On my travels I have made a point to visit many of the incredible Unesco World Heritage Sites all over the world. These range from the iconic architectural sights like the Taj Mahal and Angkor Wat, to the beautiful and charming UNESCO cities of Guanajuato and Luang Prabang. I’ve picnicked in UNESCO National Parks and stared in wonder at the historic wonders of Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque. Take a peek at my favorite experiences over the past decade as I’ve traveled this world in search of culture, history, and connection.
When I bought my two-month Eurail pass on a whim (and during a great sale), I had no firm plans for this trip with my toddler son. But I quickly decided it was financially advantageous—and fun—if I tried to hit as many of the most scenic train routes in Europe as possible. That’s how I …
Nepal was a sleeper hit during my round the world trip more than 15 years ago. I had fretted and planned so much of my time backpacking across India, that I left planning my time in Nepal to the last second. I had arranged a one-month volunteering stint in the Kathmandu Valley, so I had …
Drizzling rain pattered on my umbrella as I wove through throngs of tourists, their rainbow-hued ponchos forming sudden pops of contrast against the canary-colored walls. I dodged locals pedaling rickety bicycles on the rain-drenched streets, and darted into the calm oasis of a local teahouse-cum-social enterprise in Hoi An, Vietnam. The rain hadn’t let up …
The chaos of Tokyo crashed over me in waves when I first landed in Japan. I had booked my tickets on a whim—I found an affordable last-minute flight and jumped at the opportunity. Luckily, I had time to secure a Japan Rail pass, which allowed me to zip around the country on the speedy Shinkansen …
Has life sped up? The days, weeks, and months whip past faster than I can count. I landed in Oaxaca, Mexico in January. Two months later, I’m settled but restless. Does that even make sense? Traveling is a hard habit to break. I bought a coffee cup when I arrived. It was a small concession …
Maybe it was the wine. Or perhaps it was the latticed balconies. The unfettered hospitality played a part. And the idyllic scenery was persuasive. For the life of me, I can’t pin down precisely what made Tbilisi, Georgia so charming. Since leaving Georgia, I’ve taken on the mantle of fangirl for the Republic of Georgia. …
Less than a hundred miles off the coast of the United States, Cuba is a step into a seemingly lost era. Travelers dreaming of visiting Cuba conjure images of classic fifties cars set against crumbling Spanish colonial facades. They picture lively street-side musicians and miles of gorgeous coastline. And that’s largely what you find when …
It was the accessibility of both fun and culture that convinced me Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula was an ideal place to road trip with my two nephews. A road trip with kids requires a place with a lot of family-friendly things to do, and it had to be close, since I wasn’t keen on a 14-hour …