It is rare that my husband and I return to a House of Worship in a foreign destination for a second visit. After selecting a cruise itinerary with a stop in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, we immediately placed The Hebrew Congregation of St. Thomas on our must-see list. Decades before digital images were in vogue, our young family trekked up the steep road to Synagogue Hill to visit this well-known synagogue with a sand floor, where we took a handful of pictures and then quickly departed with our four active sons.
Sleep deprivation is a prevalent condition amongst college students. Around 70% to 96% of students get less than 7-hours of sleep every night. That is about two hours less than the recommended sleep guidelines!

We have long loved the creative artistry of Lọlá Ákínmádé Åkerström. She's a magnificent writer and photographer (check out our early interview with her here), a compelling speaker (listen to her TED talk!), and has a new book out that I absolutely DEVOURED.
Five months on since the Taliban took over power in Afghanistan, on August 30th, 2021, women still continue to fear for their lives and basic human rights.
This article will focus on an overview of the Taliban’s actions during their takeover in Afghanistan. I will also highlight some of the brave women who continue to challenge the Taliban’s restrictions of their basic human rights.
Winter: it's a season of connection and celebration, solitude and reflection.
It is also a time of stories, and of music.
Quite a few of those stories have to do with Advent, and Christmas. Whether those are within your faith or not, there is much to enjoy and learn in the stories. There are many stories of the season told with no words, as well.

Whether this is your first trip to Russia, or if you already know your way around the best of Eastern Europe, you must plan your Trans-Siberian railway trip! Not only will you experience traveling on the longest railway line, but you will also get to enjoy the spectacular nature of Russia at every stop. Now, let’s see what a few of them are...

Think you know Rome? Here's a fabulous book that will show you SO much more to do, explore, eat, and learn than you ever thought possible. 103 Other Adventures* In and Around Rome - *Beyond the biggies like the Colosseum, the Pantheon, and the Vatican is written by Bill Richards (whom you've met here before, with Family on the Loose columns and books!) and Silvia Prosperi.
Whether you're new to exploring Rome or an old hand, there is so much packed into this unassuming TARDIS of a book.
I first discovered an extraordinary artist, Erica Bradshaw, in a local coffeeshop (you can't be surprised!), Great Grounds Coffee. Her use of colors was not only beautiful, but made me want to stop and look more closely. Little did I know that when I explored her socials (especially her gorgeous instagram!), I would fall into an Alice-like rabbit hole of delight.
There are many countries in Europe that most travelers strive to visit at least once in their lives. France, Italy, Germany, Spain, and others are located relatively close to each other. However, each of these tourist magnets are completely different, and all are worth visiting. If you want to travel across Europe, you must know the essential rules and recommendations to help you enjoy your trip, save money, and avoid any possible problems.
Love to eat breakfast out? We do, too. One city where breakfast really shines is New York City, which features almost too many unique restaurants. You only need to search for the best breakfast in NYC to find the greatest eateries in the city. Here are 12 terrific spots to get the best breakfast in NYC.
