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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When should I visit Colorado?

The best time to visit Colorado depends on how you want to spend your time in the Centennial State. From world-class skiing and snowboarding in the winter to picturesque hiking and mountain biking in the summer, Colorado is all about outdoor recreation, which is largely seasonal and weather-dependent. But not everything takes place outside. Colorado…

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8 beautiful places to visit in Costa Rica: experience the pura vida

Costa Rica is home to everything from steamy rainforests and misty cloud forests, to still-smoking volcanoes and sublime beaches strung along Pacific and Caribbean coastlines. The country’s motto is pura vida – or pure life – and a quarter of its landmass is protected by national parks and reserves, offering a wealth of wildlife watching…

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The 8 best beaches in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is best known for its volcanoes, greenery and famous wildlife — but the beaches are also worth daydreaming about. Because of its rich biodiversity, there’s a little something for the surfer to the yogi or the casual sunbather.  Here are eight beaches that are worth adding to your Costa Rica itinerary for your…

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10 things to know before going to Texas

You’d think marrying a Texan and watching hours of unofficial documentaries about Beyoncé, the queen of Houston, would serve me well for a move to the Lone Star State. Alas, little could prepare me for what was to come. I spent much of my first few months in cringeworthy scenarios: discovering meal options were either…

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