Quick tip: BYOWater and save $$$

Water. It’s one of those things that seems so basic at home but feels like a luxury when you’re traveling. Instead of spending major $$$ on bottled water, bring your own reusable water bottle with you. I’m partial to the vacuum insulated S’well Bottle because it keeps water cold (or hot!) for a full day, but really…

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a house with a porch and a lawn

Stay. Upstate New York. Escape to a Cottage in the Finger Lakes.

a house with a porch and a lawn

What: Single Island Shores Where: Finger Lakes, NY What makes it special While concrete jungles have their own beauty, they typically lack the color green. If you’re looking for a little nature time away without the buzz of the city, the Finger Lakes are a perfect quick drive upstate. Single Island Shores offers well-appointed cabin rentals right on Seneca…

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a lake surrounded by trees and buildings

Do. Slovenia. Follow a Dirt Path in Vintgar Gorge to Lake Bled.

a lake surrounded by trees and buildings

What: Vintgar Gorge to Lake Bled Where: Soteska Vintgar, Slovenia What makes it special Around the river and through the woods (and two Slovenian ski towns), to Lake Bled you should go. Vintgar Gorge (also known as Bled Gorge) is a 1.6 kilometer gorge in northwestern Slovenia. Up for a little adventure? This journey is right up your alley. Begin on…

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Quick tip: Low airfare awaits on Twitter…

Looking for low airfare? You may want to stay glued to Twitter. Sites like Airfare Watchdog (@airfarewatchdog) and Scott’s Cheap Flights (@scottsflights) regularly post massive fare sales for routes around the globe. If you followed @JetBlue, you would have known about their crazy Halloween sale where they offered all one-way flights on Halloween for just…

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a castle with a lake and trees

Stay. Ireland. Live Your Own Game of Thrones in One of Ireland’s Many, Many Castles.

a castle with a lake and trees

What: Dromoland Castle Where: Dromoland, County Clare, Ireland What makes it special It’s not often you get to stay in a 15th Century castle built on ancestral lands that have been overseen for over a thousand years, but Dromoland Castle gives you that chance. Don’t worry about that medieval stank, because the whole place was renovated to…

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a person taking a picture of a man in a parking garage

Do. Los Angeles. Take a Virtual Tour of Walt Disney Concert Hall.

a person taking a picture of a man in a parking garage

What: Thought Experiments in F# Minor   Where: Los Angeles, California   What makes it special Many know the Walt Disney Concert Hall in LA to be the home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, offering stimulating orchestral performances, innovative music education, and engaging community programs. What many do not know is that the Walt Disney Concert Hall…

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bowls of food on a table

Eat. Japan. Taste the Best Tuna in Nara.

bowls of food on a table

What: Maguro Koya Where: Nara, Japan What makes it special Japanese restaurants are usually known for one specific thing, be it udon noodles or tempura or sushi. Some, though, go even further and specialize in a single ingredient. That’s the case with Maguro Koya in the Japanese city of Nara where the name of the game is…

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a group of chocolate bars

Your Oyster, Volume 4

a group of chocolate bars

The Beauty of Turning Four Do you remember turning four? I don’t. I do, however, know that I had a birthday party at Pizza Hut and the photos my mom has are proof that I was *so excited*. I’m equally excited that Your Oyster has now turned four. Not four years old, mind you, but four…

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a pool with a hut and a bridge over water

Your Oyster, Volume 3

a pool with a hut and a bridge over water

Three’s a charm! The third edition of Your Oyster is here and we love hearing how much you love our travel pearls. This is actually the very first edition of Your Oyster where all three pearls come directly from readers. Lauren and I are grateful for your submissions! On that note, the really special thing…

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a group of people in white uniforms at a restaurant counter

Your Oyster, Volume 2

a group of people in white uniforms at a restaurant counter

We’re off and running! It’s official: we’re not a one-hit wonder! We’re thrilled to be sending you Your Oyster, Volume 2. We had a tremendous response to our first newsletter and we’re so grateful to everyone for reading and sending in their own pearls. We can’t wait to share the incredible recommendations from others readers just…

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a map with pins on it

Introducing “Your Oyster,” The Best Source for Undiscovered Travel Gems

a map with pins on it

Welcome. We’re trying something. It’s called Your Oyster (as in “The world is…”) and we want it to be your source for pearls of travel wisdom, as recommended by people just like you. This is a newsletter with the things you’ll never find through a travel agent. Amazing places to visit, unbelievable food and drink experiences, places…

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