Wednesday, March 21, 2012

The best things in life are free...

I'll be honest, I've got a bit of a bone to pick with the person who coined that phrase. Sure, I understand the sentiment - you can't put a price on happiness, contentment, joy, experience, etcetera - but for all the other nice things, you'd better be prepared to pay. I mean, I'm pretty most of us have to pay for stylish household furnishings (unless you're an absolute DIY diva!), trips round the world and, of course, chocolate.

Source

In today's economy, the price of life's little luxuries just seems to be getting higher and higher - which is why it's so exciting when you find something stylish, adventurous and utterly delicious...that doesn't cost a penny. It's even better, when it can be delivered right into your home! I'm talking about the recently-launched, online Wayfare Magazine, of course.

Its pilot issue premiered last month and let me tell you, it is chock full of gems for the road. My dear Budget Travel and beloved Lonely Planet had better watch out, because not only is it beautifully designed (it's sleek, modern and oh-so-easy to navigate, with rich color images and attention-grabbing copy), it's also full of insider tips and well-written, informative articles. Truth be told, there's so much information crammed into the first issue that I've yet to finish reading every last bit.

So many magazines dazzle and instruct for about 50 pages (once you discount all the ad space) and then leave you wanting more; not so with Wayfare. The magazine is content-rich and the few ads included are relevant and unobtrusive. Even better, the online format of the magazine allows for the inclusion of hyperlinks, as well as audio and video clips. This is a great feature for those who like to 'read around' the content or get a little background on the contributors.

The scope of the magazine is also pretty impressive; the pilot issue effortlessly dovetails a feature on treehouse hotels in Sweden with one on truffle foraging, and another on retro travel accessories for the Pan Am jetsetter. It's a lot to tackle in one issue, but the editors of Wayfare seem to have it all in stride. Let's just hope they can keep it up for their next issue!

In the meantime, you can satisfy your wanderlust on their blog or by viewing the travel- and design-centric links on their Pinterest boards. I've browsed both and found a lot to enjoy, whether you're planning a trip or just indulging an itch for armchair travel.

Just a note: I haven't been compensated by Wayfare or contacted in any way by those associated, regarding this review. I just like sharing good things when I find them. Sometimes the best things in life really are free!


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