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The first time I visited Portland I barely saw any of the city, thanks to a case of strep. Luckily I had my tonsils removed a few years back and have never had it again. I was able to visit this amazing city a second time and I fell in love. It’s charming, the food scene unbeatable, and, yes, it’s weird. Few cities, though, suffered more reputationally in the last couple of years around issues like protests and crime and policing.

This week’s lead feature from one of the city’s residents, Winston Ross, proves to us that Portland is far from dead. There are a whole crop of new and exciting restaurants and the natural wonders that were always a draw are still there. Plus, you won’t have to deal with crowds of the kinds of tourists who would avoid a city because of headlines.

A few months ago, my colleague Andrew Kirell dove into a glamping experience in southern Utah. Kirell was skeptical, he says, of the “Airbnb-Instagram industrial complex and its throngs of venture capitalists, influencers, gurus, and clout chasers have begun slowly stripping these places of their idiosyncrasies, turning them into Pinterest-ready paradises for festival-wear fetishists.” But what he found in Yonder Escalante absolutely charmed him.

We’re in the heart of ski seasons, so many of you have no doubt seen trees covered in panties along the lift line. Perhaps you’ve wondered what the heck is going on–well Stacey Lastoe has answers. Enjoy!

— William O’Connor, Travel Editor

Reports of Portland’s Death Are Greatly Exaggerated

Portland is still the best city in the country. It’s still crafty, still a collection of charming neighborhoods, beautiful parks, great live music, and world-class eateries.

This Utah Desert Glamping Paradise Melted Away My Cynicism

Amid a glut of “bohemian” glamping retreats, Yonder Escalante stands out as a refreshingly simple haven in the middle of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.

Why You Always See Bras and Panties Hanging on Trees at Ski Resorts

Visit nearly any ski resort in the United States, and a handful in Canada, and you’ll see a tree decorated with colorful undergarments.

Did Russian Archaeologists Really Discover a New Ancient Culture?

Scientists from Siberia claim a tomb holds evidence of a new, previously unknown ancient culture.

“But to pretend to live here, well that’s my favorite way to be in it. I have my own little Parisian routine—pastry, espresso, cigarette—to start the day. And from there it’s all about how French can I make myself look for a week? Can I blend in and not look like a tourist? Create a totally different persona—dressing well, late lunch with wine, and a side of people-watching.”

–for our hotel series, Room Key, Loic Cardinal introduces us to a new Paris hotel that helps with the living-in-Paris fantasy.

These Bizarre Ostrichpillows Look Insane, but They’re a Major Game-Changer for Traveling and Impromptu Naps

Ostrichpillows come in innovative and zany shapes that provide support and an individual, customizable fit. Read: they’re actually comfortable. They don’t leave you stiff and sore, they feature soft, breathable fabrics, and feel like a bona fide memory foam pillow. Whether you’re flying internationally, driving cross country, or taking a sneaky siesta at your desk, Ostrichpillows are a cozy, flexible dream. You just have to be brave enough to use one in public. We’ll take you through a round-up of the brand’s best offerings, from the semi-conventional to the downright bizarre.

BUY AT OSTRICH PILLOW >>>

Travel to the World’s Coolest New City Parks

Many of us aren’t aware, but we’re actually living in a second golden age of urban parks. That, at least, is the takeaway from the fascinating book from Rizzoli, Parks of the 21st Century: Reinvented Landscapes, Reclaimed Territories by Victoria Newhouse.

Inside, the book is a very serious examination of the explosion over the last decade in innovative and spectacular urban parks–places that have been reborn out of the remains of the second industrial era. Highways, airports, waterfront industrial sites, and railroads have been transformed into playful and serene spaces.

Don’t miss our other selections for our series on gorgeous travel-related coffee table books, Just Booked.

BUY ON AMAZON >>

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