News

 · 3 min read

A European Train Close Call Reminds Travelers of Simple Safety Habits

Travelers often share stories of unexpected moments on the rails that prompt a fresh look at everyday routines. One such account emerged recently when a passenger described a near-miss involving her belongings during a train journey through Europe. The episode aligns with patterns long observed on popular rail routes across the continent, where quick thinking

 · 2 min read

This Coastal Redwood Park Earns National Hidden-Gem Status

California’s northern coastline holds more than its share of towering forests, yet one particular state park continues to draw quiet praise for remaining largely undiscovered by the wider traveling public. Tucked near the Pacific shore amid stands of ancient coast redwoods, the park recently appeared on a national list of America’s best-kept secrets. Its recognition

 · 3 min read

Ye Coach and Horses: The Sunset Strip Bar Where Pulp Fiction Took Shape

Los Angeles holds countless corners where film history lingers in plain sight. One of them sits quietly along the Sunset Strip, a place that once hosted the early writing sessions for Quentin Tarantino’s groundbreaking film. Today that same bar continues to serve locals and visitors alike, its worn counters and steady rhythm offering a direct

 · 3 min read

Vibrio Cases Rise in Southern Coastal Waters

Southern coastal states continue to record Vibrio vulnificus infections at levels above recent averages this season. Health officials in Florida and Louisiana have documented more cases than typical, with some resulting in hospitalization. Travelers heading to Gulf and Atlantic beaches can prepare with clear, practical steps that allow them to enjoy the shoreline responsibly. Why

 · 3 min read

What Travelers Need to Know as Wildfires Affect the Western US and Canada

Wildfires have prompted large-scale evacuations across parts of British Columbia and the inland Northwest, with more than 20,000 residents displaced in Canada over the weekend and additional communities in Washington state on alert. Officials continue mop-up operations and support efforts while monitoring conditions that could influence travel plans in the region. Those heading west this

 · 2 min read

Western Colombia Earthquake: What Travelers Need to Know

Western Colombia – A 7.4-magnitude earthquake centered near San José del Palmar, about 250 miles west of Bogotá, has drawn attention across the Andean region. The event unfolded in a landscape of cloud forests and mountain communities that many visitors come to explore for their rich biodiversity and living traditions. Travelers already in Colombia or

 · 2 min read

This Family Found a Wild Surprise in Their Pool—And Chose Coexistence Over Conflict

In a quiet suburban neighborhood, the Hatakeyama family discovered an unexpected visitor making regular use of their backyard pool. What began as a surprise encounter evolved into a deliberate choice about how humans and wildlife share space. Liz Hatakeyama later reflected on the experience, noting that the household had learned to “respectfully coexist” with their

 · 8 min read

Where Tucson Families Retreat to a Cool Canyon Escape Every Summer

When June arrives in Tucson, the city doesn’t just get warm. It gets serious. In the summer of 2024, Tucson logged 78 days with temperatures reaching at least 100 degrees, a full 23 days more than normal. For families with kids underfoot and no tolerance for the kind of heat that bakes the sidewalk through

 · 8 min read

Bellhops Reveal the Tipping Habit That Gets You Remembered All Trip

Most hotel guests worry about packing the right outfits or booking the best restaurant nearby. Very few stop to think about the small, quiet moment that happens right at the elevator door when a bellhop sets down their bags. That moment, it turns out, matters far more than most travelers ever realize. The way you

Chantel Brink

Chantel Brink

Freelance Writer

 · 7 min read

Where New Englanders Slip Away for a Quiet Island Escape Every Fall

There’s a particular kind of peace that settles over Block Island once the summer crowds thin out. The ferry lines shorten, the island exhales, and the people who show up in September and October tend to be the ones who already know something the average tourist doesn’t. Block Island sits approximately nine miles south of

Leah Berenson

Leah Berenson

Freelance Writer

 · 3 min read

Trailborn Jackson Hole Revives a 1970s Lodge as a Points-Friendly Base for the Tetons

Jackson Hole, Wyoming – A newly renovated property at the foot of Snow King Mountain now gives travelers a practical way to settle into one of the West’s most iconic mountain towns. Trailborn Jackson Hole, which reopened after a full transformation and joined Marriott’s Outdoor Collection, combines the area’s longstanding western character with straightforward access