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christmas lights Texas

‘Tis the Season: Texan Celebrations of Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa

By Courtney Campbell

During this season, Texans celebrate these holidays with unique customs and traditions. With a population fast approaching 30 million, the diversity of the Lone Star State is particularly demonstrated in the last month of the year.   Read more

United States Events & Festivals
duck for Christmas dinner

Traditional holiday dishes from around the world

By Natalie Hoy

With the holidays approaching, I’m sure all of us already have our holiday dinner menu planned. Today, let’s go on a virtual journey to learn about traditional holiday dishes from around the world.   Read more

The World Events & Festivals Food & Drink
santa claus on the beach

I’m Dreaming of a White (Sand) Christmas

By Kerri Driver

It was Christmas Eve and it was snowing! This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me. Growing up in Houston, Texas, we rarely saw snow, and for it to happen on Christmas Eve had me jumping for joy.   Read more

The World Experiences Events & Festivals
Isle of Wight beach

An Expat’s Christmas Journey to the Isle of Wight

By Bianka Cramblit

Jude Law stopping by your snow-covered cottage in the English countryside…. Yes, please! The many other festive British holiday movies had left me feeling like I had already celebrated there.   Read more

United Kingdom Events & Festivals
River Swat Pakistan 3

Swat Valley: The Switzerland of Pakistan

By Muzammil Hussain

Swat Valley (Swat) is known as the ‘Switzerland’ of Pakistan because of its snow-capped mountains and beautiful scenery.   Read more

Asia Off the Beaten Path History
1 Beautiful pyramid of Chichen Itza scaled

A day trip to Mexico’s Chichen Itza

By Thomas Später

Because Chichen Itza is one of the new 7 world wonders according to UNESCO, this place represents the most-visited archaeological site in Mexico.   Read more

Mexico Nature & Outdoors
sea Kaikoura New Zealand

Rebuilding Wildlife Tourism in Kaikoura, New Zealand

By Ann-Marie Cahill

Kaikoura is a town of 4,000 people located about 110 miles north of Christchurch, on New Zealand’s South Island. It is tucked away on a beautiful peninsula, backed by the snow-capped peaks of the Seaward Kaikoura Range.   Read more

Oceania Preservation
christmas in Spain

Far From Home: Experiencing the Holidays in Spain

By Bianka Cramblit

When I moved to Spain, I knew I’d have to say goodbye to the very North-American traditions of Halloween and Thanksgiving.   Read more

Spain Events & Festivals
wupatki ruins

Exploring Arizona’s Ancient Native Dwellings

By Breana Johnson

I squint my eyes, trying to blur out the gaps in the mud walls and the crumbling walkway below it. What was it like to live here? Did the landscape look the same a thousand years ago? I try to imagine animals and kids running around under the canopy of … Read more   Read more

United States History
05. Gaudis creations are the quintessential highlights any Barcelona city tour

On Antoni Gaudi’s Trail in Barcelona

By Sugato Mukherjee

The Spanish city of Barcelona had been Antoni Gaudi’s canvas and muse, at once. The 19th-century architect-wizard used the entire Catalonian city to express his creative genius and seamlessly blended the Gothic and the French Art-Nouveau with Expressionism to create his architectural masterpieces.   Read more

Spain History The Arts
sydney opera house australia

Australian Holiday Traditions–Christmas and Beyond

By Madi Kh

But you know what makes Australia even more amazing? Unique traditions you won’t find anywhere else in the world. The media rarely portrays these cultural and unique Australian holiday traditions, so why not read about them?   Read more

Australia Insights Food & Drink
Thanksgiving in Beijing with party favors scaled

Celebrating Thanksgiving in Beijing, China

By Kirsten Harrington

It was Fall of 2019 and Beijing was beautiful, with ripe persimmons hanging from trees like lanterns and golden gingko trees glowing in the park. But as the days grew shorter and the arctic chill set in, my spirits sank. Thanksgiving was just around the corner, and I longed for … Read more   Read more

Asia United States Family Travel Events & Festivals
Pura Vida sign costa rica

Moving to Costa Rica: A Guide for Expats

By Ryan Hichens

Ahh, Costa Rica! If you’re moving to the lovely Central American country, let me be the first to say congratulations. You have a lot to look forward to. It’s not a coincidence that so many foreigners are packing their bags and relocating to Costa Rica. But before you commit, there … Read more   Read more

Central and South America Insights Lifestyle
Sleeping Bear Dunes in Michigan

Michigan’s Sleeping Bear Dunes | A Natural Treasure

By Tonya Fitzpatrick, Esq.

Do you know that feeling of how a smell, sound, or taste takes you back to some of your fondest memories? That’s what happens to me when something reminds me of my summer family vacations in Michigans Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. So, after all these years, whenever I travel … Read more   Read more

United States Landscape Nature & Outdoors
Delphi Greece   panoramio

Delphi: The Earth’s Center and Gift to Humanity

By Georgella Razi

Delphi, Greece is well-known for one thing in particular: it is the location of the famous Delphic Oracle. This oracle had a great deal of notoriety in ancient Greece due to the fact that travelers from all over the Mediterranean would make their way there to listen to the utterances … Read more   Read more

Europe History