I was in Cuba in January with two back-to-back groups. Our guide Andrés left weeks later on what turned out to be one of the last regular international flights before the oil crisis grounded much of the country's air travel. This is the real Cuba report — not the tourism pitch, not the political spin. It's not a pretty one.

When my marriage ended, I eventually bought a plane ticket. Not because I was running away, but because I realized something important: if we celebrate the beginning of relationships with elaborate trips and registries, why don't we celebrate the courage it takes to leave one that isn't working? Your divorce deserves a trip. Here's how to plan your anti-honeymoon, fund it without awkwardness, and turn your worst chapter into your best adventure.

Everything you need to know about travel vaccines before your next adventure—from Kenya to Cuba, India to Japan. No fluff, just the facts.

Learn how to pack like a pro with expert tips from frequent traveler Rachel Trapani! Discover the game-changing gear that will transform your packing routine, including two-compartment suitcases, suitcase backpacks, and hanging compression organizers. From the 5,4,3,2,1 packing method to planning outfits in advance, these strategies will help you travel lighter, avoid checked bag fees, and never feel unprepared again. Perfect for group trips, multi-city adventures, or any traveler tired of lugging heavy luggage!

I just wrapped up a connect call with the women who joined me in Cuba this January, and I'm still processing everything they shared. We talked about the emotional weight of witnessing Cuba's reality, the unexpected friendships formed, and how nobody regretted going—even when it was hard. Here's what they really think about traveling to Cuba.

Most people think you need culinary school to be a great cook. That you need fancy equipment, expensive ingredients, and some kind of natural-born talent that you either have or you don't. Enter Hannan Zary, the chef behind Tamoont Dining + Gathering who taught herself to cook by obsessively watching Food Network as a teenager. Her cooking journey didn't start with love—it started with spite. Banned from her stepmom's kitchen during elaborate diplomatic dinner parties, Hannan decided to teach herself. Without money for cooking classes or fancy ingredients, she worked within her constraints and still became an incredible chef. Her unconventional path proves you don't need formal education, your parents' approval, or fancy equipment to become good at cooking. You just need to start. This guide shares Hannan's practical lessons for becoming a better home cook, from mastering basic techniques to learning through failure.

Learn how to make the ultimate Wisconsin-style Bloody Mary with this recipe from Camp Lola Whiskey. Featuring Clamato juice, pickle brine, and enough garnishes to qualify as a meal.

Ever wonder what we're serving at Camp Lola Whiskey? Here's a peek at last year's signature cocktails—from Wisconsin Old Fashioneds to honey cocktails and shrub creations. Registration for 2026 is now open!

I'm heading back to Kenya in March with two group trips, and after watching what worked (and what spectacularly didn't) during my first overlanding experience, I've got some thoughts on packing. Let me save you from showing up with a hardshell suitcase and unrealistic expectations about looking cute in the bush. Because trust me, that's not happening.

You've seen the Instagram posts - hotels promising "eco-friendly" stays, tour operators using "sustainable" in every caption. But most aren't walking the talk. Welcome to greenwashing in tourism, where buzzwords are cheap but real ethical practices are anything but. Learn the two questions that reveal whether a travel company is actually ethical or just good at marketing.

Cuba has a special way of reminding me what actually matters—perspective, resilience, and the strength of human connection. Despite political uncertainty and challenges facing the island, I'm considering one final New Year's trip in late 2026 to support the local communities we've come to love. If Cuba is on your heart, join the waitlist for December 27, 2026 - January 3, 2027.

I woke up at 3 AM with an overwhelming urge to buy concert tickets to see Adele in Barcelona. Never mind that she was playing an hour from my house the following week. I just knew I had to go. That trip changed everything. Somewhere between Gaudí's architecture and Adele's voice, I made the decision to leave my marriage. A year later, floating in a hot air balloon over Turkey, I quit my corporate job. For years, I brushed these off as coincidence. Then I discovered astro-cartography, and suddenly everything clicked.

Three years ago, Teresa was newly divorced and terrified to travel alone. Today, she's visited five countries, taken up painting and singing, and is eight states away from her goal of visiting all 50 before turning 50. Her secret? She stopped waiting for perfect timing. Here's why her parents' unused RV taught her the most important lesson about travel—and life.

Stop making vague travel promises. Elementary school teacher Rachel Trapani went from taking one unaffordable trip in 2019 to five international adventures per year by 2023. Here are the 10 resolutions that actually work—from automating your travel savings to packing light, mastering long-haul flights, and saying yes to trips that scare you. Download our free guide with all the tips, product links, and travel credit card recommendations.

Dating abroad sounds romantic until you're resolving conflict in your second language. Digital nomad Lindsey Tague spent 5 years dating locals across Mexico, Colombia, Peru, and beyond—here are 10 truths nobody warns you about.

A solo traveler confronts her fears, discovers marigold everything, and floats over ancient pyramids at sunrise during Mexico City's Día de los Muertos. This is the story of how one picky eater found transformation through lucha libre, hot air balloons, and the power of group travel to make intimidating destinations feel effortless.

When Erik joined his first group trip to Georgia, he wasn't sure what to expect. As a self-described introvert traveling with strangers, he quickly discovered that Georgian hospitality and good wine have a way of turning a group of unknowns into lifelong friends. From wine-soaked karaoke sessions to intimate dinners in locals' homes, Erik found that group travel offered something solo adventures never could: people to share the unforgettable moments with. His biggest surprise? How naturally a mixed-gender group can bond when everyone checks their ego at the door and embraces the experience. Now back home, Erik is already planning his next group adventure—proof that sometimes stepping outside your comfort zone leads to the best journeys of all.

We've all said it: "I'd love to travel, but I just don't have time right now." But here's what I've learned after taking hundreds of people on transformational trips: the people who think they can't afford to step away are usually the ones who need it most. Your brain needs space to work its magic—and that space doesn't happen at your desk at 10 PM grinding through emails.

Let's talk about the food situation on my Greece trips for a second. Because holy shit, this year our sailing crew doubled as chefs and spoiled us with some Greek staples. On my May Greece trip, Happy made us fresh tzatziki that was so good I considered licking the bowl (I didn't, but it was a close call). On our September trip, Philip decided to bless us with homemade ceviche—which he prepared shirtless, by the way, because apparently that's just how things go when you're sailing the Greek islands with a crew of absolute characters.

At 62, newly divorced Kerry Breckle had a choice: stay bitter or get better. She chose better—and ended up in a hot air balloon over Mexican pyramids, getting her first tattoo in Cuba, and discovering that age is just a number. Her message? 'No one is going to knock on your door with a new life plan. So do it.' Read how Kerry went from afraid to fly to living her best adventure.