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Why I Travel + What’s Ahead
I travel to understand the world beyond what I read. Yes, we visit the places most people only learn about—Notre-Dame in Paris, the Sagrada Família in Barcelona, the Roman Forum in Rome—but the real magic is found in the moments that live between the textbook highlights. It’s in the flavors, the languages, the textures of…
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São Miguel Island in Portugal’s Volcanic Azores
São Miguel, the largest island in the Azores, is a place of contrasts—here, volcanic landscapes meet lush green hills, and ocean breezes carry the scent of rich pastures and salt air. Our visit was a whirlwind of natural wonders, great food, and unexpected moments, beginning in Ponta Delgada. Hot Springs, Hidden Views, and Culinary Delights…
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Finding Roots in Portugal: Exploring Pico in the Azores
Heritage Travel of Discovery and Connection In travel, some moments transcend sightseeing—they connect us to something deeper. This journey took us, along with two friends, to the breathtaking Azores, a chain of volcanic islands in the Atlantic Ocean. It was another reminder of how travel can weave together personal stories and ancestral ties—something I strive…
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Discover Faial: An Island of Contrasts in Portugal’s Azores
If I asked you about the Azores, what would you say? When I mentioned traveling to the Azores, most people had never heard of them. I knew little myself—just that they were Portuguese islands far west of Lisbon. I imagined them like Hawaii—tropical but Portuguese. I was wrong. In October, Aaron and I, along with…
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Argentine Asado in the Tigre Delta
Similar to our American barbecue in some ways, the idea of a full asado is foreign—a cultural experience, unique to Argentines. Ours awaited a short way from Tigre into the expansive Paraná Delta. This foodie’s bucket list item—check. We piled into the dinghy and braced ourselves. The marina behind us quickly disappeared as Frederic ripped…
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6 Elements of the Argentinian Asado
What is an Asado? In Argentina, “Asado” means Barbeque, which refers to the event and/or cut of meat (short ribs or spare ribs). The name originates from the Spanish verb asar, meaning to grill. 6 Elements of the Asado Photos from our Asado in the Tigre Delta
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Catalan Summer Solstice Festival Is Fire
Each year throughout Spain, particularly in Catalonia’s Girona Pyrenees, as the sun reaches its zenith, summer begins with a celebratory bang: the Fire Festival of Sant Joan’s Eve, claiming to eliminate evil spirits, cure disease, and cleanse souls. Rhythmic drums beat. Horns blared down the street. From our apartment’s shallow Juliet balcony in old Girona,…
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The Eiffel Tower: French Icon, Once Disputed, Now Cherished
Daybreak cast a hazy pastel backdrop beyond the trellised silhouette. Once viewed by Parisians as a blemish upon the skyline, this wrought-iron structure now proudly stands as France’s most celebrated icon. Our body clocks, not yet adjusted from Pacific Standard Time, woke us in the early morning darkness on the first day of our first…
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3 Southern US States, 3 Universities, 3 Styles
Join our adventure in the story links below. Discover how three college towns gave us three completely different experiences. Each campus showed us an array of southern charm and character, each with distinct qualities. The pastel-colored University of South Carolina was warm and welcoming with a personalized approach. The classically inspired University of Georgia was…
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A Whirlwind (literally) of Grandeur in Tuscaloosa at the University of Alabama
Our first visit to the state of Alabama started out with a bang—of lightning, that is. The whipping wind in Birmingham warned us of the brewing storm. Then, upon our arrival, Tuscaloosa greeted us with a tornado warning. That morning was relatively warm. We had just driven from the University of Georgia in Athens to…
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Finding a Haven at the University of Georgia
Jubilant students on TV rushed to ring a chapel bell as Georgia beat Alabama in the college football national championship game. A few weeks later, we find ourselves standing at that same bell hanging from within a white trussed tower. A student marches eagerly up to ring the bell with vigor, a tradition first recorded…
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Guided by Warm Charm at the University of South Carolina
Just a couple blocks from the South Carolina State House, we enter through one of two openings in the brick “Horseshoe Wall” that once protected the campus from burning during the Civil War. The cozy atmosphere invites us in. A brick path leads us into a tree-lined park setting where two centuries of pastel-colored history…
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The Space Needle’s New Vibe
Mostly improved, but missing one thing—the restaurant The centerpiece of the 1962 World’s Fair, the futuristic Space Needle got a $100 million renovation—mostly for the better—using 176 tons of glass to achieve a lighter and brighter feel. Although, now something’s missing—actually, replaced. This time around we opted to enjoy the Space Needle from on the…
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A Gothic Treasure: The Valencia Silk Exchange, La Lonja de la Seda
Light streams between a forest of spiral stone columns. Each support twists upward, branching into a delicate web of ribbed groin vaults overhead. This airy—seemingly weightless—volume exalts Valencia’s commercial hub, unique to its time. The History of This Temple of Trade When Pere Compte (renowned master builder from Girona) began construction of this trade center…
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Streamlining Our Life: Less Things Means More Experiences
A Personal Journey—How downsizing upgraded our lives and revealed what’s really important to us, in this moment. It may seem counterintuitive, particularly for an architectural designer amid a pandemic, to sell our house and move into an apartment. But that’s exactly what we did. We let go of the “American dream.” As homeowners for the…
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Travel Guide to London: Kensington and Chelsea
As I poked between the iron gate, I heard a voice warn, “No photos.” I looked up from the estate to see a gentleman emerge from the buildings to kindly deliver his message. I was just there for the architecture. Leaded glass windows called to me, begging for my admiration. And although I was no…
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Gluten-free Banana Oat Muffins
These gluten-free banana oat muffins are made with whole oats and can be made vegan. Try both the smooth blended version and the heartier whole oat version.
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Coconut Thai Curry Tofu and Squash
This spicy Thai-inspired dish combines coconut milk and Thai red curry paste to create a creamy sauce for tofu and butternut squash, perfect to serve over rice.
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