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Jonathan - The Royal Tour

@theroyaltour.bsky.social

29K followers 8.6K following 5.6K posts

Traveler, Jew, liberal, dual citizen, Dodgers fan. He/Him/His Building a community of travelers and history lovers; say hi if that’s you! The site: www.theroyaltourblog.com

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Jonathan - The Royal Tour @theroyaltour.bsky.social · Jul 29

Reintroducing myself.

I’m a travel writer from California. I am here for the politics and current events, but also looking to build community around travel, history, books, and more!

Let’s build the Bluesky of our dreams.

Connect and say hi!

Jonathan - The Royal Tour @theroyaltour.bsky.social · 59m

If the weather holds, this evening I get to participate in a release of baby turtles! Animal encounters can be a reason for tourism in and of themselves, like my trip to Costa Rica earlier this year.

#TravelAddicts #CostaRica #Photography #Animals

theroyaltourblog.com/2025/07/07/a...

A Photo-journal of Costa Rican Animals - The Royal Tour

So you’re going to Costa Rica. That means you’re probably planning on seeing some cool plant and animal life. At least that’s the way it was for me. I spent a bit over two weeks roaming the country - ...

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Jonathan - The Royal Tour @theroyaltour.bsky.social · 16h

A beautiful day turned into a squall really fast. 30+ mph winds about 4 minutes after this was taken.

Gray clouds over palm trees look like curtains coming toward the beach

Jonathan - The Royal Tour @theroyaltour.bsky.social · 17h

That was my last Ultimate Guide for a bit. Next will be from Genoa sometime first half next year.

They are a lot of work, but worth it.

Jonathan - The Royal Tour @theroyaltour.bsky.social · 19h

I’m a travel writer, not an investigative journalist. But even I understand that puff pieces that read like “real” stories are not providing any sort of service. The world is nuanced, even in travel, and THAT is what makes a good story, not kissing up to a CEO, or a travel destination.

Ryan Mac 🙃 @rmac.bsky.social · 21h

this is the dumbest shit i have ever read

Jonathan - The Royal Tour @theroyaltour.bsky.social · 19h

Sunsets here in Puerto Vallarta are incredible, so of course I’m remembering some of the best I’ve ever seen, like this one from an ancient temple just outside Athens. Read the article for more!

#TravelAddicts

theroyaltourblog.com/2024/11/27/c...

Cape Sounion, Greece - The Royal Tour

As the myth goes, the ancient king of Athens held a competition between the gods as to whom to worship and name his city for. Poseidon and Athena entered, each tasked with giving a gift to the city th...

theroyaltourblog.com

Jonathan - The Royal Tour @theroyaltour.bsky.social · 20h

A decent home for the week!

A view of a resort at night with lights shining off the water of a pool

Jonathan - The Royal Tour @theroyaltour.bsky.social · 1d

NEW TODAY!!

It is hard to put into words just how much I love this island. And really, it has everything you could want in a destination. Here is the culmination of all I learned and experienced. Enjoy!

#TravelAddicts @visitstmaarten.bsky.social

theroyaltourblog.com/2025/10/15/t...

The Ultimate Guide to Sint Maarten/Saint-Martin! - The Royal Tour

I like most places I’ve been. I have positive experiences most everywhere, and try to find reasons to enjoy myself. But it is not hyperbole to state that this island, shared by Sint Maarten and Saint-...

theroyaltourblog.com

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Jonathan - The Royal Tour @theroyaltour.bsky.social · 1d

Goodnight from paradise, Mexico.

Bright orange sunset between two palm trees with a line crossing the water and a wave hitting the beach

Jonathan - The Royal Tour @theroyaltour.bsky.social · 1d

Which part?

Jonathan - The Royal Tour @theroyaltour.bsky.social · 1d

Eating seafood on the beach in Mexico reminds me of eating seafood on the beach in California.

theroyaltourblog.com/2025/02/05/s...

Seafood, Sunsets, and Seabees: A Weekend in Port Hueneme, California - The Royal Tour

The view of the infinite Pacific Ocean is a bit blocked from here at Port Hueneme Beach Park, with the shadowy outlines of Anacapa and Santa Barbara Islands, part of Channel Islands National Park, imp...

theroyaltourblog.com

Jonathan - The Royal Tour @theroyaltour.bsky.social · 1d

Every time I am here, I am reminded just how much I love Mexico.

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Jonathan - The Royal Tour @theroyaltour.bsky.social · 2d

Life could be worse. Living it up in Puerto Vallarta!

A log on the edge of the ocean with sand and water around.

Jonathan - The Royal Tour @theroyaltour.bsky.social · 3d

You can read my opinion of Christopher Columbus below. Suffice to say: happy Indigenous Peoples’ Day!

theroyaltourblog.com/2023/03/10/s...

Santo Domingo and the Legacy of Christopher Columbus - The Royal Tour

This is, without a doubt, one of the ugliest monuments I’ve ever visited. The Faro a Colon, or Columbus Lighthouse, is a masterpiece of brutalism, a $70 million towering edifice of cement, visible fro...

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Jonathan - The Royal Tour @theroyaltour.bsky.social · 3d

You should! I worked with @visitstmaarten.bsky.social and they’ll make sure you have the best trip!

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Jonathan - The Royal Tour @theroyaltour.bsky.social · 3d

NEW TODAY!!

While I was mainly tasked with writing about history, St. Martin is still a Caribbean island and I was able to get plenty of beach time in. Here are some of my favorite spots!

#TravelAddicts @visitstmaarten.bsky.social

theroyaltourblog.com/2025/10/13/t...

The Beaches of Sint Maarten/Saint-Martin (and Some Great Beachside Food!) - The Royal Tour

Today I was supposed to take a ferry from here to the nearby island of Anguilla. Anguilla, a British overseas territory about 20 minutes by boat from Marigot on the French side of Saint-Martin, is kno...

theroyaltourblog.com

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Jonathan - The Royal Tour @theroyaltour.bsky.social · 4d

For those who have seen this story, here is the best explanation I’ve seen. Also, @reichlinmelnick.bsky.social is 100% worth a follow for his analysis on all things immigration.

Aaron Reichlin-Melnick @reichlinmelnick.bsky.social · 4d

Okay, I’m going to take a mea culpa on this one, as initial reporting suggested he was ONLY facing removal because of the murder conviction he’s been exonerated from. But there’s more; at 19, he pled guilty to dealing LSD. And in immigration law, that’s its own “aggravated felony” ground of removal.

Lynn Becker @cmgiulini.bsky.social · 4d

After spending 43 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit, evidence hidden by the prosecution reversed his conviction. Rather than finally enjoying freedom, ICE abducted him for deportation

Depraved.

www.miamiherald.com/news/local/i...

Jonathan - The Royal Tour @theroyaltour.bsky.social · 4d

Unlike *some* would have you believe, Chicago is awesome… and it is beautiful. It is also the birthplace of the skyscraper, and the city where that construction is an art form. Check this out!

#TravelAddicts #Architecture #Chicago #Illinois

theroyaltourblog.com/2021/09/20/d...

Daniel Burnham and the Evolution of the Chicago Skyscraper - The Royal Tour

Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men’s blood… Make big plans; aim high in hope and work.Daniel Burnham Daniel Burnham was 26 years old when he moved to Chicago and joined the architect...

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Jonathan - The Royal Tour @theroyaltour.bsky.social · 4d

Coffee, editing a guest article about Terceira in the Azores, and making sure the last two articles from Sint Maarten/Saint-Martin are ready for this week. A solid Saturday morning.

Jonathan - The Royal Tour @theroyaltour.bsky.social · 5d

As I get ready to head back to Mexico, here is a look from my first solo trip to Mexico City several years ago.

#TravelAddicts #Mexico

theroyaltourblog.com/2017/09/19/w...

Why I Went to Mexico - The Royal Tour

If you watch or read the news, no doubt you've seen headlines featuring our southern neighbor. The August 2 issue of USA Today read, "Violent Crime in Mexico Vacation Spots." On December 13 of last ye...

theroyaltourblog.com

Jonathan - The Royal Tour @theroyaltour.bsky.social · 6d

Haha

Jonathan - The Royal Tour @theroyaltour.bsky.social · 6d

Because CDMX will be so busy, def want at least a couple days in Cabo of just relaxation. But yeah, want to DO some stuff too

Jonathan - The Royal Tour @theroyaltour.bsky.social · 6d

NEW TODAY!!

After a few weeks back home in Los Angeles, it’s almost time to head out again. This time, I’m headed to one of my favorite countries, Mexico! Follow along!

#TravelAddicts #Mexico

theroyaltourblog.com/2025/10/10/t...

Trip Itinerary: Mexico - The Royal Tour

A couple years back, A and I were talking to her godparents. They have a couple timeshares in Mexico, and said their children (A’s “other” siblings) weren’t interested in going anymore. We jumped in t...

theroyaltourblog.com

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Jonathan - The Royal Tour @theroyaltour.bsky.social · 6d

LA Central Library looking good this evening! #LosAngeles

Looking from shade at the LA Central Library, a white building topped with a pyramid. Tall buildings are all around it.

Jonathan - The Royal Tour @theroyaltour.bsky.social · 6d

An ugly win but a win nonetheless. On to the NLCS!

Jonathan - The Royal Tour @theroyaltour.bsky.social · 7d

Just finished an intense therapy session. Finding the right therapist is so hard, but so important. To be supported AND pushed is key, and I’ve found that balance to be rare.

Especially now, keep up your mental health as best as you can.

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