Karen Gardiner
Karen Gardiner is a Scottish writer who lives in northern New York and enjoys cultural and regenerative travel, especially in cold, northern places.
MS Fridtjof Nansen
Science and sustainability complement stimulating Arctic adventures aboard MS Fridtjof Nansen.
Traditional Crafts at Risk of Extinction Find a New Lease on Life With Travelers
Artisan traditions help unlock the culture of a place—but many are at risk of disappearing.
Can a Mark of Authenticity Help to Protect Indigenous Cultures in Tourism?
Across the world, Indigenous tourism entrepreneurs are adopting labels or seals to affirm where travelers' dollars are going.
Where to Eat, Stay, and Play in the Adirondacks—the Birthplace of the American Vacation
The Adirondacks coined the term 'vacation' in the 19th-century. Today, the iconic area is seeing a dynamic new revival.
In Canada's Yukon, Indigenous Tourism Is Taking the Spotlight
The region's network of First Nations people zero in on the history of the 1896 Klondike Gold Rush.
How to Spend a Day in Oslo’s Bjørvika District, Home to the Munch Museum
The new institution is just the latest reason to spend a day in Oslo’s coolest neighborhood.
A 5-Day Road Trip Through Indigenous Alberta
A new Métis cultural center and Indigenous-run offerings worth traversing Alberta for, from foraging to fireside chats.
Meet the Women Vying for a Place in Scotland's Viking Tradition
Campaigners fighting a famed festival’s policy of exclusion say that women can be warriors too.
This New Highway to the Arctic Ocean Is Canada's Coolest Road Trip
You can now visit the region's northernmost reaches all year round.
The Scottish Island That Celebrates Christmas 12 Days Late
Foula is home to just 30 people—and a whole lot of birds.
Why Fair Isle Sweaters Have a Three-Year Waiting List
As imitations of Fair Isle patterns show up on catwalks around the world, the island's master knitters are taking different approaches to keeping the tradition alive.
Why I Went on a Blindfolded Tour of Venice
An unseen city reveals itself on a special tour of the Floating City.
The Lofoten Islands Are Norway's Answer to Marfa
Norway’s Lofoten archipelago is made up of six principal, populated, islands and hundreds of smaller ones that are empty of people. With their clear blue waters and craggy Jurassic Park–esque mountains—the highest of which, Higravstinden, soars to 3,800 feet—it’s no surprise that the islands have inspired many an artist.
Why Music Lovers Should Visit the Faroe Islands
Interest in this isolated North Atlantic archipelago, an autonomous region of Denmark, is heating up. Now, thanks to a spirited and fast-growing scene, music fans should also put the Faroe Islands on their list.
What to Do in Leith, Edinburgh's Next Cool Neighborhood
Once a formidable center of shipbuilding, Edinburgh’s port area, Leith, later experienced considerable decline—an era memorably depicted in the movie Trainspotting. Thankfully, today’s Leith has transformed into a hip area with a great food and arts scene. Here are the spots you can't miss.
Why You Should Get Out of Copenhagen and Visit Malmö
Last week The Guardian reported that Denmark would like to rebrand the Swedish region of Skåne as “Greater Copenhagen.” While Malmö, Skåne’s biggest city—just over the Öresund Bridge from the Danish capital and part of Denmark until the 17th century—has long been overshadowed by its more famous neighbor, it has plenty to offer on its own. Here are some picks from Malmö’s vibrant art, design, and cultural scenes that stand up to those of Copenhagen.
What to Do in La Candelaria, Bogotá’s Arts-Loving Neighborhood
La Candelaria may be Bogotá’s seat of government and tourist hub, but its narrow, cobblestoned streets and colorful colonial-style buildings are also home to the beating heart of the Colombian capital’s vibrant arts scene.
10 Hotels for Chocolate Lovers
Instead of giving a box of chocolates, why not whisk your sweet-toothed loved one off to one of these chocolate-inspired hotels?
A Photo Tour of Street Art in Reykjavik, Iceland
Reykjavík’s street art scene has had to adapt recently. The city once turned a blind eye to street art, but recently began cracking down on unauthorized graffiti. The response from artists has been to seek permission to paint on property owners’ walls or to accept commissions from businesses. The result is a cleaner, more contained, style of art than the scrappier pieces that bloomed on the city’s walls 5-10 years ago.
A Photo Tour of Glasgow’s Best Street Art
Recent years have seen an explosion of street art in Glasgow, providing a welcome burst of color in this often gray city. The playful nature of these murals is a fitting complement to the “gallus” (cheeky, bold) character of this warm and welcoming city.