Compass
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.
When the holiday season rolls around, few experiences match the charm of a German Christmas market. Known locally as Weihnachtsmärkte, these markets are more than just festive events—they’re spaces where history, tradition, and community come together. While you can find Christmas markets in many parts of the world now, the ones in Germany, where it all started, still stand out for their authenticity and atmosphere.
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.
Looking back, I remember the joy of those gatherings and the abundance of food. But I also wonder how much went to waste. As someone now mindful of the environmental impact of our choices, I’ve started rethinking how we can celebrate Thanksgiving with the same warmth and abundance while taking care of the planet.
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.
The Thanksgiving travel season is set to be one of the busiest on record, with Airlines for America predicting a staggering 24.6 million people to be in the skies. Avoid holiday travel chaos by planning ahead, packing smart, and taking advantage of new technology. These expert tips and industry insights will help keep your travel smooth, efficient, and as stress-free as possible.
From Ghana and Barbados to Portugal and Thailand, these seven countries offer different options for Black Americans considering retirement, remote work or a longer life abroad.
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.
A picturesque four-season getaway, Manchester, Vermont (pop 4,500) typifies classic Vermont small-town charm. It possesses an edge that moves it beyond historic architecture in a beautiful mountain setting. All within close proximity, there’s way more to do here than meets the eye. You'll find luxe resort options, fine and healthy dining, wellness offerings, world-class art, beguiling American history, and a new way to interpret off-roading.
