Category Page travel

Visiting Portland Made Me Realize How Different Liberal Ideals Are from Reality

Portland markets itself as progressive, accepting, artsy — the kind of place where “everyone belongs.” But when I visited, the contrast between the image and the reality felt impossible to ignore. I saw activists holding signs about equality while stepping around homeless camps like they were trash. I watched a man overdose outside a vegan cafe while everyone kept sipping lattes like it was normal background noise. Then a local told me, “What you see on Instagram isn’t Portland. This is.” It made me wonder: How can a city preach compassion yet coexist so comfortably with visible suffering? And why do tourists get blamed for “not understanding Portland,” when maybe the city doesn’t understand itself? #Travel #Portland #RealAmerica

Traveling Through Arizona Made Me Question What ‘Safety’ Even Means

I’ve never been to a place where people talk about safety so much — yet define it so differently. In Scottsdale, I heard wealthy tourists brag about how “safe and pristine” it felt. An hour away, in Phoenix, I saw police stopping Latino families for no clear reason. A local told me, “This is normal here. They call it ‘protection.’ We call it something else.” Then a Border Patrol truck passed us on the highway, and everyone acted like it was as normal as a delivery van. Arizona is beautiful — but beauty doesn’t erase the tension you feel when a place is obsessed with safety while half its residents don’t feel protected at all. #Travel #Arizona #SafetyDebate

Southwest’s New Plus-Size Seat Rule Is Here

Southwest Airlines is finally switching to assigned seats, but that’s not all—they’re rolling out a new policy for plus-size passengers starting Jan 27. If you can’t fit in a coach seat with both armrests down, you’ll need to buy a second seat or upgrade to first class. No set weight limit, just whether you fit in the seat. If you buy an extra seat and the flight isn’t full, you might get a refund. Fair or embarrassing? Would this change your travel plans? #News #SouthwestAirlines #TravelNews

New Mexico 🇲🇽 or South America

If you find this tape on your door, call 911.

We came home from a weekend trip and found a small piece of blue painter's tape on our front door lock / bottom of the garage door. I thought it was a prank. My neighbor told me it’s a tactic thieves use to "case" houses. They stick it there to see if anyone opens the door. If the tape is still intact after 24-48 hours, they know the house is empty and safe to break into. Check your doors every day, even if you use the garage! #HomeSecurity #BurglaryAwareness #Casing #NeighborhoodWatch #TravelSafety

Skip Paris—Try These 5 Euro Hotspots Instead!

Everyone raves about Paris and Rome, but I’m spilling the tea on five underrated European cities you NEED to add to your bucket list. Salzburg is a dream for “Sound of Music” fans, Liverpool is a Beatles paradise, Cinque Terre is pure Italian magic, Porto’s food scene is next-level, and Strasbourg is a French-German fairytale. Trust me, these spots are way more memorable than the usual tourist traps! #News #TravelTips #HiddenGems

Delta’s First-Class Just Got Affordable-ish

Heads up, travel lovers: Delta is about to make flying fancy a little less pricey. They’re rolling out new ‘basic’ first and business class tickets—think extra legroom and early boarding, but fewer perks like free cancellations or loyalty points. It’s like getting a taste of luxury without the full splurge. The catch? You’ll trade some flexibility for a lower price. Would you try it for your next trip? #Business #Industry #DeltaAirlines

Ohio’s best-kept secret: Mohican State Park

Tucked away in Loudonville, Mohican State Park is a jaw-dropping 1,110-acre escape that most Ohioans haven’t even explored. Imagine ancient hemlock forests, a dramatic 300-foot-deep gorge, and waterfalls you can actually walk behind—all just a short drive from Columbus or Cleveland. Whether you’re into hiking, paddling, or snapping that perfect covered bridge photo, this place feels like stumbling into a hidden world. The best part? It’s never as crowded as Hocking Hills. If you’ve visited, what’s your favorite Mohican memory? And if you haven’t—what’s stopping you from discovering Ohio’s wild side? #Travel #OhioOutdoors #MohicanStatePark

Disneyland locals swear by these 3 arrival hacks

Long lines at Disneyland can eat up your day before you even see Main Street. Regulars like Kellie Krueger (@WeDontWearEars) have cracked the code: skip the main Mickey & Friends garage for the Pixar Pals lot (open 8-11am) to breeze through parking, use the lesser-known security entrance by the Disneyland Hotel after 7am, and hop on the monorail for a scenic shortcut into the park. Bonus tip: order your food ahead on your phone and grab a table at Plaza Inn’s patio for lunch. Who else has their own Disneyland time-saving tricks? Let’s swap secrets! #News #DisneylandHacks #DisneyTips

Best Stays Near National Parks Revealed

Obsessed with national parks but never know where to crash after a day of hiking? This list is a total game-changer. From cozy fire pits at Yosemite’s Rush Creek Lodge to stargazing at Zion Mountain Ranch, these spots are all about soaking up the vibe of the wild. Whether you want lakeside mornings in Yellowstone or ocean views in Acadia, these stays make your adventure even better. Ready to plan your next park-to-pillow trip? #Travel #NationalParks #TravelGoals