Christopher Ludgate

Mountain Yoga Festival in St. Anton Austria Photo Karl Straub

An Elevated Wellness Immersion

I knew in an instant when I was finally able to do a full upward bow again, that I was where I needed to be. It was the Mountain Yoga Festival in St. Anton, Austria, and yogi nature lovers had been ascending up into the idyllic mountain village during the first days of September for the open-air wellness immersion. A dynamic variety of outdoor yoga classes, panoramic hikes, philosophy workshops, restorative meditations, and sound healing were just some of the experiences in the offing.

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Santa Maria was built upon the Temple of Juno in Gozo, Malta Christopher Ludgate

Off the Map in Malta

All to myself in the morning light of Gozo, I drifted through the tiny fortified alleys of Iċ-Ċittadella, hugged by lofty limestone ubiquitous in Malta’s architecture. Standing on a foundation more than 3000 years old, I ran my fingers along the fortress’s soft, porous stone, caressing the white specks of seashells embedded for millennia…

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TM & the Science of Consciousness from Wander Magazine's Wanderlust Issue Story Christopher Ludgate

TM & the Science of Consciousness

There’s a curiosity that often evokes a sense of mystique that radiates around the practice of Transcendental Meditation. It’s no cult or religion. And it is not an ephemeral trend. The intriguing concept of TM and its effects have been studied and proven in hundreds of scientific studies since the technique was developed by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and entered the spotlight back in the 1960s…

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Normandy's Chateau Dieppe on the English Channel. C. Ludgate

In the Footsteps of the Impressionists

As the boat approached the shores of Normandy, toward the French port of Dieppe, I felt awash in the light and atmosphere of the harbor.  The saturation of the setting sun lit my way upon the trail of great masters of Impressionism like Monet and Pissarro. I began the journey in London days before, exploring the art movement’s beloved works and some of the subjects that inspired them.

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View of Lake Villarrica at Hotel Antumalal in Pucon, Chile. C. Ludgate

Chilean Dreamscapes

Drenched in late-day sunlight, in a valley between the Andean peaks of Chile’s Araucanía
region, the shimmering waters of a glacial lake stretched before me. I gazed out from the shaded
tea room overlook, nestled in the sprawling natural terrain of Lake Villarrica at Hotel Antumalal
in remote Pucón.

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Cliffs of Moher, Ireland, Wild Atlantic Way C. Ludgate

Untamed in the Wild Atlantic Way

Gliding up to the peak of Sky Road along its rolling hills, coastal overlook nooks, and grazing herds was a revelation in itself. The dramatic vastness of the ocean opened up before me and I barely came to a full stop before hopping off my bike to get to the edge. I was completely enthralled. Imagine living in one of those houses along the inlet down there, I thought. The peace and quiet, the commanding beauty. My God, it was stunning.

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Milwaukee Art Museum is an interactive architectural marvel that houses a diverse collection of world-renowned artwork. Copyright Christopher Ludgate

Milwaukee: Beyond the Brats and Brews

There is no denying that the brats & brews of Milwaukee, Wisconsin are pillars of local comfort culture. For generations, these have been lifeblood. Let there be no doubt that the gooey cheese curds, those lively old pubs, and whisky drive-thrus ooze with revered Midwest Americana flavor. We have industrious German, Polish, and Irish descendants – and a boisterous college crowd – to thank for it. But things also evolve.

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Soft Travelling at Beachfront balcony view at UNICO 2087 at Riviera Maya, MX. C. Ludgate

Shhh, I’m Travelling

It was six in the morning when there was a quiet knock on the door. The blackout curtains were drawn and the clock was still turned down on the bed table. The night prior, I hung a menu from my doorknob requesting that tea and scones with fresh-cut fruit be delivered at this hour. But I was not intending to actually wake up. Not fully anyway. I toddled to the door and invited my server in with a gentle motion and smile, allowing the muted hallway light to illuminate his path to and fro the bench bes

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