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Where Locals Go Instead of the Most Overrated Spanish Landmarks
Skip the tourist traps and discover the authentic Spain locals actually love! Spain welcomes over 85 million visitors annually, making it one of the world’s most popular destinations. But not every famous landmark lives up to its reputation. A lot of the most iconic spots from Barcelona to Madrid leave travelers feeling overwhelmed, squeezed between crowds, and paying inflated prices for experiences that have lost their authenticity. “After years of living in Spain and guiding students through the country’s culture, I’ve seen countless visitors return from ‘must-see’ attractions feeling disappointed,” says James Smith, founder of Learn Spanish with James, an online platform offering Spanish courses and cultural insights led by…
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Spain’s Most Beautiful Autumn Coastal Road Trips
Explore six stunning seaside routes perfect for October and November road tripping adventures in Spain! Every autumn, Spain’s coastline transforms into something magical. While summer crowds pack the beaches, October and November offer a completely different experience, one where golden light dances on quieter shores and harvest festivals celebrate the season’s bounty. Driving in Spain in the fall requires different preparation from summer trips. Road surfaces can be more unpredictable with morning dew and occasional rain, so we recommend checking tire tread depth before exploring. Your braking system works harder on wet coastal roads and if you notice any unusual sounds or reduced responsiveness, address these issues before your trip…
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Explore The Odyssey’s Viking Ship Draken Harald Hårfagre in Oslo, Norway
Story by Cassie Hepler, Submitted Images and Video The Odyssey’s Viking Ship Draken Harald Hårfagre is blowing up! Not literally but visitors are going wild over the real Viking ship movie producer Christopher Nolan told the LA Times “became a character in the movie.” She’s the 115-foot Viking longship that carries Matt Damon‘s Odysseus throughout The Odyssey, built using traditional Norwegian boatbuilding methods and crewed by the actual sailors who worked directly into the shoot as extras. Since the film opened, she’s seen a real spike in visitors at the dock in Oslo, Norway with people coming out just to see the ship in person. She’s open to the public…
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How to Move to Greece as an American
Want to get the funk out of the fascist regime that is currently life in the USA? You’re not the only one who may be realizing that the United States of America is not the best country in the world as we were conditioned to believe since childhood classrooms, reciting our undying oath to the American flag and God… which I never did by the way, even as a kid it felt like I was being indoctrinated and I would just stand there and mumble some shit. Just like those disgusting force fed daily fluoride pills “to strengthen your teeth” that made my stomach hurt and I would stash them…
- Destinations, Education, Entertainment, Explore with Cassie, Food & Beverage, Latest News, Lifestyle
Unique Things to Do in Ocho Rios and Kingston, Jamaica
Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler The last time I explored Jamaica was in 2010 with Carnival Destiny! This was before Carnival became problematic by the way, it was on par with Celebrity and other elevated cruise lines back then but meant for a younger, more professional crowd. Some of my favorite excursions included riding horseback on One Drop (because his one ear was floppy) who ended up running my leg into a tree but no damage done, the colorful market, enjoying squishy kayaks at White River Valley where eventually I popped out of mine after some rapids and just swam around in the crystal clear blue waters the…
- Destinations, Education, Entertainment, Explore with Cassie, Food & Beverage, Latest News, Lifestyle
Flip the Script about Kingston, Jamaica with Locally Owned S Hotel Kingston
Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler Get into the Jamaican groove at S Hotel Kingston! Situated in the bustling capital of Kingston, Jamaica, the former Spanish Court Hotel is now under the S Hotels Jamaica umbrella which is ideal for everyone who wants to be close to business centers, tourist attractions and local restaurants within a gated community. A member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, S Hotels offer hospitality in the heart of Jamaica’s cultural capital. A 50-foot infinity rooftop pool with breathtaking views awaits along with Rocksteady Restaurant and the multiple pool bars serving up Jamaican delicacies and international cuisine. The Blue Mountains and infamous pirate…
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Unique Things to Do in Montego Bay, Jamaica
Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler Courtesy of S Hotel Montego Bay in Jamaica, an all-inclusive resort located on pristine Doctor’s Cave beach, offers a medley of activities and tours to explore outside of the resort and encourages visitors to do so as much as possible! If you are not staying with the hotel, there are a variety of ways to take a tour including the old fuck around and find out where you just wander the Hip Strip streets nearby and a ton of people will offer you everything from weed to private tours. For solo female travelers, you are good to go doing most anything by daytime…
- Destinations, Education, Entertainment, Explore with Cassie, Food & Beverage, Latest News, Lifestyle
Refresh your Soul in the Turquoise Caribbean Sea at S Hotel Montego Bay, Jamaica
Photos, videos and story by Cassie Hepler Doctor’s Cave beach is said to have healing powers which is why it’s the Jamaican gem! S Hotel Montego Bay is an all-inclusive resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica set right on this beach with lounge chairs, trees and drinks to enjoy while you swim your heart out or live your best life relaxing in the shade or soaking up the sunshine. Half of the beach is meant for guests only as well with plenty of lifeguards nearby so you can swim without worry. Located only 5 minutes from the Sangster International Airport, you can be getting your feet wet, sandy and your palate…
- Destinations, Education, Entertainment, Explore with Cassie, Food & Beverage, Latest News, Lifestyle
Live like a Queen in an 1,000 Year Old Castle, Castel di Luco in Italy
Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler Sleep like a queen in a 1,000 year old castle! Castel di Luco is said to be built on a sacred forest where Pagan rites were celebrated because of the magical waters lurking below. Evidence of the castle goes back as far as 1052 and has survived religious rulers, aristocratic families, invasions, liberations, prisoners, murders, births, marriages and no doubt illicit love affairs fit for a modern day romance novel. Throughout all this time, it has maintained its status as one of the rarest and most unique castles in Italy’s Piceno region, with a surprisingly intact appearance as a medieval architectural structure. We…
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How 5 Gyres is Fighting Microplastics: A California Love Story of Activism and Science
Meet Anna Cummins and Marcus Eriksen: the Environmental Power Couple Behind 5 Gyres Story by Irina Abraham Somewhere among the California hills, there lies a piece of paradise adorned with legends of Steve McQueen’s buried motorcycles, carefully crafted dinosaur sculptures, and breathtaking sunsets. The most fascinating thing about this place is its residents: there is a poet, a gold-bearing athlete, a muralist, and a promising young filmmaker. A power couple runs the place – Anna Cummins and Marcus Eriksen. They have sailed the roaring seas, unearthed precious dinosaur bone, and were a part of a team that discovered plastic micro beads were taking over The Great Lakes. Lucky to be…
