When you first look through the airplane window and down at the Azores, you’ll be left speechless. From this very first glimpse, you’ll understand why many call this Portuguese archipelago the “Hawaii of Europe” and the “Islands of Colors.”
09.02.2024 - 17:44 / insider.com
By the time I finished high school, I had already visited well over a dozen countries.
My folks were never particularly well off, but any savings they did have were usually spent on travel and making lifelong memories. I can still remember our first big overseas holiday — a trip to Bali in Indonesia when I was 10. I was mesmerized to see how the Balinese people lived, what they ate. I loved the exotic smells and the excitement of being in a foreign place.
Over the years, my mom would pull me out of school for anywhere from two weeks to two months, and off we'd go on an adventure. When I was 14, we road-tripped in an old rental around Mexico checking out ancient Mayan ruins. As the years rolled by, there were trips to the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and Europe.
Sometimes during our travels, my mom would tell me to get my mind off boys and take in the sights. I'm sure she sometimes wondered whether she was wasting her hard-earned cash on someone who might not be appreciating the grandeur of Petra in Jordan or the dismantling and reassembly of Abu Simbel in Egypt. But I did take it in, and I learned a lot.
In my 20s, I continued to tick countries off my ever-expanding bucket list. I lived in Canada and London and traveled to dozens of countries. My boyfriend and I would work hard for several months doing odd jobs like waitressing or landscaping, then spend all our savings on seeing the world.
Eight years ago, we had our first child, a son. Over the years, we've taken him all over the world with us. He's marveled at the views of Cape Town, South Africa, from Table Mountain, walked along the river Seine, and devoured a crepe near the Eiffel Tower. He's ridden a red double-decker bus in London and feasted on pancakes with the yummiest maple syrup on the planet in Canada.
We've decided to prioritize travel over spending money on private schooling for our children. Like with my upbringing, we plan to send our kids to public schools and spend any extra cash we have on a different sort of education for our children, one that we believe is invaluable. After all, traveling offers some of the best education there is.
There's nothing like actually being there when you're learning about the history of a place. In France, our son walked around the clifftop village of Rocamadour, taking in the historic monuments. For centuries, pilgrims, kings, bishops, and nobles have visited its religious sites. In Canada, he learned all about the meaning behind inuksuit, the stone monuments erected by the Inuit people. My son was amazed by these incredible structures, which symbolize balance. Each stone plays a role in supporting the others.
In Bali last year, we came face-to-face with the cheeky long-tailed macaques that call
When you first look through the airplane window and down at the Azores, you’ll be left speechless. From this very first glimpse, you’ll understand why many call this Portuguese archipelago the “Hawaii of Europe” and the “Islands of Colors.”
April brings a seasonal shift across the globe, making it the ideal time of year for exploring ancient wonders, embarking on epic adventures and savoring fresh local produce.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Jaclyn Sienna India, the founder of the luxury travel concierge Sienna Charles . The following has been edited for length and clarity.
Self-styled as ‘Asia’s world city’, Hong Kong has seen its fair share of upheaval over the decades, but much of its current prosperity is built on its historic standing as a trading outpost. You sense that when you fly over the freighters that crisscross its waters, and see the skyscrapers that pierce its chockablock centre. A one-time British colony that sits in the South China Sea, it has always been a place where tastes and cultures collide. In this easily navigated destination, travellers typically stay in Kowloon, with its Victoria Harbour views, and on Hong Kong Island, which has exceptional places to eat and the landmark Victoria Peak.
We all deserve a getaway after surviving the cold, wintry weather much of the country has been dealing with for the past few months. Even if you live somewhere that doesn't see cold temperatures, spring break is the perfect time to get out and explore the world. After all, there is only so much time to maximize your annual PTO days or take advantage of school breaks.
Home to sun-drenched beaches, iconic boulevards and endless experiences, visitors flock to Los Angeles throughout the year.
In China, antiquity and heritage meet 21st-century innovation and lighting-fast development.
The word “yoga” comes from the Sanskrit root “yuj,” which means to unify. A growing number of yogis have taken this pursuit to a new level by joining immersive yoga retreats that offer a deeper connection with nature, the self, and the collective consciousness. Whether you practice daily or it’s your first time on the mat, embarking on a yoga retreat can allow you to focus on your well-being in a remote or natural setting. Studies have linked yoga to reduced stress, and committing to a structured program with daily classes can help you reap those benefits—while also enjoying the stunning surroundings of your chosen destination.
Delta Air Lines has revealed that it’s offering a special flight for travelers who want to experience a total solar eclipse from the sky. On April 8, Delta flight 1218 will depart from Austin and land in Detroit, offering passengers a chance to view the solar eclipse “at its peak,” promises Delta.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Jaclyn Sienna India, the founder and CEO of Sienna Charles based in Beverly Hills. It has been edited for length and clarity.
Despite Norway’s dominance at the Winter Olympics, Scandinavia isn’t the first place you might think of for a skiing vacation in Europe. Iconic destinations such as the Alps in France, Switzerland, and Austria often overshadow the Nordic countries when it comes to winter sport getaways.
The State Department poured a bucket of cold water on spring break 2024 when it recently issued warnings for several popular spring destinations.