Be a smarter traveler! With these travel tips, you’ll be able to save money, navigate like a pro, and use your time wisely. I’ve got information on the best gear, packing lists, and more resources right here.
Years ago, I can remember sitting in hotel rooms writing out postcards to send to my grandmother and other relatives. I’d lovingly pick out “the best” pictures from the postcard rack, write a short note, and hope that my mother remembered to pack an address book (she always did). Over time, I started sending fewer and […]
I have a terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad confession: seeking out local culture is not the first thing I look for when planning a trip. I went to Nicaragua for the scenery, Laos for adventure, and Europe for a competition. On all those trips — and dozens more — local customs were a second or third planning point. Nevertheless, I seek out
For the longest time, I thought the best way to have an authentically local experience was to avoid touristy cities. I’ve gone out of my way to visit places like Telouet in Morocco or Laguna Lachua in Guatemala and absolutely, I escaped all throngs of tourists and enjoyed my explorations. Unfortunately, it’s getting harder and harder to
When I first moved to Richmond, I was diligent about spending my weekends exploring the area. I went to local museums, asked around for suggestions on what to do, and took roadtrips around the state. Some of my visits were genuine hits while others were just okay. Not only did I explore my own state, but
Earlier this summer, my husband and I moved in to a house with 4 roommates and the two of us shared a single car. We gave up restaurant meals, TV, and even made do with holes in our sneakers that had literally been worn for hundreds (thousands?) of miles. Then we realized we were crazy. (On the
Before this year, the last group tour I went on was a trip to Ecuador back in 2005. I was brand new to international travel — or to be honest, travel without my family — and so an escorted tour seemed like the perfect fit. Even though I had a fantastic time, my next trips naturally migrated
When traveling in the United States, my absolute favorite thing to do is visit national parks. The amount of variety in natural settings within the USA is mind-blowing: in the past year alone I’ve seen the glow of a volcano, gone rock scrambling in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and driven through desert landscapes. With 401 sites of
Unlimited Entry to U.S. National Parks with America the Beautiful Pass Read More »
In my family, summer and roadtrips are nearly synonymous. We hop in the car almost every weekend to head out for camping adventures, family events, and local travel. With that much time in the car, music is crucial not only for entertainment, but also for our sanity. It’s one single tip that will work for everyone,
One of my favorite things to do is to talk about travel with other people. Everyone has a different travel story: they’ve been to different places, seen different sights, and encountered different experiences. I end up inspired from tales of new destinations to visit or something I missed at a place I went to, and
Take the Time to Enjoy Your Journey…Even After it’s Over Read More »
Five years ago, my mother and I walked into the Prado Museum in Madrid. Forty-five minutes later, we walked out. The museum is world-renowned, full of famous art, and on top of that, it was free. But we just didn’t care. I’ve never been a big fan of art museums and the Prado was no
