Is it safe for a woman to travel alone in India? Yes, it absolutely can be — but traveling in India requires special preparation and practices, especially if you’re a woman. For this piece, I decided to bring in an expert: Mariellen Ward, a Canadian travel writer and longtime advocate for solo female travel who considers
On Women Traveling Alone in India — an Interview with Mariellen Ward Read More »
The tour is over. I’m happy. Mario’s happy. It’s time to return to normal life, move into an apartment, and unpack for the first time in nearly a year. Since we didn’t end up traveling for the full twelve months — just eleven months and four days — I decided to make this the final monthly
SOTM Tour: The Final Month Read More »
Most destinations give me a chance to fall in love with them on my own terms. Savannah did not do that. Savannah insisted, demanded, and eventually took me by the hand and intoxicated me by force. Did I protest? I wouldn’t dream of it. Savannah, the famed small riverside city in Georgia, is charming, as
Savannah in Squares and Shadows Read More »
There are very few places in the world where you need to go north in order to go south. One of those places is Florida. Though Florida is the southernmost part of the contiguous United States, most of Florida doesn’t feel like the American South at all. But the northern part of the state sure does! With
A Taste of Jacksonville Sunshine Read More »
Which country has the best beaches? From what I’ve seen, Australia leads the pack and wins in terms of consistent high quality. The little sliver of the Philippines I saw certainly delivered. And I can’t talk about beaches without talking about Thailand… So where does America fit into all of this? My trips in the US have never
Pensacola Beach — The Best in America? Read More »
“Downtown Reading. That’s a throwback.” “Is it really?” I asked. I was 21, temping for the summer, and my boss-of-the-week had told me that my own hometown was remarkable. “It’s something special. You don’t see a lot of towns like that anymore.” I hadn’t thought of it that way. Growing up in a Massachusetts town founded in 1644, it’s
Cruising Through Coastal Mississippi Read More »
It’s almost over. When Mario and I set off on the SOTM Tour, we planned on being away for a year, or maybe a year minus two weeks or so. Well, we have an official end date now: May 9. On that day, we’ll board a flight from Malta to Birmingham, England, a little over
SOTM Tour: Month Ten of Twelve Read More »
The French Quarter might get all the fame in New Orleans, but at some point, you need a break from the constant music and crowds and good times rolling. The perfect spot? The Garden District. I’ve always loved driving around and looking at beautiful houses, seeing where people live and thinking about the choices the
New Orleans’ Garden District Read More »
Should you bring a purse on your travels? If so, what kind of handbag makes the best travel purse? This is a question that I’m asked often. It’s no surprise — people always want to know how best to protect their belongings when they’re exploring a new destination. And my answer is a resounding YES!
Finding the Right Purse for Travel Read More »
New Orleans enchanted me from the moment I arrived. This was my first stop on the #SouthUSA road trip and my first real stop in the South. I knew I would love it, and right away, I was fascinated by the musical city before me. After arriving late the night before, I set out in
Mardi Gras: Magic, Music, and Mayhem in New Orleans Read More »