You, dear reader, should first understand that I live in, write about, and love the Southeastern United States. I say y’all, eat grits, and cheer wildly for SEC college football. So, when my husband, who was raised in New Jersey, got serious about showing me around New Jersey on a road trip I had very mixed feelings! Could New Jersey impress a Southern lady? I suspect that there will be both negative and positive results! MATAWAN We visited loved ones and made our activity hub in the adorable small Borough […]

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Four years living twenty minutes from Málaga, and Mijas Pueblo was the trip I kept bumping to next month. Everyone who’d been gave me the same rundown of white walls, donkeys, and a coach park. I figured I already had the picture, so why rush it. I finally drove up a few weeks ago thinking I’d give it two hours before lunch back on the coast. I left at 5pm with a list of things I still hadn’t got inside. The lift that drops you into the postcard A car […]

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Nueva Ecija is often known for rice fields, peaceful towns, and wide provincial roads, but hidden within General Tinio is one of Central Luzon’s most photogenic nature destinations: Minalungao National Park. With its emerald river, towering limestone cliffs, bamboo rafts, hanging bridge, caves, and scenic hilltop views, Minalungao has become one of the most visited nature spots in Nueva Ecija. It is a favorite day-trip destination for travelers coming from Metro Manila, Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, and nearby provinces. For those looking for a quick nature escape without flying or traveling […]

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Riviera Nayarit, Mexico — For many travelers, Nayarit begins with the Pacific: long stretches of beach, surf towns, jungle-covered mountains and the luxury resorts of Riviera Nayarit. But travel inland — or simply a few streets beyond the shoreline — and another side of the destination emerges. This is a Nayarit shaped by artisans and traditional cooks, Indigenous communities, centuries-old towns, archaeological sites, religious celebrations and recipes passed from one generation to another. As travelers increasingly seek experiences that offer a deeper connection to the places they visit, Nayarit is putting […]

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Erik Wolf is the founder and Executive Director of the World Food Travel Association. He is a speaker and consultant who has worked with global names like Disney, Marriott, American Express and Royal Caribbean, as well as UNESCO and the UN World Tourism Organization. His book Have Fork, Will Travel pulls together voices from experts around the world and shows how food and drink shape the way we travel, the places we visit and the cultures we connect with. Q. What inspired you to start the World Food Travel Association […]

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During a recent trip to China, I visited with Melvin, the owner of Mountain Wave Winery. This property is about a 45 minute drive from the center of Yinchuan, the largest city in the immediate region. The property is located on gravelly soils at the base of the Helan mountains in the autonomous region of Ningxia, China. Grapes were first planted on the property in 2016 and the winery was built in 2022/2023. The original vineyard is planted to 2.5 hectares of Pinot Noir, 2.5 hectares of Marselan and 3 […]

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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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Hey trail chasers, Welcome back to the blog. If you have spent any time scrolling through outdoor community feeds lately, you have undoubtedly paused on those sweeping, cinematic shots of the Benguet ridges. The endless rolling hills, the golden hour light hitting the pine trees, the sea of clouds in the distance—it all makes you think, “I need to be there immediately.” Mt. Kotkot in Itogon, Benguet is having a massive moment right now in 2026. But before you start packing your bags and booking your overnight bus tickets up […]

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If you’ve been thinking about hiking but keep telling yourself, “Baka hindi ko kaya,” this is your sign to start. Your first mountain doesn’t need to be extreme. It doesn’t have to be a multi-day expedition with tents, heavy packs, and survival-mode energy either. In fact, the best way to fall in love with hiking in the Philippines is to begin with a minor climb—the kind of trail that challenges you just enough, gives you a beautiful summit reward, and gets you home with tired legs and a big smile. […]

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In the Philippine mountaineering community, there is a notorious concept known as the budol climb. It usually starts with a friend messaging you: “Let’s hike this weekend! It’s just a minor climb, rated 4/9. We’ll be down by lunch.” For thousands of unsuspecting beginners, that budol happens at Mt. Daraitan. Sitting on the windward edge of the Sierra Madre range in Tanay, Rizal, Mt. Daraitan has built a reputation that heavily contradicts its paper specifications. While its elevation peaks at a modest 739 Meters Above Sea Level (MASL), the reality […]

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Uganda is a meeting point of several African biomes with diverse habitats hence the incredible diversity of wildlife including more than 1070 species, which accounts for about 50% of the bird species in Africa. One of the top birdwatching places in Uganda is the biggest park, Murchison Falls National Park which is more popular for big game safari trips to see animals and spectacular Murchison Falls. For the birdwatcher, Murchison Falls National Park offers vast habitats and spaces to explore and tick many birds. This article will guide you on […]

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  Mount Makiling is an ASEAN Heritage Park rising to 1,090 MASL in the CALABARZON region. Managed exclusively by the UPLB Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystems (MCME), the standard 2026 hike requires a mandatory guide (PHP 1,200), strictly enforced cut-off times, and a physical ID for entry. The Mariang Makiling Trail (MMT) is a 4/9 Difficulty minor climb, taking 5-7 hours to complete. Rising like a sleeping giant over the Southern Tagalog plains, Mt. Makiling is more than just a geological formation—it is a cultural institution. For decades, this dormant […]

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The Hunter Valley is a bit of a legend in Australia. As our oldest wine region, it carries a certain weight. But for a first-time visitor, it can be… overwhelming. On my first trip years ago, I made the classic mistake: I bounced between the three giant, famous wineries you see on every billboard, tasted the same two styles of wine, and left feeling like I’d missed something. I had. The real soul of the Hunter isn’t on the main road. It’s tucked down dusty driveways, in small tin sheds, […]

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A quick journey to Taipei was not meant to be. Rather than get up with the chickens at 430am in the Thai village I am staying in to catch a van to Suvarnabhumi Airport to catch an 11am flight, I opted to take a a van into Bangkok a day early at a reasonable 3pm departure. I didn’t catch much sleep that night due to three women next door partying like it was December 31, 1999. The day of my flight, I left my hotel at 8am for the airport. […]

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Holland America Line continues its long-standing commitment to celebrate Alaska’s wildlife and wilderness by expanding its partnership with the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (AWCC)—a renowned nonprofit sanctuary dedicated to preserving Alaska’s wildlife through conservation, education, research, and quality animal care. As part of the 2025 Alaska cruise season, Holland America Line will introduce a variety of onboard activities designed to benefit AWCC and raise awareness of Alaska wildlife among guests. This initiative launches with the debut of Harry & David’s iconic Moose Munch® Premium Popcorn on all Alaska sailings, with […]

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