If you’re a longtime reader, you might remember my stint living in Chester, northwest England. Though Chester was a tough place to live as an outsider and especially an American, I loved exploring the region, a place that so many people overlook. There was city-hopping in Manchester and Liverpool, and discovering adorable pubs in random towns all over […]
Scenes from England’s Lake District Read More »
The first time I landed in Bangkok back in 2010, I did everything wrong. I was so excited, I didn’t get myself close to the schedule before I arrived. Even though I was arriving close to midnight, I slept on the final flight there. I gave my guesthouse address written in Thai to my driver, but
How to Arrive in Bangkok Read More »
Every year, I love to look back at my travels and choose my favorite new destinations of the year. In 2014, some of my favorite new destinations were Finland, Sri Lanka, and Savannah, Georgia. In 2013, some of my favorite new destinations were Japan, Macedonia, and Berlin. In 2012, some of my favorite new destinations were
My Favorite New Travel Destinations of 2015 Read More »
Having lived in and traveled extensively throughout the UK, I’ve gotten to know the country well and have been continuously discovering new places to visit. Some of them are still my most-wanted destinations: beach-hopping in Cornwall, hiking in St. Kilda, partying in Newcastle. One destination that I finally got to visit: the Cotswolds, a region in Gloucestershire,
Scenes from the Cotswolds Read More »
During my annual summer hop through the Balkans, I knew that I wanted to visit every Balkan country that I hadn’t yet visited. The final Balkan country to add to my tally? Serbia. Serbia doesn’t get a lot of the tourism fame that other Balkan countries do — it has a lot to offer, but it’s
The following branded content post is brought to you by KLM Airlines. You know I love promoting contests! The prize here is fabulous and I really hope that one of my readers wins. Three years ago today, I was on safari in Kruger National Park, enjoying my first trip to Africa. My first trip to South Africa
Win a Trip to Africa (With Flights!) From KLM Airlines Read More »
“Now, lean in and smell it, just like wine,” I instruct the girls before me. Vicky and Candice obey, each leaning into a small glass filled with an ounce of Whitley Neill gin at the bottom. “Now smell it with your mouth open. It’s just like tasting it! Rachelle taught me that on the trip.”
On Curiosity, Gin, and Cultivating Interests Read More »
Every now and then, I discover a city that seems to be pretty damn close to perfection — yet mysteriously under-touristed, not visited by as many people as it should be. That latest city for me was Riga, the capital of Latvia. It was one of my favorite destinations of my summer in Europe and I feel like it
Visiting Riga, Latvia — a Criminally Underrated City Read More »
My gin trip to the UK was one of the most interesting trips I have ever taken. I spent time with fascinating (and often off-the-wall) creative entrepreneurs, learning about how they ditched the 9-5 to make booze with their buddies. I visited stunning new regions of Britain and a few old favorites. And, of course,
The Most Glorious Spirit: A Week of Gin in the UK Read More »
Well, that’s certainly a way to end Sober September. I’m heading back to Europe for a few weeks this October, and I’m kicking things off with a boozy trip around Britain. Alongside Matt of LandLopers and Rachelle of The Travel Bite, I’m spending a week sampling the finest British gins throughout England. I adore gin. It’s
I’m Off to Britain to Sample the Gin Read More »