Margot Bigg

Extending from the Amazon Rainforest up to the northeastern coast of South America, Guyana is home to vast expanses of untouched rainforest and savanna, as well as some of the best wildlife-spotting opportunities on the continent. It’s also South America’s only English-speaking country, and in many ways has more cultural commonality with the Caribbean than it does with neighboring Venezuela and Brazil.

I stood alone at the edge of a lukewarm pond, my toes sinking into a slush of mud and sand, and belted out “Hy-dra!” as loud as I could.
I wasn’t summoning the lake serpent of Greek mythology; I was calling a capybara that I had met a few nights prior at a Guyanese wilderness lodge, hoping she’d join me for a swim.
Within seconds, I noticed ripples shoot across the top of the otherwise glassy pond. I squinted to get a better look and saw a tiny head inching toward me. It was Hydra.

Oregon has long been a darling among wine lovers, celebrated for its incredible terroirs, world-class food scene, and gorgeous landscapes with rolling vineyard-lined hills and groves of towering old-growth trees. While it’s easy to think of Oregon as a monolith, this massive state is quite diverse, with numerous microclimates and mineral-rich soils that result in a huge variety of distinct wines.

What’s better than sipping a crisp, minerally glass of Oregon-grown riesling overlooking acres of vines on the hillside from your perch on an elegant stone patio? It’s knowing that your purchase funds an entire farm that’s tied to practices that make a vineyard strong and healthy. When you buy organic wine, you know you’re supporting a lighter impact on the environment; with biodynamic wine, you’re supporting an integrated system of farming.

There are plenty of people out there with travel superpowers. Some people can sleep anywhere (even in the middle seat). Others seem to be immune to jet lag. While I’m sad not to possess any of these blessings, I do have one flex: I have no problem going on ridiculously long trips with nary more than a carry-on in tow. This is driven by a hatred for long waits at baggage claims and intense paranoia about airlines losing my precious luggage.

While most travelers to Oregon make a beeline to the Columbia River Gorge region to see Multnomah Falls—the tallest cascade in the state—and its adjacent Waterfall Corridor, I prefer to take out-of-town visitors to a place I find even more enchanting: Silver Falls State Park. This emeraldine swath of temperate rain forest has all the trappings of a quintessential Pacific Northwest wonderland.

Set amidst the seemingly endless farmlands of southeastern Washington, the historic city of Walla Walla has long been known for two things: Walla Walla sweet onions—the official state vegetable—and an extraordinary wine scene. Come see why this cozy city is just as fun to visit as it is to say.

Add a little groove to your getaway in these top destinations for summer music festivals.

I stood in silence, watching the Sunday liturgy unfold at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Tbilisi, the capital city of Georgia. In the middle of the church, a group of clergy members read passages while people of the congregation lit thin beeswax candles, each passing the flame to the person next to them to create a long glimmering chain of illumination.

When most people think of West Coast beaches, they think of California. After all, it’s the Golden State beaches that inspired the Beach Boys ballads and surfer-dude stereotypes that have become an integral aspect of Americana. Oregon and Washington have plenty of spectacular beaches, too, and while frigid Pacific Northwest waters might not inspire most people to swim, they certainly offer incredible scenic beauty.

Color-blind-adapted lenses are transforming the way many people see Oregon.

Savor the Spice of Life at These Bend Restaurants
Bend’s Indian eateries will take you on a culinary journey through the subcontinent, from the expansive plains of the North to the sunny tropics of South India. Without leaving Central Oregon, you can try rich curries, hearty flatbreads, fragrant rice dishes and sweet desserts.

Plan your next trip around one of these six enchanting celebrations.

Here’s what you need to know about applying for – and making the most of – a US passport.

I first started visiting Bangkok when I was in my early 20s. I was living in India at the time and earning a relatively modest salary, in rupees. Although Bangkok is considered a fairly inexpensive destination compared to North America or Europe, the costs were a bit higher than in Delhi. This meant that I had to work with humble means.