When I heard that TBU was taking place in Porto, Portugal, this year, I was intrigued — but mildly disappointed. I had been to Porto earlier in the year and though I enjoyed photographing the riverfront, I hadn’t really connected with the city itself. Frankly, it had seemed a bit boring to me. Well, TBU […]
Porto Revisited: This City Rocks! Read More »
In most cases, when a popular blogger ends a relationship, he or she can do so discreetly, perhaps without even mentioning it publicly. I can’t do that here. Dave has been a major presence on this blog for the past year and a half, as I met him in Hanoi, Vietnam; as I moved in
Breaking Up, Moving On, and Leaving Chester Read More »
Some of my proudest moments have come from traveling to unusual destinations — the Faroe Islands, southern Laos, Shetland, Liechtenstein. But what about the destinations that I really should have visited by now, but haven’t? Obvious places. Places that I really should have hit considering where I’ve been already (like much of North America, Europe,
My Most Egregious Travel Oversights Read More »
Today, I have a treat for you — the first in my as-yet-untitled interview series! From time to time, I’ll be interviewing travelers with really interesting backgrounds — and Edna Zhou of Expat Edna, is one of them. You may remember that Edna, a fellow American adventurer, hosted me in Singapore a year and a half
Dream Travel Job: How Edna Got a Gig at the Olympics Read More »
If I had only known that as we sailed into Pučišća on the island of Brač in Croatia, that we would be seeing the single most beautiful village I had ever seen, I would have taken time to savor it. IF ONLY I HAD KNOWN! Pučišca was an all-too-brief stop on our trip between Omiš
Meet Pučišća: The Most Beautiful Village in Croatia Read More »
If you’re a longtime reader, you remember how I decided to stop dreaming and actually start traveling. It began in January 2010. Within a two-week span, everything in my life seemed to fall apart. First, my relationship ended. Next, I lost my freelance job writing about Boston nightlife. Third, I lost my job. And finally,
When You Get a Sign, LISTEN. Read More »
Growing up in Massachusetts, the ocean has always been a short drive away. I LOVE being close to the ocean and LOVE spending time on the beach (remember my Southeast Asia perma-tan?), and the idea of being landlocked terrifies me a little bit. Even if I’m not heading to the beach, it’s nice to know
Kicking Back in Munich’s Englischer Garden Read More »
One of my most delightful surprises of the Dalmatian Coast was lovely Korčula — the home of Marco Polo. Korčula? But I thought Marco Polo was from Venice! True. Marco Polo was born in the thirteenth century, back when Venice was a Republic spanning from the canal-filled city to what is now Turkey. No one
Korčula: In the Land of Marco Polo Read More »
Here’s a brief confession: when Dave and I stepped off the plane in Pula, Croatia, I wondered briefly if I’d made a giant mistake. It was an afternoon in late May, and it was cool. Temperatures were in the low sixties (about 17 C). Long-sleeved t-shirt weather. I had planned on this trip being our
Photo Essay: Roses of Istria Read More »
Italy is my country. I’ve spent a long time there, I studied abroad there, and I get a huge smile on my face each time I return, excited for the food and the wine and the beautiful people. As a result, my readers are always asking me for Italy advice. Most of the time, people
How Umbria Changed My Mind About Italy Read More »