Luftmensch

(Yiddish) Literally “air person,” this is someone more concerned with intellectual or creative pursuits than practical issues.

Illustration by Josef Minor

What does the word luftmensch mean?

Universally relatable words from languages around the world — with no direct equivalents.

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Our Contributors

Josef Minor Illustrator

Josef Minor (he/him) is an illustrator and graphic artist currently based in the mountains of Colorado.

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Worldly Travel, Local Spirit

Worldly Travel, Local Spirit

Find out where to go in Lyon, Washington, D.C., Sydney, and Los Angeles from each city’s resident travel expert: its InterContinental® Hotels and Resorts General Manager.

WORDS BY DEPARTURES STUDIO84

With its Knoll Womb Chair, knockoff Mies van der Rohe coffee table, and McIntosh hifi inside thick adobe walls, O’Keeffe’s living room showcases her marriage of traditional Southwestern and modern sensibilities. The large window, banked with collected rocks, looks out to the garden.

The Faraway Nearby

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What We’re Eating, Where We’re Going, and What We’re Loving in June

What We’re Eating, Where We’re Going, and What We’re Loving in June

From a special object to a delicious meal, a captivating place to an unforgettable experience — these are just a few things delighting our Departures editors this month.

words by Skye Parrott, T. Cole Rachel, Nina Renata Aron, Sophie Mancini, and alexandra brodsky; illustration by Jess Rotter

Fine Dining Among the Clouds

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Singapore Airlines’ new wellness menu takes healthy in-flight dining to new heights.

WORDS BY T. COLE RACHEL, ILLUSTRATION BY AHONEN & LAMBERG

The lagoon at Four Seasons Bora Bora, where I took a class on coral reef regeneration.

The Other Side of Paradise

A traveling writer explores the historic allure and complicated cultural perception of French Polynesia.

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MAASAI MARA, KENYA - APRIL 08, 2022: A sunset in the open Mara, close to the lodge.

Something Wild

A first-time traveler to Africa examines the complicated relationship between safari tourism and conservation.

Words by T. Cole Rachel, Photography by Yagazie Emezi and Joshua Sanchez

The resting area in one of the two rooms available at Akiba Nanguan.

A Path Less Traveled

Photographer Alex T. Thomas explores the hidden treasures of Japan’s Wakayama Prefecture.

Words and photography by Alex T. Thomas, As told to T. Cole Rachel

A winter sunrise from the balcony.

The Getaway

Escaping the city for life in a Mexican surf town.

words and photography by skye parrott

How to Start Rock Climbing

How to Start Rock Climbing

A roving writer reflects on a trip to Greece that unlocked a life-changing passion.

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What does the word curglaff mean?

Curglaff

(Scottish) The bracing, shocking, and/or invigorating feeling of suddenly entering cold water.

Illustration by Josef Minor

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