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
Have you ever wondered how globetrotters fell in love with traveling in the first place? For me, I think back to one specific life-changing experience that sparked my love affair with traveling the world. This first experience eventually led me to quit my 9-5 job to move across the world and ultimately led me to … Continue Reading
Although Burlington isn’t the capital of Vermont, this earthy-crunchy, uber-hip, progressive city seems to steal the spotlight within the state. With hundreds of restaurants, micro-breweries and live music venues, there’s a bustling food and entertainment scene, and with Lake Champlain and the Green Mountains nearby, there are tons of outdoor activities to enjoy as well. … 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
Parque Tayrona is a nationally protected park in Northern Colombia sandwiched between the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta Mountains and the Carribean Sea. It’s known for its lush jungle and wild coastline of virtually untouched beaches. Although many of the beaches between the park entrance and Cabo San Juan are frequented by tourists, they are only accessible … Continue Reading
Although Salento is the golden child of Colombia’s coffee region, there’s a little-underrated town about 45 minutes away that deserves more attention. This quaint pueblo is called Filandia, and is a must for anyone looking for an authentic experience in the Zona Cafetera region. It’s also much less frequented by foreigners than other areas of the region, … 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
Lima is the Capital and largest city in Peru, yet it is often misunderstood and almost entirely skipped over while traveler’s make their way to Cusco. I fell victim to the “don’t spend too much time in Lima” hearsay, and wish I had given this awesome city more of a chance. That being said, with … 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
I rarely can pass up an opportunity to see any sort of wildlife in their natural habitat, and when I heard about Mar Adentro Excursiones and the opportunity to swim with wild sea lions off the coast of Lima, it was no exception. Mar Adentro Excursiones offers a comfortable, guided trip out to Islas Palomino … Continue Reading
Vinicunca, also known as Rainbow Mountain or Montaña de Siete Colores, is a stunning geological marvel of the Peruvian Andes located at a whopping 5,200 meters above sea level, and is gaining some serious popularity within the Cusco tourism industry. Located about a 4 hour drive from Cusco, it’s advertised as something that can be … 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
Colombia Immersion is an unconventional Spanish language school in Medellin run by a team of passionate, language lovers from all over the world that live by the school’s methodology of Learn, Practice, Apply. They believe that learning a language is like learning how to dance. You can study it in a classroom and read all … 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
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
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
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
There are certain experiences while solo-traveling that genuinely change you as a person. It can range from meeting people who touch your soul, overcoming difficult situations on your own, to connecting with nature, but most importantly connecting with yourself. While traveling in Thailand, I decided to participate in a 2-day silent mediation retreat out of … Continue Reading
When talking about Thailand, I’ve always heard people say “get out of Bangkok as fast as you can” or “don’t spend too much time in Bangkok.” I heard it was big, loud, smelly, crazy, and overrun by tourists. Here’s what I found; it is big, loud, smelly, and crazy…AND I LOVED IT. Bangkok gets a … Continue Reading
Koh Phi Phi Don is the only inhabitable island of the Phi Phi Islands, and is known for its beautiful beaches, gorgeous viewpoints, and wild nightlife. If you’re not partying, there’s plenty to do and plenty of places to stay away from the madness of Tonsai village, just prepare yourself for a wild party throughout … 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!
From Hoi An, I headed North to check out Hue, a city that was once the nation’s capital. Known as one of the top spots for sampling some of the best food that Vietnam has to offer, there was no way I was skipping out on Hue. With only a day and a night designated to … Continue Reading
Hoi An is a tourists dream, as it offers the picturesque Ancient City where every street is strung with colorful lanterns, as well as beautiful An Bang Beach only a 25 minute bike ride away. I really enjoyed my two days in Hoi An, but was a bit surprised to find it as touristy as … Continue Reading
