Rizza Alee is from Indian-administered Kashmir. He takes us on a journey of his day-to-day life, and how it’s changed since May, when hostilities broke out between India and Pakistan in Kashmir. His video diary shows the uncertainty that comes with living in a region affected by a decades-old conflict.
2024 Year in Review & 2025 Preview
You’d think on our 13th year as full-time travelers, we’d be tired of all the moving around. But we continue to meet people who inspire us, find places that take our breath away, and learn new things every day–about other cultures and ourselves. Sometimes we think about planting a root, like this year it was in historic Richmond and the uncrowded beaches of Baja, but it’s never because we’re sick of traveling, it’s because those places steal a piece of our heart.
This year we traveled to eight countries across North America, the Caribbean, Western Europe, Southeast Asia, and North Africa…with Tunisia being our 80th country! Buddy the Camper traversed the West and dipped into Mexico, but we spared him his 14th cross-country road trip for our two East Coast trips. We spoke at three travel conferences and attended two more, to continue our education on regenerative travel and cross-cultural connections. We starred in an Outside TV show and made the bold attempt to shoot a pilot for a travel show of our own!
Though, the biggest news of our year was around glamping….We won the American Glamping Association’s “Industry Pioneer Award” and got the green light for a second (global!) edition of our book Comfortably Wild!
Read on for HoneyTrek’s 2024 travel highlights and see what we have cooking for 2025.
Baja Wellness
To start our year with a clean bill of health, we kicked off an annual tradition of going to Baja California for doctor appointments and a beach detox. Los Algodones, Mexico is the dentistry capital of the world with 600+ dentists in one square mile, offering amazingly affordable and quality care. After a great cleaning and crown (for $125!), it made us think that maybe there are other types of doctors that flock here too, so we found a fantastic general practitioner and dermatologist to add to our medical-tourism adventure. Good thing too, because it turns out I had basal cell carcinoma! After cryosurgery, we took the rest of the week for R&R, camping along the northern Gulf of California, taking coastal walks, and popping into San Felipe for our taco fix. With the reward of a beautiful beach, we are motivated to make another trip for this year’s annual checkups!
Starring in Outside TV’s Texas State of Mind
One of the greatest honors of the year was Outside Magazine choosing HoneyTrek for their “Texas State of Mind” TV episode and web series! To curate the best adventures in the Lone Star State, seasoned cyclists biked Hill Country, expert fly fishermen took on the Gulf Coast, wellness gurus blissed out in Dallas, and we used our global travel expertise to highlight the rich culture of San Antonio.
As the premier outdoor media company in the country, Outside brought their top-notch production crew, making sure the cinematography, photography, sound, and lighting were impeccable…and we did our best to capture the essence of the city! At first, we were a little nervous about having nine people with camera equipment follow us around for two days, but the Outside team has such good vibes and San Antonio is an awesome town, so the shoot was a great success…give it a watch, above!
Multi-cultural Malaysia
We adore Southeast Asia and have always wanted to explore the melting pot of Malaysia. Made of distinct cultures…Malay, ethnic Chinese, ethnic Indian, plus 95 indigenous groups, and British influences from their colonial days…Malaysia gives a robust taste of the continent in one country. We started in the capital of Kuala Lumpur, a city of incredible contrasts, from old-world street markets to modern skyscrapers that rival Manhattan.
From there, we pressed on to Perak, a central Malaysian state with lush karst topography, cave temples, and wild west vibes from its tin boom days! (Watch this video for nine reasons to add Perak to your next Southeast Asia trip!) However, few places exemplify the beauty of multicultural Malaysia more than Penang. As Great Britain’s first colony and port in Southeast Asia, it brought people from around the world to this little island, and together they created one of Asia’s most unique destinations. Today, the old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and that’s just the beginning of Penang’s UNESCO status…25% of the island is a Biosphere Reserve with ancient rainforest! See this gallery.
Biodiverse Borneo
The world’s third-largest island, fringed by coral reef, covered with a 130-million-year-old rainforest, and teeming with endemic species, this is a place of epic proportions. While Borneo is shared with two other countries (Indonesia and Brunei), the Malaysian state of Sabah has the most protected rainforest, the island’s tallest mountain, rich indigenous culture (38 recognized groups making up 59% of the population), and solid tourism infrastructure to access these wonders…making it the natural choice for a Borneo trip!
We gave ourselves 12 days (we could have easily spent a month here) to travel around Sabah and are so excited to share the best of Borneo with you. Read this in-depth article, as we trek with orangutans, scuba dive the Celebes Sea, safari in the footsteps of David Attenborough, and hone in on the best things to do in Sabah, Borneo.
Brunei: The Friendly Sultanate
With an absolute monarchy that recently implemented Sharia law, Brunei doesn’t present itself as a fabulous travel destination. Much less, to reach it from Sabah was going to take us over 10 hours by bus with 7 border checkpoints (each one reminding us that smuggling drugs was punishable by death!) But you know us, we love a good overland challenge and believe there is good to be found in every destination, so off we went! See the gallery from our Brunei journey, including the largest stilted settlement in the world, the fascinating museum of the Sultan of Brunei (one of the richest humans), and the friendly locals who made our trip!
Singapore Beyond the Bay
In the early days of HoneyTrek, we slept on a bench in the Singapore Changi airport, and while some globetrotters might count that as a country visited, we knew Singapore deserved more than that. Only a nation since 1965, Singapore has certainly come into its own as a world-class destination for finance, technology, and hospitality. But to be honest, we were worried this glittering republic, known for its skyscrapers, luxury shopping, and mega hotels like Marina Bay Sands, would be a little too perfect for our liking. After taking the prerequisite visit to the beautiful Gardens by the Bay and historic Lau Pat Sat market, we sought out the more local side of Singapore. We ate at hawker stalls at the Old Airport Road Food Centre, watched a Hindu ceremony preparations at Sri Mariamman Temple, explored the endentured-coolie houses-turned-shops of Chinatown, and partook in Ramadan festivities in the Muslim Quarter of Kampong Glam. We realized the beauty of this city is in its international enclaves and how harmoniously people can live in one of the world’s smallest countries.
Timor-Leste: Coolest Country You’ve Never Heard Of
By April 2024, we had been to every country in Southeast Asia…except Timor-Leste. Under Portuguese rule for 400 years and occupied by the Indonesian military from 1975-1999, this island nation has never hit the tourist radar, but was calling our name. This trip was going to be pricey and logsitcally complicated, but we had a feeling it would be a worthwhile adventure…and it turned out to be the gem of our Asia trip!
With a rugged coastline, colonial architecture, abundant marine life, and charming villages, Timor-Leste is absolutely gorgeous and was all the more special with our new friends from Aero Dili. We befriended the flight crew and wound up going on an off-roading trip to their favorite places from Dili to Baucau. Watch this video above to discover Timor’s raw beauty, see our shenanigans, and why this might be the coolest country you’ve never heard of.
Shooting a Travel TV Pilot in Indonesia
Did you catch that we are working on a pilot for a travel show?! We want to get off the beaten track and highlight the beauty, diversity, and human side of regenerative travel. We want to celebrate people who’ve followed their dreams and taken risks to create a destination that offers unforgettable experiences while being stewards of the local environment and community.
When looking for the perfect place for the shoot, we found Ngalung Kalla Retreat on the island of Sumba, Indonesia. See the gallery and stay tuned for the sizzle reel (it’s almost done!)
NJ Memory Lane
Where did we live before we went nomadic? The charming Hoboken, New Jersey! Right on the Hudson River, less than a mile from New York City, The ‘Boken’s outdoor volleyball league is what first brought me here. Mike and I met playing doubles in Sinatra Park, we fell in love, and he wooed me to The Mile Square. We bought a slice of a brownstone and spent three amazing years in our first and last home together. Twelve years later, we returned to our old hometown and state for a proper vacation, and we can’t tell you how nostalgic it made us. Watch this stroll down Hoboken memory lane (complete with throwback photos of us as volleyball teammates and our old apartment) and some great road trip ideas from 18th-century Lambertville to Exit Zero in Cape May in this gallery.
Richmond…Who Knew?
With a bold accolade like CNN Travel’s number one pick for “America’s Best Towns to Visit,” Richmond was a place we had to experience for ourselves. So while we were in Virginia for a family wedding, we extended our trip to check out this trending city. Set on the gorgeous James River, the capital of Virginia has over 400 years of history to dive into, with impressive museums, gorgeous architecture, and local characters from Thomas Jefferson to Edgar Allan Poe. Richmond has hit its stride in recent years, embracing street art, African-American culture, culinary talent, and local pride. We spent five fantastic days here and can say, from their hundreds of murals to the class IV rapids running right through downtown, it’s a city that earns its stripes!
Keynoting Camp Indie
If you’ve ever dreamt of ditching your desk job for a location-independent lifestyle, you would love Camp Indie! Three fun days were had in the Berkshire Mountains, partaking in life-changing workshops + summer-camp-style fun with like-minded people thinking outside the corporate box. From breathwork exercises to 90s pajama parties, it filled us up and taught us even more ways to find success and happiness. It was an honor to keynote this inspiring event and we can’t wait for next year. Hope to see you the weekend of June 20th, 2025!
Feel the Rush! Gold Country Road Trip
To get back to California’s Wild West roots and many of my favorite places as a Cali kid, we took a three-week Gold Country road trip. Highway 49 winds through the Sierra Nevadas, connecting dozens of 19th-century Gold Rush towns, from Yosemite National Park to Lake Tahoe. In addition to historic sites, this route serves up gorgeous mountains, raging rivers, alpine lakes, and wine country for a road trip that’s got it all! Read this blog for an in-depth guide and see these videos for some highlights:
@honeytrek One of California’s greatest river rafting adventures is undoubtedly The Middle Fork of the American. Set 2,000 feet deep in a canyon of the Tahoe National Forest, this river is stunning and bursting with Class IV rapids. There’s even a Class VI rapid so gnarly the boat gets hurled over the 30-foot waterfall and the guides have to catch it at the bottom! Full of thrills, beauty, and good times, this @All-OutdoorsCA Rafting is a must-do Gold Country adventure! #AmericanRiver #RiverRafting #PlacerCounty #VisitGoldCountry #partner @VisitCalifornia ♬ original sound – HoneyTrek
Puerto Rico Glamping Consulting
HoneyTrek Glamping Consulting, where we help camp owners improve their guest experience and business overall, is in its fourth year. We usually conduct this as a five-hour Zoom workshop, but when the stars align we love to meet the owners on their land for a deep dive.
Jay, a budding glamping camp operator in Puerto Rico, had been saving our business card for over a year and phoned us as soon as the deed to his 36 acres was signed. He was so excited about working with HoneyTrek and could not have been nicer, inviting us to stay at his beach house and tour us around PR, so we followed our gut to the airport and serendipity followed suit. The potential of this land was limitless, tucked in the lush mountains with views to a pristine beach at the edge of a colonial town, with a great community vibe. This living context gave us so many ideas, and it’s been a joy to see them implemented!
Bonus: The ISA World Surf Championships happened to be in Puerto Rico that week and in the hometown of our sports reporter friend Jaimie! He scored us press passes and we got front-row seats to this Olympic-qualifying event!
Miami’s Wild Side
We regularly work with tourism boards on storytelling campaigns, though playing in the big leagues with Visit Miami had us a bit nervous. From celebrity influencers to creators in our circle we respect, the content bar was set high for this glamorous city of six million people…but we gave it our all!
While known for its long sandy beaches, Art Deco hotels, Latin culture, modern art, and posh nightlife, we wanted to show that Miami’s clubbing scene is not its only wild side. Within its county lines, there are two national parks, one of the world’s largest wetlands, the third-longest coral reef, more tropical fruit farms than anywhere in the USA, and the world’s first mindful pocket park to appreciate the beauty of nature. It’s the contrasts of Miami that make it so special.
See our gallery with tips to make the most of Miami–from live music in Little Havana to volunteering for sea turtles in Biscayne Bay.
Tunisia, Hidden Gem of North Africa
Tunisia totally blew us away. Roman ruins, Mediterranean beaches, rolling olive groves, and Andalusian villages…it had so many European qualities, but also the best of North Africa with bustling medinas, glittering mosques, rich Berber culture, delicious cuisine, and the vast Sahara Desert.
Traveling as a group of five seasoned traveler friends, we almost didn’t use a tour company, but we’re so glad we decided to go with Tunisia Ecotourism. They helped us get deeper into the heart of this dynamic country and better understand its rich cultures. Traveling from the 3,000-year-old city of Carthage to the untouched dunes of the Sahara, Tunisia’s breadth of wonders never ceased to amaze. Embraced by Tunisian hospitality, we were welcomed into 18th-century guesthouses, bedouin desert camps, and troglodyte dwellings. We learned to dress like Berber beauties, cook rougag bread, make wool, and weave rugs. Getting off the beaten path and connecting with local communities, we fell in love with a country we barely knew…and hope you will too!
Check out this gallery and videos below for highlights from our 10-day trip across Tunisia, the hidden gem of the Mediterranean and the jewel of North Africa.
TBEX Alaska
When we got invited to speak at the Anchorage edition of TBEX, the premier travel blogging conference, we jumped at the chance to attend this week-long event in one of the most beautiful states with some of our favorite peeps! Each time we go to TBEX, our friendships grow deeper with our content creator community–whether we are sharing ideas at a roundtable discussion or hiking into the wilderness.
After the sessions, there was plenty of playtime, from turning the Alaska Railroad into a moving dance party to a three-day trip with Revel Treks & Tours + BlueWater BaseCamp into the Chugach Mountains, complete with kayaking, mountain biking, glamping, moose-spotting, and new friends! Check out this gallery for our Alaska highlights.
Colorado Residency
We keep coming back to Colorado for so many reasons…it’s gorgeous, there’s always so much going on, and our family lives here! Despite the thinner air at a mile high, we find Denver to be a great place to catch our breath between projects and reconnect with our community, so we did two housesits here this year! First, was a Civic Center apartment that we scored during the first-ever Outside Festival of all things awesome outdoors, and the second was a bungalow in the adorable LoHi neighborhood, with a perfectly lazy cat.
We were so happy to be around our family for the holidays, from trick or treating with our 1-year-old nephew to Thanksgiving with our cousins (complete with vegan dishes and CU Boulder Football). Plus, local blogger friends Jules & Sherry always know the VIP haps, so we had some splashy moments too, like sitting front row at Denver Fashion Week and the Mile High Tree Lighting with the mayor!
See some of our favorite moments from living like a Denver local and our epic side trip to Leadville…the two-mile-high city!
HoneyTrek Cares
For each of the tourism board projects we do throughout the year, we give back 5% of the budget to local nonprofits and volunteer with them whenever possible. We do this because we want to help the environment and under-served communities, but also experience tourist destinations in a positive way while showing more travelers how fun volunteering can be. From undeniably cool experiences like releasing baby sea turtles to the less-sexy invasive species removal, each volunteer day connects us with awesome locals and gives us a deeper appreciation of the place.
Here are some of the volunteer orgs we supported in 2024 and we hope you can too! Wetlands Institute, James River Association, MORAES marine science, Debris Free Oceans, Mending Walls healing arts, American River Conservancy, Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, Follow the Footsteps adaptive sports, and Trust for Public Lands.
We Won The Glamping Pioneer Award!
We’ve been glamping around the world and writing about this form of eco-travel since 2012, but we still can’t believe we won the American Glamping Association’s Industry Pioneer Award! In their words, “The 2024 award goes to HoneyTrek, a trailblazing duo whose vision, passion, and dedication have inspired the glamping community and beyond. Their groundbreaking work and relentless advocacy for sustainable travel continue to pave the way for a brighter, more adventurous future in glamping. HoneyTrek exemplifies innovation and serves as a shining light for the entire industry….With a focus on eco-friendly accommodations and immersive outdoor experiences, HoneyTrek inspires others to explore unique, meaningful travel. Their commitment to innovation in glamping makes them true pioneers, continually raising the bar for adventure travelers worldwide.” What an absolute honor!
Comfortably Wild Gets a Second Edition!
BIG NEWS! We just got the green light from Falcon Guides for a second edition of our glamping book, Comfortably Wild! While the first edition featured the best outdoor accommodations in North America, this round we are embarking on a seven-continent quest for the most mindful and inspiring getaways in the world! Not just looking at Top 10 Lists and AI-generated results, we want to meet these small business owners, try the activities, share meals, and sleep in their wonderland…whether that’s in Monaco or Mongolia.
We are so passionate about glamping, because when done right, it honors the environment, local communities, and guests for vacations with a positive impact for all. With passionate people at the helm, it is regenerative travel in its most beautiful form, and we are so excited to honor them and inspire more people with this new (hardcover!) book. See more info here.
2025 Preview
This global edition of Comfortably Wild is going to majorly shape our 2025. Our plan is to start in the Southern Hemisphere (either Oceania or South America) then head to Europe by late Spring, Africa in summer, and Asia by fall. We have a long list of destinations we’re culling down, but if you have stayed at an awe-inspiring eco-lodge, safari camp, glampground, or boutique accommodation immersed in nature ANYWHERE in the world, we’d love to hear your suggestions.
Cheers to a great 2024 and an exciting year ahead,
Anne & Mike
Christine Lagarde discussed leaving ECB early to head WEF, says Klaus Schwab
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Christine Lagarde has discussed cutting short her term as European Central Bank president to become chair of the World Economic Forum, according to WEF founder Klaus Schwab.
Schwab, who left the WEF last month following misconduct allegations that he denies, said that practical arrangements — such as an apartment in Switzerland — had been made for Lagarde to take over the organisation before her tenure at the ECB ends in 2027.
Any move by Lagarde to accelerate her departure from the ECB could trigger a succession race for the EU’s top monetary authority.
Schwab told the Financial Times that Lagarde had been at the centre of a plan both had discussed for “several years” for her to replace him as head of the WEF, the body behind the annual meetings of the business and political elite at the Swiss ski resort of Davos.
The latest conversation was in early April, when Schwab visited Lagarde in Frankfurt “to discuss with her the leadership transition [at WEF] with myself remaining chair until she was ready to take over, at the latest, early 2027”, he said in an interview.
Lagarde, who has been on the WEF board of trustees since 2008, has a non-renewable eight-year term at the ECB which runs until the end of October 2027.
Two people familiar with the matter referred to a mutual understanding about the timeline between both sides, which would have required Lagarde to leave at least 10 months before her term ends.
One of them said she had agreed to take on the role on the proviso she could first bring inflation in line with the ECB’s medium-term 2 per cent target. But they added that Lagarde also expressed some reservations about her ability to leave the ECB early at various points during the conversations about her future.
An ECB spokesperson said: “President Lagarde has always been fully committed to deliver on her mission and is determined to complete her term.” The spokesperson declined to comment further.
The WEF said it was “not in any position to comment on possible confidential discussions that may have taken place between our former chairman and Madame Lagarde”.
The 69-year-old former IMF managing director and French finance minister would be the second ECB president after Wim Duisenberg to leave the Frankfurt-based institution early.
The ECB presidency, one of the highest-profile financial jobs in Europe, has historically been subject to high-stakes political bargaining between individual member states.
Schwab told the FT that an apartment in the WEF-owned Villa Mundi overlooking Lake Geneva had already been reserved for Lagarde, to give her “somewhere to work as she took on more responsibilities and needed to be here”.
Responding to claims by a whistleblower that his family had made private use of parts of the Villa Mundi complex, he added that the apartment was not for him but Lagarde.
The WEF described his comments on the apartment as “new information to us”, adding that Villa Mundi was “now being used by our staff and constituents”.
Several people familiar with the WEF succession cautioned that no formal agreement between the Geneva-based institution and Lagarde had yet been struck.
But two people with knowledge of discussions said the conversations between Lagarde and the forum about a leadership role had continued since Schwab’s departure.
The 87-year-old said in early April he intended to step down as chair of the board of WEF trustees in January 2027. But he was forced out by the WEF board only weeks later, after the anonymous whistleblower made a series of allegations including that he and his family received inappropriate financial benefits from the organisation.
Schwab had been cleared of other misconduct allegations just weeks before the new complaint landed and has also rejected the latest allegations.
The WEF founder told the FT that he was concerned that the long-planned handover to Lagarde might be jeopardised, because of his own early departure last month and potential damage to the institution’s reputation.
“My fear is that if this continues and hangs over the organisation without a solution, Christine Lagarde will not take up the position as chair,” he said. “I don’t want to lose her. I want to make sure what has been built here . . . is not destroyed.”
The WEF, which has appointed former Nestlé chief Peter Brabeck-Letmathe as an interim chair, countered that it “continues to operate from a position of strength”, adding that it had record participation in recent events.
Davos has become a set-piece event for chief executives and heads of government and a money-making machine, with SFr440mn in revenue in 2024.
Lagarde could expect a doubling of her annual salary, which last year stood at €466,000, compared with about SFr1mn that Schwab made.
Since taking office at the ECB in 2019, she has steered the central bank through Covid-19 and a once-in-a-generation surge in inflation that followed pandemic lockdowns and Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Price rises have since come back under control, with Eurozone inflation remaining at 2.2 per cent last month and ECB staff forecasting it will return to target next year.
Scientists uncover bed bugs’ ancient connection to human evolution
From fleas to mosquitoes, there’s no shortage of organisms we like to consider pests – and, not surprisingly, the majority are insects, which account for up to 90% of animals on the planet. But thanks to new genetic detective work, scientists have found the very first species that got a taste for humans – and we’re still the main dish on its menu, some 60,000 years on.
Virginia Tech researchers made this discovery after comparing the genomes of two distinct lineages of bed bugs – one that is suspected to have hitched a ride on a Neanderthal thousands of years ago, and another that stuck with its bat host. What they found was that while the insect population feeding on bats declined over thousands of years, the bed bugs we know today evolved as humans did – which sets them up as our oldest known “pest.”
“We wanted to look at changes in effective population size, which is the number of breeding individuals that are contributing to the next generation, because that can tell you what’s been happening in their past,” said Lindsay Miles, lead author and researcher in Virginia Tech’s Department of Entomology. “Initially with both populations, we saw a general decline that is consistent with the Last Glacial Maximum; the bat-associated lineage never bounced back, and it is still decreasing in size.”
“The really exciting part is that the human-associated lineage did recover and their effective population increased,” she added.
While studies have found that bed bugs have been on Earth since the dinosaurs, the estimated 90 species of the arthropods shared a fairly stable symbiotic relationship with their hosts – until human ancestors began forming societies and living in close proximity. It was then that the common bed bug (Cimex lectularius) and the tropical kind (Cimex hemipterus) forged an enduring path of survival.
“That makes sense because modern humans moved out of caves about 60,000 years ago,” said Warren Booth, an Entomology Associate Professor at Virginia Tech. “There were bed bugs living in the caves with these humans, and when they moved out they took a subset of the population with them so there’s less genetic diversity in that human-associated lineage.”
Anyone who has had to deal with a bed bug infestation will know how difficult they are to eradicate – while this is partly due to their numbers and reproduction rate, recent research has also identified a genetic mutation that made them resistant to a formerly effective insecticide.
“What will be interesting is to look at what’s happening in the last 100 to 120 years,” said Booth. “Bed bugs were pretty common in the old world, but once DDT [dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane] was introduced for pest control, populations crashed. They were thought to have been essentially eradicated, but within five years they started reappearing and were resisting the pesticide.”
And while you’d be hard-pressed to find any fans of bed bugs, there’s something to admire in their adaptability and opportunistic evolutionary path, from finding a new home with a caveman host to their rapid adaptation to withstand DDT. Since that mutation, and the phasing out of DDT, an uptick in international travel and increasing urban population density, bed bug numbers have exploded. In 2006, Australian pest control professionals estimated that infestations soared 4,500% in a year, and you’ll find the insects in every US state, concentrated in the most populated areas.
Why does this matter, besides giving us another thing to worry about in bed at night? Well, the sturdy insect’s resilience and rapid adaptations can help scientists design more accurate epidemiological models to better predict disease outbreaks as urban populations continue to grow, as well as develop ways to tackle infestations that evade existing and potential resistance.
Ultimately, however, the study is a fascinating insight into just how long the lives of humans and bed bugs have been intertwined – and, sadly for us, it’s a relationship that’s unlikely to end anytime soon.
“The timing and magnitude of the demographic patterns provide compelling evidence that the human-associated lineage closely tracked the demographic history of modern humans and their movement into the first cities,” the researchers noted. “As such, bed bugs may represent the first true urban pest insect species.”
While they’ve proved their resilience, bed bugs are not invincible; the US Environmental Protection Agency has published a thorough guide on handling them without pest control professionals, and it’s worth remembering that while their bites are irritating, and can even form large welts on the skin, they don’t carry diseases.
As to whether bed bugs or cockroaches will be most successful as life on Earth dwindles, entomologists can’t say. While bed bugs have a favored host, their specialist diet is no match for the insect world’s ultimate survivor, the German cockroach (Blattella germanica), a generalist feeder that can tolerate broader environmental conditions and has also developed resistance to a range of chemical insecticides. Oh, and they also happen to eat bed bugs.
The study was published in the journal Biology Letters.
Source: Virginia Tech
Three Simple Yet Effective Strategies to Enhance Your Innovation Management System Trio of Minor Yet Mighty Methods to Upgrade Your Innovation Management System Three Minor But Impactful Techniques to Better Your Innovation Management System
I know what you’re thinking: Can small changes really make a difference? The short answer: Absolutely. Because, as the saying goes, “Rome wasn’t built in a day—and neither will your innovation management system.” I’m pretty sure that second part isn’t in the original quote, but you get the idea.
Rebuilding the Future with Recycled Concrete
The construction industry—responsible for the buildings we live in, the bridges we cross, and the harbours we sail from—is under pressure to shrink its carbon footprint without compromising material quality. Two recent technological breakthroughs suggest that a more sustainable, circular model is within reach. One key lies in the use of recycled concrete — but also in a shift in perspective, where the entire life cycle of a building, including its second life, comes into focus.
Recycled concrete: lower emissions, same performance
A significant share of the sector’s carbon emissions comes from concrete—especially the cement it contains, which is notoriously energy-intensive to produce. While efforts are underway to develop greener concrete mixes, researchers are also exploring how recycled cement could play a key role. That is the approach taken by a team from Princeton University, working in collaboration with the University of São Paulo.
Their innovation involves a method for reclaiming cement from demolition waste. By applying thermal activation at 500°C and combining the result with small amounts of Portland cement or limestone, they have created a mix that retains the strength and workability of conventional cement—but with up to 40% lower CO₂ emissions per tonne produced.
This advance not only cuts emissions but also supports a more circular approach to construction, where materials from old structures are reused in new urban developments. However, scaling this up depends on better systems for sorting construction waste. That is where another recent project comes in.
HISER: a circular approach to construction
As with any recycling system, success hinges on efficient sorting. In the case of municipal waste, technologies such as robotics and artificial intelligence are already being explored to boost sorting performance.
Construction waste, however, brings added complexity: it contains a wide range of materials—wood, plastics, glass, cement, metals—and buildings are usually demolished at the end of their lifespan, often without prior preparation. A project that takes these challenges into account may help change the game.
That is the goal of the European initiative HISER (Holistic Innovative Solutions for an Efficient Recycling), which has developed integrated strategies to maximise the recovery of raw materials from construction and demolition waste (CDW), including recycled aggregates. Its achievements include:
- The development of tools like BIM-SD for inventorying and classifying materials during demolition.
- Advanced separation and recycling technologies capable of recovering raw materials with 80 to 100% purity.
- New sustainable construction materials, such as low-emission cements, green concretes, and plasterboards and bricks made with high levels of recycled content.
These solutions have already been successfully tested at scale—notably by ACCIONA in Madrid, where the technologies were applied to gypsum and stone waste streams, boosting the circular use of materials and reducing the demand for virgin resources.
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Kirby Smart reveals what he thinks is biggest issue in college football
Of all the issues that currently exist with college football, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart feels one stands out above the rest.
While meeting with the media on Tuesday, Smart gave a lengthy explanation for why he believes the timing of the transfer portal windows has been the biggest problem in college football. There are currently two windows during which players can transfer — one in December and one April. Smart wants there to be only one transfer window, and he says other coaches “unanimously” agree with him.
“The biggest decision that has to be made in college football right now, by far to me, is when is the portal window and is there one or two. …There is a strong contingent, we had an (American Football Coaches Association) meeting. We unanimously decided that there needs to be one portal window — whatever that is it is. It needs to happen sometime in January,” Smart said, via Trey Wallace.
Smart pointed to the fact that teams in the College Football Playoff have to play games while also navigating the December portal window. He said he brought that up and was told there is “no crying from a yacht,” which means teams that are good enough to still be playing in the College Football Playoff should not complain.
“There is an outcry, there is schools, there is different conferences that feel like it should not fall during the playing season,” Smart added. “I would love that. I would love to be able to play the season without it.”
Smart is pushing for there to be one transfer portal window in January. The reason it is currently held in December is because that aligns with schools’ academic calendars. Smart noted how there are instances where high school players enroll early in college, so he believes the NCAA should be able to find a way around that.
You can hear more from the two-time national champion.
Norway’s Princess Ingrid Alexandra moves to Sydney for university
Norway’s Princess Ingrid Alexandra is moving to Australia for her university studies, enrolling in a degree programme at the University of Sydney.
Alexandra, who is second in line to Norway’s throne, will join her classmates from August and will study “international relations and political economy,” Norway’s royal household said.
The 21-year-old will study full-time and live in a student residence on campus, a university spokesperson said.
Norway’s King Harald is Alexandra’s grandfather and her father is Crown Prince Haakon.
“Her Royal Highness looks forward to dedicating herself to her studies in the years to come,” Norway’s royal household said in a statement.
The princess’s mother, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, spent a year during her senior school studies at Wangaratta High School in Victoria.
The University of Sydney is looking forward to welcoming the princess, said its vice-president, Kirsten Andrews.
“We know how valuable the campus experience is and we hope the Princess makes the most of our beautiful grounds and surrounds, clubs and societies, as well as our proximity to the best Sydney has to offer,” Ms Andrews said in a statement.
Born and raised in Oslo, the princess recently completed her military service, spending 15 months as an engineer soldier and rifleman.
Her biography on the royal family’s website lists environmental protection and climate change as key interests.
The Platinum Card® from American Express Review
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Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
The Platinum Card® from American Express is the OG of premium travel cards. Since its launch in the 1980s, it’s always been known for its exclusivity, suite of perks, and stellar customer service.
While it does have the highest fee in the game ($695, See Rates and Fees), it offers a ton of bang for your buck. You’ll more than come out on top if you take advantage of all that this premium card has to offer. It unlocks the most comprehensive lounge access of any card, includes elite hotel status, has tons of travel perks, and offers hefty statement credits.
I personally love this card, but it’s not for everyone. Here’s my review to help you decide if it’s right for you.
What does the card offer?
This card unlocks a ton of lounge access, elite status benefits (enrollment required), travel perks, special hotel discounts, and luxury goods and service credits. Here’s a glance at just some of the benefits:
- Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership
- Earn 5x Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® (on the first $500,000 spent per calendar year)
- Earn 5x Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotels booked on American Express Travel
- Travel insurance coverage including secondary car rental insurance, trip interruption and cancellation, lost luggage reimbursement
- Access to The American Express Global Lounge Collection (for eligible Card Members)
- Up to $200 in airline credit (Valid on one qualifying airline that you must choose in advance. Valid on incidentals only, not airfare.)
- Up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®. (The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.)
- Up to $199 annual CLEAR® Plus statement credit (covers an annual membership) per calendar year (subject to auto-renewal)
- Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. (Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.)
Using Your Membership Rewards Points
You’ll earn Membership Rewards points with The Platinum Card® from American Express. These are some of the most valuable transferable points out there, thanks to their impressive suite of travel partners:
- Aer Lingus AerClub (1:1 ratio)
- Aeromexico Rewards (1:1.6 ratio)
- Air Canada Aeroplan (1:1 ratio)
- Air France-KLM Flying Blue (1:1 ratio)
- ANA Mileage Club (1:1 ratio)
- Avianca LifeMiles (1:1 ratio)
- British Airways Club (1:1 ratio)
- Cathay Pacific Asia Miles (1:1 ratio)
- Choice Privileges (1:1 ratio)
- Delta SkyMiles (1:1 ratio)
- Emirates Skywards (1:1 ratio)
- Etihad Guest (1:1 ratio)
- HawaiianMiles (1:1 ratio)
- Hilton Honors (1:2 ratio)
- Iberia Plus (1:1 ratio)
- JetBlue TrueBlue (250:200 ratio)
- Marriott Bonvoy (1:1 ratio)
- Qantas Frequent Flyer (1:1 ratio)
- Qatar Airways Privilege Club (1:1 ratio)
- Singapore KrisFlyer (1:1 ratio)
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club (1:1 ratio)
You can also use your Membership Rewards points to book flights and hotels in the Amex Travel portal. (This isn’t the best use of your points. I’d generally advise against it; it’s always best to transfer your points to travel partners rather than using the card’s travel portal.)
Breaking Down the Amex Platinum’s Credits and Benefits
I love Amex cards for their perks and benefits, and the Amex Platinum comes with over $1,500 worth of them. It’s like a little coupon book. Here’s what you get with the card:
Perks for a Streamlined Airport Experience (Lounge Access, CLEAR Plus, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck)
One of my favorite perks of this card is that it offers the most comprehensive lounge access out there, and to some of the best lounges in the game. The Centurion Lounges are stellar, as are the Delta Sky Club lounges. You’ll also get access to the Priority Pass network of over 1,700 lounges around the world.
The Amex Platinum also gets you to the lounge quicker with statement credits that cover services to expedite airport security. You’ll get up to $199 annual CLEAR® Plus statement credit (covers an annual membership) per calendar year (subject to auto-renewal). You’ll also receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®.
Keep in mind that if you’re approved for Global Entry, you’ll also get access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost. So, if you’re traveling internationally, just go with Global Entry. The process is a bit more involved (you have to go for an in-person interview), but it’s worth it.
Airline and Hotel Credits
The Platinum Card also offers up to $200 in airline credit, which sounds great at face value but can be a bit of a pain to use. The credit can only be used on one airline, which you must pre-select, and you can only use it for incidentals, not airfare. However, if you regularly check a bag (and don’t already have an airline credit card that offers free baggage as a perk), you’ll use up that $200 in no time. (You can also use it on things like paid seat selection and in-flight food and beverage.)
The card also offers up to $200 back in statement credits on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®. These are usually pretty luxurious properties, so you won’t be getting any free hotel stays with this benefit alone. But if you’re looking to splash out with a high-end hotel or resort stay, $200 off is pretty nice.
Plus, the Amex Platinum offers complimentary Marriott Bonvoy® Gold Elite and Hilton Honors™ Gold Status, which offer extra perks and benefits when staying at these properties.
Lifestyle Statement Credits
The “lifestyle” statement credits are where this card can be a bit less useful depending on your spending habits. My favorite of these is the $200 Uber Cash benefit. It’s distributed as $15 in Uber Cash each month, plus you’ll get a bonus of $20 in December after adding your Card to your Uber account.
That said, I do find it a bit annoying that you can only use your Uber Cash on rides and orders in the U.S. (when you select an Amex Card for your transaction), since I’m often out of the country.
(To receive this benefit, you must have downloaded the latest version of the Uber App and your eligible American Express Platinum Card must be a method of payment on your Uber account. The Amex Benefit may only be used in the United States.)
Other lifestyle credits include up to $50 biannual Saks Fifth Avenue credit and up to $155 Walmart+ Credit when you use your Platinum Card to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership.
You’ll also receive up to $240 Digital Entertainment Credit via up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney+ Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. (This is an easy set and forget if you subscribe to any of these.)
Amex Offers
In addition to all those statement credits, you’ll get access to Amex Offers. With these, you can save money or earn bonus points with select retailers. The offers are ever-changing and targeted, meaning you won’t have the same offers as another cardholder. The majority of these offers are “spend X, get Y amount back.”
The Amex Platinum’s Travel Insurance
Last but not least, you’ll get great travel insurance with this card. No matter where you’re going, travel insurance is the most important thing to get for your trip. Hopefully, you won’t need to use it, but I know from experience that if you do, you’ll be glad to have it. I’ve had to use it around the world, from Argentina to South Africa to Italy. Each time something has gone wrong on the road, travel insurance has helped me recoup my costs.
While I always recommend purchasing a standalone travel insurance policy, many travel cards offer travel insurance as a perk for no additional cost (apart from the card’s annual fee). While I wouldn’t solely rely on the card’s travel insurance, it’s a nice benefit.
Here are the travel protections that the Platinum offers:
- Trip cancellation and interruption coverage of $10,000 per person, per trip (on round-trip tickets only, $20,000 per 12 consecutive month period)
- Trip delay coverage up to $500 if the delay is six hours or more (on round-trip tickets only, two claims per 12 consecutive-month period)
- Emergency evacuation and medical transport coverage: no limit; must be coordinated via the Premium Global Assist Hotline
- Cell phone protection up to $800 minus a $50 deductible (two approved claims per 12-month period, and you must have paid your cell phone bill with your card)
- Lost luggage coverage up to $3,000 per person
- Secondary car rental coverage
- Keep in mind that to be eligible for these protections, you have to pay for your trip (or cell phone bill) with your Amex Platinum. Also, always be sure to always read the fine print so that you understand exactly what’s covered!
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
Who is the Amex Platinum for?
The Amex Platinum is best for frequent travelers who’ll use the premium perks, like easier airport experiences and elite status at hotels. If you can also take advantage of a few lifestyle credits, it’s a solid deal. I’d say just run the numbers and see if the value adds up for you. (And read my post on picking a travel card if you need more help.)
As with any rewards card, you should not get this card if you’re already carrying a balance or plan to carry a balance. Interest rates for travel cards are notoriously high and the points just aren’t worth it if you’re paying interest each month.
This card is also not for anyone with poor credit, as you need excellent credit to qualify. (If that’s you, check out the best credit cards for bad credit so you can start improving your score today.)
The Amex Platinum isn’t cheap but if you travel often, the perks can easily outweigh the hefty annual fee. From airport lounge access to generous travel credits, it’s a card built for those who live life on the move. If you’re a frequent flyer looking to travel smarter and more comfortably, I think this card is worth it.
Stop paying full price for travel!
Download my free guide to points and miles and learn how to use points and miles for free travel! It’s how all the pros travel so much! In this guide, I’ll show you:
- How to Pick a Credit Card
- How to Earn Up to 10x Miles on Your Spending
- How to Redeem Your Points
- And a Ton of Other Money Saving Tips!
Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner. It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned.
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
Want to Travel for Free?
Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals.
Need a Rental Car?
Discover Cars is a budget-friendly international car rental website. No matter where you’re headed, they’ll be able to find the best — and cheapest — rental for your trip!
Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip?
Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more.
Ready to Book Your Trip?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip.