When I went to Harbin, I didn’t expect it to be a culinary standout. Like most visitors, I went for the ice festival and didn’t think much about the rest of town. Turns out, there are a bunch of Harbin food specialties worth going out of your way for. Some of them, you’ll likely stumble […]
10 Yummy Foods in Harbin You Must Try Immediately Read More »
Bah humbug! As much as I love Thanksgiving and Christmas, I hate holiday travel. For years, I’ve dealt with sky-high airfares, traffic jams on the highway, and winter storms that cause delays, delays, delays. Thankfully, I’ve got a few holiday travel tips that take the sting out of the stress. Holiday Travel Tips from Someone Who
There’s a new checking account on the block and it’s a decent pick for travelers. SoFi Money offers decent interest rates, refunds ATM fees (even abroad), and advertises no foreign transaction fees. Plus, you can set up an account in less than three minutes with no “hard pulls” on your credit report — and they’ll
SoFi Money for Travelers: How it Compares to Charles Schwab Read More »
Is there anything more beautiful than fall foliage? Yes. It gets even more beautiful when you add snow to the mix. It was pure luck that the day I drove the Enchanted Circle scenic byway out of Taos that a layer of snow had blanketed the area overnight. The vivid yellow aspens against New
If there was one place in South Dakota that disappointed me, it was Spearfish Canyon. I think it was a case of unrealistic expectations. Everyone raves about hiking in Spearfish Canyon — the “prettiest place in the state” — so I expected an environment so unbelievably beautiful that nowhere else compared. However, the rest of
Is Spearfish Canyon Hiking Worth a Full Day? Probably not. Read More »
I caught myself judging North Dakota before I went. Even though Theodore Roosevelt National Park is the North Dakota national park that inspired our country’s conservation efforts, I didn’t expect much. Ask anyone: North Dakota is just a boring plains state. It’s home to Little Missouri National Grassland — that’s one MILLION acres of fields,
This North Dakota National Park is Way Better than Expected Read More »
What if I told you you could go on a safari without leaving the country? Alaska is a hotspot for animals, a state full of moose, bears, whales, and more. You’ll likely stumble on some no matter where you go, but these are favorites on where to see wildlife in Alaska. All three areas are
Into the Wild: 3 Awesome Places to See Wildlife in Alaska Read More »
I cheated on my first trip to China: I stayed at the Hyatt, hired a private guide, and didn’t stray far from the tourist trail. Like many travelers, I was intimidated by getting around on my own. It sure doesn’t feel like home and in some ways, it’s harder to visit than other countries. But
11 China Travel Tips for Anyone Visiting China for the First Time Read More »
The question I’m asked most often is “how do you afford to travel so often?” In reality, it’s not one single thing. I have a lot of tricks up my sleeve, although none as interesting as working as a courier. I made $300 — on a one-way flight, no less — just for flying from
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 companies vying for your business. The real question is: does that make costs fall enough to make the country affordable
Is Iceland Expensive? How to Survive Sky-High Prices in Iceland Read More »
