Dala Horse in Mora, Minnesota
When you think of Sweden, you might picture one of its famous symbols, the Dala horse, or the dalahäst. Minnesota has the highest number of Swedish immigrants in the U.S. As a way to embrace Swedish heritage, this statue was constructed in 1971 by the Mora Jaycees in the town of Mora. Mora, Minnesota, is […]
Kellie’s Castle in Batu Gajah, Malaysia
Located atop a small hill in the scenic Perak countryside, Kellie’s Castle is an unfinished mansion originally intended to be the new home for the growing family of a wealthy Scottish rubber plantation owner, William Kellie-Smith. The Kellie-Smith family originally resided at the smaller Kellas House, which now lies in ruin behind the castle, destroyed […]
El Weirdo in Panama City, Florida
Passersby drawn in by El Weirdo’s bright murals would be forgiven for thinking they’ve stumbled upon an art gallery, as every surface is covered with the works of local artists—including a full wall of pieces for sale. But although the artwork is worth a visit in its own right, it’s the tacos and house-brewed beer […]
From Bay to Bar: Exploring Panama City’s Legendary Oyster Scene
Nothing tastes more definitively of the sea than oysters. Whether they’re served raw, steamed, baked, grilled, stewed, roasted, sautéd, or deep-fried, oysters offer diners a pure connection to the ocean. And every variety is distinct, with flavors and texture that speaks to the exact location and conditions where they grow. And no place celebrates this […]
How Are You Doing, America?
We had a sponsored design post today – scheduled for a few weeks. I just couldn’t put it up. I had “emotional life whiplash” this weekend – where you have to live your life with kids while also trying to stay present to the tragedies that are unfolding in real time. We went to Bend […]
How to transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Marriott Bonvoy
You can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to various airline and hotel loyalty programs, including Marriott Bonvoy. Though Marriott Bonvoy isn’t one of the most valuable Chase transfer partners, it is one of the most well-known hotel loyalty programs. It can be daunting the first time you transfer Chase points. But don’t worry: It’s relatively […]
Atmos Rewards Ascent vs. Business: Which $95 Alaska-Hawaiian card should you get?
If you want to collect Atmos Rewards points to use for Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines flights, you may be interested in applying for one of their cobranded credit cards. The Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® credit card and the Atmos™ Rewards Visa Signature® Business Card are two mid-tier options to consider. Even if you […]
20,000 flights canceled in winter storm, but the worst may be behind us
As millions of Americans dig out from a weekend of heavy snow and ice, airlines are racing to get operations back on track after the worst stretch of flight cancellations in a half-decade. By noon EST Monday, airlines had canceled more than 4,300 flights nationwide, according to data from FlightAware. That’s certainly a rough day […]
21 tips and tricks that will make your first cruise go smoothly
Cruising is easy — or so cruisers will tell you. For starters, you only have to unpack once, even as you travel from place to place. You also don’t have to go hunting for a restaurant every night. Dining spots are usually just steps away from your cabin, with tables waiting for you. You’ll also […]
What Hilton’s CEO says about devaluations, new elite status and personalized stays
“I’ve never been more excited about the business than I am today,” Chris Nassetta, president and CEO of Hilton, told a group of journalists in a recent roundtable interview conducted at the reborn Waldorf Astoria New York (“the hotel that literally invented luxury in the [hospitality] world,” he’d said). Over the interview, Nassetta gave snippets […]