Best things to do in Ecuador with kids

Mostly known as a travel destination for adventure-seeking enthusiasts, Ecuador is often overlooked as a family friendly destination. The country’s diversity and geographical distribution, however, make it the ideal place for families to experience the best of South America in one place.  With various outdoor ventures and enriching cultural experiences, Ecuador offers plenty of activities…

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A first-timer’s guide to the Midwest

Think the Midwest is just a cornfield you fly over between coasts? Don’t be fooled by that nonsense. The region holds impressive cities like Chicago, Detroit and Minneapolis, full of creativity, diversity and forking good food. It also cradles the Great Lakes, which are like huge inland seas, offering beaches, dunes, resort towns and lighthouse-dotted…

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The best times to visit Arizona from winter snow to wildflower season

Bold, big and beautiful, Arizona has plenty to brag about. Framed by New Mexico, Utah, Nevada and California, and with Mexico at its southern reaches – the state gets more than 300 days of sunshine a year and has four distinct seasons, so you can bask in summer, hike and bike in spring and fall and…

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The best places to visit in New York State are full of small-town charm

Striking American landscapes, quirky antique stores, fabulous hikes and some of the best bakeries you’ll ever find. Welcome to New York State! From one end to the other, the Empire State is crammed with outdoor adventures, cool art, great food and friendly people. Not sure where to start? Check out these ten top New York…

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6 of the best things to do in Montréal with kids

Sometimes called "the Paris of North America," Montréal is a captivating city that straddles two worlds: there’s a hint of old Europe, with French accents, Québécois cuisine and cobblestone-lined neighborhoods, but plenty of familiar North American food and shops as well. Montréalers tend to have a soft spot for kids, and families are generally given the…

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The world’s Blue Zones: where people live longer, healthier lives

In these destinations, the focus of a new Netflix series, wellness isn’t a conscious goal, but an ancient way of life.  As the modern wellness trend continues its march, more travelers are incorporating health-focused activities, from yoga retreats to vegan food tours, into their trips. Yet there are a handful of destinations around the world where…

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A Total Trip: What I spent on an ambitious six-day group tour across Uzbekistan

There’s no better feeling than checking the trip of a lifetime off your bucket list – which I got to do last summer, when I explored Uzbekistan. Central Asia and the cities that made up the Silk Road had fascinated me ever since I heard the 1977 Roberto Vecchioni recording of the Italian song “Samarcanda.” So…

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How to visit California on a budget

There is a price to pay for California’s envious bounty: miles of salty coastline, bright, sun-filled days, dynamic cities, an infinite amount of tranquil and heart-pumping outdoor pursuits...we could go on forever. But that doesn’t mean you have to pay full price to enjoy it all. Although most things in the Golden State are more…

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11 things to know before visiting California

As a newbie California resident keen on exploring as much of my adopted home as possible, I was struck by how geographically diverse the Golden State is, the impracticalities of making a "quick trip" to one part of the state from the other end of it, and its surprisingly variable weather. Gleaned over nearly 20…

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The best time to go to Morocco for every kind of vacation

Morocco is a fantastic year-round vacation destination, but choosing the best time of year to travel will depend on your interests and holiday needs. The mild months from October to April see an influx of travelers from the northern hemisphere, flocking to North Africa to escape long winters in Europe or North America. For the…

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