Of Koalas, Nightmares, and the Sound of Losing Sleep

CAPE OTWAY, Australia – Once the sun goes down the kookaburra starts to sound like The Joker in his pivotal moment of revenge.

Little Black Book: California Ski Bunny

MAMMOTH, California – After months on the fashion circuit, Amber Feld trades in backstage passes for lift tickets and Alpine lodges in this snowy Eastern California town.

A Grain of Sand in the Empty Quarter

RUB' AL KHALI, United Arab Emirates – Before long, I was restless to start the journey up the dune, which sat quietly taunting me. A reader story.

Fathom Questionnaire: Rosecrans Baldwin

Weirdest thing seen on travels: A herd of gazelles stampeding in the dark that I could barely see but could hear quite clearly. I was convinced I'd be run over. Death by springbok.

Fathom Questionnaire: Beth Riesgraf

I do one version of packing where I put in everything on my wish list and wait an hour. I then un-pack and re-pack in a more practical way.

My Derby Diary

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky – What's it like to be at the races? We got the play-by-play from a Southern gentleman who knows that it's not just about winning the bet but also wearing the right hat.

Fathom Questionnaire: Jay Riedl

In-flight relaxation regime: After completing an aggressive but charming attempt to make it out of coach, I hopefully lie back and enjoy the fruits of my labor.

Fathom Questionnaire: Joan Larsen

By the age of 8 I had my head in atlases, planning to be the female version of Richard Halliburton, going to remote islands no one had ever visited before.