Everyone told travel writer Edward Placidi not to go to Mali. War in the north, a military government in the south, police checkpoints every few miles. He went anyway. Join Edward as he slips past the warnings and into a Mali most people will never see: forgotten villages where no cars exist, where a blind king still settles disputes from his crumbling palace, and where children burst into screaming delight at the sight of a stranger with a camera. From shelling peanuts with laughing villagers to wandering past 1,000-year-old mud mosques and watching artists burn intricate designs into gourds with heated iron rods, this is a journey straight into a world that feels centuries removed from our own. But the cracks are showing, and Edward wonders how much longer it can last. Read Edward's full article, "A Rare Journey Into Mali: West Africa's Time-Forgotten Kingdom," with stunning photos and details on visiting the south safely.

Most luxury resorts promise infinity pools and spa treatments. Anantara Golden Triangle delivers that, plus something completely unexpected: rescued elephants as your neighbors. Travel writer Isabella Miller explores a Thai resort where conservation meets five-star comfort at the meeting point of three countries.

Walk alongside gentle giants through the jungle, dine 52 meters above the canopy while elephants forage below, and discover why those transparent jungle bubbles everyone's talking about are just the beginning. From the mahouts who've cared for these rescued animals their entire lives to that unforgettable buffalo cheek khao soi, this is where ethical wildlife experiences get luxurious. Read Isabella's complete story, "Jungle Luxury and Gentle Giants: A Golden Triangle Elephant Adventure."

At 14, travel journalist Janna Graber's grandfather fled Riga during WWI—falling off a bombed bridge into the river, losing his entire family in the chaos. He never saw them again. A century later, Janna boards a plane to Latvia with one mission: walk the cobblestone streets her grandfather never forgot, stand in the church where his family was baptized, and piece together what happened to the relatives he lost to war. What she discovers in Riga's uncrowded Art Nouveau streets, its 800-year-old monuments, and a genealogist's research changes everything she thought she knew about her family's past. This is a story about displacement, survival, and why some cities never let go—even across generations. Read Janna's full article, "My Grandfather Never Forgot Riga—And Now I Know Why It’s Europe’s Best-Kept Secret," to follow her emotional journey and discover why this Baltic capital deserves a spot on every traveler's list.

Winter in rural Japan hits differently. Travel journalist Isabella Miller trades Tokyo's neon chaos for snow-dusted mountain paths along the historic Nakasendo Trail, where feudal-era post towns still welcome travelers just like they did 400 years ago. Snowshoeing through quiet forests, soaking in steaming outdoor onsen baths, sleeping on tatami floors in family-run guesthouses, and navigating multi-course traditional meals that look too beautiful to eat. From watching lanterns flicker to life in the ancient village of Narai to discovering why there's a Japanese word for the specific warmth of a hearth fire, Isabella finds that Japan's mountains offer something Tokyo never could. Read Isabella's full article, "Winter on the Nakasendo Trail: Exploring Traditional Japan on Foot," with stunning photos and practical tips for your own journey.

Forget crowded resorts. Travel journalist Janna Graber takes you inside Mandala Resort in Tonga—a three-acre private island where you wake up in a treehouse or bungalow to trumpet fish swimming beneath your deck. You'll learn traditional dances from village children and night snorkel through cathedral-ceiling caves by torchlight. From off-grid solar luxury to underground feast ovens, discover why this remote Polynesian kingdom makes you forget that clocks exist. Read Janna's full story, "This Private Island Paradise in Tonga Lets You Sleep in Treehouses and Swim in Crystal Clear Seas," for stunning photos and travel details.

Ever wondered what it's like to swim alongside a creature the size of a bus? Travel journalist Janna Graber takes you into Mexico's Sea of Cortez, where juvenile whale sharks up to 32 feet long cruise the crystalline waters just minutes from shore. From the heart-pounding moment of dropping into the sea to swimming alongside these gentle giants at three miles per hour, discover why La Paz is the ultimate bucket-list destination for wildlife encounters. Plus, learn the surprising regulations that protect these magnificent creatures and why you only get 30 precious minutes to experience the magic. Read the full adventure story, "Swimming with Whale Sharks in the Sea of Cortez," with stunning underwater photography.

Most visitors to Salzburg arrive humming 'Do-Re-Mi,' but few leave knowing the real story. Join travel journalist Christine Loomis as she uncovers surprising secrets hiding in plain sight—from the gazebo moved for tourist safety to why Austrian actors needed coaching on their own 'national anthem.' Discover the palace you can only see by booking a stay, the cemetery actually built in Hollywood, and why ordering schnitzel with noodles earns puzzled looks from locals. With Salzburg celebrating the film's 60th anniversary through exclusive tours with Maria's granddaughter, learn why this UNESCO World Heritage city offers the perfect harmony of movie magic and authentic Austrian culture. Read Christine's full article, 'The Hills Are Still Alive: 60 Years of Magic in The Sound of Music's Salzburg,' complete with self-guided tour tips and insider dining recommendations.

Welcome to Shimonoseki, the only city in the world where elementary school kids dance to celebrate a fish that could kill them. Join travel journalist Masayoshi Sakamoto as he explores Japan's fugu capital, where poisonous pufferfish sits casually in supermarket aisles next to the milk, and licensed chefs spend years mastering cuts that literally mean life or death. Discover why an entire community built its identity around tetrodotoxin—one of nature's deadliest neurotoxins—and how locals turned lethal dining into daily life. Because in Shimonoseki, dinner isn't just delicious—it's dangerous. Read Masayoshi's full article, 'Deadly but Delicious: Inside Japan's Fugu Capital,' with stunning photos and insider access to Japan's most fearless food culture.

Join travel writer Dave McKenna as he stumbles through three weeks of chaotic adventure after selling his car to fund his Vietnam trip. He gets serenaded by an entire cruise ship crew who think he's on his honeymoon (spoiler: he's not married), survives monkey raids on Cham Island and learns why local women shave their heads to avoid poisoning their in-laws. Plus, discover why luxury cruise ships might trap you in tourist hell, how to survive scooter rides without dying, and why the floating markets everyone raves about had his guide recommending Thailand instead. Read Dave's full article, 'From Honeymoon Hoaxes to Monkey Mafia: A 21-Day Journey Through Vietnam’s Sensory Feast⁠' for all the hilarious mishaps and honest travel advice.

Think dating apps are complicated? Try finding love in Iceland, where your perfect match might actually be your cousin. Join travel journalist Tom Hall as he uncovers the wild world of Icelandic romance, where Tinder meets ancestry research and locals secretly run genealogical background checks on potential dates in bar bathrooms. From church pew 'window shopping' traditions to the embarrassing reality of bringing home someone who's already related to your family, discover why Iceland's 385,000 residents have turned online dating into a fascinating blend of modern romance and medieval matchmaking. Plus, learn about the free genealogical website that's become every Icelandic single's secret dating weapon. Read Tom's full article, '⁠Dating in Iceland: Tinder Meets Ancestry.com,⁠' to discover more surprising secrets about love in the land of fire and ice.