Mercy Street is just like the first few chapters of Harry Potter. If you don't stick it out, you'll never get to the good stuff. Frankly, if this spring hadn't been so wet and miserable, I
I suppose it's only natural that a dog in my family would become a traveler though I don't think my boy was born that way. From the day I picked him up -- his "Gotcha
I went to Chincoteague VA for the first time in 2010. I was a new Virginia resident, excited to explore the state and to search for wild ponies. I hadn't been back since, mainly because
Norway is blessed with an abundance of beautiful locations. Where in this wonderland would you most like to visit?
This time of year, it seems like political scandals are everywhere you look. I'm sick and tired of the election madness...except for that one day when I found myself campaigning to be president at the National
Sometimes you know everything about where you're going and other times you just show up and see what happens. In the Czech Republic, there's a distinct lack of English information online, so my trip to Sepetná
With thousands of islands in the Stockholm archipelago, narrowing them down for a day trip is challenging! Most websites mention how incredible a Stockholm archipelago cruise is, but few bother pointing you in the right
Slovenia is a country that doesn't get a lot of coverage from US-based travelers, which is a shame. It's a beautiful, friendly country that's easy to get around. Since most Americans don't know much about
"Vodka is good medicine," Kamila assured me. She was standing in front of the Old Synagogue with a plate of bread and a tea cup of salt in her hands before my Krakow vodka tour. The
When choosing where to go this year, my sister and I couldn't make up our minds if we wanted to do something nature-oriented, cultural, or relaxing. When we stumbled upon a picture of Lake Bled,
Hamburg has a UNESCO World Heritage site, tons of waterfront, quirky parties, food trucks, parks, and more -- but even still, you have to feel it to believe it.
No doubt about it, I've made some bad calls, like trying to climb a volcano the morning after a bout of food poisoning. Or the first time I went backcountry camping in Virginia. It was
If there was ever a good problem to have, it's that I "only" visited two places in Poland: Krakow and Zakopane. That's barely enough to represent the country as a whole, but that's how I
Of all the cities in the United States, Chicago is my absolute favorite. It's a big city, but there's a midwestern friendliness that gives the city a comfortable feel. Navigating public transportation is incredibly easy,
Confession: Before this year, I never purchased travel insurance. It's not that I'm particularly careful while traveling; in fact, I revel in trying adventure activities, eating street food, and seeking remote destinations. I just expected to handle things
When WOW air invited me on their inaugural flight to Bristol, I had to look it up on a map. It's one of those places Brits go on holiday, but Americans are clueless about. Even
Growing up, my hometown's tagline was "Rochester: Made for Living". And that described it perfectly: a wonderful place to live with lots of everyday amenities, even if it wasn't a tourism hotspot. Slowly but surely
One of the reasons I liked Slovenia so much was that it has so many distinct regions, each easily accessible. After spending a few days enjoying gorgeous mountains and lakes, we traveled into the Karst
If there's one country I know well, it's Guatemala. I've gone four times (once for six weeks!) because I can't get enough. From the best-known sites to smaller villages and remote parks, I love it all.
Slovenia is a country that doesn't get a lot of coverage from US-based travelers, which is a shame. It's a beautiful, friendly country that's easy to get around. Since most Americans don't know much about
You guys, I pride myself in knowing a few words in the local language of everywhere I go. I made locals smile in Cairo with my Arabic greetings and I picked up basic German quickly. Swedish, however,
When visiting Switzerland isn't possible, it's time to re-think your travel plans. You can arrive in Heber Valley in a fraction of the time it takes to get to Europe. I promise the landscapes and adventures
The Istrian peninsula of Croatia is dotted with seaside towns, each with their own personality. While planning my own trip, it was impossible to know which town was the best fit for me. Now that
Winter is a great time to visit Europe: prices dip while the temperatures do, with airfares at rock-bottom prices and promotional rates at hotels throughout the continent. However, travelers seeking warm places to visit in Europe
Before your trip of a lifetime to Machu Picchu, make sure you're prepared on avoiding altitude sickness. Acclimate the right way with tips on staying healthy.
If you haven't been to Iceland yet, you're missing it out. It might just be my new favorite suggestion for a long weekend getaway. If you live on the US east coast, it's actually faster
I have a major problem when travel planning: anytime there are too many options, I'm rendered frozen in indecision. I read far too many reviews, approach things from every angle, and compare so many options
If you guys have been following me on social media, you know I've been swamped with buying a house and moving. Thankfully, Matt Kepnes of Nomadic Matt is here to share some awesome ideas on
Winter is a great time to visit Europe: prices dip while the temperatures do, with airfares at rock-bottom prices and promotional rates at hotels throughout the continent. However, travelers seeking warm places to visit in Europe
No doubt about it: Iceland is pricey. As an island, the cost of imported goods jacks prices in Iceland up to levels you'd never expect. But the tourism industry is booming and highly competitive, with
The best advice I can give to you is to never book the same flight as me. I'm cursed with flight delays all the time, a black cloud of late departures that follow me wherever I
You don't realize how big the planet is until you spend 32 hours getting to China. With a 90-minute drive to the airport followed by 20 hours of flying and 10 hours of collective layovers, I
You've heard me share my love for Virginia's Eastern Shore, but unless you're from the area that might be a mystery. What exactly does "Eastern Shore" even mean? The Eastern Shore peninsula juts out between
The ancient city and pyramids of Teotihuacan is the most popular day trip from Mexico City and a can't miss attraction for most travelers. Walking through this UNESCO World Heritage Site is like traveling back in
No matter how much research you do ahead of time or how many recommendations you've received, there's no way to guarantee what your experience will be like. I've been disappointed at bed and breakfasts that
I've never chosen a destination specifically for its food, but I love to eat and sampling local flavors is a fun part of discovering new places. In Iceland, though, restaurants can be expensive. Finding a restaurant
Let's clear one thing up: if you ask me my favorite place, I will shoot you a dirty look. It's an impossible question for someone who loves to travel. Do you want to know my
Without a doubt, fall is my favorite time of year in Virginia for the bright, scenic colors and brisk air. This beautiful setting, combined with my personal goal of seeing more on my east coast
When choosing where to go this year, my sister and I couldn't make up our minds if we wanted to do something nature-oriented, cultural, or relaxing. When we stumbled upon a picture of Lake Bled,
Paris was the first international city I visited solo. I booked a flight my senior year, intending to visit my friend and former roommate. She was a Parisian who had returned to France to attend
Did you know there's not a single Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, Starwood, IHG, or Club Carlson in Slovenia outside of Ljubljana? For the most part, this country is home to non-chain hotels and other independently managed accommodations. Despite
What does the Big Island of Hawaii have that no other Hawaiian island can claim? The world's youngest volcano, a record that seems fitting for the most recently added state in a young country. Kilauea Volcano
I love hiking whether I'm home or far away and living in Virginia means that there's no shortage of trails to choose from (with weather that makes them accessible year-round!). This state may be underrated for
Living with an engineer means I'm constantly learning how things work -- whether or not I want to. Just like my college physics lectures, I tend to drift off during explanations on mechanics, although I
If you read any travel guides, you'll find suggestions on which beaches to visit in Istria. Most likely, these are beaches within walking distance of town (or maybe just outside it). Even the "best" beaches
WOW air advertises $99 flights to Iceland, so what's the catch? I love the idea of cheap flights to Europe but I knew there would be a trade-off. If you're curious, WOW air reviews can
We've all been there: those days when flight delays rack up until next thing you know, you made it to your intended destination hours later than expected. That's frustrating -- and in many cases, disruptive!
All of Egypt is one big mental exercise, with travel to the largest city being the biggest challenge. The city is incredible, but it's also a challenge. I won’t sugarcoat things in this Cairo travel
Over four years ago, I had an absolute blast glacier trekking in Juneau. After that, I always said I'd take it to the next level but it's not exactly like I have a glacier in
These photos, videos, and recommendations are sure to inspire a trip to Budapest, Hungary.