Thoughts on slower travel, trip planning, favorite neighborhoods, and the experiences that make a destination memorable beyond the major attractions.
Some of the most useful things I pack aren’t things I ever thought I needed. They’re the little additions that came after something went wrong, cost more than it should have, or simply made a travel day more complicated than it needed to be. A suitcase that didn’t show up at baggage claim. A phone…
Over the years, I’ve come to appreciate having fewer things that mean more to me. It’s a philosophy that has gradually shaped almost every part of how I travel, from the souvenirs I bring home to the gear I pack in my suitcase. I used to think traveling meant coming home with souvenirs for everyone,…
This post is part of my South America series, following my five-week solo trip through Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Ecuador, and Colombia. I share what I experienced, the day trips and regions I considered, and what I’d plan differently next time. You’ll find related guides in the Explore South America section at the end. When I…
When I first started traveling, I thought being a “good traveler” meant getting the best deal possible. Find the cheapest reasonable flight. Keep the hotel cost down. Take public transportation. Stretch the budget so there was always enough left for the next trip. I still care about value. I’m just much less interested in choosing…
This post is part of my Central Europe series, following my travels through Poland, Slovakia, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, from historic capitals and unexpected city stops to lakes, coastal towns, and the journeys connecting them. Throughout the series, I share what surprised me, which places deserved more time, and what I’d do…
For years, I thought I knew what kind of traveler I was. I loved cities. I loved movement. I loved stepping outside my hotel and knowing there would be museums, restaurants, cafés, and neighborhoods waiting to be explored. Beaches never held my attention for long, and I certainly wouldn’t have described myself as an outdoorsy…