympic Mountains, there are plenty of options for skiing in Washington state.

Detroit stands at the crossroads of American innovation and artistry, and its museums reflect both its industrial pulse and its rich cultural layers. Travelers to the city will discover institutions that run the gamut from world-class art collections to hands-on science museums, each capturing a piece of Detroit’s legacy and dynamic spirit. Whether you’re strolling […]

One of my greatest joys in traveling is discovering new things – history, city sights, meeting people, and – of course – food. A recent trip to France introduced me Comte cheese and it’s quickly shooting to the top of my favorite cheese list. What’s so special about Comte cheese? Comte is known for its […]

Planning a perfect weekend getaway in Sweetwater, Tennessee, (population around 6,500) offers travelers the chance to explore a small town shaped by Appalachian heritage, quiet resilience, and a history often overlooked in the rush between Knoxville and Chattanooga. Here, you’ll find carefully preserved buildings, a railroading past, and a walkable downtown that encourages slow exploration […]

Welcome to a journey into the world of unusual Halloween traditions –  a time when the extraordinary, unusual, and peculiar take the spotlight. As fall sets in and nights grow longer, different cultures embrace the eerie Halloween season in their own distinct ways. While we’re familiar with costumes, candy, and haunted houses, there are other […]