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 »
I wasn’t a dog person until I moved to New York. I didn’t grow up with dogs (or any pets larger than a rodent, for that matter), and I never really knew how to interact with them. Spending time on Bali in 2011 and being cornered by barking street dogs on a nightly basis didn’t do
The Best Halloween Dogs in Hamilton Heights, Harlem Read More »
So many destinations could be summed up with, “If only it had a beach, it would be perfect.” It’s a designation that Barcelona and Miami hold with pride; it’s something that New Orleans and Tokyo wish they had. Having beach access elevates your city several rungs on the best-place-ever index. Savannah, Georgia, is one of
A Getaway to Tybee Island — Savannah’s Beach Read More »
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 »
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 »