As soon as I realized I would be in Dubai for my 29th birthday, I knew I would have to plan a fun celebration. Believe it or not, this is only the second birthday that I would be spending abroad — the first was my 17th birthday in Ireland! Luckily, Dubai is a city that lends […]
How to Celebrate a Special Occasion in Dubai Read More »
Professional travel bloggers don’t talk about the dark times. Not the genuinely dark times. We have the lives that people dream about. We quit to our 9-5 jobs and went off to travel the world indefinitely with the express purpose of living awesomely. Whenever you see an account of negative times while traveling from a
And Then It Went to Hell in Bulgaria Read More »
I’m on the bus from Skopje to Prizren, typing madly on my computer as I work on a freelance assignment. My only breaks are cursory glances out the water-stained window: the scenery has been growing greener and more mountainous as we edge closer to the border. It’s my first time in Kosovo, and I don’t
Kosovo: A Warm Welcome from a Newborn Country Read More »
If you’re familiar with Lake Ohrid, one image probably comes to your mind: a tiny red-brick church overlooking the vast expanse of blue lake, faint mountains in the distance. This church is Sveti Jovan, and it’s probably the most famous image in all of Macedonia. As soon as you arrive, you’ll want to photograph it
Scenes from Lake Ohrid: Macedonia’s Summer Beauty Read More »
Sometimes the best countries are the most surprising ones. Macedonia certainly falls into that category. I fell into Macedonia on a whim — I needed somewhere to go for two weeks in between Istanbul and Dubai. Skopje popped up as a cheap flight from Istanbul, and I booked that flight in no time at all.
Macedonia: This Magnificent Country Will Surprise You Read More »
Once I return to London next year, I plan on covering the remaining countries in Europe that I haven’t yet visited. And a lot of them are in one of my favorite regions: the Balkans. What I love about the Balkans is that they offer some great budget alternatives to more expensive destinations. Here are
Three Balkan Alternatives on the Cheap Read More »
“Go to the Asian side — it’s one of the best things to do in Istanbul.” Nearly everyone told me this on my first trip to Turkey nearly two years ago. Yet for some reason, I spent my first trip firmly ensconced on the European side of the Bosphorus (journeys to Sabiha Gocken Airport notwithstanding).
A Day in Kadikoy: Scenes from Istanbul’s Asian Side Read More »
Mario and I have been on the road for two months now! From Malta to Dubai, here is the best and worst of Month Two of the SOTM Tour. Countries Visited Malta, Turkey, Macedonia, Kosovo, Bulgaria, Romania, United Arab Emirates Favorite Destinations Ohrid, Macedonia — What a nice, beautiful, fun, and dirt-cheap summer resort town!
SOTM Tour: Month Two of Twelve Read More »
When I first arrived in Sliema, my friend told me to keep my expectations low: “Don’t judge Malta until you see Valletta tomorrow.” I could see what he meant — Sliema didn’t look overtly appealing during my evening arrival. Traffic raced along the water’s edge; the sidewalks were filled with kiosks. Pubs catered to middle-aged British
The Sweet Sliema Life Read More »
Driving through the Maltese countryside, a white city appears in the distance. It stands atop a hill, layered like a wedding cake from its walled edge, surveying all of Malta from one of the highest points on the island. It’s a city older than Valletta, dating back 4,000 years. It was built by the Phoenicians
Mdina: The Silent City of Malta Read More »