Advice and destination guides for culture and adventure travelers
Need a vacation, but just can’t travel right now? Check out these activities for things to do when you can’t travel! From virtual travel tours to reflecting on past trips, free online courses, travel books, and finding some zen, I’ve got tons of great tips for in-between trips.
Tulum has a seductive hold over many vacation-goers thanks to clear blue waters, a chic but laid-back vibe, and beach hotels that let you step from your room right into sugary-soft white sand. There is nowhere else in the world like Tulum. Find out the best places to stay for a dream vacation, honeymoon or girls’ trip here!
Looking for a less-touristy, off-the-beaten path addition to your Portugal itinerary? I’ve got a contender: the hidden gem of Tavira, Portugal in the eastern Algarve region. Bypass the crowds of Faro and Lagos, and head straight to this charming city on the...
Seeing all the things to do in Evora, Portugal is like taking a trip back in time. In fact, Évora is often called Portugal’s “Museum City” because of its preserved architecture. Evora is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, thanks to more than 2,000 years of...
Nestled more than 650 feet underground in the city of Zipaquirá, Colombia is an unlikely tourist destination: a salt mine turned cathedral, complete with a 50-foot high glowing cross. What began as a small altar where 1800’s miners prayed for their safety has...
Seoul, Korea is a fascinating juxtaposition of new and old, traditional and ultra-modern. With history stretching back almost two thousand years, today’s Seoul has become a hub of technology, pop culture, and contemporary design. I knew that I wanted to see...
Every city is beautiful in spring, but I can’t help but think that spring in Washington, D.C. is something extra special. Besides the cherry blossoms that bloom in the Tidal Basin and National Mall, there are so many other lovely places to see flowers throughout the...
Grab this guide to the best things to do in La Paz, Mexico. Advice on the best La Paz beaches, La Paz hotels & restaurants, plus tours to see whale sharks and sea lions at Isla Espiritu Santo!
Baja California gets a lot of love as a spring break destination, but the small town of Todos Santos has been trending as a chic but laid-back getaway. Nestled into the western coast of the Baja California peninsula, Todos Santos is an hour drive north from Los Cabos...
I’ve been a fan of mid-century architecture and design as long as I can remember. As a kid, I used to beg my dad to take me to vintage furniture shops in Austin, Texas long before retro design was trendy again. So when the former TWA Flight Center terminal at JFK...
Just a 1-hour flight from Mexico City, Oaxaca is becoming known as a hotspot for arts, incredible food, museums, and culture. Oaxaca City is also packed with history: indigenous cultures including Zapotecs and Mixtecs, as well as archaeological sites at Monte Alban...
Oaxaca, Mexico is magic, especially during the Dia de los Muertos celebrations! Learn about the holiday’s traditions and get an itinerary for your own Day of the Dead trip to Oaxaca!
When I visited Oaxaca, I loved it so much I didn’t want to leave. My taxi driver and I chatted about it during my ride back to the airport. And even with my poor Spanish, there is one thing he said that I clearly understood: “Oaxaca es mágico.” With...
When I saw a new Tulum hotel called "Hotel Tiki Tiki" featured in Dwell Magazine, I knew I’d have to visit and review it since it combined so many of my favorite things: Tulum, mid-century design, and boutique hotels. Just the name, Hotel Tiki Tiki Tulum, had me...
Morocco is a crossroads. Spend a few weeks traveling here, and you'll find people, cultures, foods, and languages from Arab, African and European traditions. Similarly, Morocco's landscapes...
Tulum, Mexico is a hip vacation spot frequented by the stars. Get my best tips for an affordable Tulum trip: budget hotels, restaurants, activities & more!
My Tulum packing list will help you be ready for a perfect vacation in any season – including weather info and sample outfits!
Did you know that there is one location on Earth where you can see both flamingos in the wild AND pink lakes? It's in Mexico's Yucatan peninsula in the city of Rio Lagartos and the nearby Las Coloradas. Find out how to get there, where to stay, and if you need to book...
On my most recent flight to Cancún, a seatmate and I chatted about our travel plans. When I said I was renting a car and driving in Mexico solo around the Yucatán Peninsula, she was nearly speechless. I had to work to convince her I wasn’t a crazy...
The first time I saw a manatee in the water, I mistook it for a rock. I first saw the manatee from the beach at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo, Florida. It had been surfacing for air at the edge of the swimming area, so eventually I put...
Located in the Andes Mountains, Machu Picchu is the ruins of a 15th-century Inca city. The Incas built it around 1450, at the height of their empire, but abandoned it a century later during the Spanish Conquest. UNESCO declared Machu Picchu a World Heritage Site in 1983. It was also chosen...
In recent years, hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu has become a rite of passage for adventure travelers. By hiking the trail, you enter the park from the "Sun Gate" at dawn and are able to see Machu Picchu from a high vantage point. Trekkers can snap some amazing Inca Trail photos of...
Liveaboard boat trips are an amazing way to experience snorkeling and diving destinations, but what should you bring? Grab these tips for what to pack for any snorkeling or diving trip, whether based on land or a liveaboard! I’ve used this list all over the world including Southeast Asia, the Caribbean, and the Florida Keys.
I spent an amazing 3 days/3 nights on a Thailand snorkeling liveaboard trip. The excursion with Andaman Snorkel Discovery left from about 1.5 hours north of Phuket to the Similan and Surin Islands. Since then, the company has started trips to Myanmar as well, so I’m...
With its dramatic landscapes, fascinating history, and intersection of Berber, Arabian and European culture, Morocco should be at the top of every adventure traveler's bucket list. I spent two weeks there in its cities, winding medinas, mountains and coastal towns. And one night under the...
