Winter 2019

Wait, people actually live on the Galápagos Islands? Yes, yes they do. Located about 600 miles off the western coast of Ecuador, the island group of the Galápagos is home to several thousand people. Of the thirteen major islands, five are inhabited by Ecuadorians, most of whom live on the islands of Santa Cruz and San Cristóbal. Puerto Ayora, the largest city on Santa Cruz, is a thriving tourist’s paradise complete with gift shops, restaurants, and nearby sightseeing. Many tourists are attracted to these tropical islands, situated less than one degree south of the equator, for their exotic plant and animal life and their breathtaking beaches. It’s not every day that you get to see a five-hundred-pound tortoise or set foot on a beautiful, uninhabited island. Because traveling to the islands can be pricey, plan on staying for a week or longer in order to get the most out of the tropical experience. The following are a few of the most popular sites to help you plan your getaway.

Full-Day Adventures

Inspiration

Collapsing Colonies

European countries house some of the world’s most famous pieces of art and recognizable architectural triumphs. Millions of tourists visit the continent each year to personally witness these masterpieces, but it can be overwhelming to decide which cities to prioritize and what to visit when you’re there.While there are many ways to see the major art centers of Europe, the following path allows visitors to see the continent’s masterpieces while limiting the amount of travel from place to place. However, if you need to adjust your schedule, every location on this list is only a short flight or train ride away from the others, so it’s easy check everything from Rembrandt to da Vinci off your list.

During a stressful day at work or school, you close your eyes for a second and let your mind wander, spending sweet leisure time in a happier place before being drawn back to reality. The vacation of your dreams shouldn’t be confined to a momentary haven for your overworked brain when instead it could be a thrilling reality. All it takes is a little willpower and planning.

Fried butter anyone? Discover what fun attractions you should see and fried food you should eat at some of the nation’s top-rated state fairs.

Abraham Hicks said, “If you’re not excited about it, it’s not the right path.” Well, here’s a path everyone should be excited about: the Ohio Donut Trail. Otherwise known as the Butler County Donut Trail, this eighty-mile tour—complete with a passport and free T-shirt—features tempting donut shops around the Cincinnati, Ohio, area. Even if you’ve made the trip before, you should consider making another pilgrimage: as of 2018, Butler County has added three more bakeries to the existing list of nine.

In the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt, the Arab World’s army continues to combat the Islamic State’s attacks. As of October 2018, this war has forced as many as 20,000 families in the North Sinai Governorate to flee the fighting. With this devastating war continuing, it would be easy to assume that Egypt is not a safe place to travel. While you should avoid the Sinai Peninsula, there are plenty of places in Egypt where you can safely visit that will leave you in awe.

The evening has finally come, and you can go home. Ah, home—the safe haven for the introvert in all of us. You can relax, dispel the stress of a busy day, and cocoon yourself away with a snack and your favorite form of escapism.

In AD 79, Herculaneum was a small seaside town. Fishermen coming home from their day’s labor on the water landed at the docks beside the beautiful, arched vaults of the city. Looking up, they would have seen their home. Unfortunately, Herculaneum was nestled at the foot of an active volcano.