One question I get asked on a daily basis is, “So, what’s your favorite place?” I’m not a fan of having to answer that question constantly, but I understand why people ask me, so I have a quick go-to response: “My favorite countries are Croatia, Italy, South Africa, Thailand, and Japan.” But that list is
Finland in the Summer: Quirky, Isolated, and Pretty Read More »
When I began planning my trip to Ukraine, I knew I wanted to find a way to visit Chernobyl, home of the nuclear disaster site of 1986. Chernobyl? You can go there? Yes, you can. Tours have operated for years now. But is it safe? Yes, this tour is. Today, more than 30 years after
What’s It Like to Tour Chernobyl Today? Read More »
I started September in Minsk, eager to visit four new European countries. I finished the month in New York, recovering after a very busy six weeks of on-and-off travel. And now I’m sitting in my apartment, totally pooped and yearning to travel like crazy while savoring all the time I have at home. Here it
AK Monthly Recap: September 2017 Read More »
Last year, I spent a week hopping around Germany’s Bavaria region in December, exploring several different Christmas markets. What a great trip! I knew I’d have fun, but I was genuinely surprised at what a relaxing and delightful week it was. How could you not enjoy a week of holiday spirit, mulled wine, and delicious food? At
How to Plan a German Christmas Market Trip Read More »
Visiting Russia usually requires going through a grueling visa process — but did you know you can visit visa-free if you go by ferry? You can visit Russia free as long as you arrive in St. Petersburg by ferry and stay for less than 72 hours. I’ve wanted to visit Russia for a long time,
Visiting Russia Without a Visa on the St. Peter Line Ferry Read More »
Lately, I’ve been diligent about visiting my most egregious travel oversights. In the past year, I finally made it to places like Miami and Poland; prior to that, I checked off Berlin, Amsterdam, and Chicago. But what was one major oversight that I still hadn’t visited until this summer? Colorado. I think I can tell you
Vail, Colorado, Might Be Better in the Summer! Read More »
Dear cities of the world: I warn you, it’s dangerous for me to visit you immediately after a city I love. You may not be judged fairly. So many cities have suffered this fate. Tulum couldn’t hold a candle to Caye Caulker. I would have loved Charleston more if it hadn’t come immediately after my
In Kyiv, a Stylish and Surprising City Read More »
Earlier this year, I joined a group on Facebook called “Female Travel Bloggers.” Truth be told, I’m not the biggest fan of blogging Facebook groups — they tend to feature a lot of noise and little tangible value. (The big exception being the excellent Travel Blog Success Facebook group.) Female Travel Bloggers shouldn’t have been
The Emotional Labor of Female Travel Bloggers Read More »
Hello. I’m thirty-three. And I’m more balanced than I’ve been in a year and a half. It took a long time to get this point. When I moved to New York in early 2016, I knew it was time — and I was so happy. Even so, I struggled with anxiety. Was I not traveling
AK Monthly Recap: August 2017 Read More »
As a total eclipse appeared across the United States, darkening the sky from Oregon to Nebraska to South Carolina, dozens of my blogger friends road tripped to the path of totality to see the eclipse in person. Me? Nah. Traveling for the eclipse kind of seemed like something I’d do — especially since I
Portraits of New Yorkers During the Eclipse Read More »