Every trip holds a unique experience. Some are meant to bring us joy, others to relax and recharge. Some trips teach us lessons, and a few have a specific purpose. Then there are the trips that change us on a molecular level. The type where you know with utter certainty you came home a different person than when you left. These trips often leave you with more questions than answers, and longing for change. 

Happy New Year! 2025 was quite the year. Whether you experienced challenges or successes, it feels like, as a collective, we were all ready to let it go. A new year is a clean slate. A fresh start for whatever intentions are most important to you. Even though January 1st marked the beginning of a new calendar year, those of us in the northern hemisphere are deep in winter, which is meant to be a slower season. So if you’re not quite feeling ready to jump into a new set of goals and ambitions, give yourself a little grace. Enjoy the slower season and the darker days. Use this time to reflect on how you want to feel and what is truly important for you to focus your energy on this year. 

Nothing beats a hot cup of cocoa by a roaring fireplace while wearing comfy sweats wrapped in a blanket. Add a good book during a heavy snowfall, and it’s about as perfect a day as it gets! Invented by the Danish, “hygge” simply means cozy, and it’s how we should all winter. According to the official Visit Denmark website, “hygge means creating a warm atmosphere and enjoying the good things in life with good people…Perhaps hygge explains why Danes are some of the happiest people in the world.” Inspired by this way of life, we’ve put together 8 destinations to visit this winter to embrace a hygge vibe for a well-deserved break. 

January is an underrated time of year to plan a trip. Holiday travel is over, and much of the northern hemisphere is experiencing cold weather. Many people are inclined to stay home, whether that’s to avoid the risk of travel delays or blowing through precious PTO so early in the year. Whatever the reason, tourism crowds ease up after the holiday rush, and time seems to slow down. For those who choose to embrace the heart of winter, there’s something about exploring while the air is crisp and meeting people in warm, cozy restaurants. If you’re looking to get away, you might consider one of these destinations for January travel. 

Cities take on a certain magical quality during the holidays. The lights and decorations transform the urban landscape into a glittering space that brings joy to even the Scroogiest of hearts. An air of nostalgia tickles the brain in just the right way so that not even the gloomiest days can ruin the experience. Chicago is no stranger to the magic of the holiday season. While the city is known for soaking up every minute of summer, locals also love to embrace every moment that celebrates this festive time of year. 

There’s nothing quite like getting lost in a book as the leaves begin to fall, that dead leaf smell permeating the air as the subtle chill of cooler weather whispers down your spine. Cozy knits, a hot drink, and soft candlelit ambiance create an aesthetic we crave all year long. It’s a time for fantasy reads and witchy stories, psychological thrillers and nostalgic rom-coms. No matter which genre you lean towards, we can all agree that hitting the TBR pile as soon as the chill hits the air is a universally accepted simple pleasure in life. Not sure what to read this fall, we’ve got several recommendations to inspire your reading ambitions. 

The city of New York is a beast. It’s easy to underestimate exactly how large the footprint of Manhattan is, let alone all five boroughs, and it’s easy to overestimate how much can be accomplished in one day. If you only have a few short days, that lack of awareness could leave you feeling as if you’ve barely seen the city. While we recommend mapping out any destination you visit, it’s essential in New York City. Not only will it save you time getting around, it’ll help plan days that pack in quite a bit, without draining every last drop of energy from you. There are infinite ways to spend two days in the Big Apple, but here’s one itinerary to start inspiring your next trip. 

Solo trips are just as much for introverts as they are for extroverts. If anything, solo travel might have been invented by introverts. It’s the perfect opportunity to explore the world at your own pace without any secondary opinions or accommodations. However, if it’s something you haven’t done before, it can be intimidating. Where do you go? How do you feel safe? How do you know which destination is the right one? What’s the best place to stay? Should you book activities or improvise? 

There’s nothing quite like leaves changing colors in the height of autumn. The short window when fall colors are at their peak is coveted for seasonal travel and roadtrips through parts of the US such as Acadia National Park, the Great Lakes, and the Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s the time of year when we trade cozy knits for beach towels, and warm apple cider for lemonade. The time of year when the sun sets earlier, so that s’mores around the bonfire are an after-dinner treat rather than a late-night snack. The sweet smell of leaves on the ground permeates the air alongside the warm spices from freshly baked goods. It’s one of the best times of year to slow down and soak in every moment, especially since it feels like the shortest of all seasons. 

Nothing beats an afternoon browsing bookstores or wandering markets on a morning coffee stroll. New York City is the perfect place for both. With grand markets littered throughout the city and bookstores around almost every corner, it’s impossible not to find some treasure to take home. Shopping at markets and independent bookstores puts the money directly back into the community, supporting small businesses, local artists, and creatives. It’s supporting someone’s creative dreams and pursuits while keeping the local economy healthy. To share every single market and bookstore in NYC would mean an endless scroll. However, we’ve pulled together a few finds that should make the top of your list. 

While summer temperatures are still plaguing the better part of the northern hemisphere, it’s never too early to think about a fall getaway. Crisp weather leads to cozy adventures, no matter the destination. From the historic streets of Innsbruck and Mexico City to the peaceful quiet of the Oregon coast and waves of Maui, we’ve put together a list of places across the globe to look forward to visiting this coming season. But honestly, any of these spots make for a memorable trip regardless of the time of year. Start planning, and get ready to take off…

New York City is filled with historical landmarks, sites that have gained fame through pop culture, memorials, parks, and beyond. For new visitors, the never-ending list can be overwhelming. As long as you start somewhere, there will always be something to see that you haven’t made it to yet. From buildings with architectural significance to memorials, parks of every size and use, bridges, and more, we’ve put together a list of sites to consider on your next trip to New York City.