“We do not take a trip; a trip takes us,” John Steinbeck once observed — a reminder that the most meaningful journeys aren’t defined by distance or itineraries, but by how they quietly shift our perspective long after we return home.
This year’s February Travel Issue brings that idea to life, with stories that focus not only on extraordinary destinations but on the lasting impact of travel itself.
We begin with our cover story, “Road To The Unknown” (page 62), which chronicles a trip to the southern coast of Iceland, where our editor, together with her son, experience the stark beauty and elemental extremes that have made the country such a compelling destination.
Travel, of course, isn’t only about where we go; it’s also about how we interact with a place. Food remains one of my favorite ways to understand a new culture, and in “Sugar Crush” (page 68), we travel to Gaziantep, Turkey, to get a taste of its deep-rooted tradition of sweet, buttery baklava.
For some, travel takes on new meaning later in life, particularly in retirement. Cruise lovers find ships to be one of the most effortless ways to see the world, but what happens when the journey becomes home? “Anchors Aweigh” (page 74) explores the growing number of people choosing to live at sea — and how full-time cruising is reshaping the idea of retirement.
Not every memorable trip requires a passport. “Dream Drives” (page 80) taps into America’s enduring love affair with the open road, spotlighting some of the country’s most popular routes — the kind that make me want to check the gas tank and cue up a playlist.
Until the next adventure,
Linda L. Behmoiras
linda@bocaratonobserver.com