Editors’ Picks
Selections of inspiring stories from around the world.
Imagine a communal farm founded in 1942, where sustainability is put over profit and a Christian community that welcomes all people of any, or no faith, to join their community. I recently visited Koinonia Farm in Americus, Georgia, and discovered a way of life I thought died in the 19th century.
Even the dogs in Toronto wear coats. Whether you’re shopping on Yonge Street or in Kensington Market, puffers don’t just appear in one-of-a-kind vintage stores or the sprawling Eaton Centre mall. Rather, they also cloak Toronto’s dachshunds and greyhounds, who strut through the city as unphased as their owners. On a weekend in December, a particularly spoiled French bulldog dons an embroidered Maple Leafs jersey, not unlike Carlton — the hockey team’s polar bear mascot.
On April 4, 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated as he stood on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, TN. Now the home of the National Civil Rights Museum, this historic structure not only immortalizes this unforgettable moment in time but showcases more than 400 years of African American history.
In the town of Plains, Georgia, President Jimmy Carter was affectionally referred to as “Mr. Jimmy.” Everybody in the tiny town was related to or knew him personally. Never before has a president devoted so much of himself to his hometown both before and after his presidency.
Creating 19 prosthetic limbs for 13 children in under a week might seem like a daunting task, but Robert Schulman has never shied away from a challenge. The certified prosthetist and founder of US-based nonprofit Limb Kind Foundation arrived in Davao City, Philippines in September with a team of 11 and a big goal. And he definitely delivered.
As we rounded the final curve to the Hallerangerhaus, the Austrian flag came into view. After 12 miles of hiking, with some calf-burning steep sections, the high mountain lodge in the Karwendel mountains was a welcome sight. I’m not much of a cruise person, and I get restless after too long at the beach. My way of unwinding from the stress of daily life is to push myself into action. Trekking to one of Austria’s high mountain huts was an adventure that strengthened my body and spirit.
This episode was recorded on location in Pulaski, Tennessee. Miss Sims shares stories of resilience and transformation, turning her advocacy into a lasting legacy. The Resurrection of Valor statue is a symbol of strength, unity, and courage, reshaping how this town—and the nation—remembers its history.
Known for its sparkling fjords, majestic mountain ranges, and expansive forests, Norway’s awe-inspiring landscape beckons to nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. For me, it was love at first sight on my initial visit more than a decade ago. While the natural beauty lured me, the culture of this magical land enticed me even more.
Across the USA, residents look forward to the countdown to midnight on New Year's Eve. As the countdown ensues, a Waterford crystal ball drops from its perch in New York's Times Square to the delights of millions of onlookers in the street and millions more watching on television. The spectacular ball is a geodesic sphere covered with 2,688 crystal triangles and measuring 12 feet in diameter. It weighs 11,875 pounds and has more than 32,000 LED lights. Known worldwide, this beloved tradition dates back to 1907. Around the world, New Year's Eve traditions vary, and some provide interesting entertainment.
From 1854 onward, a yearly market shall be held in Røros, commencing the second to last Tuesday in the month of February and lasting until the following Friday,” declared the King of Norway. When the king speaks, Norwegians listen, and in February 1854, Rørosmartnan was born.
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?
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.
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.
