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Andrea Updyke on Muck Rack

Andrea Updyke

Verified
Raleigh
As seen in: Just is a Four Letter Word, Apple Podcasts, MSN, Fox News, BabyCenter, The Seattle Times, Court Watch with Alex Swoyer, Matador Network, KTEN-TV (Denison, TX), WICZ-TV (Vestal, NY), WOAI-TV (San Antonio, TX) and
Covers:  Family Travel, Cruising, International Travel, Road Trips, Where to Eat, Culinary Travel
Independent media with a healthy appetite for delicious destinations. Direct Publisher to MSN and syndicates to the AP newswire. Member @SATW

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Andrea Updyke’s Biography

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Andrea Updyke is a food and travel writer based in Raleigh, NC, where she lives with her husband and two sons. When she is not traveling in her RV or cruising, Andrea shares tasty recipes and travel tips on her website, Just is a Four Letter Word, with syndication to MSN. Andrea is available for freelance travel writing covering US and international destinations, food, and entertainment. She is also a contributor to the Associated Press newswire.

Andrea Updyke’s Journalist Portfolio

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From a 91-year-old hotel to ancient saguaros, Phoenix tourism is built on preservation

From a 91-year-old hotel to ancient saguaros, Phoenix tourism is built on preservation

In Phoenix, what's worth preserving is exactly what's worth visiting.

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Top things to do in Roanoke VA - a Blue Ridge gem

Top things to do in Roanoke VA - a Blue Ridge gem

If you’re planning a trip of your own, here are things to do in Roanoke, VA, on your first visit. If you’re l…

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Holland America with teens is cruising's best-kept secret

Holland America with teens is cruising's best-kept secret

What if I told you there is a sweet spot between ships crawling with kids and those with nothing to do? On ou…

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This Florida Native is Officially Obsessed with Alabama Beaches

This Florida Native is Officially Obsessed with Alabama Beaches

I’m a Florida native who was raised on the Gulf, so my fondest childhood memories include beautiful, clear wa…

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The grassroots origins of Windstar’s art-themed voyages

The grassroots origins of Windstar’s art-themed voyages

How a monsoon led to an art-themed cruise collaboration for the storybooks. Photo credit: Windstar Cruises.

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Thomas Dambo's Troll Sculptures Turn Recycled Art Into a Global Phenomenon

Thomas Dambo's Troll Sculptures Turn Recycled Art Into a Global Phenomenon

Thomas Dambo's troll sculptures turn parks into unforgettable art destinations that spark global travel, comm…

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Articles

Ask Andrea: Are Tieks Ballet Flats Worth It?

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By Andrea Updyke Verified
| Just is a Four Letter Word
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy. Tieks are worth it for those shopping for a quality ballet flat with a mid-range budget. Am I that person? Let’s find out. I’d heard about Tieks for years, but never took the plunge and tried them. So when I was recently offered a pair to review, I knew it was finally time to see what the buzz is about. Welcome to Ask Andrea, where I answer your travel questions.
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From a 91-year-old hotel to ancient saguaros, Phoenix tourism is built on preservation

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By Andrea Updyke Verified
| Frederick News Post Verified
In 2026, cultural immersion jumped into the top five priorities for luxury travelers worldwide, according to Virtuoso's annual Luxe Report. This is great news for Phoenix, a city with a longstanding history of preservation and care for tradition. Phoenix remains one of the largest cities in the country, and a huge tourist draw. Visitors can choose from an abundance of riches: historic attractions, stunning nature and an emerging arts and dining scene. kAmx?E6C6DE :?
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How to Make Time for What Matters

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By Andrea Updyke Verified
| Just is a Four Letter Word
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy. Ever look up at 4 pm and you have no idea what you actually did all day? Same. I’ve been running this site for more than 20 years, and I still have days where I feel busy from sunup to sundown yet somehow never get to the thing I actually wanted to do. For me, that’s usually cooking something real for my family instead of another rushed dinner, or actually sitting down to plan the trip we want to take.
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Interview

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Have you ever used a typewriter?

Yes! Fond memories of the sound and texture. But I don't miss correction tape.

What does it mean to be a journalist?

It means to state the facts and to disclose opinions as such. Share the world and let readers draw their own conclusions.

What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?

As a Florida native, I generally get a kick out of