Chances are you’ve booked your trip to Siem Reap with the intention of watching the sunrise over famed Angkor Wat. It’s an experience on just about every traveler’s bucket list and for good reason. Afterall, it’s located in not only the largest temple complex in Southeast Asia, but the largest temple complex in the world! … Continue Reading
One of the most rewarding parts of solo travel is realizing everything that you can accomplish all by yourself. Sure, travel is probably easier when you have a friend, partner/spouse, or family member to help with issues that arise on the road, but solo travel pushes you to overcome challenging situations on your own, which … Continue Reading
I may be a little biased because I grew up nearby, but there’s a slice of Western Massachusetts called the Berkshires, or “the Shire” as the locals would say, that is absolutely glorious. Known for epic fall foliage, excellent hiking and outdoor activities, farm-to-table dining, and classic New England style charm, the Berkshires have people coming … Continue Reading
George Town is Malaysia’s second largest city next to Kuala Lumpur and the capital of Penang, but it doesn’t feel anything like a big city. In fact, George Town’s city center was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008 for its preservation of culture and the many historical buildings in the area. Once a … Continue Reading
Solo travel is not easy. Things not only can, but will go wrong, and it’s up to you to decide how you’re going to handle it. Here’s a story about a perfect plan gone awry during my last trip to Southeast Asia as a solo traveler and what I learned about myself in the process. … Continue Reading
I read that visiting Villa de Leyva was like taking a time machine back to the 16th century, and seeing it with my own eyes confirmed that statement for sure. Charming and quaint are the first two adjectives that come to mind when describing this colonial town outside of Bogotá, largely in part due to … Continue Reading
Although Cartagena is the most popular seaside destination in Colombia, those looking for a quieter beach getaway head further north to Costeño Beach & Palomino. These relatively underdeveloped beach towns are home to stretches of rugged coastline, most of it completely untouched. You won’t find any resorts or big name hotels here, just small locally run … Continue Reading
I went on The Lost City Trek with Expotur and it was 4 days jam packed with adventure. Expotur promises adventure, and adventure you shall receive! From intense jungle trekking in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains, raging rapid river crossings, and 1,200 steep stone steps to get to Cuidad Perdida, it’s exhilarating, challenging … Continue Reading
Are you planning a trip to Peru and need to figure out where to stay during your epic adventure? I can’t speak for all of Peru, but I can speak for four of the marvelous cities I visited during my three weeks exploring Southern Peru, and in this post I have rounded up all the … Continue Reading
Since I was a little kid, I’ve always loved roller coasters. So when I heard about an oasis in the middle of the Peruvian desert where dune buggies fly over sand dunes up to 700 feet tall, you better believe I immediately added it to my itinerary. That desert oasis is called Huacachina, and when … Continue Reading
Paracas is a small fishing village turned beach resort town that is actually known as Peru’s best wild-life watching destination. Often referred to as “The Poor Man’s Galapagos,” this coastal desert region is home to the Ballestas Islands and the Paracas National Reserve, both of which are teeming with wildlife, from sea lions, seabirds, and … Continue Reading
Between all of the trekking nearby, the gorgeous Spanish colonial architecture, the traditional food, and lively culture, Cusco is simply a traveler’s dream. Famed as the gateway to Machu Picchu, it has become the launching point for enthusiastic trekkers looking to see a New Wonder of the World, experience the beauty of the Peruvian Andes, … Continue Reading
After 6 days and over 30 miles of trekking both Rainbow Mountain, Lares, and Machu Picchu, I was in dire need of some serious relaxation. You can count on sore legs from all the walking, tight shoulders from schlepping a backpack full of gear around, and overall exhaustion from the altitude (over 17,000ft at Rainbow … Continue Reading
At the beginning of March I arrived to Colombia all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, so excited to take on a new city and country. Upon arrival, the extent of my Espanol ended at hola, sí, gracias, por favor, and yo quiero Taco Bell. However, I’ve travelled all over the world where I haven’t know other languages … Continue Reading
To me, solo travel is all about challenging yourself, growing as an individual, stepping out of your comfort zone, and opening yourself up to new experiences and to new people. So when I came across the Colombia Immersion Spanish School, I knew I had struck gold. Check out the below 5 reasons why Colombia Immersion … Continue Reading
Envigado is a town located 10kms south of Medellin, and the locals here will be sure to let you know that they aren’t from Medellin, they’re from Envigado. They say Envigado is better because it has everything a city needs, but is calmer and more relaxing than Medellin, so they’re able to enjoy life more. … Continue Reading
Medellín is up there for top favorite cities, but after three weeks I was ready to trade the harsh fumes and hectic nature of the city for the fresh air and tranquility of nearby Guatapé. The ride into Guatapé is reason enough to visit, with beautiful farmland and rolling green hills spotted with cows & horses … Continue Reading
So you’re planning a trip to Medellin? Excellent decision, as Medellin is an incredibly special place that I’ve absolutely fallen in love with. In fact, I could 100% live there. So the next step is figuring out a place to stay. Are you looking to relax and feel at home? Are you looking to make … Continue Reading
About equidistant from Kuala Lumpur and Penang, the Cameron Highlands are the perfect stop to make on your way either north or south to one of these major cities. Set 5,250 feet above sea level, the highlands have a completely different terrain and an average temperature of 65 degrees F, also making it the ideal reprieve … Continue Reading
Langkawi is an island off the west coast of the Malaysian Peninsula that draws in foreign and Malaysian tourists alike for its beaches and fun water sports. Although I didn’t partake in any water sports, I did find the beaches to be beautiful, the nightlife to be fun, and the views of the island from … Continue Reading
Solo travel is one of the most rewarding aspects of my life and has undoubtedly shaped me into the person I am today. It helps you develop into a more confident person, leads to lifelong friendships and opens you up to a world of possibilities, to name a few. However, I can almost 100% guarantee … Continue Reading
Kuala Lumpur may be most known for its famous Petronas Twin Towers, but I can assure you that this city has much more to offer than its skyline. With an estimated population of 1.7 million, this bustling metropolitan city is a melting pot of predominantly Malays, Chinese, and Indians that have all contributed to the … Continue Reading
For most, the thought of traveling anywhere alone can be a little uncomfortable and quite a bit scary. Thoughts of what could go wrong start swirling around in your head and you start to question whether you can do it all on your own. Luckily, discomfort is absolutely crucial for personal growth. As said by Margie … Continue Reading
Just 30 min north of the surf-side, backpacker’s heaven town of Canggu by car, the famed (and rightfully so) Pura Tanah Lot is there, seemingly floating in the ocean for all to see. Pura Tanah Lot is an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to the gods of the sea with origins back to the fifteenth century, that … Continue Reading
Made uber famous by Julia Roberts where she did the majority of her loving from “Eat Pray Love,” Ubud is a gorgeous part of central Bali that can’t be missed. Besides it being the greenest place I’ve ever been, it also boasts elements of relaxation and peace that are seldom found elsewhere. Watch the monkeys … Continue Reading
There’s something magical in traveling, and a lot of that magic lives in the people you meet along your journey. Maybe it’s the open-mindedness you get from experiencing different cultures and ways of life, or the soul cleansing power of seeing the breathtaking natural beauty of this world. Whatever it is, I was blown away … Continue Reading
Ho Chi Minh City, or more commonly known as Saigon, was hands down my favorite city in Vietnam. Not only was it my first ever experience in this country, but I had a good friend living there that hosted me and was able to show me the true local experience. To me there’s this chaotic … Continue Reading
With the allure of the full moon party in Koh Phangan, scuba diving in Koh Tao, and pristine beaches of the Phi Phi Islands, Krabi’s coastal towns are often overlooked, especially the small underdeveloped town of Tonsai. Need a reason to go? I’ll give you four!
Sapa is a magical place. The landscape itself is reason enough to make the 7-hour trek from Hanoi, but this place is much more than just a beautiful landscape. This mountainous town is home to five ethnic minority hill tribes who still dress in traditional garb and speak in their own dialects. The coolest part? … Continue Reading
