Lola Mendez

I left the United States in September 2015 because I wanted to experience living abroad as an adult.

Although I still live overseas nine years later, there was a moment in January 2018 when I moved back to the US and thought I'd stay there long-term.

Sales of lab-grown diamonds are booming, in part
because they cost less and have an eco-friendly
reputation. Here’s what to know before you buy.

The Austrian company Swarovski Optik has been innovating in long-range optical instruments for 75 years. Now, like so many other well-established companies these days, it's dipping into the world of artificial intelligence to enhance its latest product.
Earlier this year, the company released the AX Visio, a pair of AI-powered binoculars codeveloped with the famed Australian industrial designer Marc Newson.

As a child, my late father tucked me into bed most nights. I’d always beg for a bedtime story, but not from a fairytale book. Instead, I wanted one from his rolodex of what I then understood to be thrilling experiences. My father lived many adventures, but they weren’t always by choice.
Stories as a way to share trauma
The vivid bedtime stories he’d tell were from when he was 24 in the 1970s. He spent six months traversing from Uruguay to Mexico after ...

Last updated . 18 September 2024
Europe is a huge continent, packed with a myriad of cultural experiences to have. We’ve created a shortlist, so you don’t have to.
1. Cruise the Danube
Travelling with: Emily Murphy
Flowing 2850 kilometres through 10 countries, the Danube River has been a vital artery for centuries, witnessing the rise and fall of empires. Traversing through the cultural hubs of Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest, among others, a cruise on the Danube offers unparalleled views of ...

Last updated . 18 September 2024
From vibrant festivals to unique traditions, uncover the incredible cultures that make up Latin America.
1. Stroll the streets of Havana
Travelling with: Megan Arkinstall
Havana is an intoxicating city, equal parts grandiose and grit, where time has ticked very slowly since the Cuban Revolution. In the capital’s 500-year-old centre – a UNESCO World Heritage site encircled by forts – the historic buildings are a mélange of architectural styles and bright, poppy...

The topography across the Asian continent lends itself to phenomenal day hikes and multi-day adventures
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Contributor, Asia, Mexico & Latin America
Asia has some of the most diverse geography in the world, which makes it home to some of the best hikes on Earth. The continent has the highest and the lowest points on the planet — the legendary Mount Everest, the tallest mountain in the world at nearly 9,000 meters, and the Dead Sea bordering Palestine and Jordan at 430 meters below sea leve...

Best airlines in Asia
1. Qatar Airways
Skytrax’s best airline of the year 2024 title was awarded to Asian airline Qatar Airways. Qatar Airways is known for comfortable seats, fine-dining quality cuisine, and award-winning service. The airline is part of the oneworld Alliance and serves over 150 destinations worldwide with a fleet of over 200 planes. The carrier only operates new-generation aircraft with all planes under five years old. The QSuite is one of the best business class options in t...

Looking for an autumn wellness getaway? Consider a trip to the center of Costa Rica, where geothermal activity heats natural hot springs, toucans croak at dusk, and rice and beans are enjoyed for breakfast.
Fall is the best time to travel to Central America because of the moderate temperatures and to avoid the high-season crowds. I recently had a chance to visit the centrally located town of La Fortuna and stayed at Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa.
Tabacón Thermal Resort: A Wellness Oasis
The ho...

As the gateway to all that Perú has to offer, Lima is often mistakenly treated as a layover city, with travelers jetting off to Cusco as quickly as they can. By doing so, they miss the rich history the country’s capital city has to offer: both ancient and modern-day art, a shopping mall with incredible ocean views, and world-renowned cuisine.
Whether it’s your first time visiting Lima or you’ve passed through before on your way to Rainbow Mountain or the Sacred Valley, you can discover the ci...

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