Craig Pavlus is the CEO and founder of Pavlus Travel & Cruise and one of the most recognized figures in U.S. luxury travel. He began his career at Trans World Airlines (TWA) as a ticket and gate agent, rising to President of TWA Getaway Vacations and later Senior Vice President of Marketing. That front-to-back industry experience — from customer service to executive strategy — shaped the way Pavlus Travel has operated for 32 years. Q. You were at Trans World Airlines back when flying just felt more refined and glamorous […]

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We arrived in at Beijing International, always an overwhelming airport based on its immense girth. But our gate was very close to immigration and we breezed through without much delay as officials kept opening new lanes as the lines swelled from the arriving flights. We discovered a small short-stay airport hotel and without hesitation spent the $40 for a two hour stay. Showers after long flights are one of the best things one can gift one’s body after long flights. Then it was a 15 minute shuttle bus to Terminal […]

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The morning fog clung to the emerald mountains like a lover reluctant to leave. Our jeepney lurched forward on the winding road, and I steadied myself against the metal frame, my knuckles white with anticipation. The province of Apayao had long been a blank space on my mental map of the Philippines—a remote northern frontier that even many Filipinos know little about. This obscurity is precisely what drew me here, to the northernmost reaches of Luzon, where the rugged Cordillera mountain range creates a natural fortress that has sheltered both […]

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There is a reason why a La Union beach trip never feels like a one-time thing. You go for the surf, then return for the sunsets. You plan a quick weekend, and suddenly you’re mapping out your next visit before you even leave. In 2026, La Union continues to evolve — better roads, more refined resorts, stronger local tourism systems — but the soul of Elyu remains unchanged. What makes this province special is the variety. Not every shoreline here is built the same. Some are wave-heavy and adrenaline-driven. Others […]

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Mei Zhang is the founder of WildChina, an experiential travel company that creates immersive journeys across China, developed in collaboration with local communities. She is currently pursuing a PhD at the University of California, Berkeley, researching how the Tea Horse Trail can be reimagined as a contemporary hiking route connecting cultures and landscapes. Q1.  When you first chose the name WildChina, how do you personally define “wild” in the context of China? When we chose the name WildChina, “wild” was never meant to describe China as untouched or remote in a literal […]

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Lauren Juliff is a British travel blogger, author, and digital nomad who founded the travel site Never Ending Footsteps. In 2011, she decided to quit her job and see the world. She has since spent more than a decade on the road, visiting over 100 countries and sharing her experiences in an honest way that most travel blogs don’t, including highlighting some of the unglamorous mishaps she has learned from along the way. Q. Most travel blogs nowadays seem pretty polished and highlight only the glossy side of travel. Never […]

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Cynthia Rothrock is an American martial artist and actress known as the “Queen of Martial Arts Films.” She holds black belts in multiple disciplines and was a world-champion competitor before starring in her first Hong Kong movie, Yes, Madam, co-starring Michelle Yeoh. Her recent work includes Black Creek and the upcoming horror film Steel Donkeys. Q. I grew up watching Hong Kong action films in the late 80s and early 90s. You were a very cool martial art actress known as 罗芙洛 (Luo Fu Luo). I later learned that you […]

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Matthew Polly is the national bestselling author of American Shaolin, Tapped Out and Bruce Lee: A Life. A Princeton University graduate and Rhodes Scholar, he spent two years studying kung fu at the Shaolin Temple in Henan, China. His writing has appeared in The Washington Post, Esquire, Slate, Playboy, and The Nation. He is a fellow at Yale University and lives in New Haven, Connecticut. Q1. Kung Fu, Chinese culture, and language were at the forefront of your life in your younger years. Could you tell us a bit about your background, and how your interest in kung […]

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Charles A. Ray is a retired U.S. diplomat and former ambassador to Cambodia and Zimbabwe. Before joining the Foreign Service, he served 20 years in the U.S. Army. Over his diplomatic career, he held key positions including Deputy Consul General in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Deputy Chief of Mission in Sierra Leone, Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for POW/Missing Personnel Affairs. He is a prolific author of more than 400 fiction and non-fiction books, with genres spanning leadership, history, diplomacy etc., and […]

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Japan is home to many famous destinations—Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Hokkaido. Step beyond these classics and you’ll discover lesser-known regions and cultures with their own allure. This time I visited Nishiwaki, Hyogo, a town celebrated as the birthplace of Banshu-ori textile weaving, where a distinct heritage and craftsmanship thrive alongside daily life. In this article, I’ll share a hands-on trip through under-the-radar spots—from Banshu-ori workshops to museums, parks, and local cuisine. Illustrated report of the Banshu-ori factory tour in Nishiwaki City — highlighting Japanese cotton textiles, vintage looms, and unique […]

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Originally published via Armageddon Safari: On account of grim demographic trends and unyielding pressure from the West, Japan may be about to get a lot more colorful, in a manner of speaking, and culturally enriched. Related: Polish High Court Rules National Sovereignty Supersedes EU Authority, EU Sues Via Newsweek (emphasis added): “Japan logged its fewest births on record last year and more than twice as many deaths, according to a new government report, with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba calling it “a quiet emergency.”… Japan continues to post grim demographic milestones as births decline and its […]

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Originally published via PJ Media: What follows is a (mostly) unedited excerpt from my critically acclaimed, gold-standard expat travel memoir/existentialist treatise, “Broken English Teacher: Notes From Exile”: The degenerate felon with whom I had come to briefly reside in South Georgia in 2006 through a series of unfortunate events, in my younger years, asked me for a cigarette. Tyrone had none because he refused to buy any. Inhaling deeply the smoke he hadn’t paid for, Tyrone once said to me: “Get it how you live.” For sure. November 12, 2018: Me and […]

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My friend dropped me off at the base of Penang Hill. He had strongly recommended I climb this in the early morning, but the night before we were out until nearly midnight enjoying the Chinese New Year festivities. Borrowing his umbrella, a lifesaver from the hot tropical sunshine, I set out on the Heritage Trail. This path, founded in 1890, led nearly straight up the mountain, climbing some nearly 800 meters to the top. It followed the funicular which whisks visitors up in less than 10 minutes. The first half […]

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The morning sun casts its golden rays across the South China Sea, surfers dot the horizon at Urbiztondo Beach, their silhouettes dancing atop the waves that have made La Union the undisputed surf capital of Northern Philippines. Located approximately 280 kilometers north of Manila in the province of La Union, this coastal paradise has transformed from a quiet fishing community into a vibrant beach destination that perfectly balances rustic charm with modern amenities. The journey to La Union, or “ElYu” as it’s affectionately known by locals and regular visitors, typically […]

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The morning sun cast long shadows across the Mt. Samat National Shrine as I stood at its base, gazing up at the towering Memorial Cross that has become synonymous with Bataan. This peninsular province, merely a few hours drive from Manila, holds within its borders both profound historical significance and remarkable natural beauty. My journey through this historic region would prove to be an enlightening exploration of the Philippines’ past and present. The Memorial Cross, standing at 311 feet tall, serves as a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made during […]

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