Travel

The World Within Reach
This summer, staying local doesn’t have to mean staying still. Explore Seattle as a global journey.
Summer in Seattle can be hard to give up — the long awaited celebration of bright sunshine, inviting hills and welcoming bodies of water. For those deciding to stay local this season, the avid, curious traveler can still explore the city as a portal to travel abroad. A mosaic of global cultures awaits, with food,…

No Cuts to Summer Fun at State Parks
Despite a leaner budget, Washington State Parks says services and access will stay the same
The agency might be tightening its belt, but summer fun is still on. Like other parts of state government, Washington State Parks took a hit in the latest legislative session, but visitors shouldn’t notice any changes to staffing or services this season. “We were fairly fortunate in that we were able to make mostly non-staffing…

Ooh La La! Tahiti Is Closer Than You Think
Tahiti is a tropical paradise that combines natural beauty, rich culture, and luxurious experiences
From the Bounty to Brando, French Polynesia stirs our most primal escapism. Lush, verdant peaks teetering above gin-clear lagoons, filled with a brilliant, sapphire menagerie — it only begins to describe the allure, as does the scent of gardenias drifting through the air like a persistent opiate. With the same ancient Polynesian culture firmly rooted…

Sole Searching In San Francisco
How to enjoy the City by the Bay without a car
The streets of San Francisco might not have Karl Malden and Michael Douglas solving crimes these days, but some visitors still consider the traffic a crime. Rideshare was invented here for a reason — but you don’t need to jump in a car to enjoy the iconic “City by the Bay” experience. If time is…

Get To Know Friday Harbor’s First Friday
Arts Walk emphasizes community, showcases creativity
The Washington state Ferry Kaleetan hums as it glides through the Salish Sea, and with each passing minute San Juan Island grows on the horizon. Then Friday Harbor comes into view, nestled into the coastline like a watercolor. The First Friday Art Walk has become Friday Harbor’s newest tradition, as locals and mainlanders buzz about,…

Oregon Wine Country’s New Luxury Hub
Wine, food, and small-town charm combine in McMinnville to create a memorable experience
We’ve been coming to the Oregon Wine Country since the aughts, making the trek from Seattle to visit family near Hillsboro. Back then, McMinnville was a sleepy little town — a convenient stop for coffee or a quick bite on the way to somewhere else. Fast forward to today and it’s transformed into a destination…

The Great B.C. Escape
Enjoy a culinary weekend getaway just a few hours from Seattle
A memorable meal is one of the best incentives to travel. These three tempt the short drive from Seattle to British Columbia. The reward: a world-renowned Royal Thai experience; a Michelin starred Japanese/Italian fusion; and an impeccable aburi sushi bite — each paired with a complementary hotel — make for a delectable culinary weekend getaway….

First Taiwan Tourism Center Opens in Seattle
The center is the country’s first in the United States
Taiwan has chosen Seattle for its first Taiwan Tourism Information Center in the United States. The effort is part of the Taiwan Tourism Administration’s effort to expand its tourism presence across North America and deepen travel, cultural and business ties between Taiwan and the U.S. Seattle has had a sister city relationship with Kaohsiung, Taiwan,…

Heart of Glass: A Weekend in Tacoma
Looking for a quick getaway? The City of Destiny awaits.
Tacoma is our happy place. We have a few scattered across the state, but Tacoma is the closest, the easiest, and the most familiar. When we’re craving inspiration or a meal that knocks us sideways, when our wardrobe needs a jolt or we want to be stopped in our tracks by street art, we head…

When in Rome, Think Alaska
Alaska Airlines plans new direct route to Rome, starting next May
Traveling from the Emerald City to the Eternal City will soon become much more convenient. Alaska Airlines will launch a direct flight from Sea-Tac International Airport to Rome in May 2026. It’s the first time ever that Seattle travelers can reach Rome via a nonstop flight. The route will operate four times a week. Fares…

As Smoke Fades, Hope Rises in L.A.
Why visiting Los Angeles after the wildfires matters more than ever
“In Los Angeles, it’s hard to tell if you’re dealing with the real true illusion or the false one.” — Eve Babitz Babitz was one of Los Angeles’ great muses, and her line rings especially true now in the wake of the wildfires that swept through parts of the region this winter. Los Angeles has…

Discovering the Hidden Treasures of Languedoc
For expert guidance to this magical corner of France, begin the journey at a wine shop in South Park
Last fall we attended a wine party in Quarante, a charming hamlet in the Languedoc region of southern France. The village was tiny. The house was anything but, with three stories, six bedrooms, a pool, and an old barn. A centuries-old olive tree observed the revelry from the interior courtyard, the wine flowed like water…

Rancho La Puerta: A Sanctuary For Holistic Health
Unwind at This Luxurious Wellness Retreat
Rancho La Puerta is known as the original wellness resort in North America. Founded in 1940 by husband-and-wife Edmond and Deborah Szekely, “The Ranch,” as it’s come to be known, was espousing the importance of holistic living decades before its time. The foundational principles of living a well-balanced life that started The Ranch — emphasizing…
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