# Lisbon Right Now: Sunny Streets, Honest Costs, and a Slower Way to See Europe European travel feels a little different these days. People are still going, but many of us are thinking harder about value, flexibility, and whether a trip feels genuinely enjoyable rather than rushed. Lisbon fits that mood beautifully. It has famous … Read more

# Cape Cod Beyond the Postcards: Quiet Beaches, Good Seafood, and the Real Local Feel ## The Vibe & When to Go I’ve lived on Cape Cod for more than 20 years, and I still understand why people fall for it. The ocean is never far away, the towns have their own distinct personalities, and … Read more

# Uzbekistan by Train: My Favorite Silk Road Stops, Local Food, and Honest Travel Tips Uzbekistan is the kind of place that stays with you in small details: the blue tiles of a mosque glowing in the afternoon sun, a plate of plov shared with strangers, the rattle of teacups in a quiet courtyard. For … Read more

# 10 Summer Escapes With Fewer Crowds and Better Prices This Year Summer travel usually means packed landmarks, expensive rooms, and restaurant reservations made weeks ahead. But this year, KAYAK’s travel data points to a more encouraging idea: several big-name destinations are seeing softer demand and more manageable prices. I would still book flights and … Read more

# A Summer Book-Lover’s Road Trip: 15 Literary Places I’d Happily Visit Again ## The Vibe & When to Go If your ideal vacation includes old reading rooms, independent bookshops, writers’ homes, and the quiet thrill of standing where a favorite novel began, summer is a great time to plan a literary trip through the … Read more

# Barcelona Beyond the Crowds: My Favorite Corners, Tapas Stops, and Honest Budget Tips ## The Vibe & When to Go Barcelona is the kind of city where a quiet morning can turn into a long lunch, a beach walk, and an accidental sunset viewpoint. One minute you’re admiring Gaudí’s strange, dreamy architecture; the next, … Read more

# Barcelona Beyond the Headlines: Gaudí, Great Food, and How to Visit on a Sensible Budget Barcelona has been in the news because its mayor has proposed a **900% increase in a tourist fee for some visitors**, particularly cruise passengers. The exact amount and who would pay it still depend on local approval, so check … Read more

# Rio de Janeiro Beyond the Postcard: Where to Go, What to Eat, and How to Travel Well ## The Vibe & When to Go Rio still has that almost unbelievable mix of mountains, ocean, music, and everyday city life. One minute you’re watching surfers at Ipanema; the next, you’re climbing a steep street where … Read more

# Vietnam Right Now: My Favorite Places, Honest Costs, and How to Travel Well Vietnam has been having a moment for a while, but lately it feels as if everyone is talking about it. Travelers who once headed straight to Thailand are now adding Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Da Nang, and the northern mountains to their … Read more

# Vietnam Right Now: My Favorite Places, Honest Costs, and How to Travel Well Vietnam has the energy of a country that knows people are arriving in greater numbers—but hasn’t completely changed itself to suit them. You’ll still eat breakfast on a tiny plastic stool, watch aunties sort herbs outside a market, and find a … Read more