Hidden Travel Destinations That Feel Like Paradise
Three summers ago, I got stuck in a tiny fishing village in Portugal because I missed the last bus out. There was no cell signal and no backup plan. It was just me, a backpack, and a handful of confused locals pointing me toward the only guesthouse in town. That
History’s Most Influential Leaders and Their Legacy
My manager once asked our whole team a question during a leadership offsite. “Name a historical leader you admire, and explain why.” I froze. My mouth blurted out “Abraham Lincoln” because his face happened to sit on the penny in my pocket at that exact moment. Then came her follow-up
The Most Beautiful Places to Visit Before Everyone Else Does
A friend sent me a photo from Hallstatt, Austria two summers ago. Gorgeous village, mirror lake, mountains behind it. She also sent a second photo from the same spot. It showed roughly two hundred tourists queuing to take the identical photograph. Every single one of them angled toward the exact
Plan Your Dream Vacation With These Travel Ideas That Actually Work
Three years ago I booked what I was completely convinced would be the perfect trip to Bali. Twelve days, two beach resorts, a rice terrace hike, and a cooking class I had been dreaming about since watching a travel documentary on a slow Tuesday night. The itinerary looked gorgeous on
Adventures Hidden Between Famous Landmarks
The first time A Practical Way to Find Hidden Adventures Before You Go You don’t need to leave everything to chance. A little preparation can make the spaces between landmarks far more rewarding. Use Google Maps Beyond Navigation Start with Google Maps in satellite view. Most travelers only use it
Living More With Less: A Simple Living Guide
After living for years in a place that had far more rooms than I needed, I decided a few years ago to move into a smaller apartment. The move forced me to confront every single thing I owned. What would come with me, and what would not. I expected it
Celebrations That People Remember Years Later
My cousin’s wedding had a live band, a five course dinner, custom centerpieces, and a photo booth with props. It cost more than most people spend on a car. I remember almost none of it. What I do remember is that her new husband forgot the words to his vows
Off the Beaten Path: Stories From Unexpected Places
I missed my bus in a small town in northern Portugal, somewhere between Porto and the coast, and ended up stuck there for six hours with no plan and barely any phone signal. I was annoyed for about twenty minutes. Then I found a tiny family run cafe, ordered something
Festival Decoration Ideas That Cost Almost Nothing but Look Stunning
Two years ago I dropped almost two hundred dollars on Diwali decorations from a party store, fancy string lights, plastic rangoli stencils, pre-made paper garlands, and the whole thing still looked kind of flat once it was up. Meanwhile my neighbor decorated her entire porch with marigolds from her garden,
Budget-Friendly Ways to Make Your Home Feel Like a Retreat
Last spring I spent four hundred dollars on a hotel room for one night just to feel relaxed for a few hours. A nice room, soft robe, that quiet hum of an air conditioner, candles by the tub. I remember lying there thinking, this isn’t anything special, it’s just clean,
