Articles

Erica Bray

Article / Outdoor & Adventure

Ghost-Hunting in Galena, Illinois: Finding Hidden Haunts in the American Heartland

In the Midwestern town of Galena, Illinois, once the stomping ground of Ulysses S. Grant and Mark Twain, intrepid ghost-hunters detect spirits among the old brick buildings. Would I…

Article / Local Experiences

How to Attend Highland Games in Scotland: I Took My Family, and Here's What to Expect

Highland Games of Scotland, a celebration of Scottish culture and the might of burly athletes, are welcoming to travelers, great for kids, and a fun way to spend a day. Find out how to…

Article / Arts and Culture

Powwow Pointers: 15 Tips for Visiting the Famous Native American Celebrations

All about powwows: Find a powwow near you, learn where to watch and what to buy, and discover the best ways for newbies to participate in these world-famous celebrations.

Article / Health, Insurance, Security

How to Avoid Being Fooled by Greenwashing on Vacation

Is that travel business as eco-conscious as it claims to be? Here's a beginner's guide to figuring out which ones are just full of hot air.

Article / Slideshows

Volunteering for a Day While on Vacation: Eight Ways to Find Opportunities

Volunteering is good for the heart and soul—and your travel karma. Weaving some service into your vacation time not only benefits the communities you serve, but the act of volunteering…

Article / Slideshows

In Japan, I Was Transformed Into a Geisha. You Can Do It, Too

Geisha have fascinated the world with their ethereal blend of beauty and mystique. That porcelain-white face. Those ruby-red lips. The colorful kimono. The jet-black hair. Although the…

Article / Slideshows

Listen to the Last Frontiers of Natural Quiet in North America

The whisper of the wind provided inspiration to the likes of Mark Twain and Henry David Thoreau. But if those authors were around today, they’d curse the manmade interruptions to…

Article / Outdoor & Adventure

Yoga-Infused All-Inclusive Vacations That Add Relaxation to Adventure

Spa holidays and wellness retreats aren’t the only ways to weave yoga into a vacation. A growing number of tour companies are pairing it with all-inclusive sightseeing…

Article / Outdoor & Adventure

Idaho White Water Rafting Where Smartphones Cannot Reach You

It’s a rare thing in our always-connected digital world to not know what’s going on beyond our own eyesight. But it happened to me in the middle-of-nowhere Idaho.

Article / Slideshows

Vacations with Capone: Sightseeing Chicago's Gangster Years

Al Capone, for better or for worse, remains an unofficial ambassador for Chicago, even some 100 years after he ruled the city’s Prohibition era gangster scene. Something about the…

Article / Slideshows

The Ultimate Guide to Planning a Road Trip in Iceland

A road trip through Iceland is an epic adventure. On a single day driving Iceland’s Ring Road, the transformation is astounding: An otherworldly expanse of moss-covered lava rocks will…