Connect with us

Solo Travellers

Palm Springs Woodworking Artist Aleksandra Zee Shares Her Favorite Spots in the High Desert

Published

on


MÁS O MENOS in Joshua Tree tops Zee’s list for coffee and natural wine. “It’s a beautiful space that reflects the soul of the desert,” she says. “I’m here at least three times a week for the best live music and pop-ups.” She loves catching the collaboration pop-ups between Friendo Burger and I Fall to Pizzas there during golden hour.

Another favorite is Kitchen in the Desert in 29 Palms, a Caribbean-inspired restaurant which she calls “soulful and lush,” where “the vibe is always on point.” Her go-to orders are the Brussels sprouts and the jerk chicken. La Copine in Yucca Valley is a must for what she describes as exquisite, upscale, California cuisine. The menus here are seasonal, but at the moment, she is enjoying their mushroom toast, shrimp roll, and gem wedge salad. Additionally, the Tiny Pony Tavern, with its karaoke nights and local crowd, is “always a good time.”

Kitchen in the Desert’s jerk chicken, branzino, and brussels sprouts

Fran Tamse/Kitchen in the Desert

For a true desert night out, she heads to The Copper Room, a retro lounge overlooking the old airport in Yucca Valley. “It’s got a cool vibe, great cocktails, and a really fun menu.” Nearby, the Red Dog Saloon in Pioneertown serves Mexican food and feels like “a family-friendly Western saloon with live music.”

For visitors seeking art and community, Zee loves choreographer Ryan Heffington’s DESERTRADE artist residency, which features rotating exhibitions in 29 Palms. If visiting in October, she recommends HWY 62 Art Tours. She’s not only a fan but also a participating artist in the upcoming event, where over 200 artists open their studios to visitors and buyers. “It’s one of my favorite things I’ve ever participated in, and I look forward to taking part for many years.” Another must-visit is the Joshua Tree Outdoor Museum, an altar to the late, high-desert artist Noah Purifoy, famed for creating art out of found debris.

How she connects with nature

“Living out here feels sacred, not just for my inner peace, but for my creative well-being,” says Zee. She loves the otherworldly Integratron in Landers, where she goes for sound baths. “As a woodworker, what blows me away is that there’s not one screw or nail holding it together, which plays into the acoustics.” She considers it one of the most magical things to do in the desert.

When she’s not in her studio, she’s often hiking around the massive boulders in her neighborhood in Indian Cove, Joshua Tree National Park. “Watching the sunrise or sunset as the boulders turn pink, you can’t deny the force of nature here. There are endless trails and boulders to scale. I feel like every time we venture into the park, we find a new spot to explore.” The half-mile Indian Cove nature trail is a popular hiking trail, surrounded by ancient monzogranite rock towers that draw rock climbers. In spring and fall, you might spot desert tortoises, a variety of birds like the shy LeConte’s thrasher, and colorful wildflower blooms scattered among Mojave yuccas and desert shrubs.





Source link

Solo Travellers

Tracee Ellis Ross Explores the Art and Joy of Solo Traveling in New Series

Published

on


Tracee Ellis Ross is back on our screens, and this time, she’s taking us around the world.

The award-winning actress, beauty mogul, and daughter of the iconic Diana Ross is inviting us into her globe-trotting adventures with a brand new series called Solo Traveling with Tracee Ellis Ross, now streaming on Roku.

The three-part docuseries follows Tracee as she embraces the joy and freedom of traveling solo. From Morocco to Mexico to Spain, she brings viewers along as she dines, explores, learns new skills, and packs just about every outfit she owns. And if you know Tracee, you already know the luggage is going to be fabulous.

Ross, who has been solo traveling since she was in her mid-twenties, believes solo travel is not just about the destination, it’s about reconnecting with yourself, experiencing joy on your own terms, and doing it all with style.

In a conversation with Variety, she explained her hope for the series. “I hope this show reminds people that they too can courageously live their lives on their own terms, find their happiness, and be their whole selves and their best selves by themselves. Everyone deserves to be joyous and audaciously free.”

Solo Traveling with Tracee Ellis Ross is now streaming on The Roku Channel.

Cover photo: Tracee Ellis Ross Explores the Art and Joy of Solo Traveling in New Series / Photo Credit: Erik Melvin





Source link

Continue Reading

Solo Travellers

The Middle East Is Getting a New Budget Airline

Published

on


Just as Wizz Air announces its exit from Abu Dhabi, a new low-cost airline is preparing for take-off in the Middle East, promising to unlock a raft of new routes for regional travelers.

Saudi Arabia has officially granted an operating license to the yet-to-be-named budget carrier, which will be headquartered at King Fahd International Airport in the eastern city of Dammam.

The joint venture—backed by Sharjah-based Air Arabia, KUN Investment Holding, and Nesma—plans to serve 24 domestic and 57 international destinations by 2030, with the official route network set to be announced in the coming months.

According to Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation, the airline is targeting 10 million passengers a year by the end of the decade on a fleet of 45 aircraft.

The regulator said the move is part of a broader push to boost air connectivity in the kingdom’s Eastern Province, ramp up seat capacity, and offer travelers more affordable flight options across the region and beyond.

While a formal launch date has yet to be confirmed, the new carrier is Saudi Arabia’s second major airline debut in recent years, with Riyadh Air set for take-off later this year. Based out of Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport, the new airline will open up more than 100 destinations by 2030, making it easier for travelers to fly directly between Saudi Arabia and major cities in Europe, Asia, and North America.

The new budget carrier will be Saudi Arabia’s second airline debut in recent years, with Riyadh Air scheduled to begin commercial flights by the end of 2025.

Courtesy Riyadh Air

Riyadh Air has already ordered dozens of Boeing’s 787-9 Dreamliners, which feature the largest windows of any jet currently in the skies, air that is more humid and pressurized at a lower cabin altitude, large overhead bins, and technology that senses and counters turbulence for a smoother ride.

At the Paris Air Show in 2023, Riyadh Air revealed its official indigo theme, with striking lines inspired by the twisting canopies of traditional Bedouin tents and the elegant curves of Arabic calligraphy. The bold look features a sweeping cockpit window design, with the signature color palette contrasting against a light iridescent fuselage that reflects “purity and the future-focused vision of Saudi Arabia.”

The launch of Riyadh Air coincides with the construction of a futuristic new airport for Riyadh, which is set to be one of the largest in the world and will welcome more than 120 million passengers annually by the end of the decade.

This article originally appeared on Condé Nast Traveller Middle East.



Source link

Continue Reading

Solo Travellers

The 31 Most Beautiful Towns in America

Published

on


While the US has some of the best cities in the world (both large and small), the most beautiful towns in America showcase an entirely different, more idyllic side to the country. From coast to coast, you’ll find tiny hubs overflowing with charm and friendly locals, all with walkable downtown areas and mom-and-pop shops that put any Hallmark rom-com setting to shame. And these towns aren’t just great for the people who live there—they’re also standout travel destinations with plenty of things to do (and quaint hotels for days). Whether you want New England weekend getaways, Southern islands lined with oak trees, or Western ski resorts next to national parks, there’s a small town just waiting for you to visit. And once you realize that the restaurant-to-people ratios lean way in your favor, you may never want to leave. While we wouldn’t dare tell you to skip New York City or Charleston, we encourage you to consider one of these smaller alternatives for your next domestic trip. The slower pace of life—and refreshing lack of crowds—may be the exact relaxing respite you’re looking for.

This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.



Source link

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2025 AISTORIZ. For enquiries email at prompt@travelstoriz.com