Chances are you’ve booked your trip to Siem Reap with the intention of watching the sunrise over famed Angkor Wat. It’s an experience on just about every traveler’s bucket list and for good reason. Afterall, it’s located in not only the largest temple complex in Southeast Asia, but the largest temple complex in the world! … Continue Reading
One of the most rewarding parts of solo travel is realizing everything that you can accomplish all by yourself. Sure, travel is probably easier when you have a friend, partner/spouse, or family member to help with issues that arise on the road, but solo travel pushes you to overcome challenging situations on your own, which … Continue Reading
I may be a little biased because I grew up nearby, but there’s a slice of Western Massachusetts called the Berkshires, or “the Shire” as the locals would say, that is absolutely glorious. Known for epic fall foliage, excellent hiking and outdoor activities, farm-to-table dining, and classic New England style charm, the Berkshires have people coming … Continue Reading
Have you ever wondered how globetrotters fell in love with traveling in the first place? For me, I think back to one specific life-changing experience that sparked my love affair with traveling the world. This first experience eventually led me to quit my 9-5 job to move across the world and ultimately led me to … Continue Reading
Although Burlington isn’t the capital of Vermont, this earthy-crunchy, uber-hip, progressive city seems to steal the spotlight within the state. With hundreds of restaurants, micro-breweries and live music venues, there’s a bustling food and entertainment scene, and with Lake Champlain and the Green Mountains nearby, there are tons of outdoor activities to enjoy as well. … Continue Reading
When I first heard about the Pangea Dreams Blogger Retreats, they had never run one before. There were no reviews, testimonials, or alumni to ask questions to. I mean, it all sounded great: one week at a luxury villa in Bali, daily yoga, sunset dinners, photo shoots… but I thought to myself, am I really … Continue Reading
George Town is Malaysia’s second largest city next to Kuala Lumpur and the capital of Penang, but it doesn’t feel anything like a big city. In fact, George Town’s city center was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008 for its preservation of culture and the many historical buildings in the area. Once a … Continue Reading
Solo travel is not easy. Things not only can, but will go wrong, and it’s up to you to decide how you’re going to handle it. Here’s a story about a perfect plan gone awry during my last trip to Southeast Asia as a solo traveler and what I learned about myself in the process. … Continue Reading
Parque Tayrona is a nationally protected park in Northern Colombia sandwiched between the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta Mountains and the Carribean Sea. It’s known for its lush jungle and wild coastline of virtually untouched beaches. Although many of the beaches between the park entrance and Cabo San Juan are frequented by tourists, they are only accessible … Continue Reading
Although Salento is the golden child of Colombia’s coffee region, there’s a little-underrated town about 45 minutes away that deserves more attention. This quaint pueblo is called Filandia, and is a must for anyone looking for an authentic experience in the Zona Cafetera region. It’s also much less frequented by foreigners than other areas of the region, … Continue Reading
I read that visiting Villa de Leyva was like taking a time machine back to the 16th century, and seeing it with my own eyes confirmed that statement for sure. Charming and quaint are the first two adjectives that come to mind when describing this colonial town outside of Bogotá, largely in part due to … Continue Reading
Although Cartagena is the most popular seaside destination in Colombia, those looking for a quieter beach getaway head further north to Costeño Beach & Palomino. These relatively underdeveloped beach towns are home to stretches of rugged coastline, most of it completely untouched. You won’t find any resorts or big name hotels here, just small locally run … Continue Reading
I went on The Lost City Trek with Expotur and it was 4 days jam packed with adventure. Expotur promises adventure, and adventure you shall receive! From intense jungle trekking in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains, raging rapid river crossings, and 1,200 steep stone steps to get to Cuidad Perdida, it’s exhilarating, challenging … Continue Reading
I was under the impression that Cartagena was lined with gorgeous white sand beaches and crystal clear turquoise water – it’s not. However, just an hour boat ride away is the paradise of Isla Grande, which is part of the Rosario Islands. Here you will surely find that Caribbean paradise you were searching for. Although the … Continue Reading
Are you planning a trip to Peru and need to figure out where to stay during your epic adventure? I can’t speak for all of Peru, but I can speak for four of the marvelous cities I visited during my three weeks exploring Southern Peru, and in this post I have rounded up all the … Continue Reading
Since I was a little kid, I’ve always loved roller coasters. So when I heard about an oasis in the middle of the Peruvian desert where dune buggies fly over sand dunes up to 700 feet tall, you better believe I immediately added it to my itinerary. That desert oasis is called Huacachina, and when … Continue Reading
Paracas is a small fishing village turned beach resort town that is actually known as Peru’s best wild-life watching destination. Often referred to as “The Poor Man’s Galapagos,” this coastal desert region is home to the Ballestas Islands and the Paracas National Reserve, both of which are teeming with wildlife, from sea lions, seabirds, and … Continue Reading
After 6 days and over 30 miles of trekking both Rainbow Mountain, Lares, and Machu Picchu, I was in dire need of some serious relaxation. You can count on sore legs from all the walking, tight shoulders from schlepping a backpack full of gear around, and overall exhaustion from the altitude (over 17,000ft at Rainbow … Continue Reading
I rarely can pass up an opportunity to see any sort of wildlife in their natural habitat, and when I heard about Mar Adentro Excursiones and the opportunity to swim with wild sea lions off the coast of Lima, it was no exception. Mar Adentro Excursiones offers a comfortable, guided trip out to Islas Palomino … Continue Reading
When you think of Peru, what comes to mind? If I had to guess, it would probably be hiking the Inca Trail into Machu Picchu. But what if I told you there was an alternative trek you could take without the hundreds of other tourists you’d find on the over-trekked Inca Trail, that offers a perfect mix … Continue Reading
Vinicunca, also known as Rainbow Mountain or Montaña de Siete Colores, is a stunning geological marvel of the Peruvian Andes located at a whopping 5,200 meters above sea level, and is gaining some serious popularity within the Cusco tourism industry. Located about a 4 hour drive from Cusco, it’s advertised as something that can be … Continue Reading
Medellín is up there for top favorite cities, but after three weeks I was ready to trade the harsh fumes and hectic nature of the city for the fresh air and tranquility of nearby Guatapé. The ride into Guatapé is reason enough to visit, with beautiful farmland and rolling green hills spotted with cows & horses … Continue Reading
For most, the thought of traveling anywhere alone can be a little uncomfortable and quite a bit scary. Thoughts of what could go wrong start swirling around in your head and you start to question whether you can do it all on your own. Luckily, discomfort is absolutely crucial for personal growth. As said by Margie … Continue Reading
Just 30 min north of the surf-side, backpacker’s heaven town of Canggu by car, the famed (and rightfully so) Pura Tanah Lot is there, seemingly floating in the ocean for all to see. Pura Tanah Lot is an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to the gods of the sea with origins back to the fifteenth century, that … Continue Reading
Made uber famous by Julia Roberts where she did the majority of her loving from “Eat Pray Love,” Ubud is a gorgeous part of central Bali that can’t be missed. Besides it being the greenest place I’ve ever been, it also boasts elements of relaxation and peace that are seldom found elsewhere. Watch the monkeys … Continue Reading
There’s something magical in traveling, and a lot of that magic lives in the people you meet along your journey. Maybe it’s the open-mindedness you get from experiencing different cultures and ways of life, or the soul cleansing power of seeing the breathtaking natural beauty of this world. Whatever it is, I was blown away … Continue Reading
Ho Chi Minh City, or more commonly known as Saigon, was hands down my favorite city in Vietnam. Not only was it my first ever experience in this country, but I had a good friend living there that hosted me and was able to show me the true local experience. To me there’s this chaotic … Continue Reading
Thanks to the amazing overnight bus system in Vietnam, I didn’t lose a single day traveling during my 20-day trip, which enabled non-stop adventuring each and everyday. As you can imagine, by the time I made it to Hanoi from Ho Chi Minh City, I was exhausted. (The best kind of exhausted, of course.) I … Continue Reading
After enduring a three-hour ride north of Chiang Mai complete with 700 vomit-inducing turns, you will find yourself in Pai. And at only a few hours from Thailand’s largest northern city, it’s the perfect weekend trip to see a little more of what Northern Thailand has to offer. Pai is Chiang Mai’s earthy crunchy sister, … Continue Reading
When talking about Thailand, I’ve always heard people say “get out of Bangkok as fast as you can” or “don’t spend too much time in Bangkok.” I heard it was big, loud, smelly, crazy, and overrun by tourists. Here’s what I found; it is big, loud, smelly, and crazy…AND I LOVED IT. Bangkok gets a … Continue Reading
