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The Adventure Issue

J U LY 2 02 6

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LIFESTYLE LETTER

Adventure Awaits!

July 2026 PUBLISHER

Michelle Taylor Willis michelle.taylorwillis@citylifestyle.com E D I TO R

Erikka Searles Mitchell | emitchell@citylifestyle.com

Hey SoFu, This month we feature some adventures, near and far! The travel issue is one of my favorites each year. Hope you are off on an excursion this summer! I just got back from my annual Girls Trip with my favorite sorority sisters, my very best friends from Spelman. We road tripped to Charlotte for the weekend. After a little arm twisting, the activities committee convinced us to go to the NASCAR Hall of Fame and a time was had in those simulators. We enjoyed the Harvey Gantt Center and all the abstract expressionist art was amazing. We tried all the local delicacies and brunched! Most of all, we just had a moment to exhale! In this issue, we take a solo trip to Spain, a relaxing escape on Sailrock South Caicos, and a road trip to Knoxville. Right now, I’m looking forward to taking my son to Japan on a curated trip just for teens with my friend Katrina Morrison at Mocha Travel. Where y’all headed this summer? Get out there SoFu! ERIKKA SEARLES MITCHELL, EDITOR @ S O U T H F U LT O N L I F E S T Y L E

AC C O U N T M AN AG E R

Kevin Giles | kevin.giles@citylifestyle.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Tomeka Jones, Juju Ramos, Gabrielle Lattimore, Shandra Hill Smith, Sean O'Keefe C O N T R I B U T I N G P H OTO G R AP H E R S

Bob Mackey, Shandra Hill Smith, Tomeka Jones

Corporate Team CEO Steven Schowengerdt

Above: Confetti Hearts Mural, Charlotte, NC. Erikka Searles Mitchell pictured far right.

President Matthew Perry COO David Stetler CRO Jamie Pentz CoS Janeane Thompson AD DESIGNER Mary Albers LAYOUT DESIGNER Emily Lisenbee QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Marina Campbell

Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com//franchise. Proverbs 3:5-6 SOFU Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the South Fulton area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions.

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No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in SOFU Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

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inside the issue JU LY 2 0 2 6 | EX P LO R E

34 28

Featured

16 20 28

34 6

Aging at Home With a Little Help

The Right Support Can Help Older Loved Ones Stay Connected

Amy Sherald

“American Sublime” Comes Home to Atlanta

The Solo Adventure I Didn’t Know I Needed Camino de Santiago, Spain

Tennessee Treasure

Knoxville Delivers a Sanctuary and More With The Tennessean

20 On the Cover

Departments

Spain’s Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, one of only three in the world! Photo by Tomeka Jones

Lifestyle Letter

City Scene

Business Monthly

Self Care LIFE + CULTURE

Our Town LIFE + CULTURE

Artist’s Palette ARTS + CULTURE

Back Stage ARTS + CULTURE

Travel Journal TRAVEL

Road Trip TRAVEL

Hot Spot TRAVEL

Summer is Here. Time for Your Next Adventure LEARN A NEW SKILL FROM ANYWHERE

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Business Communications Business Essentials Cosmetic Science Leading Self, Leading Others Project Management

J U LY 2 0 2 6

city scene WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN

5 7

1: The “Fans and Fedoras” Tea with a Z was presented by the Kappa Iota Zeta chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. at Zoo Atlanta. 2: SoFu Lifestyle publisher Michelle Taylor Willis (far right) served as MC. 3-6: Local students were awarded scholarships and guests showed off their “Hattitude.” 7. Michelle Langham-Robinson serves as Chapter President and Marea White served at 30th and 31st Chair of the Zora Neale Hurston Scholarship Tea with a Z.

Want to be seen in the magazine? TA G Y O U R I N S TA G R A M P H O T O S W I T H @ S O U T H F U LT O N L I F E S T Y L E

C I T Y SC E N E

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business monthly A R O U N D U P O F N E W S F R O M LO C A L B U S I N E S S E S

Annual Lee Haney Games Eight-time Mr. Olympia Lee Haney is set to host his annual Lee Haney Games on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at the Georgia International Convention Center. The event will include the classic bodybuilding championship, a teenage physique contest, family fitness competitions, a high-school teen challenge, FitKid obstacle course and more. A portion of the proceeds from Lee Haney Games will benefit Haney’s Harvest House, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded by Haney. For more info: LeeHaneyGames.com.

Photography by Shandra Hill Smith

BronzeLens Summer Programming Expands: August 21-23 and August 27-30 The highly anticipated 17th annual BronzeLens Film Festival is scheduled to take place over the course of two weekends, August 21-23 and August 27-30. Opening Night, August 21 kicks off a weekend of celebrating extraordinary filmmakers. Cinema and Social Justice Sunday is August 23 at the Tara Theater. The Annual BronzeLens Filmmakers Ball is August 29 at Atlanta’s City Hall. The BronzeLens Awards is on August 30, at Morehouse College. For more information regarding the BronzeLens Film Festival, go to BronzeLens.com.

BASURA at Alliance Theatre Alliance Theatre premieres “BASURA,” a new musical with original music and lyrics by Gloria Estefan and Emily Estefan. Performances of “BASURA” began on Saturday, May 30 at Alliance Theatre’s CocaCola Stage (1280 Peachtree Street NE) in Atlanta. Tickets are now on sale for the World-Premiere production, which is set to play through July 12, 2026. Tickets start at $25; for more information about “BASURA” at the Alliance Theatre, visit AllianceTheatre.org/Basura.

Photography courtesy of Alliance Theatre

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The 10% Target Mindset

MAKEUP BY MIKAYLA CRANE

Jen Cohen ON THE PRACTICE OF ASKING FOR WHAT YOU WANT

Winnipeg in the winter, and a 17-year-old waits 45 minutes in the cold for Keanu Reeves. Her fingers are numb. She is not there for an autograph. She is there to ask him to appear in her audition tape for MuchMusic, Canada’s MTV. When he finally agrees, she writes her number on a gum wrapper with a borrowed lip liner. He calls days later. That 17-year-old was Jen Cohen — fitness expert, host of the Habits & Hustle podcast, and best-selling author. She has built a career on the premise her frostbitten afternoon proved. She calls the practice the 10% Target: 10 attempts at whatever you want most in life. The premise is simple. Most people never make one attempt. Almost nobody makes two. The math works in favor of the person who keeps going. The top-rated Habits & Hustle podcast has logged hundreds of conversations with high performers and the people who study what the body does to the mind. Her TEDx talk, The Secret to Getting Anything You Want in Life, has traveled widely inside Fortune 500 sales-training rooms. On the Share the Lifestyle podcast, Cohen sits down to share the working rules that are the foundation of her latest book, Bigger, Better, Bolder.

“You have to be the CEO of your own life.”

F E AT U R I N G JEN COHEN Discover the full 10% Target Mindset framework.

S ELF CA R E | L I FE + C ULTU RE

1 2 3 4

MAKE TEN ATTEMPTS The door opens, or another door does. The unmade attempt and the refused one leave you in the same place — except one of them teaches you something.

STACK THE DECK Cohen frames her habits as a wager: How do I stack the deck so I win more than I lose? The workout happens first, and the food decisions follow. The email follow-up gets sent, and the answer arrives. The choices compound in a single direction.

DISCIPLINE IS A PRACTICED SKILL, NOT AN INHERITANCE No one is born with it. The people who look disciplined are running a routine they have rehearsed long enough that it no longer feels like effort. The reps are the skill. Miss them, and the skill fades, the same as any other.

SELF-TALK ONLY WORKS WHEN THE BODY BACKS IT UP Confidence does not arrive by repeating the word. It arrives after the body has done the thing — the workout finished, the cold walk endured, the email sent. The mind takes its cues from what the body proves it can do. Talk follows action, not the other way around.

NEVER MISS A MONDAY The first decision sets the slope of the rest. Skip the Monday workout, and the rest of the week tends to follow. Hold the line on Monday, and the slope tilts the other way.

JULY 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / S O F U

City of South Fulton STATE OF THE CITY 2026

An evening of vision, celebration, and shared momentum brought city leadership, residents, staff, and distinguished guests together for the 2026 State of the City. Centered around the theme The Rise Continues, the event highlighted the progress shaping the city’s future while honoring the people driving it forward every day. The evening opened with a dynamic performance from the Westlake High School band, whose energy and talent immediately set the tone for a celebration rooted in pride, promise, and community spirit. Their performance reflected the bright future of a city investing in the next generation of leaders and changemakers. Langston Hughes High School ROTC Color Guard, Renaissance Elementary Pink P.E.A.R.L.S. and Clark Atlanta University Philharmonic Society all used precision, professionalism, and commanding presence to set a powerful tone for the night ahead. Their presentations and performances displayed honor, leadership, and service — values that continue to shape the spirit of the community and inspire the next generation. Throughout the program, the Mayor Camarlitha Gumbs and City Manager Sharon D. Subadan shared messages focused on growth, innovation, infrastructure, public safety, economic development, and the partnerships helping move the city forward. Their remarks broadcasted confidence in a continued commitment to creating opportunity while preserving the strong sense of community that continues to define the city’s identity.

cityofsouthfultonga.gov

The Rise Continues

The evening also featured an inspiring performance by acclaimed gospel artist Jekalyn Carr, whose powerful vocals and uplifting presence energized the audience and transformed the celebration into a memorable shared experience. Community leaders, elected officials, city staff, business partners, and dignitaries filled the room in support of the city’s continued progress and collective vision for the future. From moments of reflection to moments of celebration, the event captured the momentum of a city rising together. For more information, visit: cityofsouthfultonga.gov

Serving as more than a theme, The Rise Continues was a bonafide declaration of purpose — a reminder that the city’s greatest achievements are still ahead.

Aging at Home With a Little Help THE RIGHT SUPPORT CAN HELP OLDER LOVED ONES STAY CONNECTED

Most families do not recognize the caregiving season right away. It starts small. A grocery run. A ride to the doctor. A quick check-in after work. A daughter notices the laundry has piled up. A son realizes Dad is no longer comfortable driving at night. Someone in the family begins calling more often, staying longer, and worrying more. At first, it feels manageable. Then one day, the family realizes the question has changed. It is no longer, “Can Mom stay home?” It is, “What support does she need to stay home safely?” For many older adults in South Fulton, home is not just a place. It is memory, routine, independence, and identity. It is the kitchen they know, the porch where neighbors wave, the church community nearby, and the comfort of sleeping in their own room. When a senior says, “I want to stay home,” families should listen closely. That desire is often about dignity. At the same time, aging at home takes planning. Many older adults do not need skilled nursing or a facility, but they may need help with the everyday pieces of life that keep a household steady. Bathing may become less safe. Meals may become less consistent. Transportation may become stressful. Isolation may settle in quietly. This is where non-medical in-home support can help. Non-medical care is not home health, and it does not replace doctors, nurses, therapists, or family. It helps with daily living: companionship, light housekeeping, meal preparation, medication reminders, transportation, errands, personal care, and respite for family caregivers. Those services may sound simple. They are not.

ARTICLE BY SHANTICLEER GRAHAM, OWNER, SENIORS HELPING SENIORS® ATLANTA SOUTHWEST | PHOTOGRAPHY BY BOB MACKEY

O UR TOWN | L I FE + C ULT U RE

A safe shower matters. A warm meal matters. A ride to an appointment matters. A trusted person stopping by during the day matters. For families who cannot be everywhere at once, that support can bring real peace of mind. Companionship is especially important. A senior can have a loving family and still spend long hours alone. Friends move away. Driving becomes harder. Health changes limit social routines. Regular visits from a caring companion can help an older adult stay engaged, encouraged, and connected. The Seniors Helping Seniors® in-home care services model is built around mature, active adults helping less-active seniors. That shared life experience can make support feel more natural; less like a stranger taking over. More like getting a little help from someone who understands. The best time to talk about support is before a crisis. Before the fall. Before the hospital stay. Before the family caregiver is exhausted. Start with simple questions: • What feels harder lately? • Where would a little help make life easier? • What do you still want to do for yourself? • Who checks in when family cannot be there? The message should not be, “You can’t do this anymore.” The message should be, “Let’s protect what matters to you.” Aging at home does not have to mean aging alone. With the right support, many seniors can remain safer, steadier, and more connected to the homes and routines they love. For many families, that is the real goal: not just more years at home, but better days at home. Seniors Helping Seniors® Atlanta Southwest Non-Medical In-Home Care | Serving South Fulton and surrounding communities Phone: 404-793-0677 Website: SHSAtlantaSouthwest.com Email: info@shsatlantasouthwest.com License/Registration: PHCP042855 Shanticleer Graham is the owner of Seniors Helping Seniors® Atlanta Southwest, a non-medical in-home care provider serving South Fulton and surrounding communities. His work focuses on helping older adults remain safe, supported, and connected while aging at home with dignity.

Shanticleer Graham is pictured with his wife Erica Graham, VP and Owner.

A safe shower matters. A warm meal matters. A ride to an appointment matters. A trusted person stopping by during the day matters. JULY 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / S O F U

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4th Annual One Book, One Read

GOOD DIRT BY CHARMAINE WILKERSON Saturday, October 25, 2025 Author Talk & Meet 11 AM - 2 PM // Central Library One Margaret Mitchell Sq, Atlanta, GA 30303 Register today at

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NEW THIS YEAR! Twenty aspiring authors will be selected for a special Writer’s Workshop Charmaine Wilkerson on Friday, October 24th. By application only, visit FulcoLibrary.org/OBOR to apply for this special opportunity!

AMY SHERALD “AMERICAN SUBLIME” COMES HOME TO ATLANTA ARTICLE BY GABRIELLE LATIMORE 1

A RT IST ’S PA LE T T E | ARTS + CU LT U RE

Atlanta welcomes renowned home painter Amy Sherald, as “Amy Sherald: American Sublime” arrives at Atlanta’s High Museum of Art for the final stop on its national tour, here through September 27. For assistant curator of modern and contemporary art and curator for the exhibit, Angela Arbelaez, bringing the exhibition to Atlanta feels more like a homecoming, as the city played a major role in Sherald’s formative years as an artist, long before her work gained international acclaim. Raised in Columbus, Georgia, Sherald later studied at Clark Atlanta University, where she laid the foundation for a career that would lead to her becoming one of the most celebrated painters of her generation and being chosen to paint the now-iconic portrait of former First Lady Michelle Obama. The “American Sublime” exhibition is structured into five sections throughout the museum, tracing Sherald’s artistic evolution from works dating back to 2007 to her more contemporary pieces, which have made her one of the most recognizable painters today. Inspired by blackand-white family photographs, Sherald’s signature style uses the grisaille technique to reimagine Black skin in grayscale, contrasted with vivid backgrounds, colorful clothing, and American imagery. The effect is both nostalgic and contemporary, where the portraits feel like archived memories still unfolding in real time. In her paintings, Sherald’s real-life subjects stand poised beneath white picket fences and open skies, transforming these everyday moments of Black life into images of quiet grandeur. Arbelaez explains that Sherald’s work allows viewers to experience “the ‘sublime’ range, breadth, beauty of Black life in this country.” According to Arbelaez, Sherald holds a profound understanding of how images shape identity and cultural meaning, and how that meaning can

1. Photo by KelB Pics | 2. Amy Sherald (American, born Columbus, Georgia, 1973), The Bathers, 2015, oil on canvas, private collection. © Amy Sherald. Photo by Joseph Hyde, courtesy of the artist and Hauser & Wirth. | 3. Amy Sherald (American, born Columbus, Georgia, 1973), A Midsummer Afternoon Dream, 2021, oil on canvas, private collection. © Amy Sherald. Photo by Joseph Hyde, courtesy of the artist and Hauser & Wirth. | 4. Amy Sherald (American, born Columbus, Georgia, 1973), Ecclesia (The Meeting of Inheritance and Horizons), 2024, oil on linen, Jennifer Gilbert Collection. © Amy Sherald. Photo by Kelvin Bulluck, courtesy of the artist and Hauser & Wirth. | 5. Amy Sherald (American, born Columbus, Georgia, 1973), Miss Everything (Unsuppressed Deliverance), 2014, oil on canvas, private collection. © Amy Sherald. Photo by Jon Etter, courtesy of the artist and Hauser & Wirth. | 6. Amy Sherald (American, born Columbus, Georgia, 1973), Saint Woman, 2015, oil on canvas, private collection, courtesy of Monique Meloche Gallery and Hauser & Wirth. © Amy Sherald. Photo by Joseph Hyde, courtesy of the artist and Hauser & Wirth. | 7. Amy Sherald (American, born Columbus, Georgia, 1973), They Call Me Redbone, but I’d Rather Be Strawberry Shortcake, 2009, oil on canvas, National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington, DC, gift of Steven Scott, Baltimore, in honor of the artist and the 25th anniversary of National Museum of Women in the Arts. © Amy Sherald. Photo by Lee Stalsworth, courtesy of the artist and Hauser & Wirth.

change over time. The relationship between images and time became especially powerful for her as she reflects on a featured painting, “Planes, Rockets, and the Spaces in Between.” During the curatorial process, this painting took on new meaning for Arbelaez following the Artemis II mission, when astronaut Victor Glover became the first Black man to travel to the moon. While the painting may have once felt more aspirational, the two women figures watching the rocket launch now appear newly assured in what once seemed distant. The exhibition offers a deeper understanding of Sherald’s artistic journey and the intention behind her work, while inviting viewers to consider how images shape our understanding of ourselves and others. Through the stillness in each of her portraits, Sherald holds space for ordinary moments of Black life to exist fully with confidence, tenderness, and ease on the canvas. It is, as Arbelaez describes, “a show that Atlanta will love.” 7

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ARTICLE BY JUJU RAMOS

CHANDRA STEPHENSAlbright LEAVING A LEGACY AT TRUE COLORS

For Chandra Stephens-Albright, the life she built in theater was never part of some carefully mapped plan. It found her, unexpectedly and all at once, at a time when everything else seemed to be falling apart. In one week, she experienced a profound shift. She lost her job at the Coca-Cola Company, and in that same week, she lost her father. It was the kind of moment that forces you to stop, reassess, and ask what comes next when the life you knew no longer exists. Her father had always been an inspiration, deeply rooted in philanthropy and community work. Carrying that influence forward, she stepped into the nonprofit space, taking on a role in youth development. While the mission resonated, something about the environment did not. It was not the right fit, and she recognized that early. Instead of settling, she made another move, one that would ultimately change everything.

True Colors Theatre Company stands as more than a stage. It is a space dedicated to honoring the rich tradition of Black storytelling. 24

B ACK STAGE | ARTS + C U LT U RE

She applied with True Colors Theatre Company. What happened next was not gradual. It was immediate. Everything clicked in a way she had not experienced before. The uncertainty she had been navigating gave way to clarity. The searching stopped. She found home. “When people plan, God laughs.” It is a line she now shares with conviction, shaped by experience rather than theory. She had tried to plan her life, to follow a logical path, but it was the unexpected detours that led her to purpose. At True Colors, that purpose came to life every single day. She describes the experience as magic, not in an abstract sense, but in the energy of the work itself. The actors she worked with brought stories to life in ways that were powerful, honest, and deeply human. Being in that environment, surrounded by creativity and truth, became a constant source of inspiration. True Colors Theatre Company stands as more than a stage. It is a space dedicated to honoring the rich tradition of Black storytelling. In a time when those stories can feel diminished or overlooked, the organization remains committed to amplifying them. It is a place where voices are elevated, where narratives are protected, and where silence is not an option. For Chandra, that mission was not just professional. It was personal. Being part of an organization that insists on visibility and authenticity gave her work a deeper meaning, one that extended far beyond the theater walls. Nine years after stepping into what became a defining chapter of her life, she is preparing to close it. Not with regret, but with gratitude. She found a career she loved, a community that inspired her, and a purpose that aligned. When asked what she is looking forward to next, her answer is simple. Sleeping in. No alarms. It is a small detail, but it speaks volumes. After years of dedication, she is stepping into a season that belongs entirely to her. Her journey is not just about finding theater. It is about trusting that even in life’s most difficult moments, something meaningful can emerge. Sometimes the path you never planned becomes the one that changes everything. JULY 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / S O F U

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THE SOLO ADVENTURE

I D i d n ’ t K n ow I Needed Camino de Santiago

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY TOMEKA JONES

T R AV E L J OU R N A L | TRAV E L

When I said yes to an 11-day hiking adventure through parts of Spain and Portugal, I honestly had no idea what I was getting myself into. Before the trip, I shared the journey with people and I was surprised by how many immediately recognized the popular Camino de Santiago pilgrimage. Some even admitted they were envious, with the best of intentions. But truthfully, I didn’t fully understand the magnitude of the journey myself, especially since although I am a Christian, I’m not Catholic. What I didn’t expect was how transformative the experience would become. Beyond the average 20,000 to 30,000 steps I was taking each day, we explored three charming towns along the Camino routes and had the opportunity to walk through living history at sites like the Roman Walls of Lugo and the breathtaking Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, the symbolic final destination of the Camino pilgrimage. As a woman over 40 traveling solo, I never imagined my vacation would turn into a restorative adventure with six strangers who felt like family almost immediately. The trip was organized by EF Adventures, a travel tour company that offers guided small group trips around the world. Within the first 24 to 48 hours of the trip, I was already sharing pintxos (small appetizers) from Spain’s Basque region with the group, exploring one of only three Guggenheim museums in the world, and watching our tour guide freely express his passion for dancing while walking through Bilbao in northern Spain. By the evening, we were embracing the local culture and nightlife before dinner around 8, as is common by Spanish standards. Throughout our journey, it rained many times during the hikes, but the drizzle felt more refreshing than inconvenient. At one point, I even found myself skipping and singing in the rain. Our guide, Jamie, always made sure everyone felt comfortable, often offering alternative hiking routes based on difficulty level. One of my favorite moments was the day we explored the Picos de Europa National Park. I chose an easier hiking route to focus on stillness and fully embrace the mesmerizing scenery. Eventually, the entire group reunited in Bulnes, one of Spain’s charming remote mountain villages tucked away in the Asturias region. Jaime also showed us the dramatic cider-pouring tradition known locally as “el escanciador,” a unique ritual part of the region’s culture. Throughout the journey, we stayed in a mix of historic hotels, from boutique-style properties like the Radisson Bilbao to medieval CONTINUED > JULY 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / S O F U

“What I d i d n’ t e x p e c t was how t r a n s fo r m a t i v e the experience wo u l d b eco m e .”

Parador de Candagas de Onís in Asturias. One of the most memorable stays was the Parado de Santiago de Compostela, widely considered the oldest hotel in Spain and originally built as a hospital for Camino pilgrims. Of course, no journey through Spain would be complete without indulging in the local cuisine. One of my favorite dining experiences was Pulperia A Garnacha in Melide, where our group celebrated the end of a long hiking day along the Camino. The restaurant claims to serve the best octopus in the world, so of course I tried it. To my surprise, it was incredibly tender, full of flavor, and a perfect pairing with the Spanish beer Estrella Galicia. I also fell in love with cod-style fish and chips at Adega Do Chico, a cute little Portuguese restaurant in Caminha. Along the Camino Francés, Camino de Northe, and Camino Portugés, blue and yellow signs guide pilgrims through the historic paths. While hiking the full Camino can take anywhere from one to six weeks, EF Adventures allowed us to experience different sections of the journey through curated hikes and seamless VIP transportation between routes. The final dinner at the popular seafood restaurant Os Lusíadas near Porto felt bittersweet. I didn’t want the journey to end, especially after days filled with hikes, coffee breaks, laughter, and creating memories with what now felt like a new family. In the end, the only thing truly solo about this adventure was that I had to take the first part by myself. From there, the Camino became a journey filled with gratitude, connection, and an incredible group of explorers I’ll never forget. For more travel stories, follow @travelinstylewithtomeka.

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Knoxville Delivers a Sanctuary and More With The Tennessean

Tennessee Treasure

ARTICLE BY SHANDRA HILL SMITH | PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF THE TENNESEAN AND SHANDRA HILL SMITH

Sitting along the World’s Fair Park and on the banks of the Tennessee River in Knoxville, The Tennessean provides both a sanctuary and a space where you can find most everything that’s needed without having to step outside the property. Located in downtown Knoxville close to the University of Tennessee, the property sits across the street from the Sunsphere, a golden globe-topper tower that was constructed for the 1982 World’s Fair. One of many treats you’ll find at The Tennessean is the adjacent Maker Exchange, showcasing artwork, jewelry, and accessories from local artists — all for sale. In this same area, you can take in live music from local artists on particular days of the week. And for coffee lovers like this traveling writer, you can grab a cup of caffeine to your liking. When you’re ready to dine, visit The Drawing Room, which serves breakfast and dinner and keeps the doors open during late-night hours for you to stop in for a nightcap. Tea lovers will enjoy The Tennessean Tea Service, complete with tea sandwiches and fresh fruit, also at The Drawing Room. And for book lovers, there’s a bedside reading program that

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allows you to connect through Wi-Fi to browse a curated library of books and podcasts. When you want to get out and not by foot or car, take advantage of the electric bike partnership the hotel has, allowing you to enjoy the city’s scenery at your own pace. A pet-friendly destination, The Tennessean includes 82 rooms and suites. Suites include the governor’s suite, with its grand piano and spacious living room, and the Pat Summitt Suite, which is decorated to honor the late iconic coach of the Tennessee Lady Vols. Not surprisingly, this AAA Four Diamond hotel has received a bit of Hollywood attention, with scenes from the hotel being featured in the television show “911 Nashville.” It’s clear Knoxville has a winner for families, couples, and friends alike — to make the trip from metro Atlanta to this Tennessee treasure, all within reach through a road trip of under four hours. More info: 531 Henley Street Knoxville, TN 37902 TheTennesseanHotel.com

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Sailrock South Caicos

ARTICLE BY SEAN O'KEEFE

I never know what to expect when I arrive at a new destination. That uncertainty, the held breath before a place reveals itself, is the whole reason I travel. Sailrock South Caicos did not make me wait long for the reveal. From the moment you arrive, there is a graciousness here that feels neither rehearsed nor performative; something warmer than hospitality, something closer to the genuine pride of a people in the place they call their own. Here, I felt less like a guest and more like someone who had simply been away for a long while and finally found my way back home. My adventure into the serene stillness of remote island life had begun and I immediately knew that I would never be the same again. Sailrock South Caicos is where luxury and wilderness meet. I settle into my beachfront villa quickly so as to answer the call of the ocean. The salt-twisted and unruly sea grape presses close against the terrace doing exactly as it pleases. The scrub beyond it grows in whatever direction the wind has decided, and conch shells litter the landscape. As I stroll along the water’s edge, I cannot dismiss the feeling that I am being watched by everything on the land and in the sea. Much to my surprise, a family of donkeys—a living tribute to the salt harvests of years past—emerges from it all with the confidence of creatures who inherited this island and have made it their personal playground. Nobody puts the donkeys in the brochure, yet there they were, unannounced and unbothered by the stresses of our world, inviting me to see into theirs. Sailrock South Caicos is not a resort that has imposed itself upon the landscape of the 770 private acres of peninsula perfectly positioned between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caicos Bank. This is luxury blended with nature not as an aesthetic choice but as a founding principle. This wonderfully beautiful, low-density luxury community exists in quiet conversation with the landscape around it and actively believes that nature, given room enough to breathe, is the finest amenity of all. Whether you choose the quiet sophistication of The Great House or the Cove Restaurant and Beach Bar, be prepared for an incredible dining experience. And for those guests who want something

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very special, private dining brings the chef and his masterful creations to your villa’s dining room. Later that night, at the beach, the marshmallow roast gathers everyone together on the warm sand to further relax into the Sailrock South Caicos experience. Sailrock South Caicos occupies a peninsula of almost unreasonable geographic fortune. The Caicos Bank, one of the world’s largest shallow water plateaus, spreads westward in every shade of turquoise, jade, and seafoam green that exists, as far as I can determine, nowhere else on Earth. Meanwhile, to the east, the Atlantic offers a pale aquamarine at the shallow water’s edge that drops into the cobalt blue abyssal of the Turks Passage, deep enough to offer respite to the humpback whales that migrate here from late January to early April both to breed and give birth. Charter a boating adventure into the deep Atlantic waters. Find Starfish Alley and stand among the gathered red, yellow, and green sea stars in the warm, clear shallows. Hunt for sand dollars along the tide line with the focused joy of a child who has not yet learned to be too busy for small miracles. Make your way to Iguana Island, where the iguanas, utterly unbothered by your arrival, watch from their limestone perches with one slow, prehistoric eye. Slip a kayak into the Caicos Bank and paddle out across a stillness so complete the water seems sacred. The only sounds that accompany you on your voyage are the gentle winds and your breath. Stop to walk the sandbar where warm sands shift underfoot as the water barely whispers at your ankles. It is as if the sky meets the sea in every direction and that you are standing inside the horizon itself. Explore the island’s interior by off-road vehicle, the scrub giving way to salt flats and unexpected vistas that remind you how wild and unspoiled this place truly remains. When the day calls you inward, step onto the outdoor yoga platform as the sun lifts over the Atlantic. The au plein air spa receives you like a long exhale— warm, fragrant, unhurried, and restorative in the way that only genuine stillness can be. At Sailrock South Caicos, every activity is an act of return—a return to the natural world; a return to the present moment; and a return, quietly and completely, to yourself. For more information, visit SailrockSouthCaicos.com.

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