Helen Hatzis
Across the United States, a record number of people are preparing to mark Independence Day away from home. AAA projects that 72.2 million travelers will journey at least 50 miles during the holiday period, marking the busiest Fourth of July travel window in the organization’s history. This surge reflects a deep national impulse to gather
After several days spent navigating the icebergs and glaciers that line the Antarctic Peninsula, expeditions reach Deception Island in the South Shetlands archipelago. The island presents a striking geological contrast: an active volcano whose geothermal heat keeps sections of the landscape free of the thick ice that covers most of the region. This setting allows
Public libraries have long served as community anchors, yet one of their most practical offerings for travelers remains underused. Across the United States, many library systems provide cardholders with free or discounted passes to museums, zoos, gardens, and cultural sites. This arrangement delivers tangible savings for families and individuals who already hold a library card,
There’s a particular stretch of US-41 in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan that has a way of doing something unexpected to people. The trees close in, the road narrows, and the noise of ordinary life genuinely recedes. For a lot of Michigan road trippers who’ve made the journey north over the Mackinac Bridge, that feeling
San Francisco Botanical Garden occupies 55 acres within Golden Gate Park, where carefully curated plant collections recreate distinct ecosystems from around the world. On a cool, foggy morning last May, a group of travel writers gathered for a guided walk that highlighted how these living landscapes sit side by side in one urban setting. The
As the United States marks its 250th anniversary this July 4, communities are turning to distinctive local landmarks to express their own stories of resilience and creativity. These off-beat attractions, from towering potato figures to outsized ice cream creations, sit alongside traditional fireworks displays and bring a personal dimension to the national milestone. The result
New York City – Multiday extreme heat warnings have taken effect across the Northeast as a heat dome moves into position just ahead of Independence Day gatherings that traditionally draw large numbers of visitors to historic sites and public events in New York, Boston, and Philadelphia. Forecasts call for daytime highs in the upper 90s
Marriott International has entered a broad new agreement with The Coca-Cola Company that will bring a wide selection of Coca-Cola beverages to its properties around the world. The move replaces a 34-year arrangement with PepsiCo and reflects an effort to align drink offerings more closely with guest preferences across the company’s extensive portfolio. While a
Visalia sits roughly an hour from the entrances to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, offering a practical starting point for travelers who want to experience giant sequoias and rugged granite landscapes without overnight stays inside the parks. The town’s walkable downtown and range of lodging make it easy to combine full days of exploration
In the northeastern state of Maranhão, Lençóis Maranhenses National Park reveals a landscape shaped by wind, rain, and time. Expanses of pale sand rise and fall like frozen waves, yet the same terrain gathers clear freshwater each year once the rains arrive. The result is a setting where dunes and lagoons exist side by side,
Washington and its surrounding communities are preparing for a memorable Independence Day weekend, with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds adding a striking aerial element to the celebrations. The squadron’s arrival at Joint Base Andrews in Prince George’s County, Maryland, marks the start of final preparations for a performance that will unfold over the region on
For travelers who center journeys around memorable meals, restaurant expenses often form one of the largest line items in any budget. Rising prices at tables both at home and abroad have made these costs more noticeable in recent years. Certain premium cards provide statement credits that directly reduce what diners pay for meals and delivery,