Confession: Before this year, I never purchased travel insurance. It’s not that I’m particularly careful while traveling; in fact, I revel in trying adventure activities, eating street food, and seeking remote destinations. I just expected to handle things as they came up, and for the 7 years or so that I’ve been traveling independently, it’s worked. Now that I’m […]
Last week, I quit my job. It’s not the first time I’ve given notice and the act itself isn’t unusual. People leave jobs all the time, whether it’s to work for a new employer, start their own company, or to provide care for children or other family members. The difference between those people and me is
I only recently tried Airbnb, despite knowing about the website for years. If you’re unfamiliar with the premise, Airbnb creates a marketplace for individuals to open their homes to travelers. Lodging options range from a room in someone’s home, an entire property for individual use, or unique stays like a bed in a treehouse. Airbnb touts
No matter how much research you do ahead of time or how many recommendations you’ve received, there’s no way to guarantee what your experience will be like. I’ve been disappointed at bed and breakfasts that had amazing reviews and I’ve been pleasantly surprised by attractions I expected to be mediocre. Ultimately, on every trip, there
Iceland’s Best Known Attraction: The Blue Lagoon Read More »
My weekend in Salt Lake City was such a tease. Utah is a state that beckons to outdoors-lovers, urging you to come play under its big, blue skies. I always considered Moab to be the mecca of the state for adventurers, but perhaps I’m wrong. Maybe it’s actually Salt Lake City, where you can go
Back in 2004, I traveled with my boyfriend for the first time. It set a wonderful precedent of spending time together without life’s distractions as well as exploring new places and tackling new challenges as a couple. Nine and a half years later, we’re married and still traveling together. Our most recent trip — to
Nestled in the mountains of Northern Nicaragua near the Honduran border, the Somoto Canyon is an impressive site. The Coco River flows for miles, surrounded by vertical walls of up to 150 meters tall. After the brown and dust of León, Somoto is a verdant oasis, full of fresh and (relatively) cool air. As the canyon
Sure, Nicaragua is a country full of friendly people, low prices, and lots to do but there is one problem: it’s HOT. Unless you head into the mountains (which, eventually, I did), there is nothing even remotely comfortable about the weather. Luckily, the country has nearly 1000 kilometers of coastline, not including the many lakes
Waves, Sunsets, and Turtles in Las Peñitas Nicaragua Read More »
Planning a trip to Iceland in the winter was more of a challenge than I expected. Some outdoor activities close down for the winter when lakes freeze and roads close. Landscapes and beautiful scenery get blanketed by snow, which creates a mystical ambiance but not a lot of variety. Factor in some very short days
If you looked at the hotel stays I’ve completed and/or reserved, you’d swear I’m scatterbrained. I jump from hostels to campsites to upscale mountain resorts and trendy chain hotels. Sure, there are times when I just want a basic room and anywhere will do so I look for a simple property at a low price. However, every once in
