Many years ago, I was reading an article in a magazine about how Starbucks adapts their store menus to the tastes of different American regions. There was a line that read, “For example, in Louisiana, we serve larger, sweeter cakes. Here, people want to linger.” It’s funny how I’ve always remembered that. People want to
In New Orleans, The Sweet Art of Stillness Read More »
Traveling alone to New Orleans? Is that…a good place to travel solo? Don’t most people go to New Orleans with their partner or a group of friends, at the very least? Well, sure, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go! A lot of US cities are perpetually recommended to solo female travelers. San Francisco? You’ll
Solo Female Travel in New Orleans: How to Stay Safe and Have Fun! Read More »
Day trips from Florence, Italy can take you to the best places in Italy within a few hours. Just hop on a train and in no time you can be riding in a gondola through Venice or sipping wine in Chianti or eating your way through Bologna or taking hilarious selfies with the Leaning Tower
Best Day Trips from Florence, Italy Read More »
On my first trip to Japan in 2013, I completely fell in love with the country — but I couldn’t have named a favorite city. I deemed Japan far greater than the sum of its parts. That may still be true — but this time, I have a favorite. Tokyo, I love you so much. Planning
Splurging on the Right Things in Tokyo Read More »
New York is a dream destination for so many travelers. And there are so many things to do in the city, it’s overwhelming. Perhaps that’s why so many tourists end up staying firmly on the beaten path, afraid to venture out of their comfort zone in the slightest. And they end up making the same
What NOT to Do in New York Read More »
This year, in my effort to visit every European country, I made trips to two new cities: Chisinau (pronounced KEE-shee-no), the capital of Moldova, and Minsk, the capital of Belarus. Why pair these cities (and countries) in a single post, even though these trips were months apart? Because of their similarities. Chisinau and Minsk are
Chisinau and Minsk: Two Offbeat Soviet Cities Read More »
How do you define an old town? For purposes of this post, I define an old town as a separate, distinct part of a modern city that is historical, beautiful, protected from further development, and often holding UNESCO World Heritage designation. London and Paris don’t have old towns, for instance, while Venice and Valletta are
The 8 Best Old Towns in Europe Read More »
In December 2016, I spent a week hopping around Bavaria, exploring Christmas markets — and I was genuinely surprised at what a relaxing, delightful week it was. How could you not enjoy a week of holiday spirit, mulled wine, and delicious food? Today I live in Prague, just a few hours from some of Germany’s best
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 »
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 »