Last weekend I visited not one but two pumpkin patches as well as the annual Mandarin Craft Festival in Jacksonville, Florida. This was my first time visiting the festival, and I went with my friend to walk the more than 100 stalls selling handmade items.
From handmade jewelry to Christmas ornaments to home décor to baked goods, this festival had it all, and I entered not thinking I’d buy anything, but, of course, I was wrong. I walked out with a bag of handmade sweets and chocolates and a fabric ornament of a fat orange cat (to represent my own fat orange cat at home).
We spent about two hours at this festival before heading over to the neighboring pumpkin patch to walk the aisles of pumpkins and alien-shaped gourds. My best friend has been to this pumpkin patch since she was a child, so we took photos similar to her childhood ones to send to her family.
Later that day my sister and I ventured to our own local pumpkin patch to pick out a few pumpkins for our own place. We walked away with one hefty pumpkin and two medium-sized ones. I intend to paint one of the medium pumpkins for a more personalized appearance and am still between a few ideas on what to paint.
While the Florida weather has yet to truly turn to fall weather, this weekend was the first inkling of autumn with a nice breeze and a noticeable difference in temperature in the shade, which is one of the first indicators of the end of summer in Florida.
— Aoife O’Riordan, associate editor
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Insta FeedGlobal City Guidebook 2026
Jul 13, 2026Global City Guidebook: Philadelphia
This is a big year for Philadelphia as “The Birthplace of America” gets ready to celebrate the country’s 250th birthday, host MLB’s All-Star Weekend and serve as a host city for FIFA World Cup 2026. All eyes will look to the city with the big events this summer, but Philadelphia always offers a good time with its history, the arts, delicious food, and plenty of fun and sporting events.
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Jul 13, 2026Review: Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis
ARRIVAL/CHECK-IN: After a late-night flight into St. Louis, I arrived at the Four Seasons around 1:30 a.m., completely exhausted. The moment I stepped into the lobby, I was warmly greeted by the front desk attendant, who checked me in quickly and efficiently. On my way to the elevators, I caught a glimpse of the stunning lobby which had a long stream of water flowing behind a glass wall paired with a unique sculpture. Even in my tired state, I knew I wanted to come back and take it all in during daylight.
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Luxury Travel in Chilean Patagonia: Where Refinement Meets the Wild Edge
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Jul 13, 2026Boston Freedom Trail Launches New Native American Walking App for America’s 250th
Embark on a new, self-guided augmented reality walking tour across Boston landmarks shining a light on the city’s Indigenous history. The new tour, created by White Snake Projects, was developed in partnership with North American Indian Center of Boston.
Global City Guidebook: Paris
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Jul 10, 2026Accor Hotels Celebrates Art of Mixology with Special Bar Series Across Properties
Each year, starting with World Cocktail Month in May and stretching into summer, a select group of Accor Hotels MGallery Collection properties celebrate the art of mixology across many of its properties worldwide, turning bars into a stage for creativity and connection.
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IHG Business Edge: A Smarter Way for Small- and Mid-Sized Businesses to Travel
IHG Business Edge is a complimentary travel program designed to help small- and mid-sized businesses manage travel more efficiently while saving on hotel stays. Members enjoy access to guaranteed discounts, loyalty benefits, and partner offers across IHG Hotels & Resorts’ global portfolio of 7,000-plus hotels in more than 100 countries.
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Jul 10, 2026Whiteface Lodge’s Spa Embraces an Adirondack Summer Glow with These Treatments
Summer in Lake Placid is unlike any other. Days are spent hiking Adirondack trails, sailing the beautiful lakes, biking through mountains and soaking up the sun. And, although outdoor adventure takes center stage, travelers shouldn’t ignore wellness experiences.
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