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The surprising southern town of Aiken, South Carolina’s intriguing history includes Native American culture, defining Civil War battles, and a railroad, once considered the world’s longest, that arrived here from coastal Charleston in 1833. After the Civil War, Aiken became a magnet for wealthy northerners. Among them were the Whitneys and Vanderbilts—who were keen on equestrian sports. They called Aiken the “Original Winter Colony.” Southerners flocked here, too, as monied folks from the coast fled malarial areas seeking a wellness retreat. In the name of charm, they all left their mark here.
Viewing the Northern Lights is a magical experience that tops bucket lists everywhere. It beckons travelers worldwide to frosty destinations. From now until 2026, the aurora borealis activity is expected to reach its highest levels in 11 years. This uptick in solar activity makes the current era a particularly good time for aurora-viewing vacations. This winter, why not combine the experience of searching for this natural phenomenon with a cultural experience in your choice of winter wonderlands?
The Glenn H. Curtiss Museum in Hammondsport, New York, honors the memory of an aviation pioneer. Much more than a leader in flight, Curtiss began innovation on bicycles, leading to motorcycles and then airplanes. The museum is filled with just about every form of transportation mankind has used and tells not only Curtiss’s story but also the Hammondsport/Steuben County history of transportation.
What is the first thing coming to your mind when you hear the name Christmas Island? The island may sound festive by name, but it is a tropical paradise, fringed by palm trees and edged by sandy beaches that indent the rugged coastline. Captain William Mynors of the British East India Company discovered Christmas Island on December 25, 1643. The date probably gives away why the island is called Christmas.
Yellow caution tape fluttered wetly in the rain around the bright red Toyota Prius, the murder weapon used to kill Cy Lenzio. Dressed as a mime in black trousers and a striped shirt, he was riding his unicycle when the driverless car chased him down Third Street, a dead-end street in Langley, Washington.
On the outskirts of Yellowstone National Park, 128 alpacas peer over the latched fences of Powell, Wyoming’s Arrowhead Alpacas. On the day of my farm visit, owner Jan Sapp unlatches the first fence and fills my palms with feed. I crouch down with my arms outstretched, deferential to the curious animals. Most meet my efforts with unimpressed stares. Only after a few minutes does the bravest alpaca — or perhaps the hungriest — step forward, accepting my offer with a tickle of her tongue.
Discover what the Guaches – the indigenous inhabitants of the Canary Islands – have known for centuries: Tenerife will enchant you. The Spanish island is home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Teide National Park and the city of La Laguna. With a unique volcanic landscape and plant species seen nowhere else, the island is globally known as a stargazing destination.
It’s 6:30 a.m., and I’m shivering on an open swath of land in South Dakota’s Black Hills, waiting for a plastic balloon to determine the course of my day. Damien Mahony, co-owner and pilot at Black Hills Balloons, released a birthday party-style balloon into the morning’s wind — a method to help gauge whether our much larger hot air balloon will take flight.
I stood atop Poo Poo Point, heart racing and adrenaline pumping as I stared out at the green landscape stretched out before me. The Seattle skyline glimmered in the distance. But my attention was fixed on the colorful paragliders dotting the sky around me. In just moments, I'd be joining them, launching off this 1,800-foot peak on a tandem paragliding flight with Northwest Paragliding over Issaquah, Washington.
With its dazzling skyline, Kuala Lumpur, or KL as most people call it, always leaves a lasting impression on visitors. A jungle of skyscrapers spreads throughout this Malaysian capital. They culminate in a spectacle of city lights encircling the world-famous Petronas Twin Towers, which stand like the sky-touching, larger-than-life cornstalks clad in silvery luminescence. But the real gems of KL lie in the discoveries of those who venture beyond the skyline.
As Donald Trump’s re-election prompts deep reflection among many Black Americans. A growing number are exploring life outside the U.S. Over the past few weeks, friends and family have reached out, expressing a genuine interest in relocation. As co-founders of World Footprints, Ian and I have spent decades traveling the world, sharing stories of culturally rich destinations that offer beauty and belonging. For those preparing to take this leap, we’ve created a list of seven welcoming, safe countries for Black Americans, including tips on residency and local considerations to make the transition easier.
Historic Brattonsville in South Carolina’s Olde English District is a little-known historic village with a big story. Its history began in the 1760s when three Bratton brothers settled here. The Brattons became wealthy slave owners. The village features over 30 structures, an 800 acre plantation, and a Revolutionary War battlefield site.
