Becca Blond
Verified
(She/Her)
As seen in:
Yahoo,
MSN,
MSN Canada,
Yahoo Life,
The Guardian,
USA TODAY 10Best,
Tripadvisor,
The Weather Channel,
Bored Panda,
Flipboard,
Lonely Planet
and
Covers:
Travel, Luxury Travel, Lifestyle, Dogs, Hotel Reviews, Adventure Travel, Breaking News, Entertainment News, Gear Reviews, Food + Drink
Write about travel, lifestyle, dogs: @travelleisure @yahoo @afarmedia, @LonelyPlanet. Africa Aficionado. ADHD+Anxiety Warrior. ✉ beccablond@yahoo.com
Articles by Becca Blond
Alzheimer's and Parkinson's may be linked to microplastics in your brain — here's how to reduce exposure
Microplastics are everywhere these days. They're in bottled water, takeout containers, synthetic clothing, household dust, food packaging, and even the air we breathe. And now research suggests microplastics are not just an environmental problem or something we occasionally swallow and forget about.
Seasonal depression can start before winter. November is when I feel it.
Shorter days can bring changes in sleep, appetite and mood well before the solstice. Here’s what helps—and when to seek treatment. Becca Blond Creator • Updated Nov 1, 2026 Updated Sun, November 1, 2026 at 1:39 PM UTC 5 min read Shorter days can disrupt your internal clock, leading to mood changes, fatigue, and sleep disturbances. (Shutterstock.com) November is one of the hardest months of the year for me.
Have you ever taken a trip snack? Here's the scoop on this rising travel trend and where to go.
A great dinner, a change of scenery and one hotel night: "trip snacking" offers a little escape between bigger vacations. Becca Blond Creator • Updated Oct 26, 2026 Updated Mon, October 26, 2026 at 3:38 PM UTC 6 min read A hotel night and a change of scenery capture the appeal of “trip snacking”—short getaways between longer vacations. (Shutterstock.com) A hotel robe. Dinner someone else cooks. One night away from the laundry and everything else waiting at home.
Retirees can spend winter somewhere warm without buying a second home. Here’s how to live like a snowbird
For many retirees, winter no longer means simply enduring the cold — it means choosing where, and how, to spend those months in a way that makes financial sense. Today's version of snowbird living is more strategic than it used to be. Retirees are weighing housing costs, healthcare access, tax considerations, and long-term flexibility alongside weather and lifestyle.
‘Trip snacking’ might be the cutest travel trend yet. Here are 5 U.S. places to try it
A hotel robe. Dinner someone else cooks. A morning when the laundry waiting at home is somebody else's problem—or at least temporarily out of sight. Sometimes that's all I want from a vacation. I don't need to cross an ocean. I need to check in somewhere. Apparently, there's a name for this: "trip snacking." And as someone who travels for a living, I appreciate a travel trend that makes room for leaving the ambitious itinerary at home.
Leaf peeping, pickle martinis and a lake monster make Burlington a top fall destination
Burlington mixes peak fall color, great food and just enough local weirdness to stand out. Becca Blond Creator • Updated Oct 20, 2026 Updated Tue, October 20, 2026 at 11:08 PM UTC 7 min read Church Street Marketplace, Burlington’s pedestrian downtown, is a hub for shopping, dining, and people-watching year-round.
Want to save money at the grocery store? Starting a home vegetable garden could be one answer.
With grocery bills climbing every week, starting a small home vegetable garden might save you money. Becca Blond Creator • Updated Oct 20, 2026 Updated Tue, October 20, 2026 at 4:34 AM UTC 9 min read Growing herbs like basil at home can cut grocery costs and is one of the easiest ways to start a small vegetable garden. (sanjeri via Getty Images) Every time I check out at the grocery store lately, I hesitate before tapping my card. A bag of greens, a few vegetables, something for dinner.
Dogs have had one of America's greatest social upgrades — and the evidence is hilarious
Comedian Charles McBee traced dogs' rise from backyard doghouses to daycare, therapy and birthday parties — and pet parents are feeling very seen. Becca Blond Creator • Updated Oct 18, 2026 Updated Sun, October 18, 2026 at 3:55 AM UTC 4 min read Comedian Charles McBee's viral TikTok jokes about just how far dogs have come — from backyard pets to full-fledged members of the household. (Shutterstock.com) My 13-pound dog Poppy has racked up more frequent-flier miles than most corporate executives.
Comedian Says Dogs Have Had One of America's Greatest Social Upgrades — And the Evidence Is Hilarious
From refrigerated dinners to daycare and designated seating, modern dogs have come a very long way. Becca Blond Creator • Oct 17, 2026 Sat, October 17, 2026 at 7:37 PM UTC 4 min read Comedian Charles McBee's viral TikTok jokes about just how far dogs have come — from backyard pets to full-fledged members of the household. (Shutterstock.com) My 13-pound dog Poppy has racked up more frequent-flier miles than most corporate executives.
10 jobs AI can't replace easily — and some pay six figures
These careers have some of the lowest AI automation risk — and most have one important thing in common: they still need humans. Becca Blond Creator • Updated Oct 16, 2026 Updated Fri, October 16, 2026 at 6:23 PM UTC 7 min read A new analysis found that some of the careers least vulnerable to AI replacement are those that still rely heavily on human interaction, judgment and hands-on work.
Think your dog is completely unhinged? Embark wants to celebrate their weirdest habit on a Times Square billboard
From sleeping upside down in bathtubs to fearless backcountry adventures, genetics explain strange pet behaviors, and one eccentric dog will win a massive Manhattan billboard feature. Becca Blond Creator • Oct 15, 2026 Thu, October 15, 2026 at 5:19 AM UTC 4 min read A dog balances upright on its hind legs, displaying the kind of bizarre daily quirk that could land one lucky pet on a Times Square billboard in Embark's nationwide search for America's weirdest dog.
I took my first small-ship cruise on Scenic Eclipse II—and it completely changed how I think about cruising
A 12-night voyage from Norway to Portugal revealed what quiet luxury, intuitive 1:1 service, and extreme polar engineering actually look like at sea. Becca Blond Creator • Updated Oct 15, 2026 Updated Thu, October 15, 2026 at 2:33 AM UTC 8 min read Scenic Eclipse II combines the intimacy of a 228-passenger luxury yacht with expedition capabilities, including two onboard helicopters and polar-grade engineering.
I tried forest bathing at a California redwood resort. I didn’t expect my brain to get this quiet
The guide asked us to spread our blankets over the damp pine needles, lie flat on our backs and simply feel the weight of gravity pulling us into the earth. Above me, ocean fog filtered through a canopy of coastal redwoods and eucalyptus. There were no phones in our hands, no fitness trackers counting steps and nowhere we needed to be. Somewhere between the sharp scent of crushed leaves and the sound of branches moving overhead, my brain went quiet.
My first small-ship cruise hit 20-Foot swells in the North Sea—and my water glass didn't move
The North Sea does not negotiate. Sailing south from the granite cliffs and deep fjords of Norway toward Amsterdam, the open ocean decided to test our mettle. Outside, the swells rose in dark, muscular ridges, churning past 20 feet and sending white foam flying sideways against the gale. This wasn't my first time at sea.
I traded a luxury spa day for a blanket on the Santa Cruz forest floor at Chaminade Resort & Spa—and found the ultimate nervous system reset
High above Monterey Bay, Chaminade Resort & Spa's $7.5 million renovation pairs certified Japanese forest therapy with mountaintop luxury—and dogs get their own salmon dinners, too. Becca Blond Creator • Oct 14, 2026 Wed, October 14, 2026 at 12:17 AM UTC 7 min read Guests pause beneath coastal redwoods along the certified forest therapy trail at Chaminade Resort & Spa in Santa Cruz, California.
I checked into the world’s first 4D sound resort in Costa Rica — here’s what it did to my ADHD brain
Beneath Arenal Volcano, 13 rainforest villas surround one of the strangest—and most immersive—wellness experiences I’ve tried. Becca Blond Creator • Updated Oct 13, 2026 Updated Tue, October 13, 2026 at 6:41 PM UTC 9 min read Inside The Vessyl's Frequency Dome, guests lie on mats as immersive sound, vibration and projected visuals fill the circular space.
AI is not likely to replace these 10 jobs — and some pay six figures
A new analysis ranks the careers most resistant to AI automation — and the results point to a surprisingly clear pattern. Becca Blond Creator • Updated Oct 12, 2026 Updated Mon, October 12, 2026 at 10:46 PM UTC 8 min read A new analysis found that some of the careers least vulnerable to AI replacement are those that still rely heavily on human interaction, judgment and hands-on work. (Shutterstock.com) Artificial intelligence isn't coming for every job equally.
Route 66 turns 100 on Nov. 11. I drove the stretch travelers often overlook — and found the road trip America forgot
Most travelers rush straight for the western desert section, but the Mother Road's first 300 miles deliver vintage diners, quirky small towns, and fields of glowing neon. Becca Blond Creator • Updated Oct 12, 2026 Updated Mon, October 12, 2026 at 1:11 AM UTC 8 min read Chicago marks the beginning of Illinois Route 66, a roughly 300-mile stretch of the Mother Road celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2026.
Route 66 turns 100 on Nov. 11—and the best road trip starts where everyone forgets to look
Most travelers rush straight for the western desert section, but the Mother Road’s first 300 miles through Illinois deliver vintage diners, quirky small towns, and fields of glowing neon. Becca Blond Creator • Oct 10, 2026 Sat, October 10, 2026 at 11:59 PM UTC 8 min read Chicago marks the beginning of Illinois Route 66, a roughly 300-mile stretch of the Mother Road celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2026.
These 10 jobs are among the hardest for AI to replace — and some pay six figures
A new analysis ranks the careers most resistant to AI automation — and the results point to a surprisingly clear pattern. Becca Blond Creator • Updated Oct 9, 2026 Updated Fri, October 9, 2026 at 12:54 AM UTC 8 min read A new analysis found that some of the careers least vulnerable to AI replacement are those that still rely heavily on human interaction, judgment and hands-on work. (Shutterstock.com) Artificial intelligence isn't coming for every job equally.
This one-of-a-kind Costa Rica wellness resort uses acoustic vibrations to quiet the mind. I checked in to see how my ADHD brain responded
The Vessyl is a 13-villa retreat beneath Arenal Volcano with a 4D sound dome, vibrational sweat lodge and immersive therapies built around nervous system regulation. Becca Blond Creator • Updated Oct 8, 2026 Updated Thu, October 8, 2026 at 9:03 PM UTC 9 min read Inside The Vessyl's Frequency Dome, guests lie on mats as immersive sound, vibration and projected visuals fill the circular space.
Virgin wants to pay someone $100,000 to travel for 6 months — and you don’t need a huge following to apply
Virgin’s Head of Yes will spend six months traveling and creating content across its brands. The U.S. role pays $100,000, and applications are open through Oct. 20. Becca Blond Creator • Oct 8, 2026 Thu, October 8, 2026 at 8:01 PM UTC 4 min read Virgin is searching for its next Head of Yes, a six-month content creator partnership that pays $100,000 in the U.S. and includes travel across Virgin brands.
TSA Is Cracking Down on Power Banks With Stricter Rules—Here’s How to Make Sure Yours Won’t Get Taken Away
Recently, while flying out of Denver, I was surprised to see my carry-on luggage pulled aside at the TSA checkpoint. A security agent opened it up and pulled out my power bank, inspecting the fine print on the back. After a pause, he nodded and said it was fine, but added that some of these don’t pass. It was the first time in years of frequent travel that my external battery had triggered a manual check, and it caught me off guard. That quick check wasn’t random.
The first hurricane of 2026 may be days away. Here’s what homeowners should check now
Hurricane season has been unusually quiet this year. That could be about to change. As of Oct. 6, the Atlantic still hasn't produced a single hurricane in 2026, an exceptionally late start to the season. But Tropical Depression Nine has now formed in the Gulf of Mexico and is forecast to strengthen, potentially becoming the season's first hurricane before approaching the U.S. Gulf Coast this weekend.
Robert Redford’s America is still here. These 5 places tell his story
From Montana's trout streams to Santa Fe's adobe streets, here's how to explore the landscapes that defined the late actor's life and films. Becca Blond Creator • Updated Oct 6, 2026 Updated Tue, October 6, 2026 at 10:38 PM UTC 9 min read Robert Redford on the red carpet at the Venice Film Festival. (Matteo Chinellato/Shutterstock) More than a year after Robert Redford's death at 88, his influence is still easy to find across the American West. Not just on screen, but on the map.
I thought I knew this Mexico all-inclusive. Then I came back with kids
I returned to Hilton Tulum with my family and discovered a completely different side of the resort, from kid-friendly pools and vegetarian dining to a swimmable summer beach. Becca Blond Creator • Oct 6, 2026 Tue, October 6, 2026 at 10:27 PM UTC 7 min read Hilton Tulum stretches along the Riviera Maya coast, with low-rise buildings, pools and beach areas spread across the property.
Flying to a race? 6 travel tips hybrid athletes use to arrive ready to compete
Traveling for a race always sounds fun when you book the trip. You get a new city, a competition to look forward to and maybe a few vacation days tacked onto the end. Then comes the actual travel: an early flight, hours sitting on a plane, mediocre airport food, a different bed and the nagging realization that the event you've spent weeks or months training for is now less than 48 hours away.
AI is unlikely to replace these 10 jobs — and some pay six figures
Artificial intelligence isn't coming for every job equally. That's something I've been thinking about more since I recently looked at the jobs AI is most likely to disrupt — and what workers in those fields can do now to prepare. The obvious follow-up question was a little more reassuring: Which jobs are actually safest? A new analysis by IT support provider Hamilton Group offers some answers, and there's a pattern that's hard to miss.
This tech-savvy new Costa Rica wellness resort uses acoustic vibrations to reset your nervous system. I checked in to see what it could do for my ADHD brain.
I checked into The Vessyl, a 13-key rainforest retreat beneath Arenal Volcano, to see what it could do to help quiet my overstimulated, never quiet, mind. Becca Blond Creator • Updated Oct 5, 2026 Updated Mon, October 5, 2026 at 2:46 AM UTC Guests lie across the transducer-fitted floor of the Frequency Dome, where spatial audio and visual projections create an immersive sound sanctuary at The Vessyl in Costa Rica.
10 jobs AI is least likely to replace — and some pay six figures
Artificial intelligence isn't coming for every job equally. That's something I've been thinking about more since I recently looked at the jobs AI is most likely to disrupt — and what workers in those fields can do now to prepare. The obvious follow-up question was a little more reassuring: Which jobs are actually safest? A new analysis by IT support provider Hamilton Group offers some answers, and there's a pattern that's hard to miss.
Leaf peeping, pickle martinis and a lake monster make this city one of my favorite New England fall getaways
Burlington mixes peak fall color, great food and just enough local weirdness to stand out. Becca Blond Creator • Updated Oct 3, 2026 Updated Sat, October 3, 2026 at 3:28 PM UTC 7 min read Church Street Marketplace, Burlington’s pedestrian downtown, is a hub for shopping, dining, and people-watching year-round.
Worried AI could replace your job? These 10 careers are among the safest — and some pay six figures
Artificial intelligence isn't coming for every job equally. That's something I've been thinking about more since I recently looked at the jobs AI is most likely to disrupt — and what workers in those fields can do now to prepare. The obvious follow-up question was a little more reassuring: Which jobs are actually safest? A new analysis by IT support provider Hamilton Group offers some answers, and there's a pattern that's hard to miss.
This new Costa Rica wellness resort uses acoustic vibrations to reset the nervous system. I checked in to see what it could do for my ADHD brain.
I checked into a 13-key rainforest retreat beneath Arenal Volcano, where private villas, open-air spa rituals and deeply personalized programming make the experience feel worlds away. Becca Blond Creator • Updated Oct 1, 2026 Updated Thu, October 1, 2026 at 9:25 PM UTC 9 min read Guests lie across the transducer-fitted floor of the Frequency Dome, where spatial audio and visual projections create an immersive sound sanctuary at The Vessyl in Costa Rica.
I checked into Costa Rica’s wild new wellness resort — where sound and vibration are used to reset the nervous system
I checked into a 13-key rainforest retreat beneath Arenal Volcano, where private villas, open-air spa rituals and deeply personalized programming make the experience feel worlds away. Becca Blond Creator • Updated Sep 30, 2026 Updated Wed, September 30, 2026 at 1:18 PM UTC 9 min read Guests lie across the transducer-fitted floor of the Frequency Dome, where spatial audio and visual projections create an immersive sound sanctuary at The Vessyl in Costa Rica.
10 ultra-luxury billionaire vacation spots. This is where the world's richest people go to escape
A new travel report reveals the vacation spots favored by billionaires and celebrities. Becca Blond Creator • Updated Sep 30, 2026 Updated Wed, September 30, 2026 at 3:03 AM UTC 9 min read Monaco ranks among the world's top billionaire vacation destinations, where superyachts, luxury hotels, and casino glamour are part of the appeal. (Shutterstock.com) Forget refreshing flight statuses, fighting for overhead bin space, or pretending economy plus counts as a splurge.
The best exercises for heart health might not be the one you expect
Most people think protecting their heart requires harder workouts, but trainers say the biggest gains often come from habits that are easier to overlook. Becca Blond Creator • Updated Sep 30, 2026 Updated Wed, September 30, 2026 at 2:53 AM UTC 7 min read Moderate, consistent movement like walking or light jogging plays a major role in long-term heart health and daily energy levels. (Vladimir Vladimirov via Getty Images) Heart health affects more than how long you live.
Dogs can book chromatherapy massages at this luxury Mexico resort — because all pups deserve five-star vacations
My dog Poppy has nearly 200 flights under her collar and has stayed at luxury hotels around the world. She knows room service, turndown service and exactly how quickly hotel staff can be persuaded to bring her treats. But her latest trip to Mexico introduced her to something new: a professional massage. Not every hotel that calls itself "dog-friendly" actually rolls out the red carpet for its four-legged guests. Sometimes it means genuine hospitality.
Fat Bear Week is here — and the internet is losing it over Alaska's chonkiest bears
From overloaded voting servers and viral fan debates to 100,000-calorie feeding days, Fat Bear Week has become one of the internet's wildest annual obsessions. Becca Blond Creator • Updated Sep 29, 2026 Updated Tue, September 29, 2026 at 2:58 PM UTC 6 min read A brown bear feasts on fresh sockeye salmon in the Brooks River, packing on tens of thousands of calories a day ahead of winter hibernation during Katmai’s annual Fat Bear Week.
5 subtle hearing loss signs you could be missing — I mistook one for cognitive decline in my mom
My mom is in her late 70s, and lately I've noticed something unsettling. I'll tell her something, and her response won't quite make sense. Sometimes she'll answer a question I haven't asked or seem to miss an entire part of our conversation. Because she has mild Parkinson's disease, her doctors have been watching for signs of cognitive decline. Naturally, I started wondering whether the changes I was noticing were connected.
Leaf peeping, pickle martinis and a lake monster make this one of my favorite New England fall getaways
Burlington mixes peak fall color, great food and just enough local weirdness to stand out. Becca Blond Creator • Updated Sep 29, 2026 Updated Tue, September 29, 2026 at 2:15 AM UTC 7 min read Church Street Marketplace, Burlington’s pedestrian downtown, is a hub for shopping, dining, and people-watching year-round.
College football just found the perfect home for Norway’s viral World Cup Viking Row
Norway supporters perform the viral Viking Row in Times Square during the 2026 World Cup, one of the fan traditions that came to define the team's historic run. (Illustration based on screenshot from Instagram/mr.row.row) Norway's Viking Row was one of the most viral fan traditions of the 2026 World Cup. Now, months later, the chant has officially made its way onto American college football fields.
Super Bowl LXI falls on Valentine’s Day for the first time — and couples are already picking sides
SoFi Stadium will host Super Bowl LXI on Feb. 14, 2027 — the first Super Bowl ever played on Valentine's Day. (Shutterstock.com) Football season is back in full swing, which means Sundays are once again spoken for across the country. Yet as fans settle into weekly tailgates, fantasy matchups, and red-zone drama, a looming scheduling twist on the horizon is threatening to test even the strongest relationships. Super Bowl LXI will kick off on Feb. 14, 2027. Yes, Valentine's Day.
5 subtle signs of hearing loss you may be missing — I mistook one for cognitive decline in my mom
Hearing loss can be easy to overlook, especially in older adults. Difficulty following conversations, listening fatigue and seemingly confused responses may be signs that it's time for a hearing (Shutterstock.com) My mom is in her late 70s, and lately I've noticed something unsettling. I'll tell her something, and her response won't quite make sense. Sometimes she'll answer a question I haven't asked or seem to miss an entire part of our conversation.
Fat Bear Week is here — and the voting frenzy for Alaska's chonkiest bear is breaking the internet
A brown bear feasts on fresh sockeye salmon in the Brooks River, packing on tens of thousands of calories a day ahead of winter hibernation during Katmai’s annual Fat Bear Week. (Mark Kostich via Getty Images) Fat Bear Week is back, and I will admit this is one of my favorite internet events of the year. For a few glorious days, the internet collectively loses its mind over Alaska's fattest bears, and this year the voting frenzy has been intense enough to overwhelm the official site at times.
This wild new Costa Rica wellness resort uses sound and vibration to reset the nervous system — I checked in to see what happened
Guests lie across the transducer-fitted floor of the Frequency Dome, where spatial audio and visual projections create an immersive sound sanctuary at The Vessyl in Costa Rica. (The Vessyl AKEN SOUL) Somewhere between the low hum rattling through the floorboards, the rainforest rain pounding overhead, and acoustic waves moving across the room in physical pulses, my mind finally stopped sprinting.
Fat Bear Week is back — and the voting frenzy for Alaska’s chonkiest bears is breaking the internet
A brown bear feasts on fresh sockeye salmon in the Brooks River, packing on tens of thousands of calories a day ahead of winter hibernation during Katmai’s annual Fat Bear Week. (Mark Kostich via Getty Images) Fat Bear Week is back, and I will admit this is one of my favorite internet events of the year. For a few glorious days, the internet collectively loses its mind over Alaska's fattest bears, and this year the voting frenzy has been intense enough to overwhelm the official site at times.
At this luxury Mexico resort, dogs get massages, custom menus and their own vacation itinerar
Poppy, my Chihuahua mix, wasted no time making herself at home at Pueblo Bonito Vantage San Miguel de Allende before her luxury dog spa treatment. (Becca Blond) My dog Poppy has nearly 200 flights under her collar and has stayed at luxury hotels around the world. She knows room service, turndown service and exactly how quickly hotel staff can be persuaded to bring her treats. But her latest trip to Mexico introduced her to something new: a professional massage.
Fat Bear Week returns to Katmai as Alaska’s 1,400-pound champions battle for the crown
A brown bear feasts on fresh sockeye salmon in the Brooks River, packing on tens of thousands of calories a day ahead of winter hibernation during Katmai’s annual Fat Bear Week. (Mark Kostich via Getty Images) Throw your fantasy football leagues in the garbage. Cancel your weekend plans. Close your work tabs, except for the one streaming an Alaskan waterfall.
Can sound and vibration quiet an ADHD brain? I checked into Costa Rica’s newest wellness resort to find out
Guests lie across the transducer-fitted floor of the Frequency Dome, where spatial audio and visual projections create an immersive sound sanctuary at The Vessyl in Costa Rica. (The Vessyl AKEN SOUL) Somewhere between the low hum rattling through the floorboards, the rainforest rain pounding overhead, and acoustic waves moving across the room in physical pulses, my mind finally stopped sprinting.
A college football team adopted Norway’s Viking Row — and its coach’s culture made it an instant fit
Norway supporters perform the viral Viking Row in Times Square during the 2026 World Cup, one of the fan traditions that came to define the team's historic run. (Illustration based on screenshot from Instagram/mr.row.row) Norway's Viking Row was one of the most viral fan traditions of the 2026 World Cup. Now, months later, the chant has officially made its way onto American college football fields.
Show More
loading
Actions
Get in touch with Becca
Contact Becca, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack