Travel + Food

Travel guide: What to see and do in Scottsdale, Arizona

Cacti rising from the ground, like desert sentries, give Scottsdale, Arizona, an otherworldly appearance. Mountains in the distance beg to be climbed — there are rugged trails for visitors to bike or hike for panoramic views from atop. 

Food historian celebrates holidays, heritage through cooking

In 2013, Von Diaz, determined to connect with her grandmother who was ill and unable to cook, decided to make her way through “Cocina Criolla,” a popular cookbook given to Puerto Rican brides. She used her grandmother’s copy of the book, reading the handwritten notes scribbled throughout. The experience launched Diaz into the food history industry, a parallel career to hers in the media. 

Puerto Rico: Charlotte’s gateway to a Caribbean vacation​

The warmth of Puerto Rico, its people and surroundings engulfs you about the same time you realize you’re on a Caribbean island and still in U.S. territory. Though there are many practical reasons to head to Puerto Rico — there’s no need for a passport or international cell service, and U.S. currency is accepted — it’s the island’s beauty and history that make it an ideal Caribbean destination for Americans. 

A First-Timer’s Guide to Planning a Disney Vacation

A trip to Walt Disney World tops many family’s wish list, but the cost and time it takes to plan that magical experience can be mind-numbing. The logistics are more complicated than a beach vacation or a mountain getaway, so we’ve got some expert tips to make the vacation as memorable (and stress-free) as possible. Photo by Steven Diaz

11 NC chefs dish out advice & inspiration for holiday meals

When it comes to finding out what to serve at your holiday feast, North Carolina chefs are the experts. They understand how to host guests, when to stress (and when not to), and how certain dishes will complement the menu. Our chefs use the finest ingredients, finding many through our state’s agricultural community.

Adventures in Agritourism​

Most people have participated in some form of agritourism without realizing it: Picking strawberries or pumpkins, riding on a wagon, or attending a composting workshop are all forms of agritourism. It means spending time on a working farm, discovering how food makes it to the table and what farmers do to grow fruits and vegetables and raise animals.

The Spotlight on North Carolina’s Jazz Venues

North Carolina jazz venues connect fans across the state to a rich musical heritage and create new jazz enthusiasts in accessible and comfortable environments. Sometimes the music is found where you might not expect it: in a vineyard, a hotel lobby, a museum, a restaurant.

Chef brings seafood restaurant to N.C. barbecue scene​

Chef Nailah “Lou Lou” Curry opened Lou Lou’s Seafood, the first Black business on Main Street in Lexington, North Carolina, in early 2021. Her memories of cooking date to when she was a little girl playing with an Easy-Bake Oven, a toy for children. “My dad cooked a lot,” Curry says. “I liked helping him. I was always trying to do everything he was doing. Eventually it grew into me experimenting with things.” 

6 Reasons to Head to Hendersonville

Brightwaters Vacation Rentals hosts families in cabins, cottages, and lodges and many have been restored with modern amenities. Most are clustered around a play area with a firepit, picnic tables, grills, gazebo, and sitting areas—perfect for a multi-family or multi-generation vacation. The Horse Shoe Farm is an 85-acre property with cottages, two estate homes for large groups, and its newest addition, The Pond Cottages.

Crafting a 'love language' one dish at a time

Chef Jessica Tiffany Luevano incorporates ingredients, recipes and techniques from various parts of her life to create a dining experience. “All those experiences make up who I am,” Luevano says. “At the end of the day, I let the food tell my story.”

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