Margot Bigg

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.

The Indigenous-owned lodge is only accessible by boat—but anyone can be a citizen scientist there.

From sleek wellness retreats in the middle of the forest to wilderness getaways designed to bring guests closer to nature, here are five of the finest Indigenous-owned properties in the Pacific Northwest.

Through heaping portions of flavorful curries and flaky stuffed rotis, the folks at Mirisata are introducing the rich flavors of Sri Lanka—and the versatility of vegan cuisine—to a wide and growing audience.

Every winter, travelers from across the Pacific Northwest and beyond make their way into the Cascade Mountains of Washington to visit Leavenworth, a remote alpine community that’s known for its civic enthusiasm for all things Christmas – and German.
Here you’ll find a large central square flanked with Fachwerk-style structures, beer gardens adorned with blue-and-white Bavarian burning flags and hand-painted ye olde signage on everything from storefronts to gas station signs.