Fall 2020

When most people think of food from Europe, their mind usually jumps to Italian pasta, French crepes, or British fish n’ chips. I doubt many people think of Portugal for its culinary arts. Most people probably don’t even know what they eat in Portugal—I know I didn’t before I traveled there! But while living there for six weeks, I learned of some of the unique foods Portugal has to offer, and I was not disappointed.

Whether you prefer sunbathing on the beach or exploring top-of-the-line museums, Victoria has it all. Located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, Victoria is only accessible by boat or plane. Every day, large ferries transport hundreds of cars across the Pacific Ocean and onto the beautiful island, where visitors are greeted by cheery customs officials in bright green uniforms. From there, tourists can head to the beach or into the town itself which boasts just under 100,000 residents. With so many things to do, it can be hard to narrow down the best of what Victoria has to offer, so this list provides the top five experiences to have while in Victoria, British Columbia.

Puerto Rico is famous for its beautiful beaches, colorful homes, and patriotic spirit. Now is the time to add it to your travel bucket list if it doesn’t already have a place there. When planning a trip to Puerto Rico, you will likely add destinations like Castillo San Filipe El Morro, Cabo Rojo, and El Yunque National Forest to your schedule. I’m here to tell you about one tourist spot you don’t want to miss: Las Paylas, a natural waterslide located in Luquillo.

Here’s the deal: I’m a broke college student. I don’t have money to spend on expensive plane tickets, let alone on the luxury airport restaurants and lounges. But hey, a girl can dream—right? One day, just maybe, I’ll have the opportunity to travel again (post-COVID) and the budget to treat myself during a layover. Until then, I am content to dream of the places I wish I could go and share them with you! So, here are five airport cuisine gems* from around the world:

As the 2020 election fades into memory, Americans can take the opportunity to reflect on our country’s election systems and culture. Political ads, rallies, debates, and even car parades—they’re all part of the American political landscape leading up to an election. We’re often so engrossed in the culture and events surrounding the election, that we don’t take time to compare our voting customs to those of other countries. Here’s a look at democracy in four different countries around the world.

Despite the stunning serenity and vast vistas of Switzerland, one of the small country’s most striking features is its unusually beautiful graveyards. Visitors more familiar with the aged, dilapidated, and mossy cemeteries of their native countries are stunned by the polished headstones, vibrant, flower beds, and neat rows of graves. The beauty of life is shared with the dead in an awe-inspiring combination of precision and nature. However, all is not what it seems in these Swiss graveyards.

Samhain (Ireland/Scotland)

Tourism: Why Do We Do It?

Italy: The land of cobblestone alleys, enchanting small towns, and heavenly food. I was lucky enough to live there for two years, two months of which I spent in an enchanting town just north of Naples. While there, I fell head-over-heels for Neapolitan pizza. I ate it often, sometimes three or four times a week! Safe to say, this pizza accounted for the eight pounds I gained during my time near Naples.

Once Upon a Time . . . we’ve all heard that before. From Cinderella to Snow White, fairy tales are a huge part of pop culture. However, there are so many wonderful stories across the world that are not very well-known. Each country has tales that have been passed down through generations, but we rarely hear about them. Here are some lesser known fairy tales from a few different countries.

In the center of Spain lies a hilly city, notable for its grand Gothic cathedral and mighty fortress that stands guard next to the Tagus river. The city’s architecture and culture are marked by strong Jewish, Muslim, and Christian influence. Though the city used to be the capital of Spain, you won’t find any skyscrapers here. Instead, you’ll find tiny, twisty streets so narrow that when a car drives by, you’ll have to hug the wall to give the car space to pass. If you walk into a market in the middle of the day, you might come across Catholic nuns doing some shopping. And don’t plan on eating dinner here until very late—most restaurants begin serving dinner around 8:00 or 9:00 p.m.

Compared to Europe, there are few places in the United States that are deeply rooted in history; after all, the US is a comparatively young country. But Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia has ties to nearly every famous Revolutionary War figure, and the town still feels like it did over two hundred years ago. Walking the cobblestone streets of Colonial Williamsburg literally feels like stepping into history. All the workers are in colonial dress, made from on-site materials and with authentic weaving processes. So many people are in era-appropriate attire that it almost feels out of place to wear jeans. The tour guides in each destination spot are incredibly knowledgeable in their craft and deliver all their information in character. There are no cars in Colonial Williamsburg, even for the people that live on-site. It’s all horse-drawn carriages and buggies (and if you ask nicely, the coachmen will let you pet the magnificent horses). Across Colonial Williamsburg’s 301 acres are over 80 original buildings housing many historic tradesmen, with lots of hands-on experiences for tourists. There is a brickyard, carpenter’s yard, garden, courthouse, armory, printing press, and farm. (Quick tip for the kids: at the brickyard, you can take off your shoes and stomp in the red mud!) As you wander along the streets, you might be lucky enough to watch a group of musicians perform.

Looking for a quick weekend getaway? Galveston Island, TX is what cute little beach town dreams are made of. Complete with brightly painted stilt houses, a historic downtown, uniquely themed restaurants, an old-timey pier overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, miles of beach access, and relaxing resorts, you’ll have a hard time choosing what to do first.