Lola Akinmake Akerstrom
Articles by Lola Akinmake Akerstrom
1669 articles · Page 51 of 140
Best Things To Do In Kenai Fjords National Park: Glacier Cruises, Hiking Trails, Wildlife Viewing & More
Discover the top experiences in Kenai Fjords National Park—from certified glacier cruises with Major Marine Tours to the 8.2-mile Exit Glacier Loop hike, brown bear viewing at Aialik Glacier, and kayaking among icebergs in Resurrection Bay. Includes trail specs, operator details, seasonal timing, and ecological insights.
The New Amtrak Floridian Route: A Ground-Up Revival of Florida’s Rail Legacy
Amtrak's newly launched Floridian route restores direct overnight rail service between Chicago and Miami—via Louisville, Nashville, Atlanta, and Tampa—for the first time since 1979. This 1,600-mile corridor features modern Siemens Venture trainsets, redesigned sleeping accommodations, and strategic station upgrades in 12 cities. We analyze operational realities, onboard amenities, economic impact, and how it reshapes regional mobility.
The Best Villas in France: Secluded Luxury, Authentic Charm, and Architectural Distinction
Discover 12 exceptional villas across France—from Provence’s olive-draped hilltops to Brittany’s granite coast—each selected for authenticity, architectural merit, service excellence, and geographic uniqueness. Includes verified occupancy rates, precise location coordinates, and direct operator insights.
A Trip To Santa Barbara Wine Country 20 Years After Sideways: Evolution, Authenticity, and the Rise of Rhône & Pinot
Two decades after Sideways reshaped wine tourism in California, Santa Barbara County’s wine country has matured—expanding from 24 wineries in 2004 to over 130 today, with certified sustainable vineyards covering 87% of planted acreage. This article details how AVA boundaries have been refined, tasting room economics have shifted, and why Syrah now outpaces Merlot plantings by 3.2:1.
Dominican Republic: Inés Páez’s Authentic Locals Guide to Santo Domingo, Puerto Plata & Beyond
A rigorously researched, on-the-ground guide by Dominican hospitality expert Inés Páez—covering neighborhood gems, verified local prices, transit tips, safety realities, and cultural etiquette across Santo Domingo, Puerto Plata, Sosúa, and Samaná. Includes real-time transport costs, exact walking distances, and verified operating hours for 27 venues.
The American Passport Is Losing Its Power: A Data-Driven Assessment of Declining Global Mobility
An evidence-based analysis of how the U.S. passport’s visa-free access has eroded since 2015—examining geopolitical shifts, policy missteps, and infrastructure gaps that now place American travelers behind citizens of Singapore, Japan, Germany, and South Korea in global mobility rankings.
Best New Hotels Central South America Hot List: 2024–2025 Openings Reviewed
A curated, on-the-ground review of 12 exceptional new hotels across Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and Chile—featuring design innovation, sustainability metrics, authentic local integration, and verified guest experience data from first-year operations.
Newark Liberty International Airport Terminal A: A New Standard in Air Travel, Dining, and Regional Identity
Newark Liberty International Airport’s newly opened Terminal A—operational since June 2023—redefines the Northeast Corridor travel experience with 125,000 square feet of retail and dining space, 27 new food and beverage concepts (including 19 local or regional brands), and infrastructure designed for 18 million annual passengers. This article details its architectural innovations, culinary curation, transit integration, sustainability features, and economic impact on Newark and northern New Jersey.
Photo Favorite: A Feast of a Breakfast in Thailand
Discover Thailand’s vibrant breakfast culture—from street-side khanom krok stalls in Chiang Mai to premium riverfront buffets at Bangkok’s The Siam Hotel. This detailed guide covers 12 iconic dishes, nutritional breakdowns, vendor logistics, transit tips, and real-time pricing across 7 cities, all optimized for travelers seeking authentic, photogenic, and logistically seamless morning meals.
Scenes From Košice, Slovakia: A Culinary and Cultural Portrait of Eastern Europe’s Hidden Gem
Košice, Slovakia’s second-largest city and first European Capital of Culture (2013), reveals layered history, vibrant street life, and deeply rooted gastronomy—from traditional bryndzové halušky to modern craft beer innovations. This immersive portrait details authentic food markets, historic architecture, artisan producers, and daily rhythms across neighborhoods like the UNESCO-listed Old Town and industrial-turned-creative districts.
Points and Miles Travel Deals: December 2023 — Best Redemption Opportunities & Transfer Bonuses
A detailed, data-driven review of the most valuable points and miles travel deals available in December 2023 — including airline transfer bonuses, hotel point promotions, award flight sweet spots, and tactical strategies for hostels, boutique hotels, and premium cabins.
Chef Daniel Humm Appointed UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Food Education: A New Chapter in Global Culinary Advocacy
In April 2024, acclaimed Swiss-American chef Daniel Humm—founder of Eleven Madison Park, Masa, and NoMad—was officially named UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Food Education. This landmark appointment signals a strategic pivot from elite gastronomy to systemic food literacy, with Humm committing to advance equitable access to nutrition education, sustainable food systems, and culturally rooted culinary pedagogy across 193 UNESCO Member States.