Author: Lauren Mulvey

Cities around the world, however beautiful and exciting, all contribute their share to the world’s carbon emissions. However, eco-conscious travelers can tailor their itineraries to visit destinations that are taking action to increase sustainability and combat the climate crisis. Eco-conscious travelers are being more discerning when making choices on where to spend their vacations, and these locations are making the list for being some of the top sustainable destinations. The Global Destination Sustainability (GDS) Index is an organization that encourages destinations around the world to become more eco-friendly. Their mission supports Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) all around the world “whether…

The Mediterranean diet is practically a buzzword in the food industry, and for years health experts, chefs, and foodies have praised the long-term health benefits of this lifestyle. And the Mediterranean diet is just that, a lifestyle. It’s not just eating lots of fruits and vegetables, it’s about daily habits that make your life more active and healthy. The recent documentary series Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones with Dan Buettner discovers the world’s oldest populations, some of which are located in the Mediterranean. What makes members of these populations live so long is the Mediterranean diet along…

One of the most attractive aspects of moving abroad is the potential to save money on daily living costs. All around the world, expats are enjoying affordable rent, groceries, goods and services, but there are a few places where you’ll have to pay more if you want to live there. According to Mercer’s 2024 cost-of-living data, the most expensive places for expats to live are Hong Kong, Singapore, and Zurich, with Hong Kong topping the list. To render these results, Mercer evaluated key factors affecting the world’s economy in recent years, including inflation and exchange-rate fluctuations, heightened economic and geopolitical…

Discover some of our favorite restaurants in Toronto, Canada. From charming neighborhoods to downtown hotspots, these culinary wonders will tantalize your taste buds. A veteran travel writer once told me to never compare cities or destinations. “From San Francisco to Shanghai, it’s the Paris of this, the Paris of that,” she said. “There is only one Paris. Describe a place on its own merits.” Rules are meant to be broken, though, and in Toronto’s case, it carries its long-time association with New York City. “Like NYC, Toronto is this incredible weave of urban villages that form a connected, cohesive whole,”…

One of the most expensive costs when adventuring around the world can often be travel itself. There are many modes of transportation for frequent travelers, including planes, trains, cars, and ships, but you could be missing out on a more affordable option: buses. Buses are often an overlooked mode of transport, but they remain one of the most affordable options for both short and longer term travel.  In New York City, the Metropolitan Transport Authority (MTA) has found that around 3.2 million people take the subway each day while less than half of that number ride the bus. But across…

Japan Airlines’ (JAL) free domestic flights program officially launched last fall in various countries, but what does “free” actually mean for travelers, and is there a catch?  JAL announced the new flight deal in September, offering tourists who arrive in Japan on international flights inter-country flights, free of charge. This initiative includes 64 domestic airports throughout the country.  In recent years, Japan has been bumped up on travel bucket lists, and has been internationally recognized for its cuisine, culture, history, and beautifully preserved natural landscapes. Places like Osaka and Kyoto, though well-known, still receive less tourists annually than popular Tokyo. However,…

When I arrive at the airport, I pass a billboard of lifestyle diva Martha Stewart hoisting a half-drunk glass of wine. She is wearing her trademark Mona Lisa smirk and looking slightly flush. I wonder if my own experience at the Bedford (3655 S Las Vegas Blvd, Tel: 702-946-4361. Caesars.com/paris-las-vegas), Stewart’s new Paris Las Vegas restaurant, will replicate her performative giddiness. The Bedford is delightfully tucked away in a nondescript corridor where the cacophonic clang of the slot machine is noticeably absent. Here, the endive stalks on the salad I order are splayed in meticulous petal fashion and dusted with little…

If you are looking for a place to relax on your next vacation, Book Retreats’ Global Relaxation Index might have a destination that works for you. The report finds that although it’s easy to love destinations like France, Turkey, Spain, and Italy for their sunny beaches, mountain villages, epic cuisines, and stunning architecture, these locations are not where you’ll find peace this year. UN Tourism figures indicate that these destinations attract over 55 million visitors each year.  Even though it may be tempting to book your next trip to France or Italy, consider these more tranquil locations vetted by Book…

As new technologies sweep in and replace old practices, the way we travel is becoming more high-tech and, hopefully, less complicated. However, the European Union’s plans to establish a new digital entry and exit system to replace passport stamps has yet again been delayed. Though this new system was originally slated to take effect next month, according to Travel and Leisure, a delay in implementation was sparked by claims from Germany, France, and the Netherlands that their technology was no yet up to date.  The Entry/Exit System being referred to as EES will use a high-tech scanning process that calls…

The Malta Biennale, presented by the MUŻA National Museum of Art in collaboration with Heritage Malta and Arts Council Malta, is an unforgettable celebration of art, heritage, and creativity running now through May 31, 2024. Over 100 acclaimed international and local artists are displaying works at 20 esteemed heritage sites across Malta and Gozo. Mediums exhibited include painting, sculpture, video installation, and more.  The first event of its kind in Malta, it was curated by artistic director Sofia Baldi Pighi and curators Elisa Carollo and Emma Mattei with setup design by Nigel Baldacchino. A central theme of “white sea olive…

With so many ways to travel, it’s hard to figure out how to make your experience as fulfilling as possible. You could hop aboard a luxury cruise and check off incredible destinations from your bucket list, you could backpack through natural wonders on foot, or you could immerse yourself in an entirely new foreign location and help build up the community through volunteer work. Those who decide to volunteer in the Peace Corps get to travel on the organizations dime, but it’s a serious commitment and shouldn’t be taken lightly. The organization hosts volunteers in job sites around the world.…

Romania and Bulgaria have officially joined Europe’s ID-check-free travel zone, the Schengen Area, making journeys across eastern Europe easier for travelers.  The Schengen Area encompasses all the countries in the European Union that travelers can move between without showing their passport. The area was established in 1985 and includes Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, even though they are not EU member states. Currently, the list includes 27 countries and is the world’s largest border-free travel zone.  Many travelers from around the world may need a Schengen Visa before entering the designated zone, but others, like European, American, and Australian passport…

A great hotel room, vacation rental, or B&B can make or break a trip, and though you’ll hopefully spend most of your time outside your accommodation while traveling, it’s important to make sure you’ve got all the essentials for when your head hits the pillow.  When booking accommodations, whether you’re using platforms like Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, Expedia, or even HostelWorld, you’ll want to make sure your lodging of choice checks all these boxes. Check the reviews! Before you even think about pulling out a credit card, check your accommodations reviews. These are honest accounts of previous stays from other…

Nature’s very own light show, the Northern Lights, are one of Earth’s most mystical sights. Scientifically known as the Aurora Borealis, this phenomenon is a chemical reaction between electrically charged particles from the sun colliding with gaseous particles in the Earth’s atmosphere. The collision makes for a shimmering show of multicolored lights arching through the night’s sky.  If seeing this beautiful event in-person is on your bucket list then there are plenty of places you can see it. Every year, the lights are most visible between September and March in the Northern Hemisphere. The goal is to be close to…

New information has come out on when the best time to book holiday travel is, and it might be closer than you think.  CBS reports that the sweet spot for buying plane tickets for the winter holidays is around October 14, about two months out from the bustling Christmas season. Booking for Thanksgiving hits the sweet spot at around the same time. Following a busy summer of extremely expensive travel, flight prices are finally falling as fall approaches. Even experts like Hayley Berg, lead economist at travel booking platform, Hopper, have suggested travelers consider booking their flights between mid-September up…

Over-Tourism has many famous destinations around the world in a chokehold, and it comes as no surprise that Greece’s famous Santorini is subject to some of the worst crowds of the summer season. Tourists know and love the idea of Santorini’s white-washed and blue-domed structures, sunny days and striking seas, so much so that the island attracts around 3.4 million visitors a year. Santorini’s population stands at around 20,000, and according to CNN around 17,000 cruise ship passengers peruse the island each day during seasonal peaks.  Santorini is a visual paradise with stunning views, incredible sunsets, and quaint cobblestoned streets,…

People are getting creative with finding ways to travel affordably. This includes using work exchange platforms which offer travelers opportunities to find un-contracted gigs abroad for free housing, meals, and unforgettable experiences.  One of the first platforms to introduce this concept 50 years ago is WWOOF, or Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms. WWOOF began as a mission to connect volunteers with organic farmers around the world to promote education and cultural exchanges based on sustainable and ecological farming practices. Since  then, WWOOF has expanded to include 130 countries, 12,000 hosts and 100,000 volunteers.  Other platforms providing this type of exchange…

Now more than ever, LGBTQ+ travelers want to feel safe. Whether these travelers are seeking a bit of escapism, a home away from home, or a relaxing place to spend their time with family and friends, feeling secure in these spaces makes a world of difference. LGBTQ+ travelers already have a lot on their mind when choosing a place to visit. Recent anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, local sentiments toward queer couples, and general physical safety are common themes. So looking over hotlists for safe travel is key in planning. There are many lists from different organizations around the world, boasting the world’s…

From Airbnb and Vrbo stays to study abroad programs and group travel companies, new ways to travel are often emerging to provide those with wanderlust ample opportunities to explore new places.  One of the newer arrivals on the affordable travel front are work exchange programs through platforms like Workaway or Wwoof. These applications allow you to find work in foreign countries in exchange for free accommodation. With these programs you can work on a farm in Italy, nanny in France, work at a hostel in Costa Rica, and essentially find work anywhere in the world.  Users can sign up as…

Have you been holding off your next long-term travel adventure because of the crazy costs of accommodations around the world? Maybe you just can’t score that affordable yet comfortable Airbnb, or all the reasonably priced hotels are booked. You may want to consider another option: Trusted Housesitters.  We know what you’re thinking. Why would I want to house sit while I’m on vacation or the trip of a lifetime? Well, because it will save you money, connects you with locals, and give you the chance to see how life is authentically lived in your destination.   Trusted Housesitters is an online…