What comes to mind when you think of Texas? If you’re envisioning how Hollywood presents the Lone Star State, film and television have largely come up short. There’s more than meets the eye than Friday night lights, hootin’ hollerin’ rodeos, and John Deere tractors working open fields. Of course, legend has it ‘everything is bigger …

2025 is the year of the Dupe. No, not dupe like you’ll fall for the ol’ three-card Monte trick; dupe as in travel alternatives. Hard to believe it’s been years since the pandemic was declared over, but one thing has become increasingly clear to this day — travel is back. Whether it be renowned resorts …

Are you ready to give San Francisco another shot? I just did. After well-documented crime waves went viral in the once mega-popular city filled with iconic attractions, many travelers have since looked at San Fran side-eyed, wondering if it’s safe to visit. And rightfully so — a city where many locals in recent years have …

While most travelers venturing south of the border will vacation in Cancun, Puerto Vallarta or Los Cabos, there’s one city whose longstanding claim to fame has been ‘Mexico’s safest city‘. Yet, somehow the cluster of stunning beaches under an hour away go overlooked as calmer alternatives to the bustling shores of the aforementioned trio. Merida …

There are some trips that stick with you long after you’ve unpacked your bags. Trips that you find yourself lost in daydreams about or bringing up over coffee with your family and friends over and over. My recent stay in Cortona, Italy at Relais La Corte Dei Papi was one of those. From the moment …

In an age when many of us are up in arms against the world’s one-percenters, today we present the two-percenters—an exclusive group of travelers with bragging rights who’ve discovered one of Spain’s last remaining gems. Over 12 million tourists visited Spain’s stunning Andalusia region, home to notable cities such as Malaga, Seville, and Granada, but …

Everyone looks forward to vacationing in the Caribbean, but the good comes with the bad. Caribbean getaways aren’t exactly original ideas when it comes to Cancun, Punta Cana, and Montego Bay, but there are so many hidden gems that feel much more authentic than the typical towering high-rises and curated experiences you find in such …

Let’s be honest—baggage fees are the worst! You’ve already paid for your flight, and now you have to cough up another $35 or more just to bring your suitcase along? We could once count on airlines like Southwest having our backs here, but even that is changing! No, thank you. But here’s the good news: …

One unexpected East Coast state has been quietly creeping up on travelers’ itineraries the past few years, including my own. The magnetizing seafarer’s charm, endless seafood shacks, and tranquil shores of Maine have become a huge draw for travelers seeking sun and sand over the big city grind, but the O.G. of idyllic East Coast …

Medellin is still a thriving city among expats, digital nomads, and general travelers wanting to experience the hype, but there are certainly notable concerns about visiting. First, prices aren’t what they used to be, as Medellin has far surpassed its ‘hidden gem’ status. Second, crime may be a fickle topic, but it’s always on the back of …

Phoenix may be Arizona’s sprawling desert metropolis, but neighboring Scottsdale has long supported the argument that size doesn’t matter, especially when you visit the ‘mini bar’ of my favorite stomping grounds, Giligin’s. As a Californian, seeing Arizona plates on our roadways is a tell-tale sign that the tourist season is in full force. Come summer, …

Sometimes, small towns leave a lasting mark bigger and better than the world’s most sought-after destinations. Greeted with “how ya doin‘?” instead of “keep it movin” where you feel like just another face in the crowd, the South is teeming with hidden gems and quaint getaways that will have you coming back again and again. …