When a tropical storm spurred by Hurricane Helene swept the North Carolina mountains on Sept 27, 2024, the devastation across Appalachia exceeded expectations. Entire towns such as Chimney Rock were ravaged by epic rainfall encompassing 25 counties, triggering cascading mudslides and swift flooding from nearby rivers and streams. Road closures were rampant, including parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway and Interstate 40. The apocalyptic storm caused significant power outages and severed...

Nearly all my adult years have been spent as an adopted Southerner, yet my roots are steeped in Rhode Island. Bring on the crunchy fried chicken, shrimp and grits, banana pudding, both Western & Eastern North Carolina BBQ (vinegar, tomato, whatever, all tasty). But in my heart, I’m a lobsta cracking, chowda slurping, clamcake chomping, Red Sox loving New Englander. Deciding to return to my native homeland to reunite with family and friends, driving was the most exhaustively sensible option...

If sailing from Australia to New Zealand is not on your travel agenda, high time to add it! Sea voyages are an ideal way to cover both countries with ease, efficiency and comfort. We spent four nights pre cruise in multi cultural Sydney, a gastronomic epicenter of globally inspired foods: Pan Asian, Indian, German, Italian, French, plus seafood aplenty. With our local guide, we toured every corner of the city. Like its cuisine, Sydney’s hospitality is diversely international. Staying at the...