Ever wondered what it's like to swim alongside a creature the size of a bus? Travel journalist Janna Graber takes you into Mexico's Sea of Cortez, where juvenile whale sharks up to 32 feet long cruise the crystalline waters just minutes from shore. From the heart-pounding moment of dropping into the sea to swimming alongside these gentle giants at three miles per hour, discover why La Paz is the ultimate bucket-list destination for wildlife encounters. Plus, learn the surprising regulations that protect these magnificent creatures and why you only get 30 precious minutes to experience the magic. Read the full adventure story, "Swimming with Whale Sharks in the Sea of Cortez," with stunning underwater photography.
Most visitors to Salzburg arrive humming 'Do-Re-Mi,' but few leave knowing the real story. Join travel journalist Christine Loomis as she uncovers surprising secrets hiding in plain sight—from the gazebo moved for tourist safety to why Austrian actors needed coaching on their own 'national anthem.' Discover the palace you can only see by booking a stay, the cemetery actually built in Hollywood, and why ordering schnitzel with noodles earns puzzled looks from locals. With Salzburg celebrating the film's 60th anniversary through exclusive tours with Maria's granddaughter, learn why this UNESCO World Heritage city offers the perfect harmony of movie magic and authentic Austrian culture. Read Christine's full article, 'The Hills Are Still Alive: 60 Years of Magic in The Sound of Music's Salzburg,' complete with self-guided tour tips and insider dining recommendations.
Welcome to Shimonoseki, the only city in the world where elementary school kids dance to celebrate a fish that could kill them. Join travel journalist Masayoshi Sakamoto as he explores Japan's fugu capital, where poisonous pufferfish sits casually in supermarket aisles next to the milk, and licensed chefs spend years mastering cuts that literally mean life or death. Discover why an entire community built its identity around tetrodotoxin—one of nature's deadliest neurotoxins—and how locals turned lethal dining into daily life. Because in Shimonoseki, dinner isn't just delicious—it's dangerous. Read Masayoshi's full article, 'Deadly but Delicious: Inside Japan's Fugu Capital,' with stunning photos and insider access to Japan's most fearless food culture.
Join travel writer Dave McKenna as he stumbles through three weeks of chaotic adventure after selling his car to fund his Vietnam trip. He gets serenaded by an entire cruise ship crew who think he's on his honeymoon (spoiler: he's not married), survives monkey raids on Cham Island and learns why local women shave their heads to avoid poisoning their in-laws. Plus, discover why luxury cruise ships might trap you in tourist hell, how to survive scooter rides without dying, and why the floating markets everyone raves about had his guide recommending Thailand instead. Read Dave's full article, 'From Honeymoon Hoaxes to Monkey Mafia: A 21-Day Journey Through Vietnam’s Sensory Feast' for all the hilarious mishaps and honest travel advice.
Think dating apps are complicated? Try finding love in Iceland, where your perfect match might actually be your cousin. Join travel journalist Tom Hall as he uncovers the wild world of Icelandic romance, where Tinder meets ancestry research and locals secretly run genealogical background checks on potential dates in bar bathrooms. From church pew 'window shopping' traditions to the embarrassing reality of bringing home someone who's already related to your family, discover why Iceland's 385,000 residents have turned online dating into a fascinating blend of modern romance and medieval matchmaking. Plus, learn about the free genealogical website that's become every Icelandic single's secret dating weapon. Read Tom's full article, 'Dating in Iceland: Tinder Meets Ancestry.com,' to discover more surprising secrets about love in the land of fire and ice.
Think farm volunteering in Italy is all rolling hills, fresh pasta, and Instagram-worthy sunsets? Think again. Join travel journalist Isabella Miller as she reveals the hilariously chaotic reality of her two-week Workaway adventure caring for 15 animals on a remote Italian farm. From nearly burning down the farmhouse with a melted coffee pot to wrestling 200-pound demon pigs through electric fences, plus wild midnight encounters with herds of boars and a murderous rooster terrorizing chickens, discover why this budget travel hack offers way more adventure (and terror) than advertised. Between dodging pig bites and cuddling needy kittens, Isabella learned that farm life isn't for the faint of heart—but it might just be the most authentic cultural immersion you'll ever experience. Read Isabella's full article, "Behind the Scenes of Workaway: Lessons Learned Volunteering on an Italian Farm," for all the messy, magnificent details of rural Italian reality.
Ever wondered what happens when Hollywood spends $7 billion on a single theme park? Join veteran travel journalist R.C. Staab as he explores Universal's Epic Universe—Orlando's first major new theme park in over a decade. From the jaw-dropping Ministry of Magic attraction that cost hundreds of millions for a single ride, to fire-breathing monsters where Frankenstein battles Dracula through cutting-edge animatronics, R.C. reveals how Universal has created five distinct worlds that blur the lines between movies and reality. Discover why Mario Kart's augmented reality racing represents the future of theme parks, whether paying $139 for just eleven attractions delivers value, and insider tips for navigating those three-digit wait times. Perfect for theme park enthusiasts and anyone curious about how modern magic gets made. Read R.C.'s complete story: "Find Out Why Universal's Epic Universe is the Most Innovative Theme Park in the US."
Ever wondered why Charleston's iconic "single houses" look so familiar? Join travel journalist Craig Stoltz as he uncovers the extraordinary connection between Charleston and Barbados—a 350-year story that literally shaped the American South. From wealthy "Barbadian Adventurers" who transplanted their island architecture and brutal slave codes to Carolina's shores, to the gentleman pirate Stede Bonnet, who abandoned his wealthy plantation life only to be hanged and buried beneath Charleston's Battery, Craig reveals how these two destinations offer travelers an fascinating "shadow vacation" experience. Discover why Charleston's Broad Street mirrors Bridgetown's layout, how Low Country cuisine traces back to Barbadian kitchens, and why the world's oldest rum distillery tells Charleston's story better than most Charleston bars. Perfect for history buffs and travelers who want to unlock the deeper stories behind these destinations. Read Craig's complete story: "Charleston and Barbados: A Fascinating and Fun Connection."
Ever wondered where George Lucas filmed those iconic desert scenes on Luke Skywalker's home planet? Join travel writer Carol Bowman as she journeys through southern Tunisia to discover the real-world locations that became Tatooine. From sleeping in Luke Skywalker's room at the underground Hotel Sidi Idriss to exploring 15th-century granaries that doubled as slave quarters, Carol reveals how flash floods nearly derailed the entire production and why two different locations claim to be the same filming site. Plus, learn about the salt lake where Luke watched those famous binary sunsets and why the Mos Eisley Cantina exterior is now just ruins. Perfect for Star Wars fanatics planning their own pilgrimage to a galaxy not so far away. Read Carol's complete story, "Journey to Tatooine: Following George Lucas's Footsteps Through Tunisia's Star Wars Landscapes."
What happens when you sleep in the basement of the infamous Lizzie Borden House? Travel writer Isabella Miller finds out the hard way during her overnight stay at America's most notorious murder scene. From EMF meters going haywire to spirit boxes hurling misogynistic slurs from a ghost named Steve, discover why this Fall River, Massachusetts B&B is not your typical haunted house experience. Isabella shares the chilling details of her sleepless night in the washroom where the paranormal activity peaks, plus the twisted history behind the 1892 axe murders that may have been an inside job all along. Read Isabella's full hair-raising account, "Staying Overnight at the Haunted Lizzie Borden House in Fall River, MA."
Think the Maldives is just overwater villas and infinity pools? Think again. Join travel journalist Janna Graber as she island-hops through three Sun Siyam resorts, discovering water slides that plunge straight into lagoons, floating breakfasts in private pools, and the Maldives' only large animal veterinary hospital where she cuddles rescued baby goats. From diving with curious batfish to helping restore coral reefs, plus spa treatments with fish swimming beneath the massage table, discover why this bucket-list destination offers way more adventure than you'd expect. Read Janna's full article, "Chasing Paradise in the Maldives," with stunning photos and resort details.
Most people can't find Dominica on a map—and that's exactly why it's the Caribbean's best-kept secret. Join travel writer Mark Orwoll as he explores the tiny "Nature Island" where $4 bus rides beat luxury transfers, volcanic hot springs trump resort pools, and locally-distilled gin flows on Atlantic clifftops. From Pirates of the Caribbean filming locations to bush rum that'll knock you sideways, discover why this mispronounced paradise is perfect for travelers who'd rather explore villages than lounge poolside.
Forget crowded resorts. Travel journalist Janna Graber takes you inside Mandala Resort in Tonga—a three-acre private island where you wake up in a treehouse or bungalow to trumpet fish swimming beneath your deck. You'll learn traditional dances from village children and night snorkel through cathedral-ceiling caves by torchlight. From off-grid solar luxury to underground feast ovens, discover why this remote Polynesian kingdom makes you forget that clocks exist. Read Janna's full story, "This Private Island Paradise in Tonga Lets You Sleep in Treehouses and Swim in Crystal Clear Seas," for stunning photos and travel details.
What's it REALLY like to crawl through the claustrophobic tunnels of the Great Pyramid? Or stand face-to-face with Ramses II's colossal statues at sunrise in the middle of the Nubian desert?Join travel writer Janna Graber and her daughter Keri as they share their incredible 9-day journey through Egypt's most legendary sites. From the suffocating heat inside King Khufu's burial chamber to floating down the Nile on a cruise ship, this mother-daughter duo experienced the adventure of a lifetime.Whether you're planning your own Egyptian adventure or just love incredible travel stories, this episode will transport you to a land where 4,600-year-old wonders still take your breath away. Read Janna's full story - From Climbing Inside the Great Pyramid to a Nile Cruise: Our Epic Egypt Adventure