Helen Hatzis
Canada and the People’s Republic of China have taken a major step to make travel between the two countries easier. Beginning February 17, 2026, Canadian citizens holding ordinary passports can enter mainland China without a visa for short-term stays of up to 30 days. This visa-free arrangement is part of China’s unilateral visa exemption policy and will […]
There’s a quiet joy many travellers understand instinctively: the moment you finally have time to unwind and read a book. Airplane mode is on. Your calendar loosens its grip. Your attention returns to you. It’s why so many people pack a paperback or book reader. And it’s not just a feeling. Surveys and reading studies […]
Cuba’s visitor economy supports livelihoods well beyond the beach, but current fuel shortages and blackouts are straining daily life, transport, and hospitality operations. Why Tourism Matters In Cuba, tourism is not a side story. It is one of the country’s most visible ways to earn foreign currency and support employment in communities that rely on […]
Japan is still welcoming hanami travellers in 2026, but Fujiyoshida has cancelled its signature festival near Mount Fuji to protect local life—and it’s changing how we should all travel during sakura season. Japan has not cancelled cherry blossom season nationwide. What has changed is local: Fujiyoshida, near Mount Fuji, has officially cancelled its Arakurayama Sengen […]
The aloha shirt didn’t “come from” one community. It emerged in multi-ethnic Hawai‘i, stitched together by Japanese textiles, local makers, savvy retailers, and later, designers who helped it travel the world. The Shirt That Refuses a Single-Origin Myth The Hawaiian shirt is one of the world’s most recognizable travel souvenirs, but its real origin story […]
The rise of slow travel reflects a growing desire among travellers to experience destinations at a deeper, more meaningful level. Rather than rushing from one attraction to the next, slow travel encourages spending more time in fewer places, allowing for a richer connection with the local culture and environment. This guide explores how to embrace […]
A full-circle night of rhythm, reverence, and the kind of nostalgia that doesn’t just return—it arrives with new meaning. When the Music Stops Being “A Show” and Becomes Your Story When I first wrote about Buena Vista Social Club on Broadway, I approached it as a storyteller—listening closely to the artists, absorbing the intention behind […]
This year, the “why” leads the “where.” From whycations to secondary destinations, travellers are seeking meaning and comfort while reducing harm and overtourism pressure. Travel trends 2026 point to one clear shift: travellers want trips that feel personal, purposeful, and lighter on the planet. Booking.com highlights ultra-personalised travel, Hilton calls it the “whycation” (choosing a […]
This year, let’s keep the gym goals and the fresh starts, but add something that lasts longer than January: gentler choices for the planet, our communities, and the animals who share our home. Keep the Classics, but Make Them Kinder Every January, we reach for the same well-meaning promises: move more, drink less, sleep better, […]
Meaningful travel isn’t about perfection or privilege—it’s about intention: choosing experiences that respect nature, protect culture, and keep more benefits in local hands. What “Meaningful Travel” Really Means Meaningful travel is the idea that tourism should create direct benefits for host communities, protect cultural and environmental assets, and connect travellers to a place in a […]
It’s ok to choose the kind of leisure that doesn’t require a boarding pass—just permission to pause, and a willingness to stay put and enjoy your own backyard. There’s a quiet truth I return to every year around this time: I don’t always travel in December, and I don’t apologise for it. In fact, this […]
In the heart of Grapevine’s historic Main Street, a woman-owned corner shop has been bringing the best of Britain to North Texas for decades. There are some travel moments you plan, and others that feel like they were waiting for you. I found myself beaming at a Union Jack–trimmed storefront called British Emporium—and all my years […]