What It's Like to Live on the Galápagos Islands

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Did you know that in Iceland, you can swim in a natural hot spring right in the middle of the Arctic Circle? The Blue Lagoon, a famous geothermal spa, is located in a lava field and features milky blue waters rich in silica and minerals. The contrast of the warm, soothing water against the often chilly Icelandic air creates a uniquely relaxing experience. Plus, it’s an incredible spot to enjoy the Northern Lights if you’re visiting in winter!

Today’s Itinerary:

  • Travel Question

  • Must See: Unique Remote Resort in the Pacific Northwest

  • What It’s Like to Live on the Galápagos Islands

  • All the Travel News You Need

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Travel Question

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This Remote Resort in the Pacific Northwest Added 12 Mirror Cabins — With Outdoor Soaking Tubs, a Riverfront Sauna, and 360-degree Views

Southwest Oregon's Rogue River, flowing from the Cascade Mountains, meanders through the lush landscapes of Siskiyou and Redwood National Forests before reaching the Pacific Ocean.

Known for its serene beauty and abundant salmon and steelhead, the Lower Rogue River has long attracted travelers and anglers. Now, one of the area's cherished boutique hotels has received a complete makeover, blending modern elegance with classic charm.

Tu Tu' Tun Lodge, a rustic riverfront retreat established in 1970, has introduced a fresh experience with the addition of twelve one-bedroom mirrored cabins. These new lodgings offer 360-degree views and are nestled among towering Douglas firs and Myrtle trees.

The lodge has collaborated with the Estonian firm ÖÖD, known for their work on glamping sites and unique stays like the Mirror Hotel in North Carolina, to design these sleek glass cabins. Each cabin features three mirrored walls that reflect the surrounding wilderness, and they come in three styles: mountain view, creekside, and riverfront. All cabins boast private patios equipped with firepits and outdoor soaking tubs.

Mini Byers, co-founder of Charming Hospitality, the lodge’s owner, explained to Travel + Leisure, “We chose glass cabins to seamlessly blend our accommodations into the environment, enhancing our guests' connection with nature and the Rogue River wilderness.”

The mirrored cabins are part of a comprehensive renovation, the lodge's first significant update in over 50 years. Along with the new cabins, the property will feature a riverfront wood-burning sauna and a creekside spa with three glass treatment rooms.

The lodge's existing 40 guest rooms are also undergoing a renovation, drawing inspiration from the Pacific Northwest and the region's original Indigenous inhabitants, the Tututni Nation. Expect high cedar beam ceilings, Douglas fir paneling, wood-burning fireplaces, and French doors leading to private terraces.

For larger groups, the property offers four houses (two newly built) with amenities like wrap-around decks, gourmet kitchens, barbecues, and soaking tubs. Guests can relax by the heated year-round pool, enjoy fly fishing, golf at nearby courses, or hike coastal trails.

Tu Tu' Tun Lodge's new restaurant features Brazilian-born chef Derek Piva, who uses locally sourced seafood, produce, and meats to craft dishes celebrating Oregon's natural splendor.

The glass cabins at Tu Tu' Tun Lodge are available for booking at tututun.com, with nightly rates starting at $595.

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What It’s Like to Live on the Galápagos Islands

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The first human to settle on the Galápagos Islands was Patrick Watkins, an eccentric sailor also known as “Irish Pat.” Stranded on Floreana Island from 1807 to 1809 after losing his boat, Watkins lived among the sea birds, turtles, and iguanas in a state of disarray.

With limited fresh water available only from a rain-fed pond, he survived by drinking rum, hunting, and growing vegetables, which he traded for more alcohol. Descriptions from Captain David Porter paint Watkins as a wild figure, covered in vermin and sunburned, his appearance striking terror in those who encountered him.

Watkins’s ingenuity extended to dubious schemes, such as kidnapping sailors by getting them drunk and then using them to escape. He managed to steal a longboat and head for the mainland of Ecuador, but only Watkins reached Guayaquil. After moving to Peru and attempting to return to the Galápagos with a woman, he was arrested by local police and imprisoned. His fate remains a mystery, but his story inspired the novel and film "Iguana" by Alberto Vázquez-Figueroa.

Today, the Galápagos Islands, home to just over 32,000 residents, are a blend of natural wonder and human habitation.

With about 80% of the local population working in tourism, the islands have a small but active community spread across four main islands: Santa Cruz, San Cristobal, Isabela, and Floreana.

While tourism began with cruise ships in 1834, it wasn't until WWII that the islands gained global accessibility. In 1959, Ecuador designated 97% of the islands as a protected national park, and a residency law enacted in 1998 aims to manage the population while preserving this unique environment.

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