Life by Katerina PapathanasiouAug 24, 202012:00 pm

Raise a Glass (Finally): The Allure of Tuscany’s Wine Windows

As the rest of the world continues to power through the COVID-19 pandemic, a delightful and intoxicating respite has returned to Italy — one of the planet’s most ravaged and earliest hit countries — in the form of tiny windows scattered throughout the luscious Tuscany region. The surprise awaiting imbibers on the other end of the opening is vino, pure and simple. A staple beverage that is ubiquitous to Italy; presented, with discreet charm, in a historic display that seems to indicate that things, finally, might just be returning to normal.

Life by Katerina PapathanasiouAug 18, 202011:30 am

'90s themed living room set up inside the world's last Blockbuster store in Bend, Oregon

The World’s Last Blockbuster Now Available for Rent on Airbnb

The current state of the world has us all screaming for a gateway to the past. Since we haven’t quite figured out that whole time machine thing, the world’s last Blockbuster store in Bend, Oregon, is here to save the day.

Culture by Katerina PapathanasiouAug 13, 202010:28 am

"Stop Killing Us: A Black Lives Still Matter Multimedia Installation" at HOLDING Contemporary

Don’t Shoot Portland Presents ‘Stop Killing Us’ Installation

2020 has ushered in a renewed uprising against systemic racism, social injustice, and excessive police force. As the “Black Lives Matter” movement gains momentum all over the United States and abroad, Portland has taken center stage for its unwavering stand for change. Don’t Shoot Portland, a nonprofit civil rights agency, is collaborating with Portland-based HOLDING Contemporary on its second exhibit in a series designed to shine a light on injustice.

Life by Katerina PapathanasiouAug 11, 202012:22 pm

Elvis posing with one of his cars outside Graceland

The History of Graceland, Elvis’ Iconic Memphis Hideaway

There are only a handful of private residences that have the name recognition and cultural significance of Graceland. It’s not the White House or Buckingham Palace, but as an architectural wonder and symbol of one of the planet’s most popular and innovative musicians, this Memphis mansion has certainly earned its standing amongst royalty.

Life by Katerina PapathanasiouAug 7, 202011:59 am

Bruce Campbell's Boeing 727-200 home in the woods

Bruce Campbell: The Man Who Lives in an Airplane in the Woods

There are unique living spaces, and then there’s Bruce Campbell’s humble abode. Nestled deep within the expansive forests of Hillsboro, Oregon, resting atop the nettled-strewn ground, sits a massive airliner. No, it’s not just the hollowed-out hull of some twisted fuselage from a bygone crash landing. This airplane is supposed to be there. Well, maybe not supposed to be there, but its presence in the woods is definitely by design.

Culture by Katerina PapathanasiouAug 5, 202011:59 am

Dynamite Museum road sign in Amarillo, Texas

How Amarillo’s ‘Dynamite Museum’ Is Redefining Urban Art

The city of Amarillo sits squarely in the wide, open spaces of the Texas panhandle. Aptly known as the “Yellow Rose of Texas,” Amarillo boasts plenty of cattle ranches, beautiful scenery, and world-famous museums. One of its lesser-known attractions, however, has long drawn attention from locals and tourists alike. Although christened the “Dynamite Museum,” the project isn’t a museum at all; instead, it’s a vast urban art installation of nearly three thousand distinct road signs.

Travel by Katerina PapathanasiouAug 3, 20209:55 am

Book a Tiny Cabin in the Woods With Getaway

Founded on the idea that a mindful escape is essential to a healthy human experience, Getaway remains dedicated to providing guests with secluded, tiny cabins in the heart of nature. Getaway staff believes it’s time to make room for a little self-love.

Travel by Katerina PapathanasiouJul 31, 202012:17 pm

Gasthof Amish Village: Old World Oasis in the Hoosier Heartland

Life moves at a frenetic pace. It often feels impossible to hit pause on the obligations and distractions that come with modern life. One 92-acre village in the heart of Indiana is just the place to change all that. With its authentic Amish food, hospitality, and culture, Gasthof Amish Village is the perfect place for a weekend getaway to recharge and refresh.

Life by Katerina PapathanasiouJul 29, 202011:25 am

the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee

The Lorraine Motel Five Decades After MLK’s Assassination

The National Civil Rights Museum is an intricate complex of historic buildings in Memphis, Tennessee. At the heart of this structure, located at 450 Mulberry Street, is the Lorraine Motel, a site which, despite its unassuming name, has become the unintentional epicenter of one of the most important moments in American history. The significance of this humble-looking motor lodge is immense.

Travel by Katerina PapathanasiouJul 27, 202011:37 am

The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeois Pig Café in Chicago

As far as American cafés go, the Bourgeois Pig is in a class all its own. It sprang from humble beginnings in 1993 when a 28-year-old traveler named F. Mason Green, who after years of backpacking through Europe and visiting many of the continent’s most fabled coffeehouses, plopped down just enough money to secure his own café upon his return. And it’s been a Chicago institution ever since. But despite this popular haunt’s ubiquity to the Windy City, the Bourgeois Pig was no impulse buy.