Recent Articles

The soulfulness of solo travel

The soulfulness of solo travel

It is cool to travel again — and even more cool to do it alone. Data from booking.com shows that prepandemic, only 17% of travelers were going solo. By mid-2021, that number jumped to 30%. Last year, searches for single-person flights in 2023 were up 36% over […]

Taking the Trip

Taking the Trip

Travel offers motivation and solace to young families facing terminal cancer By Krisha Chachra When Cissy Carroll received the news in October 2015 that she had Stage 4 lung cancer that had metastasized to her brain, her doctors told her there was less than a […]

The Guild of Charlotte Artists: Local Creative Group Celebrates 75 Years

The Guild of Charlotte Artists: Local Creative Group Celebrates 75 Years

Keeping an organization alive for three-quarters of a century is no easy feat. Shefalee Patel, president of the Guild of Charlotte Artists, credits the group’s longevity to its ability to adapt.

“We’ve managed to stay relevant by changing the face of the Guild to include artists from all backgrounds, cultures and walks of life,” says Patel. “We have been intentional about attracting new members and excited about celebrating 75 years of supporting artists.”

The Guild of Charlotte Artists was founded in Charlotte in 1948 to promote all local artists through creating community and fellowship and to offer gallery opportunities for its members.

“Years ago, there weren’t many places where artists could come together and collaborate in Charlotte. Now, there are many organizations like the Charlotte Art League, which spun out of the Guild, that support artists of all kinds,” Patel explains. “The Guild hopes we can partner with organizations like the Charlotte Art League to celebrate our 75th year.”

Read More

WEEKENDER: Florida Gulf Beaches

WEEKENDER: Florida Gulf Beaches

As businesses reopen in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, residents just south of Tampa remain hopeful that tourists will visit the Florida Gulf this holiday season. Popular spots like Clearwater and St. Petersburg weren’t directly hit, and their beaches will continue to be tourist destinations. If you’d rather spend […]

WEEKENDER: New Bern

WEEKENDER: New Bern

If you drive toward the coast, about 4.5 hours east of Charlotte, you’ll find the waterfront town of New Bern, North Carolina. Nestled where the Neuse and Trent rivers converge, this small city is the state’s former colonial capital and has a rich history. Tour Tryon […]

WEEKENDER: Mount Airy

WEEKENDER: Mount Airy

It’s easy to zoom past Mount Airy, North Carolina as you drive up I-77 on your way to hit the ski slopes in West Virginia or view the autumn leaves along the Blue Ridge Parkway. But consider pumping the brakes about two hours north of Charlotte at exit 100. Just eight miles off the interstate, you’ll find a destination that feels frozen in time. Mount Airy is the birthplace of Andy Griffith and the inspiration for the town of “Mayberry” in his iconic television series. To honor that history, Mount Airy has preserved many of the sites made famous on The Andy Griffith Show. But the town has many modern-day attractions for families as well. Take some time to explore it for yourself and be sure to capture some unforgettable family footage of your own.

Read More

Overseas and Overjoyed

Overseas and Overjoyed

Many people are itching to fly overseas after more than a year of being careful and staying close to home. Guidelines are constantly changing, though, and you will need some preparation to ensure a safe, smooth journey. As of press time, countries like Switzerland, Denmark, […]

Inside “The Death Star”

Inside “The Death Star”

There is a new attraction in Sin City, and in true Vegas form, it’s a big one. Owner Mark Davis fondly nicknamed the latest National Football League stadium and concert venue “The Death Star.” Its futuristic outside belies its nostalgic inside. The new home of […]

The Maldives: A Dream Destination

The Maldives: A Dream Destination

In the past, travelers may have visited dream destinations only when celebrating a milestone — an anniversary, big birthday or graduation. After living through two years of a pandemic, however, some feel there is no need to wait for a special occasion to go to a special place.

Vacation-starved travelers are clamoring to see corners of the world they’ve dreamed about for so long. One of those destinations is the Maldives in the Indian Ocean.

According to the World Bank, 1.3 million tourists visited the Maldives in 2021, doubling since the year before. Its first resort opened in 1972, and the Maldives quickly became a popular luxury destination. It reopened its borders in July 2020, following a rapid immunization campaign. Today, visitors don’t need proof of vaccination to enter the country.

The Maldives is attractive to visitors from all over the world, with the islands’ remote location, pristine waters, fantastic dive sites, white-sand beaches and eco-friendly resorts.

Read More

Willful wandering

Willful wandering

According to the U.S. Travel Association, each year more than half of Americans leave vacation time on the table — hundreds of millions of unused days. Another study published in Nature found that people who change their scenery regularly tend to be happier. Despite the emotional benefits, […]