María Cristina Lalonde: Writer & Journalist

A lover, fighter, and freelance writer, María Cristina covers travel, lifestyle and the human experience. Ever in pursuit of romance and karaoke, she’s lived everywhere from Chicago to Mexico City to Medellín to Lisbon to Bali — but Austin, Texas will always be home. Get in touch via this form or by scheduling a chat.

Travel + Leisure •

Brazil’s Dreamiest Coastal Road Trip Winds Through Rainforests, Pristine Islands, and Colorful Beach Towns

I was inspired (or, if you believe in such things, divinely mandated) to road trip through Brazil during a spiritual ceremony. The idea came from my shaman, herself born and raised in the state of São Paulo. As entheogenic effects subsided, the digital-age healer pulled out her iPhone and showed me photos from her recent trip home. She explained how easy it was to rent a car and bounce from one beach town to the next, talking me through an oceanside route dotted with beach towns. We watched TikT...
Chron •

‘Cowboys literally exist!’ Scottish comedian Daniel Sloss on why he loves Texas crowds

Comedian Daniel Sloss hasn’t reached the level of celebrity at which he’s recognized on the streets of Houston — yet. But whether or not Texans can identify the 31-year-old Scotsman from his critically acclaimed standup specials “X,” “Dark” and “Jigsaw,” his double-digit appearances on Conan O’Brien’s talk show or his hundreds of performances around the U.S. and worldwide, they tend to be delighted to meet Sloss, anyway. Mostly because of his accent.
Howdy •

Why ‘The City Of Eternal Spring’ Deserves A Long Weekend

Decades after the death of notorious drug lord Pablo Escobar, it's still hard to talk about Medellín without acknowledging its tumultuous past. Colombia's second city has come a long way in the last 30 years, transforming from the war-torn epicenter of a cocaine empire to a modern, progressive metropolis and travel hot spot — instrumental in Colombia’s recent tourism boom and hailed as one of the World's Greatest Places by TIME in 2023.
Popsugar •

I Wouldn't Wish ProLon's 5-Day Fast-Mimicking Diet on My Worst Enemy

Before starting the ProLon 5-Day Fasting Mimicking Diet (FMD), I called my mother. I was excited about the diet's purported benefits (which include boosted metabolism, increased energy and improved mental clarity, to name a few). Like any good daughter, I wanted my mom's blessing."Basically, you eat almost no food to trick your body into thinking it has eaten no food," I explained. "It sounds like torture," she responded, concerned. "You don't understand," I insisted. "It improves longevity." Pe...
Popsugar •

I Was Skeptical About Virtual Shamanic Healing — Then I Tried It

I've long considered myself far too rational to try something like shamanic healing (or chakra balancing or vaginal steaming or reading "The Secret," for that matter). After all, I am the daughter of two scientists. ("My problem with psychedelic therapy is the purity and composition is variable and often not tested in controlled clinical trials," my father recently said to me.) I support my local public radio station. I subscribe to The Washington Post.
Howdy •

Why ‘The City Of Eternal Spring’ Deserves A Long Weekend

Decades after the death of notorious drug lord Pablo Escobar, it's still hard to talk about Medellín without acknowledging its tumultuous past. Colombia's second city has come a long way in the last 30 years, transforming from the war-torn epicenter of a cocaine empire to a modern, progressive metropolis and travel hot spot — instrumental in Colombia’s recent tourism boom and hailed as one of the World's Greatest Places by TIME in 2023.
EverydayHealth.com •

12 Best Water Bottles Brands We Tested in 2024

The best water bottle is one that you’ll actually use — one that matches your daily activities and preferences. We tested more than a dozen water bottles, looking at temperature retention, leakage, durability, material, and other key elements. After four weeks of research (and drinking gallons of water; you’re welcome), we identified the top water bottle performers from brands like Stanley, Owala, and Hydro Flask.
EverydayHealth.com •

5 Best Portable Cold Plunge Tubs for Small Spaces

Cold plunges may improve your mood, but the practice isn't without risks. Here are some tips from our experts on cold plunging safely.

Do: Build Your Way Up to Cold Plunges

"Begin with cold showers and cold water swimming," recommends Erik Milosevich, a certified Wim Hof instructor in Bastrop, Texas.

Once you're ready to graduate to ice baths, stick to short dips and listen to your body," says Raj Dasgupta, MD, a quadruple-board certified physician and clinical researcher in Los Angeles. "Con
The Real Deal by RetailMeNot •

Top Destinations for Solo Female Travelers

The journey from Cusco, Peru, down to the Lake Tititcaca-side town of Puno takes about eight hours by bus. Travelers en route to Puno or the nearby Isla del Sol often take the overnight sleeper bus to arrive early the next day.

Nevertheless, I was one of only a handful of passengers riding the Puno-bound night bus on a chilly morning in 2011. It was me, a few families and a group of chatty 20-something guys from Brazil.
US News & World Report •

10 Travel Destinations to Check Out During Shoulder Season

As tourism wanes, flight, cruise and hotel prices plummet. The combination of lower prices and lighter crowds makes shoulder season one of the best times to travel. If you're able to sneak away, you can score deals on flights and hotels to dream destinations. To help you plan your autumn getaway for less, we've included 10 of the more affordable shoulder season destinations below.

1. Hawaii. During the fall, Hawaiian hotel rates fall to their lowest prices of the year. After Labor Day, tourists
The Real Deal •

The Coolest Hotels To Book During the Summer of 2022

For reasons we probably don’t need to explain, we did very little traveling over the last couple of years. But after so much time spent baking bread and re-watching “How I Met Your Mother” in our apartments, we’re itching to hit the open road.

Fortunately, there’s no shortage of worthy destinations in our very own backyard. From glittery metropolises to sunny island paradises to rolling national parks, the U.S. is a treasure trove of highly desirable travel destinations.
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