You’ve probably seen all of the gorgeous photos before you even knew that they were of the famous Cinque Terre region of 5 small villages on the Italian Riviera. But no matter how many stunning photos you see of rocky coastal cliffs, with stacked buildings that look straight out of the most vibrant paint-by-numbers book, nothing prepares you for when you see the spectacle with your own eyes for the first time.
Cinque Terre is made up of five towns: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monteresso – each with their own unique qualities – that make up the whole of this iconic area. It is so typically Italian; so beautiful and unique that it has gained UNESCO World Heritage status. As such, it is located in a fragile environment that was not made for mass tourism. So, despite it being such a popular destination, don’t expect a lot of vehicle traffic.
Coming here is like enveloping yourself in the smell of the Mediterranean, the incredible landscape, and the Gelato (oh, the Gelato!) – you will not be able to get enough.
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- Written by Jeff Yelton
Italy exudes romance and the charms of European life, but no other coastal town nails this down better than Portofino. After the incredible Cinque Terre, this may well be the most well-known spot in the Ligure region. An infamous stomping ground for the well-to-do and famous, here is where they park their superyachts and folic under the Mediterranean sun.
But for those who long for something a bit less pretentious, Portofino offers all of her other riches to us in spades. The olive groves among lush hills of Cypress trees create an inviting backdrop if you venture out of town. And who can deny the appeal of multi-colored buildings pressed right up against the water’s edge, with the bustle of the marina?
What is really wonderful about Portofino is that the old blends seamlessly with the new. Get past the decadent waterfront with those yachts, trendy restaurants, and high-end boutiques, and start to really explore old Portofino in the way of ancient cobblestone streets and exquisite churches built into the cliffs above the port. But no matter where you look, the scene will resemble the finest picture postcard and will beg you to explore on foot.
Likewise, the town just before Portofino, Santa Margherita Ligure, it seems, has more authenticity, and is a little less showy – with an array of great restaurants, local boutiques, and the lovely Villa Durazzo on a hill overlooking the sea.
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- Written by Jeff Yelton
Jet lag, also known as desynchronosis, is one of the unintended consequences of long-haul flights that every avid traveler is familiar with. It is a temporary sleep disorder that occurs when you cross multiple time zones within a short period of time. Our body is naturally equipped with an internal clock (circadian rhythm) that regulates when we sleep and when we wake up. When we are in a different time zone, our body’s clock is still synched to our old time zone and it expects to sleep and wake up as usual. For instance, if you traveled eastwards, at the end of the day, your brain can tell it’s late in the evening where you are, but your body knows it still midday where you just came from, and that mismatch can cause some confusion to your internal clock. Luckily, this is short-lived and most of us can live with it.
So, how does jet lag feel? Travelers describe being jetlagged as an experience of not being able to fall asleep when you should be sleeping and not being able to wake up when you should be awake at your new destination. Basically, walking around in a daze as your body tries to operate at its usual rhythm but in a different space and time.
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- Written by Jeff Yelton
Travel, especially to international destinations, is currently limited for most of us. However, whether you’re doing some local travel, engaging in social-distanced outdoor activities, or on complete lockdown, we are all eager to return to travel the way we knew it. The US travel association recently collated numerous polls that show that most travelers miss flying and would fly to anywhere right now, as long as it was safe. Unfortunately, the reality is that travel has changed and could remain changed for a long time. We may no longer be able to just get up and go without taking some pre-travel health precautions.
Prior to the pandemic, travelers traveled with less emphasis on the health risks associated with travel. Most people felt comfortable going to a destination as long as they’ve been vaccinated against the diseases prevalent in that location or could get proper treatment if they were to fall sick while on the go. As more information about the pandemic emerges, we now realize that being healthy and boosting our immune system prior to travel is as important as what we do during travel if we want a healthier and safer journey. Even when the pandemic becomes history, travelers will inevitably put more emphasis on how much risk the entire process of traveling poses to their health. The higher the risk, the lower the desire to travel, and vice versa.
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- Written by Casey Barbles
Monaco is known for being the luxurious, beach-bumming, champagne-sipping, capital of Europe, where celebrities come to play. But what many people don’t realize is that this playground on the Mediterranean is actually a sovereign principality, governed under a form of constitutional monarchy, with Prince Albert II as head of state. It is actually the second smallest country in the world, second only to Vatican City.
That said, this is a heavily French place to be, with so many great things to do and see when you have had your fill of its glorious beaches.
Pro Tip: If you are not a fan of crowds, visit Monaco in the winter, where the prices are lower, and the Christmas decorations will hold you enthralled. You will have a more authentic experience when the atmosphere is more relaxing, and the weather is still good.
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- Written by Jeff Yelton
Every travel experience carries inherent risks, including Traveler’s Diarrhea, a type of illness that occurs in travelers as a result of eating and drinking in a country with different sanitary conditions than the body is used to. According to the Center for Disease and Control Prevention (CDC), Traveler’s Diarrhea is the most common travel-related illness and can occur in any part of the world. It is, however, more prevalent in Central America, South America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia (except Japan and South Korea).
As expected, Traveler’s Diarrhea almost always ruins a good vacation and often takes us by surprise. You may know how to travel like a pro and even know how to eat clean to make your trip easier and better, but sadly, Traveler’s Diarrhea typically starts at the wrong time and in the wrong place, and sometimes you might not be able to do much to prevent. Up to 30-70% of travelers will experience Traveler’s Diarrhea depending on their destination and the season during which they travel.
Unlike some other travel health disorders like motion sickness and jet lag, which you could somehow control, or at least can anticipate and plan ahead for, Traveler’s Diarrhea almost always takes you by surprise, typically after a bucket list meal or drink. The illness confines you to your accommodation and forces you to stay within a few feet of a toilet. Sufferers of Traveler’s Diarrhea have to pay constant attention to the noises and movements within their digestive system to avoid any embarrassing messes. All of these inconveniences can certainly ruin a good vacation.
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- Written by Jeff Yelton
It doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from – everyone loves a festival. A festival is (often) a multi-day celebration where people with a common interest can commune together and enjoy the food, the fun, and each other. In short, it’s a celebration of life. Here are just a few of the epic festivals around the world.
Edinburgh Fringe Festival - 3 weeks in August
This is the world’s largest performing arts festival! Greats such as Eddie Izzard and Billy Connolly got their humble start here as street performers. Dating back to 1947, the Fringe welcomes artists of every genre. Last year (2017) saw the festival span over twenty days, with over 53,000 performances of 3,400 shows in 300 venues! With that much to choose from, you really have to do your planning beforehand. If you are keen to see one of the more popular performers, get your tickets early! Or just walk the streets and perhaps discover the next great artist!
Mardi Gras – New Orleans – early February, but in NOLA, it really starts in January!
Fat Tuesday is a crazy crazy celebration. We’ve all heard the stories. Naked painted women (or just plain naked) walking down Bourbon Street throwing strings of beads up to hollering men waving cups of beer or hurricanes up on the balconies lining the streets. Dozens of parades with elaborate floats organized by crews. You have to book your trip at least a year in advance to get a decent hotel during the celebration. But oh, what a celebration! If you don’t mind stinky, drunken crowds and love parades, this is the festival for you.
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- Written by Jeff Yelton
For a little taste of the unknown, on the fringe of society, and definitely unique, a visit to these grassroots communities will leave you enthralled. Slab City, East Jesus, and Salvation Mountain are all within a couple of miles of each other. Each area is unique, yet they are bonded together by some unseen force that relies on a sense of togetherness, artistic and spiritual expression, and pure, unadulterated free existence.
The people here are friendly, eclectic, and on the outer edges of reality. When you come here, you will find hundreds, if not thousands of humble folks just hanging out and living off the land.
For a true off-the-grid living, the residents of this area have made their own way in the world and embraced this kind of living, which is refreshing in a strange way. Out here under the harsh sun of the California desert, the people have banded together to create a small society that is (mostly) peaceful, sovereign, and without waste. It is full of artists and other creative minds who love to turn everyday objects into art.
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- Written by Jeff Yelton
Do you like a big cosmopolitan city with small-town friendliness? Do you often wish that your slice of pizza was a little more substantial, as in not the flimsy New York pizza, but the hearty deep-dish variety?
Then you need to come to Chicago. It’s one of the best destinations in the U.S.
With its awe-inspiring architecture, beautiful scenery, and great food scene, the Windy City has as much to offer as any major town. And who can forget Lake Michigan? Even better, there are so many attractions here that are FREE. Millennium Park springs to mind - a veritable outdoor museum and gallery. Dozens of free museums are located throughout the city. If you happen to be here in July, do not miss the world’s largest food festival, Taste of Chicago. There is also a vibrant jazz scene here.
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- Written by Jeff Yelton
Since its designation as a National Park by Ulysses S Grant back in 1872, Yellowstone has been welcoming millions of visitors from around the globe.
As the great naturalist John Muir said, “The air is electric and full of ozone, healing, reviving, exhilarating, kept pure by frost and fire, while the scenery is wild enough to awaken the dead. It is a glorious place to grow in and rest in.”
That’s praise enough to peak most anyone’s interest.
Straddling the Montana border in northwest Wyoming, Yellowstone National Park will enthrall the most jaded of visitors. Despite the throngs of visitors every year, much of the park is kept natural, which is a rare and beautiful thing to experience.
The combination of unique geothermal activity, prolific wildlife, and sheer beauty of the landscape is unmatched anywhere else. Come see why this national treasure has captured the hearts and minds of every curious traveler, both young and old.
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- Written by Jeff Yelton
Casey Barbles 
Jeff Yelton 