Winter 2026 Archive

Impermanence was at the core of my childhood. When packing tape and cardboard boxes took over my house every few years, it meant saying goodbye again, boarding another airplane, and leaving for yet another place to call home. This was normal to me.

Did you know that there are 574 Native American nations within the United States? And that number only counts the ones officially recognized by the US government. Even though it can be difficult to pinpoint capitals for every native nation, we found four across the US that you won’t want to miss!

The earliest lighthouses were nothing more than fires built on platforms to mark the entrances to ports, but nowadays lighthouses are towering structures with electric lights and revolving lenses that shine light miles out to sea. Where can you go to walk where lightkeepers have walked before? Many lighthouses no longer fulfill their original function, so consider visiting a few of the oldest lighthouses still in operation around the world.

Who would watch a movie about a K-pop girl group that secretly fights demons while belting surprisingly good songs and teaching about the importance of being true to yourself? Everyone, apparently. K-Pop Demon Hunters took the world by surprise this summer, and its compelling story and infectious tunes have been stuck in our heads ever since.

Many of humankind’s earliest stories are about light. Creation stories of the Mesopotamian Babylonians, Egyptians, Hindus, and Jews all paint the world pitch black—then, a powerful god arises and creates light. The Ancient Greeks had a similar myth: Prometheus stole fire from the gods and gave it to humankind, a vitally important robbery with an equally high cost.

Is there a difference between visiting and experiencing? The students featured in this article— Makayla Page, Ben Gubler, Chantelle LaFrance, Annemarie Hilton, Rachael Haack, and Annette Francis—hoped to answer that question as they embarked on study abroad experiences with Brigham Young University.

Tucked away just outside Rocky Mountain National Park lies the hidden gem of the Rockies: Estes Park. This quaint mountain town wins over the heart of any visitor with its beautiful hikes, quirky stores, and luxury stays.

If seeing the northern lights is on your bucket list and you are searching for the perfect place to view them, you can stop searching! Tromsø, Norway is the perfect spot to chase the northern lights. Because of its location in the center of the northern auroral oval, the northern lights are seen more often and more intensely in Tromsø than anywhere else in the world.

Nestled in the Andes, on the edge of the Amazon, sits Baños de Agua Santa, Ecuador. Originally famous for its natural hot springs, Baños is now an adventure hub, perfect for travelers looking to step outside their comfort zones.

Northern Ireland is a beautiful mix of Celtic Ireland and British culture. From cliffside castles to natural novelties, Northern Ireland is brimming with unique places to explore. With so many places to see and things to do, where should you start? Here are some ideas to make your top o’ the i’land trip the very tip of the top!

With a month in Thailand, you’re not just traveling—you’re diving headfirst into vibrant cities, stunning beaches, rich traditions, and unforgettable cuisine. Thailand is a country where every region feels like a new adventure, and you can experience a wide range of culture, nature, and local life with just a little planning.

If you’ve seen Disney’s Tangled, then you’ve seen how mesmerizing lantern festivals can be. Cultures around the world use lantern festivals as a way of bringing people together and bringing light to their communities. Some lanterns are released into the air, some float away on the water, and some are used to decorate homes and cities. Below you’ll find a few examples of the many lantern festivals around the world.

When you think about a wax museum—and I mean really think about a wax museum—it can lead you to wonder who really thought that a wax museum would be a good idea for attracting customers in the first place. A bunch of creepy statues of real people, dead or alive, who remain eerily in their fixed state for customers to gaze at for entertainment. Who could have foreseen that the idea would not only take off, but extend its reach from its place of origin in Europe to America, Asia, the Middle East, and even Australia?

Humanity has traded herbs, spices, and seasonings for thousands of years, longing for new and exciting flavors. Today, even the most modest American spice cabinet is enough to make ancient kings jealous. Despite that, there are still countless seasonings used in cuisines around the world that you’ve probably never heard of. Here are a few to be on the lookout for—along with some inspiration for incorporating them into your repertoire.

One month shy of her 100th birthday, Helen Lamon passed away, surrounded by family who thought they knew her complete story. She had lived through the Dust Bowl, two world wars, and the invention of television—but the story she carried most carefully was one she never told.

As you venture through Slovenia’s highest pass, the Julian Alps surround you in a stunning panorama. The drive is just 15 miles (24 km) long, but it has a dangerous twist: The steep, skinny, and twisting pass has 50 hairpin turns that guarantee a breathtaking drive in more than one way. However, you’ll find that the historical attractions, mountain lodges, and natural wonders along the way make Vršič Pass well worth the hair-raising ride.

During an extended stay in the small town of Pendleton, Oregon, I learned that tourists and travelers were being drawn to this town for reasons more than originally met the eye. Though Pendleton has historically been known for its famous Round-Up (hosted every September for rodeo enthusiasts across the world), there was and is something more beneath the surface—literally. There is some speculation about the truthfulness of events about the town beneath the town, but once you take a closer look, it is clear that some stories about the underground dens and galleries below Pendleton are warranted.

Slavery. When you hear that term, Roman conquests or the American Civil War might come to mind. The sad truth is that slavery is still very much alive today in the form of human trafficking. According to the US Department of Justice, human trafficking “is a crime that involves compelling or coercing a person to provide labor or services, or to engage in commercial sex acts.” Both victims and perpetrators of human trafficking wear many faces and are not exclusive to specific genders. Anyone can be a victim. Anyone can be a perpetrator. This horrific practice is a global issue, but the Nepali–India border is notorious for it. One organization’s fight against human trafficking in Nepal is providing hope for the future.

On belay? Belay on! Welcome to the School of Red Rock! As your instructor, I’ll prepare you to experience the full rappelling package. It includes up-close and personal views of narrow slot canyons, as well as birds-eye panoramic views of sprawling canyon networks, distant hoodoos, and the curve of the earth.

The first thing I noticed was the darkness. Nearly fifty riders, made up of my extended family, poured into the mouth of the tunnel, our bike lamps flickering like a moving constellation. The crunch of tires against gravel mingled with laughter, the sound bouncing off the damp walls.

If you’re the designated trip planner in your friend group, it’s easy to feel underappreciated and overwhelmed. You probably wish planning was easier and a little more fun. Well, here’s some good news for anyone planning a trip, whether expert or novice: You have a new planning buddy—and its name is Wanderlog.