You’re Not a Performer—Travel for Yourself, Not for the Applause There is a kind of magic that lives in silence, a depth of experience that cannot be posted, captured, or translated into the shorthand of social media. It is the hush of dawn breaking over the Serengeti, the muted echo of footsteps in an ancient cathedral, the soundless weight of snow falling in the Alps. But silence isn’t just found…
The MO/AD Foundation Done right, travel can make a big and positive difference in the world. Modern Adventure’s CEO and founder Luis Vargas writes about why launching a 501(c)3 nonprofit — the new MO/AD Foundation — matters and why the whole travel industry should, too. A brand is more than a logo or a website. A brand is a point of view. It’s a set of beliefs, and an ensemble…
A revolution born around a dinner table—and still unfolding one meal at a time. In 1986, a group of Italians gathered in protest. Not with picket signs or chants, but with forks outside a newly opened McDonald’s. At the foot of Rome’s Spanish Steps, journalist and gastronome Carlo Petrini staged a demonstration.That quiet act of resistance became the foundation of the Slow Food Movement, a global initiative rooted in pleasure,…
A thoughtful approach to seeing the world—without leaving a heavy footprint In an era of over-tourism and quick hits, more travelers are beginning to ask not just where they want to go but how they want to show up when they get there. What if travel wasn’t just about escape or consumption, but about connection? What if it left places better, not worse, for having welcomed us? This is the…
When the Sky Turns to Fireflies for Thailand’s Lantern Festival Each November, as the monsoon season fades and the air in northern Thailand begins to cool, a quiet anticipation fills the streets of Chiang Mai. The city feels charged—markets hum with chatter, monks sweep temple steps in saffron robes, and the scent of jasmine, coconut, and wood smoke lingers in the dusk. When the first lantern drifts skyward, a hush…
13 of the best travel destinations for 2025 As the new year unfolds, it’s time to dream big and plan unforgettable journeys to the world’s most captivating places. Travel isn’t just about visiting new places—it’s about what you gain in return. It’s a way to connect with the world and its people, to learn about traditions that deepen your understanding of what it means to belong. From the joy of…
Vietnamese Lanterns are a symbol of light, hope, and craftsmanship that spans centuries In the soft hush of twilight, the streets of Hội An begin to glow. Not from electricity, but from paper lanterns—hundreds of them—suspended in doorways, clustered in trees, and drifting gently along the Thu Bồn River. Their light is warm, honeyed, and impossibly soft, casting the ancient town in a spell of flickering color.To see Vietnamese lanterns…
Listicle Royale Mexico is simply a gift to the world. Honestly, no possible bucket is big enough to hold all the classic experiences that await in a land of so much and so many cultures, topographies and cuisines. But we made a "bucket list" anyway, to get you started, with 21 ways to fall in love with Mexico. Cities 1. Mexico City The story goes that the Aztecs saw a…
A Haiku to our Favorite Bird Little wings go farView the world as one big homeTell us what you see Have you seen our logo? The little feathered friend represented is a storm petrel, one of the world’s most populous birds with some 50 million pairs. Honestly, storm petrels aren’t terribly cute. They’re about seven inches long, mostly black or brown, with a flurry of white feathers on their flanks…
Meagan Morrison Travel Write Draw Meagan Morrison lives as boldly as she paints. With a background in both business and fashion, the New York-based illustrator has crafted a career centered on her three loves: art, travel and a good outfit. She tours the world with a sketchbook in hand, capturing scenes from the souks of Marrakech to the back alleys of Tokyo. Meagan has collaborated with industry-leading clients including Dior,…