“But Mom, it’s so far away and we’re spending so much time in the car already,” I said, annoyed that she would even bring up the option of driving to Mount Rainier for a day. We were in the midst of planning a family get-together for after my Olympic Peninsula trip ended and before my parents’ trip to Vancouver […]
I’m not afraid to spend money on travel but wasting money is another story. Four nights at a hotel shouldn’t cost more than my monthly rent and four nights of a car rental should cost less than my monthly lease. Travel is a discretionary item and I’m not in a position to splurge on everything all the
Why I Use Priceline – and When You Should Name Your Own Price Read More »
For tourists, there’s one key difference between national parks and national monuments: there are generally far fewer visitors at national monuments than at “full-fledged” national parks. National monuments can be just as beautiful, offer just as many hiking and camping opportunities, and you still get in free with an America the Beautiful Pass. Actually, side
Chiricahua National Monument: A Perfect Day Hike Read More »
American tourists in particular fall into the trap of trying to do everything when they travel. It makes sense: after a long, expensive flight from home, you want to make the trip worthwhile. A one-week trip to Spain might include Barcelona, Madrid, Sevilla, and even another stop or two. Don’t do that. When you arrive
A Contrarian Plan for Visiting Barcelona and Skipping Spain Read More »
Last week, I booked and cancelled a flight to El Salvador a total of five times while I was deciding whether to go. In the end, I cancelled on my husband’s request. Although I honestly believe El Salvador is a safe place to visit if you take proper precautions, Mike’s nervousness got the best of me. Not because
My husband is the one who convinced me to go to Macau. It wasn’t that I wasn’t interested; it just seemed like on an already short trip, there was no reason to squeeze in a third city. And Macau would just be shopping and casinos anyway. That was my first Macau mistake and probably one
When I travel, I try to fully maximize my time at my destination. As a mathematician, I refer to this as optimization. As a traveler, I refer to this as waking up in the middle of the night to make a 5 a.m. flight so you can land in time to explore the city all
All over the country, Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture has become a part of Independence Day celebrations. I’m not sure how exactly it became a staple of the Fourth of July, but Richmond, VA might be the only place in the world where it’s performed as intended when it was written: with real artillery and carillon bells. Fewer than
Why the Fourth of July is My Favorite Time in Richmond Read More »
The Great Wall is the most recognizable site in Asia and hiking the Great Wall of China is an iconic experience. I had to do it, but I didn’t consider its history until I was in China. “Construction on the wall began in the seventh century B.C. It spread more than 21,000 kilometers over almost 2500 years of
Hiking the Great Wall of China from Jiankou to Mutianyu Read More »
Every city has its vices, but in Hong Kong, that’s part of what makes a visit so enjoyable. We gave in — to all seven — and I don’t regret a thing. If you’re going to Hong Kong, here’s what you’re in store for. Gluttony From cheap eats to three-star Michelin fine dining, Hong Kong
