Travel
Winter Escapes
These cold destinations are pretty hot this time of year
Winter in Seattle is a magical time for holiday lights, cool walks with hot beverages, and the occasional dusting of snowfall on our beautiful parks. Winter is also, paradoxically, the ideal time to get out of town. As the skies darken and the days get shorter, the lure of adventure tempts.
Here are some ideas for winter escapes that will ignite the bonfires of travel as soon as the temperature drops.
Missoula’s Moment
The city is full of amazing wilderness and a sense of adventure
The wagon trail leading from Seattle to Missoula, Mont., is well-traveled. When Missoulians crave the city slicker vibe, they pony up and head west. When Seattleites want to slow things down, they head over the pass to Zootown, as Missoula is affectionately known. There is a kinship between Seattleites and Missoulians; we love our communities…
Hidden Washington: Snohomish is Hiding in Plain Sight
A friendly, quaint, and engaging small town
As Scottish novelist and essayist Robert Louis Stevenson said, “I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move; to feel the needs and hitches of our life more nearly; to come down off this featherbed of civilization and find the globe granite underfoot and strewn with cutting flints.” What the great Stevenson might…
Chasing the Solar Eclipse: Seattle to Indianapolis
The city is near the center of the totality of the eclipse
On April 8, the heavens will put on a spectacular show as a total solar eclipse graces the skies, forging a path from Mazatlán to Montreal. For those seeking this unforgettable experience many prime destinations beckon, from the Texas Hill Country to Buffalo. For us, Indianapolis emerged as a prime destination, lying near the center of the eclipse’s path of totality, with a direct flight from Seattle.
Group Getaways: Escaping With Friends
From scenic spas to movie sets, bond over unique escapes
It happens over wine or an espresso. The conversation about why you don’t see more of your close friends blooms into escape plans with your nearest and dearest. Group getaways strengthen the bond of friendship — laughter flows freely, and memories are made. The best group trips center on a theme: total relaxation, picturesque destination, or cool activities close to home you might not normally try.
Yolo County: A Hidden Gem | Sponsored
Find refuge and relaxation in Northern California
Picture this: a place where quaint, historic downtowns meet tranquil rolling hills, where Northern California’s essence is perfectly captured in one idyllic destination. Welcome to Yolo County, a hidden gem just a short journey from the buzzing metropolises of Sacramento and San Francisco. In Yolo County, the land itself tells a story of abundance. From…
Cabo: A Fresh Take on an Old Favorite
The perennial winter getaway has a few new tricks up its sleeve
Who, in the throes of Seattle’s dark wintery grip, doesn’t love Cabo? Whether renting a house in the Pedregal or a suite in Palmilla, Seattleites have been enjoying desperately needed sun and delectable Mexican food at the southern tip of Baja California for decades. But with consistency comes complacency. Old favorites become old has-beens. The…
Hidden Pacific Northwest: Dim Sum and Then Some in Richmond, B.C.
Beyond its international locale, Asian culture, and foodie fame, Richmond, B.C. is just plain charming
Locals and frequent visitors know that Richmond’s allure extends far beyond its Hong Kongese dumplings. While tasting everything on The Dumpling Trail should always be part of the plan, a longer, more nuanced visit is needed…
Ruby Beach Recognized as One of the World’s Best
Sparkling red and strewn with sea stacks, Washington's rugged shoreline stands out
Situated on the Olympic Peninsula, a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Seattle, Ruby Beach is known for its towering sea stacks sculpted by centuries of wind and waves, and its thriving tide pools.
You Better Belize It
Fly nonstop from Seattle and enjoy the jungle, the sea, and everything else the country has to offer
With its colonial past as British Honduras, Belize is the only English-speaking country in the region. But the blend of European, Central American, Mexican, Spanish, and Caribbean influences doesn’t even begin to describe Belize’s unique potpourri of cultures. The landscape is dotted with numerous Mayan temples, both ready to visit and still under excavation. The jungles teem with wildlife, including the elusive jaguar and the world’s first nature preserve dedicated to the well-being of that magnificent beast.
The Sights of Sayulita
Where to shop, eat, and drink
The best dinner in town is making rounds to the street vendors for tamales and tacos (Gaby’s has the top fish tacos around), but if a sit-down situation is more your speed, then Barracuda or Mary’s offer excellent options from ceviche to shrimp tacos. For a morning boost, Anchor Café offers coffee (the vanilla coconut cold brew is delicious), toasts, smoothie bowls, and more.
The Shores of Sayulita
Using Mexican design sensibilities, Seattle architect Robert Humble built a contemporary home and vacation rental
When architect Robert Humble and his wife, Nicole Johnson, first visited Sayulita, Mexico, in 2009, it was the kind of sleepy little town that adventurous travelers hope to stumble upon. Surfers, artists, and yoginis mingled with the local community, and everything moved at a slower pace so often prevalent in tropical climates.
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