“Each of the paragraphs I’ve written represents three days, and each word represents a person in the United States infected with COVID-19. . . . If I continued to follow the formula of this piece: Paragraph 17 would be 65,536 words long–about the length of my first book.”

With the coronavirus pandemic bringing global tourism to an abrupt halt, travel writer Shivya Nath shares her ideas for safe, responsible exploration.

All about maps! The Map Room is a blog by Jonathan Crowe that covers everything from antique map collecting to the latest in geospatial technology.

“We were pleased to have little canary Paris onboard for company during the journey from the UK to Greece.” Don’t want to leave your best friend behind? Animalcouriers can move your animals worldwide by air and by road through Europe — and keep you up to date on their travels on their blog!

REI Co-op started a movement for people to reconnect outdoors over the holidays. They now close on Black Friday — one of the most popular shopping days of the year — and on their blog invite America to #OptOutside with them.

“Some are tired. All are broke. Some are gay or trans and suffer for it. All have professional ambitions beyond what they can achieve on a blockaded island.” At Here is Havana, Conner Gorry reflects on emigration, loss, and Cuba.

“There she was. Amali. In all her splendor.” At Big Tiny World Travel, Brianna recounts her adventure searching for big cats in Namibia’s Okonjima Nature Reserve.

“Just like the countless options on my office’s hot drinks machine, I fell in love with a fresh sense of possibility — that there was more than one way to live my life.” In this illustrated longread, Candace Rose Rardon reflects on coffee, life, and finding herself, no matter where she is in the world.

“Istanbul really is a place like no other.” Twin sisters and travel and lifestyle bloggers Hermon and Heroda document a last-minute trip to Istanbul.

In this photo essay, photographer Steve McCurry shares inspiring quotes and stunning images of friendship from around the world, including India, France, and Afghanistan.

Wanderlust is a wonderful hub of travel writing from a range of contributors. From finding petrified lava in Iceland to how to explore the Northwest with two dogs and a cat called Stevie — explore a vast array of different stories.

“We knew 5 days would be a short time to explore the unreal landscapes Iceland had to offer, but any and every second spent on that magical land is bliss.” At Mute Life, Filipe Varela shares stunning images from Iceland.

“Why go to Iran? How is Iran as a country? Is it safe to visit Iran? Behold, my humble attempt to answer your questions…” Shivya Nath at The Shooting Star shares thoughts on why you should visit Iran (and her stunning photographs may be all the proof you need).

“The contemporary production of country music may be the purview of the rich and famous, but its origins come out of life in the heartland, from the shadows of desperation, poverty, and longing, from dark clouds with silver-linings, and from a humble self-awareness that is all too rare in America today.”

“What you want is for us to be weighed at the airport. Your thought is that we should be asked to pay more, and you should be asked to pay less, because you have been successful in your pursuit of thinness. “I eat salads,” you hiss at fat passengers like Norma. I also eat salads, […]