Travel
Ruby Beach Recognized as One of the World’s Best
Sparkling red and strewn with sea stacks, Washington's rugged shoreline stands out
Situated on the Olympic Peninsula, a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Seattle, Ruby Beach is known for its towering sea stacks sculpted by centuries of wind and waves, and its thriving tide pools.
You Better Belize It
Fly nonstop from Seattle and enjoy the jungle, the sea, and everything else the country has to offer
With its colonial past as British Honduras, Belize is the only English-speaking country in the region. But the blend of European, Central American, Mexican, Spanish, and Caribbean influences doesn’t even begin to describe Belize’s unique potpourri of cultures. The landscape is dotted with numerous Mayan temples, both ready to visit and still under excavation. The jungles teem with wildlife, including the elusive jaguar and the world’s first nature preserve dedicated to the well-being of that magnificent beast.
The Sights of Sayulita
Where to shop, eat, and drink
The best dinner in town is making rounds to the street vendors for tamales and tacos (Gaby’s has the top fish tacos around), but if a sit-down situation is more your speed, then Barracuda or Mary’s offer excellent options from ceviche to shrimp tacos. For a morning boost, Anchor Café offers coffee (the vanilla coconut cold brew is delicious), toasts, smoothie bowls, and more.
The Shores of Sayulita
Using Mexican design sensibilities, Seattle architect Robert Humble built a contemporary home and vacation rental
When architect Robert Humble and his wife, Nicole Johnson, first visited Sayulita, Mexico, in 2009, it was the kind of sleepy little town that adventurous travelers hope to stumble upon. Surfers, artists, and yoginis mingled with the local community, and everything moved at a slower pace so often prevalent in tropical climates.
The Best Gifts for Travel Lovers
Tinsel, eggnog, mistletoe, and luggage
Travel lovers are the easiest people to buy for. Wrap a gift in old maps and they’ll spend hours deciphering the roadways and important coordinates. Put something inside the wrapping that will satiate their wanderlust, or encourage it, and you might be their next invitee to Paris.
Direct, Connect, Reflect
It’s easier than ever to reach these sun-splashed sensations from Seattle
Need to escape Seattle this winter? Need some inspiration to pack a carry-on and cash in those miles? Here are four nonstop flights for nonstop escape. In June, Alaska Airlines announced new nonstop service to Nassau, Bahamas, beginning Dec. 15. Board one of these flights at 9 a.m. and land just six hours later. Even…
Winter Escapes
These cold destinations are pretty hot this time of year
Winter in Seattle is a magical time for holiday lights, cool walks with hot beverages, and the occasional dusting of snowfall on our beautiful parks. Winter is also, paradoxically, the ideal time to get out of town. As the skies darken and the days get shorter, the lure of adventure tempts.
Here are some ideas for winter escapes that will ignite the bonfires of travel as soon as the temperature drops.
Missoula’s Moment
The city is full of amazing wilderness and a sense of adventure
The wagon trail leading from Seattle to Missoula, Mont., is well-traveled. When Missoulians crave the city slicker vibe, they pony up and head west. When Seattleites want to slow things down, they head over the pass to Zootown, as Missoula is affectionately known. There is a kinship between Seattleites and Missoulians; we love our communities…
Hidden Washington: Snohomish is Hiding in Plain Sight
A friendly, quaint, and engaging small town
As Scottish novelist and essayist Robert Louis Stevenson said, “I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move; to feel the needs and hitches of our life more nearly; to come down off this featherbed of civilization and find the globe granite underfoot and strewn with cutting flints.” What the great Stevenson might…
Healing the mind and body on Lānaʻi
The Spiritual island remains a welcome place of refuge
Lānaʻi has always been a sacred place. Hawaiians believed that the fertile lands of Lānaʻi were blessed by Lono, the god of agriculture. Hawaiian chiefs and their families lived on Lānaʻi, bringing spirituality and rituals to the ancient “heiau” (tall rock temple) and other religious sites. Most important, Lānaʻi was considered a place of refuge,…
Beautiful British Columbia
Loop your way around these natural wonders
In road trips, as in wheels, the circle is the perfect shape. Why retrace your steps when you have the wind in your hair and you’re off in search of new adventures? Mixed tapes are similar — carefully selected songs to be experienced in a certain order, over and over again. Pop in this Canadian…
Hidden Washington: In Olympia, it’s still the water and a lot more
Enjoy the bounty of the South Sound with a visit to the state capital
Olympia is a taste of Americana with a slice of history nestled at the south end of Puget Sound. Yes, it’s home to our capitol building but Olympia also offers a weekend of exploration beyond government architecture. Those who venture in will find quirky shops, fine food and drink, water adventures, and a stunning historic…
Sea-Tac drops in latest J.D. Power survey
Airport rankings fall from last year
A friend who recently flew out of Sea-Tac International Airport told tales of long lines, unhappy fellow passengers, and an unfortunate bag mix-up. He literally had to buy a new suit for a business meeting once he reached his destination. I heard a similar story from another friend whose family flew internationally on vacation this…
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