Robin Catalano believes in the power of storytelling to connect communities and cultures. An experienced travel, arts, culture, and food journalist, her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, Fodor's, Business Insider, the Boston Globe, Gourmet, Matador Network, Travel Awaits, and more. She's also a copywriter for a wide variety of clients and industries, blogger and content marketer, and the editor of more than 350 fiction and nonfiction books.
How Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Rural Homeland Morphed into a Culinary Juggernaut
tyria, in southern Austria, is known for the country’s most famous export: Arnold Schwarzenegger. When images of his storybook birthplace—from its basalt crags to sunny vineyard slopes, sprawling green farms, and moody forests—appeared in the 2023 Netflix docuseries Arnold, the region saw a 40% uptick in vacation bookings. But Styria isn’t just for diehard Governator fans. The best reason to visit is its extravagant culinary scene, from farmers markets selling just-plucked produce to forward-thinking restaurants, and a biannual five-course feast for foodies.
Race Against Tide - Hidden Compass
Along the cliffs, quarries, and forests of New Brunswick, the Bay of Fundy's daily 50-foot tides are constantly unearthing spectacular fossil finds. But the very forces that reveal these hundreds of millions of years of history may also erase them forever — prompting fossil hunters to engage in a high-stakes race against time and tide.
On Your Next Trip to Mexico, Consider Its Native Bees
The ancient Maya considered Melipona bees a gift from the gods. Today, these ecologically vital bees face an uncertain future.
Uncorking Vienna’s Wine Tradition in the UNESCO-Protected Heurigen
Vienna is the world’s only major metropolis that grows wine grapes within its city limits, with about 500 vintners, mostly small, producing 660 gallons of wines per year. In the spirit of Gemütlichkeit (congeniality), friends and family meet at heurigen to enjoy wine, cheeses, charcuterie, bread, salads, and a variety of Viennese spreads and pickled foods, plus Viennese folk music.
Weekend road trip: The Berkshires
The Berkshires of Western Massachusetts are synonymous with Gilded Age excess, luxury spas, and a slew of celebrated summer dance, music and theater festivals. But the cold-weather seasons, when the Berkshires’ most famous cultural attractions — Tanglewood, Jacob’s Pillow, Williamstown Theatre Festival and Barrington Stage — have temporarily gone dark and the vibe is much lower-key, are an arguably even more enjoyable time to visit.
A Fossilized Tree That Dr. Seuss Might Have Dreamed Up
The toilet brushlike specimen from a Canadian quarry hints at the evolutionary experiments that occurred during a 15-million-year gap in the fossil record.
Bimi’s Canteen’s Supper Clubs Offer Great Food and Connection in Hudson Valley
One reason to visit the Hudson Valley: Bimi's Canteen in Chatham, N.Y., is launching a new supper club series.
Snow Queens
A look at the inspiration of to Aspen-based founders of a new tequila brand that brings together a traditional Mexican spirit with the freshness of snowy slopes.
Exploring New York State parks history through the Centennial Challenge
A new initiative is designed to honor the 100th anniversary of the state park system and encourage exploration of some of its lesser-known parks.
The disabled traveller market represents billions in untapped revenue
Across the globe, some destinations are realising disabled tourists are a major, underserved segment. They're adjusting their business plans to accommodate them..
This AI-Powered Collar Could Save Black Rhinos From Poaching
The species faces extinction due to its highly sought-after horn—but an emerging technology is helping one group of conservationists fight back.
Made in the Hudson Valley: Your local holiday gift guide
Want to skip Amazon and support a local business? Here are 16 recommendations for every budget.
Inside The Fastest Winter Sport You’ve Never Heard Of
How iceboating went from transport to sport.
The New Orleans landmark that almost became Napoleon's retirement home
It doesn't appear in textbooks and isn't included in the much-anticipated movie Napoleon – but the French politician had bold plans to start a new life in the US.
The 24 Best Places to Go in 2024
I wrote the section on my home region of upstate NY, where you'll find bucolic lodging, winter adventures, and exceptional stargazing.