Santa Ana sits in the western highlands of El Salvador, a city shaped by the presence of the country’s tallest volcano and a long tradition of coffee cultivation. Its central district retains rows of colonial-era buildings that speak to centuries of layered history, while surrounding slopes support farms that continue to produce some of the
As the Fourth of July weekend draws near in 2026, the scale of American movement stands out as a clear marker of renewed appetite for connection and celebration. AAA projects more than 72 million people will travel, surpassing prior benchmarks and underscoring how a holiday falling on a weekend amplifies participation. This surge reflects both
Columbia, Maryland – A short drive from both Baltimore and Washington, D.C., Merriweather Lakehouse Hotel sits on the edge of Lake Kittamaqundi, where seven wooded acres meet a 27-acre body of water that draws locals and visitors alike during the warmer months. The property, part of the Marriott Autograph Collection, gains a distinct rhythm once
America’s public lands are having a moment. Trails that once saw a few hundred visitors a season now see thousands on a single weekend, and the evidence is accumulating in ways that are hard to ignore – compacted soil off the edges of marked paths, litter tucked beneath trailside shrubs, and campfire rings multiplying across
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
