The Golden Gate to Gridlock The Golden Gate to Gridlock (image credits: wikimedia) San Francisco stands on its famous hills like a golden jewel, but beneath all that beauty lies a city groaning under the weight of too many admirers. The median home price has reached a staggering $1,392,859, making it one of the most …
Jacqeline Nomora, M.Sc. Biology
When Paradise Doesn’t Have to Cost the Planet When Paradise Doesn’t Have to Cost the Planet (image credits: flickr) Picture this: you’re sipping champagne on a private terrace overlooking untouched rainforest canopy, knowing every drop of water was harvested from rain and every bite of food came from the resort’s organic farm. Sound too good …
Portugal: A Haven for Expats Portugal: A Haven for Expats (image credits: unsplash) Portugal has become a magnet for expats in recent years, and for good reason. The country’s Golden Visa program, as of 2024, allows non-EU citizens to gain residency by investing at least €280,000 in real estate or other qualifying avenues. This program …
Bhutan’s High-Value, Low-Volume Tourism Model Bhutan’s High-Value, Low-Volume Tourism Model (image credits: pixabay) Bhutan stands out as a country that has tightly controlled tourist access for years, but in 2025, it’s taking things even further. The government has doubled down on its “High-Value, Low-Volume” model, charging tourists a Sustainable Development Fee of $250 per day. …
A Sea of Protesters Floods the Streets A Sea of Protesters Floods the Streets (image credits: wikimedia) On May 18, 2025, an estimated 23,000 residents across the Canary Islands—including Tenerife, Lanzarote, and Gran Canaria—took to the streets to protest against the overwhelming influx of tourists. Organized under the banner “The Canary Islands Have a Limit,” …
Comprehensive Welfare Programs Comprehensive Welfare Programs (image credits: unsplash) Sweden stands out with some of the world’s most far-reaching welfare programs, designed to support citizens from cradle to grave. The country invests a remarkable 27% of its GDP in social protection, clearly outpacing the OECD average of 20%. This means that Swedes have reliable access …
High Average Income High Average Income (image credits: unsplash) Luxembourg stands out globally for its exceptionally high average income, with a GDP per capita of around $115,000 as of 2025. Residents typically earn an average salary of about €60,000, which is far above the European Union average. This impressive earning power means that many people …
Skipping Travel Insurance Skipping Travel Insurance (image credits: wikimedia) Traveling without insurance was a costly mistake I made and one that’s surprisingly common. The Insurance Information Institute reported in 2024 that a staggering 41% of travelers skip purchasing travel insurance, leaving themselves vulnerable to unexpected expenses. In 2023, the average traveler faced over $1,500 in …
The Nordic Model: A Blueprint for Happiness The Nordic Model: A Blueprint for Happiness (image credits: pixabay) Finland’s reign at the top of the World Happiness Report in 2024 marks its sixth consecutive year in first place, with a remarkable happiness score of 7.8 out of 10—well above the global average of 5.5. This achievement …
The Surge of Subscription Models in Travel The Surge of Subscription Models in Travel (image credits: pixabay) It might sound surprising, but the travel industry is undergoing a quiet revolution. Subscription services, once the domain of music and streaming, are now transforming how people vacation, fly, and even stay at hotels. Over the past few …