Black Forest Gateau, Turkish Delight, Neapolitan ice Cream, Belgian Waffle – Nothing makes a sweet treat even sweeter than having a name that evokes a destination. As your tastebuds delight over the delicious flavors, your mind is filled with memories of past trips, or the excitement of ones to come. In America we have loads of our own desserts named after some delicious destinations, and here are some of the best. By Keith Langston BOSTON CREAM PIE A true Americana staple, Boston Cream Pie is probably known to most Americans. The recipe is fairly straightforward: A heaping dollop of…
Author: Keith Langston
I’ll admit, as a native of the Great Lakes region, I never learned to fully appreciate the Lakes until I left home. Upon leaving Ohio I discovered that living next to five of the largest lakes on the planet, that look like oceans from the shore, and can even be seen from space, isn’t an everyday occurrence. The Great Lakes are special. They’re beautiful: I remember summer days fishing with my grandpa on the lake, and catching snakes along the shore. They’re diverse: You can find huge cities like Chicago, Detroit, and Toronto, or quiet islands, small towns, and farms,…
Of all the sweet treats on this planet, none compare to the elegance and sophistication of the French macaron. To make them properly, there needs to be a precise balance of fluffy softness living in harmony with a sturdy, but not crunchy, base to keep the pastry held together. They’re easy to ruin, and after a just few days, their quality noticeably deteriorates. Because of this, they have become coveted gems for dessert lovers worldwide with discerning pallets. If you want to find the best places for phenomenal macarons made the right way every time, look no further than the…
As travelers, we love nature, the two go hand-in-hand. If you have the kind of adventurous spirit that drives you to roam the world, you probably also love the thrill of untamed wilderness. Sadly, over-tourism, reckless tourism, and wasteful tourism is destroying once-beautiful places. If you’re like me, this makes you angry. I’m always on the look out for ways to give back and help. Below are some amazing environmental nonprofits where you can get involved, have and adventure, and make a difference for the better! By Keith David Langston THE NATURE CONSERVANCY The Nature Conservancy is an American-based global…
The most popular times for touring the Far North tends to be during the deep, long winters when revelers want to gaze up at the magnificent Northern Lights. But summer in the North isn’t to be discounted! The midnight sun and months of eternal light are incredibly special. The power and the energy that comes from constant sunlight is invigorating. Here are 5 of the best places to bask in the sun, day and night, this summer. By: Keith David Langston HAMMERFEST, NORWAY Hammerfest is dubbed as the “word’s northernmost town” and is located right at the top of mainland…
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising, the D.C.-based Newseum has launched their exhibit, RISE UP: Stonewall and the LGBT Rights Movement. The exhibit is open now through December 31, 2019. To get more information on the exhibit and the Newseum as a whole, I was lucky enough to speak with their VP of Content and Exhibit Development, Patty Rhule. As VP of Content and Exhibit Development, Patty overseas a talented team of writers and editors who produce the Newseum’s permanent and changing exhibits. Before coming to the Newseum in 2007, she worked at USA Today in a variety of editing…
The new book The Little(r) Museums of Paris just taught me about some really unique and awesome museums to visit the next time I’m in France. Sure, I knew about the Louvre, and the… Actually, the Louvre is one of the only museums in Paris that I know of. Perhaps that’s why I thought this book was so fascinating. It explores Paris’ little-known gems that will teach you a lot about not just Paris, but France as a whole. Each page is written and illustrated by author Emma Jacobs. And after some extensive begging, she graciously shared some of her…
Whether you’re in a different country, a different state, or even a town a few hours away…being alone when traveling is never fun. Luckily, there are lots of websites and apps that help you make friends wherever you are. If you’re planning on traveling soon, be sure to check out these handy tools to make sure you’re never alone! By Keith David Langston BUMBLE BFF Bumble, the popular dating app has a new feature – BFF. On BFF, the goal isn’t dating or hooking up, it’s simply to make new friends, and I can personally say, it works. I…
Today, WorldPride NYC announced a new art endeavor titled The World Mural Project. The project will have various artists (both LGBTQ+ as well as allies) paint 50 murals across all five boroughs for the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising! The goal of the murals is to highlight the experience of being LGBTQ+, with the hopes that these paintings can initiate engaging conversations about diversity, inclusion, and equality. For centuries, art has been a way for people to express themselves and has also proved to be a valuable tool for exposing others to new ideas and cultures. Art is one…
Summer is just around the corner and everyone is excited to get outside and play. One of the most quintessential summer activities is the good old fashioned bike ride. The breeze going by, the speed of peddling down the path, and the great views you can take in; is there a better summer activity? If you’re looking for some great places to ride your bike this summer, be sure to check out these six amazing locations! By Keith David Langston CHICAGO’S LAKESHORE Chicago has trails covering most of its coastline. You could bike from Chicago’s northern Roger’s Park neighborhood…
Camping is not for everyone. The bugs, sleeping on the ground, lack of plumbing, no thank you. If this isn’t what you’re looking for in a vacation, but you still want to enjoy the great outdoors then try Glamping, or glamorous camping, where nature and luxury meet. Trade the lumpy ground for a comfy bed and enjoy all the amenities of a high end hotel in the middle of nature’s finest locations. Check out these amazing glamping locations that might as well be 5-star hotels. By Jenna Leis Fireside Resort If you’re looking to experience the natural beauty of the…
It’s true that America may love coffee. With numerous cities, like Seattle, being famous for their brews, it’s easy to assume that coffee is king in the beverage world. But did you know that coffee isn’t the world’s top beverage? Nope. It’s not coffee, and it’s not even beer. By leaps and bounds, the world’s top beverage, aside from water is…. TEA. That’s right. Whether green or black, tea has captured the hearts and souls of people around the globe. And if you have yet to embrace the famed brew, it’s time you start! There are five main “types” of…
In a previous post, we talked about the best ways to travel for cheap, free, or even get paid. But maybe you’re looking for more than just a funded trip. Maybe you want travel to be your life, you’re in it for the long haul, and you’re ready to take that step into the unknown and leave the mundane behind. Well, this is the list for you! Here are a few jobs that will allow you to travel the world. By Keith David Langston CRUISE SHIP JOBS The most dynamic array of careers that allow you to travel is…
With over 24 million people, Shanghai is currently the largest city in the world. It’s a sprawling metropolis where ultra-modern skyscrapers mingle side-by-side with China’s history. Shanghai, written as上海 is Chinese, has always been a big deal. It was once a sleepy village, but as far back as the year 960, Shanghai grew into an important trading port. Shanghai has also been a hotbed for pirates and lawlessness, with it’s infamous connection to the opium wars and men being “shanghaied”. Yes, it was certainly the wild west of the east. Shanghai seems to be unstoppable. Despite it’s illustrious history, the…
Relaxing, quiet, quaint beachside towns can be nice…but sometimes you want a little more. You want all the beauty of the beach, while also being able to experience the shopping, the food, and the culture of a major city. What to do then? Well my friends, that’s when you head to one of the world’s best beachside cities! By Keith David Langston SAN DIEGO USA San Diego is one of the most dynamic beachside cities around. With a thriving city center, a world-famous zoo, multiple theme parks, and it’s very own island, Coronado, there literally isn’t anything you can’t do. Head into…
If you’re a lover of relaxation, then mountain towns can be synonymous with beauty, tranquility. and purity. Or maybe you’re more of the adventurous type, and you see mountain towns as the places where the action begins. Either way, it’s safe to say that people love traveling to the mountains, it’s part of the human spirit. As John Muir famously said, “The mountains are calling and I must go.” By Keith David Langston VITZNAU, SWITZERLAND Lake Lucerne is one of the most famous lakes in the world for it’s Crystal waters, alpine hills, and charming lakeside villages. One of…
I used to live in Los Angeles, where you can find row upon row of the ugliest and most depressing apartment buildings you could ever imagine. It seems like most of LA was built in a rush. Square buildings, flat roofs, small windows, dull colors. It was there that I developed a real appreciation for architecture. The look of a building really can impact your mood and performance in life. Now I’m always on the lookout for buildings that are ornate, interesting, sleek, unique, and sometimes, even a little weird. Here are some of the most fascinating buildings around the…
Every once and a while, a video commercial comes around that’s so good you actually enjoy watching it. Sometimes, they’re even downright brilliant. The airline industry has had their fair share of boring ads, but they have also produced some winners. Our selection of the best airline videos may just inspire you to pack your bags and visit someplace new this year! By Keith David Langston AIR FRANCE Their ‘France is in the Air’ commercial played around with Glass Candy’s “Warm in the Winter” and mixed it with bright pastels, coordinated movements, and a larger-than-life airplane experience. The result is a commercial…
Vanilla, chocolate, cookie dough, Neapolitan – Ah yes, the classics. For the adventurous among us, there’s always new and exciting Ben and Jerry’s flavors to be savored and enjoyed, but what happens when Cherry Garcia is no longer thrilling enough? What happens when you want to live on the wild side…when you start craving something bizarre, unknown, and potentially even a little morbid? Well my friends, then you’ve stumbled upon the right list. I proudly present, the craziest ice cream flavors from around the world. By Keith David Langston CICADA Gather ’round everyone, and I shall tell you a little…
Are you a music lover? Do you enjoy being able to watch a band with other people who like live performances as much as you? Do you love a city with a thriving music scene, or a destination that offers lots of opportunities for emerging artists? If so, then you’ll want to check out this list of the best music cities in the USA. By Keith David Langston MEMPHIS Memphis is quite easily America’s Music City, even though Nashville has claimed the name. But Memphis is where some of America’s biggest talents got their start. Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and…