FOOD AND DRINK Free Food: Where a Veteran Can Get a Meal in the Quad Cities and Beyond This Veterans Day Posted on November 12, 2025July 27, 2026 Every Veterans Day, restaurants across the U.S. thank service members with free meals and coffee. This year, my husband Steven and my dad made the rounds together, my son joined from Kansas, and my daughter celebrated from her ship in Italy. From Hy-Vee to Texas Roadhouse, these gestures show that gratitude still lives in small, sincere ways. Read more
DESTINATIONS & CITY GUIDES Galena’s Night of the Luminaria & Living Windows Posted on November 4, 2025April 20, 2026 Every December, Galena transforms into a glowing holiday village. More than 5,000 luminarias light up its hills and streets, while the Living Windows event turns shopfronts into festive scenes. Between the music, candlelight, and small-town charm, it’s a night that feels straight out of a Christmas movie—romantic, family-friendly, and completely free. Read more
CULTURE, EVENTS & EXPERIENCES The Best Fall and Winter Festivals in South Korea Posted on November 4, 2025July 31, 2026 South Korea’s fall and winter festivals celebrate culture, food, and light. From Chuseok’s harvest traditions to the Jinju Lantern and Andong Mask Dance Festivals, each event showcases beauty and community. With fireworks in Busan and glowing tea fields in Boseong, these festivals turn the cooler months into a vibrant celebration of Korean life. Read more
DESTINATIONS & CITY GUIDES Oktoberfest 2025: What to do During the Weekend in the Amana Colonies Posted on October 5, 2025December 26, 2025 Oktoberfest in the Amana Colonies brings a taste of Germany to Iowa each fall. Between the food, live music, and laughter, it’s easy to forget you’re only an hour and a half from home. It’s not Munich, but it’s warm, welcoming, and worth the drive every single year. Here’s why. Read more
DESTINATIONS & CITY GUIDES Year-Round Guide: Where to See the Most Beautiful Flowers in South Korea Posted on September 29, 2025February 15, 2026 Discover South Korea’s Stunning Natural Wonders! Get ready to be awe-struck by landscapes bursting with vibrant colors—from elegant chrysanthemums and dazzling sunflowers to delicate buckwheat. Your Instagram won’t know what hit it as we explore fields of enchanting pink muhly, graceful silver grass, and timeless roses. Don’t miss this visual feast! Read more
CULTURE, EVENTS & EXPERIENCES The Best Summer Vacation a Military Spouse Could Ever Take Posted on September 7, 2025December 21, 2025 Dive into the adventure with “Road Trips and Lots of Bull.” Join a military spouse’s unforgettable summer vacation without kids or husband: road trips with friends in Eastern Europe to Spain’s thrilling running of the bulls alone. Read more
DESTINATIONS & CITY GUIDES Where to Find the Best Holiday Markets in the Midwest Posted on November 20, 2024July 31, 2026 I love a great Christmas market. We went to dozens of them all over Europe. I was thrilled to discover theThe Midwest transforms into a festive winter wonderland each holiday season, offering a variety of Christmas markets that capture the spirit of the season. From traditional German-inspired stalls to local artisan vendors, these markets… Read more
CULTURE, EVENTS & EXPERIENCES Medieval Festivals: Enjoy the Best Fairs in Germany Posted on September 4, 2024July 27, 2026 Travel back in time at Germany’s medieval festivals, where knights joust beneath castle ruins, dragons breathe fire, artisans craft by hand, and markets overflow with food, music, and pageantry. From Bavaria to the Rhine Valley, these family-friendly events bring centuries of history, legend, and tradition to life every summer. Read more