Author: Lauren Mulvey

There’s a recipe for an excellent trip abroad: combine friends, food, a bit of history, a taste of culture, and you’ll be cooking up a memorable visit in any part of the world. The internet is thoroughly saturated with travel recommendations and content, and it can be difficult to sort through the muck. Sure you can log into the old reliables, Expedia, Kayak or TripAdvisor to plan your trip, but don’t you want something a little more…personal? Something tailored to you and the experience you’re dying to have?  You’re in luck! There are plenty of emerging apps that can help…

Traveling the world is a learning experience, an adventure, and a way to make memories that will last a lifetime, but it can oftentimes be harmful to the environment. As climate change worsens, it’s important to be conscious of the part we play in carbon emissions as individuals. For those who love to travel, ecotourism is a concept worth exploring and adopting.  As defined by The International Ecotourism Society, ecotourism is “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education.”  Traveling sustainably is not just about conserving the…

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…

All over the world, the holiday season is celebrated in many different ways and an overarching feeling of warmth and joy permeates this time of year. If you’re looking for an exciting place to ring in the New Year or experience the Christmas/holiday season, you might want to check out these iconic holiday destinations in Europe, each with its own unique architecture, cozy charm, and wonderful winter activities. Prague, Czech Republic Prague is a beautiful city to visit any time of year, but during the holiday season the stunning Medieval buildings seem to have a special warm glow. It’s…

While visiting Croatia this summer, dividing my time between the cities of Split and Hvar, I decided to explore at least one of Croatia’s beautiful national parks. After some research, I chose Krka National Park, famous for a wonderful waterfall, and a must-see.  I booked a guided tour through Get Your Guide with a company called Splitalicious Experiences for just 20 euro. My online reservation instructed me to meet the rest of the group at the statue of Gregory Nin, a Croatian bishop, just outside Split’s ancient palace walls. The statue of Gregory had an almost cartoonish look that made…

Passport is always up to date with the hottest new publications from LGBTQ+ authors on love, life and adventure. Grab one of these thrilling narratives, biographies, or guides at your favorite bookstore and pack them in your carry-on for your next flight. If Lil Nas X shot a bit of his DNA into a pop music version of 23andMe, the results would unquestionably trace back to Little Richard, whose first hit song’s original lyrics, replaced with nonsense syllables on the record, were “Tutti Frutti, good booty/If it don’t fit, don’t force it /You can grease it, make it easy…” British…

As inflation and greedflation drives prices up around the globe, the Worldwide Cost of Living Index has released its 2023 list of the most expensive places to live in the world. Can you guess the top spots? Every year the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) releases the cost of living index, and this year found that the average cost of living rose by 7.4% this year. Groceries increased in price faster than any other daily living cost. According to CNN, a steady increase in prices can be traced back to supply chain issues that began during the pandemic.   The cost of…

The Key West Film Festival will take place this year from Nov. 15 – 19. The lineup for 2023 includes a diverse, entertaining, and artistic selection of films in a broad array of categories that offer opportunities for filmmakers, both aspiring and established, to exchange ideas while showing their work to audiences in an historical and vibrant destination Year round, Key West plays host to many cultural festivals, celebrations, and events for locals and tourists to enjoy, and is a hub for LGBTQ+ nightlife and culture.  Films screened at the festival have often gone on to receive great praise. In…

Miami Beach is officially asking spring breakers to back off their sand with a new advertisement claiming the vacation hotspot is breaking up with its college cronies by imposing new strict rules throughout the city.  For years, spring breakers from around the country have made a culture out of spending a week off from school on the sunny beaches of Florida. And for years, spots like Miami Beach have become inundated with intoxicated 20-somethings, partying, being loud, and overall, being irresponsible in public. Those who attend are infamous for making a sport out of who can be the most reckless…

St. Pete/Clearwater, Florida is a destination for anyone looking to get away this winter for some fun in the sun. With an array of exciting local culture, art, and cuisine, in St. Pete/Clearwater you’ll never run out of things to do or wonderful places eats. Here’s a list of some of the areas most indulgent and mouth watering spots for foodies.  Fo’Cheezy Twisted Meltz This spot lives up to its name with deleicious cheesy melts. Here you will find delectable ingredients to create the ultimate grilled sandwich. Located in St. Pete Beach, this is the perfect spot for lunch after…

From the urban market stalls in the capital city, Papeete, to resorts that cater to visitors throughout the country’s 118 islands, it’s virtually impossible to pass an hour’s time in any public space without seeing Tahitians who present as genderfluid, nonchalantly going about their daily business. Same-sex couples, both foreign and local, abound as well. In recent decades, as queer and indigenous identities have become a focus of attention and activism elsewhere, Tahiti’s open-minded pre-colonial attitudes toward non-binary gender expression and sexuality have regained cultural prominence. Drawing on historic precedent, acceptance, and respect for queer people, today Tahiti feels far…

Though there are many volcanoes around the world, did you know can visit some of the most beautiful peaks that remain active today? Whether you’re cruising through Italy, hiking through Bali, or visiting Iceland (The Land of Fire and Ice), you’ll find an active volcano that can provide beautiful, inspiring views. Mount Etna – Catania, Sicily One of the world’s most remarkable active stratovolcanoes looms over Sicily’s eastern coast, creating a gorgeous backdrop in cities like Catania, Taormina, and Messina. When we say Etna is active, we mean it erupted just last year (August 2023), forcing closures at the nearby…

London is one of the best cities in the world to find global cuisines of all types. With a vast bar and restaurant scene, it could take you a lifetime to try all the recommended eateries in this city. But on a day out in London, you may by chance stumble upon one the city’s food halls or markets where cultures from all over the world present their finest street food and signature dishes for you to choose from.  Located throughout the city, these food halls and markets are the perfect spots to grab a bite to eat while seeing…

After months of rumors, hit HBO series “The White Lotus”  has confirmed its season 3 filming location: Thailand. Season two of Mike White’s dramedy, which came out in October 2022, drove troves of tourists to the far corners of Sicily, making last season’s destination, Taormina, a hotspot in 2023. So it’s safe to say, the show’s chosen filming locations have some clout with culture seeking travelers.  According to CNN, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and HBO announced the show was scheduled to begin filming this month in Bangkok, Phuket, and Koh Samui. The corresponding season of the show is…

The U.S.A. is home to some of the world’s most famous culture and music festivals, which offer star-studded lineups and unique experiences. When planning you summer and fall travels, you may want to add one of these unique festivals to your must-see list for 2023. 1. Downtown Aspen Arts Festival (Aspen, CO. July 15-16) The Downtown Aspen Arts Festival is celebrating its 20th year this July, displaying a small number of works from national and local artists including paintings, sculpture, photography, ceramics and more.Throughout the year, Aspen hosts many cultural festivals in their downtown area, which is surrounded by gorgeous…

JetBlue and Spirit Airlines announced the termination of their $3.8 billion merger agreement after losing a federal antitrust lawsuit challenging the deal. According to the New York Times, the decision to terminate the agreement is a “big win” for the Biden administration which has sought to limit corporate consolidation.  The merger was blocked by a federal judge in January for fear it would reduce competition in the airline industry and raise ticket prices for travelers who are in need of more affordable flight pricing. The proposal for JetBlue to acquire the low-cost airline came in October of 2022 at which…

There are many people who would rather chase the sun than endure the cold of winter. In the Southern Hemisphere, December through March is summer, and there are some wonderful places for travelers to visit and enjoy time outdoors. Here are six great destinations for anyone who wants to enjoy nature, art, culture,  and the sun this winter. Brazil  Sure, you could travel to Costa Rica or Mexico or the Caribbean Islands during the winter months, all of which will be warm due to their proximity to the Equator, but why not venture a bit further and explore one of…

On trips to Italy, you may have spend one euro to enter a bathroom in the train station, a bottle of water is typically more than one euro, a good gelato can be anywhere from two to five, and a classic Aperol Spritz is typically five on a good day. So what’s this we hear about being able to buy a whole house for one euro? It’s true, houses in Italy are being sold and auctioned for incredibly low prices. You may be wondering why one of the most beautiful countries in the world is asking foreigners to come in…

Join the celebration at Queer Wine Fest featuring 20 LGBTQ+ winemakers and a diverse selection of wines with a devoted community on June 29th in the Willamette Valley, Oregon. Remy Wines will be showcasing its largest array of LGBTQ+ American wineries on June 29th at their fourth annual Queer Wine Fest. The event will bring together 20 LGBTQ+ winemakers, vineyard managers, and owners from Oregon, California, and Washington with a diverse selection of wines to sample and taste. Joining this year’s lineup will be wineries Capo Creek and Torix Noix from California, and Washington’s SuLei Cellars. There will also be…

Any traveler’s worst nightmare is losing their passport. Not only is it your primary form of identification, but it’s essential to have when returning home. We hope this doesn’t happen to you, but if it does here’s what to do to get a new or temporary passport so you can continue your travels until you return to your country of residence.  It’s not uncommon for passports to be lost or stolen as you travel, but it’s important that you report your missing passport to local authorities or the embassy for your country as soon as possible. If not, your passport…