Editors’ Picks

Like all fretwork by Frank Lloyd Wright, the stylized cedar cutouts over the upper windows of the Gordon House are unique. Some people think the pattern looks like upside-down saw blades in a nod to Oregon's lumber industry. Others believe it resembles fallen trees or branches, tour guide and assistant manager Mairee MacInnes remarked.

Talk about a getaway. Indonesia’s 17,000 islands include Sumatra, the world’s sixth largest. Making up an incredible slice of its west coast, West Sumatra hugs the Indian Ocean, where 100 miles offshore lie the fabled and exotic Mentawai Islands. Engaging locals include a mix of colorful Indo, tribal, and missionary characters who—mixed with stunning visitor affordability—make these islands a true jungle-meets-ocean nirvana.

Hidden away in Aspen’s industrial outskirts near the airport, Mawa’s Kitchen appears out of nowhere. At first glance, the quiet, warehouse-filled street seems an unlikely setting for a culinary hotspot. But step inside, and that illusion quickly falls away. Here in this light, airy space, with its French-inspired wallpaper and forest-green bar, Mawa McQueen’s world comes alive.

Just 40 years ago, the Indigenous Aymara women of Bolivia held a specific place in society. Often barred from certain restaurants, cafes, even many forms of public transportation, they mostly worked for the middle and higher class as domestic workers. This meant that had little chance at continuing education or any real form of integration into Bolivian life.

Mexico’s southernmost state of Chiapas boasts steamy tropical rainforest jungles, fertile and pine-forested mountains, and standout colonial cities and towns. Known for its cobblestone streets, baroque buildings, and elegant plazas, San Cristóbal de las Casas is on many a traveler’s radar. The ruins of Palenque and Yaxchilán are two of the most spectacular archeological sites in the Mayan world. The surrounding jungle remains unscathed, home to cacophonous howler monkeys, brightly colored toucans, and various cats, including jaguars and ocelots.

India cradles an ancient and spiritual culture that draws visitors from around the globe. Spiritual experiences in the country range from temple visits and yoga retreats to 10-day silent Vipassana meditations. While India is best known by tourists for wonders like the Taj Mahal, our six-month sojourn brought us to many lesser-known religious sights including the source of the sacred Ganges River in Uttarakhand.

When Andrea Marshall began studying manta rays in Mozambique in 2003 there was so little information about the species that she was forced to recommend them as “data deficient” on the Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List, the go-to authority on endangered species.

Our winter welcome to Bolivia wasn't exactly warm. For Americans, the visa requirements are extensive. In addition to paying $160 each in unblemished, unfolded US currency, we were required to provide passport-style photos, evidence of yellow fever vaccinations, financial documents proving access to $10,000, confirmed reservations for our entire stay, and tickets out of the country.

Sidhpur is deeply rooted in both history and Hindu mythology. Since ancient times, the sleepy little town in North Gujarat, India, has been a sacred pilgrimage site among Hindu devotees who honor their maternal ancestors. The town rose to prominence during the rule of the Solanki Dynasty when it became the capital of the state and was named after the famous king Siddhraj Jaisingh.

The ubiquitous street art, depicting portraits of Ho Chi Minh, flying pigeons, and people waving the national flag, reminded me that this year marks the 50th anniversary of Vietnam’s reunification in 1975.

This week, “The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth” returns to Calgary in the Canadian province of Alberta. Better known as the Calgary Stampede, this annual 10-day event features an opening parade, a rodeo, a festival filled with rides and indulgent treats, as well as pancake breakfasts throughout the community. But, perhaps one of the Calgary Stampede’s most intriguing events is the Elbow River Camp, formerly known as Indian Village.

During the Gilded Age, wealthy Northerners came to Aiken, South Carolina for the warm weather, spring water, and pine-scented air. The railroad arrived here in 1830, and the Northerners followed. They established what became known as their Winter Colony. Stories of these well-heeled guests add to the charm of this Southern gem.

The natural beauty of the mountains of North Carolina has beckoned travelers for decades. When autumn arrives and vibrant shades of gold, orange, yellow, and red paint the landscape, even more visitors arrive. Residents and business owners eagerly anticipate the fall season and welcome travelers with a smile. But in September 2024, in the midst of the colorful season an unwelcome guest arrived…Hurricane Helene. The horrific storm caused significant damage to many mountain towns in the North Carolina mountains, and some have still not recovered. Lives, businesses, and property were lost to the storm.

The sleepy village of Licin is situated in the Banyuwangi regency of East Java, Indonesia. It’s a 30-minute drive from the town of Banyuwangi – Java’s easternmost tip – and an hour from the slopes of Kawah Ijen, the legendary volcano famous for its electric blue flames. It’s often used as a base for hiking the world’s most fascinating crater, and foreigners usually pass through it. But during my travels in Indonesia last November, I was instantly drawn to Licin’s wild beauty and tranquility, making it my home for the remaining two weeks of my stay in the country.

“Watch us come back with a dog,” I joked to my partner as we packed our things for four months on Mexico’s Pacific coast. As it turned out, it was less of a joke than I thought. When you think of Mexico, street dogs probably aren’t the first thing that comes to mind. But outside of the resorts and villas that most tourists associate with Mexico, things are different. The country has the largest number of Mexican street dogs in Latin America. The National Institute of Statistics and Geography estimates that about 70 percent of the 18 million dogs in Mexico live on the street, born as strays or simply abandoned. It’s a statistic that becomes overwhelmingly evident as you walk around.

Award-winning artist and sculptor Tyree Guyton started The Heidelberg Project in 1986 as a political protest after he returned to his old Detroit neighborhood, the Heidelberg area in the McDougall-Hunt Neighborhood, and found dereliction and debris. Drugs and crime made the neighborhood unsafe to walk even in the daytime. He began cleaning up vacant lots with the help of his grandfather, Sam Mackey. Then he took the first step in what became known as the Heidelberg Project; he painted his mother's house with brightly colored polka dots as a statement that we are all different but should all be treated equally. It became known as the Dotty Wotty House, sometimes called the People's House.

In my broken Thai, I pointed toward the water and looked at the boatman. “Bua?” I asked. "Bua" means lotus in Thai. I tried to mimic the local accent and used a hand gesture, hoping he would understand and take me to see the flowers. He nodded and smiled, mumbled a string of words that I could not understand, and steered the boat into the open water, still shrouded in morning fog. The boat slowly pierced through the dissipating mist, eerily silent, like something out of a sci-fi movie. Before us, a sea of pink lotuses started to unfold, bit by bit, like a watercolor painting coming to life with each brushstroke. It was surreal, almost like a dream, yet it was real. My jaw dropped in awe when the scene finally unfolded in its entirety.

Plan a culturally rich Southern road trip through Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina with this guide to 24 must-see museums showcasing Southern heritage, art, science, and architecture. Discover iconic landmarks and cultural treasures perfect for itineraries through the Carolinas and Georgia or family outings in the Southeast.