The Latest Travel Blog Posts
Explore the latest destination guides, budget hacks, travel tech & more!
I Traveled for 2 Months in Southern Africa—Here’s How Much It Cost
Traveling in Africa isn’t cheap, but this guide helps show where you can trim costs. Discover how to visit Southern Africa with these practical tips on tours, self-driving, eSIM cards and more!
A Guide to Visiting Khao Yai National Park in Thailand
Park rangers stop traffic for a wild elephant to cross the road at Khao Yai National Park. If you get tired of Bangkok’s noise and traffic, there’s a quiet nature escape just a few hours away—Khao Yai National Park. This 2,206 square kilometer park is famous for wild...
I Live in Chiang Mai, Thailand Every Winter—Here’s the Best Things to Do
Thailand is one of my many homes. Chiang Mai is where I normally spend my winters and where I just returned after a pandemic hiatus. Whether you’re here for two days or two months, this guide will answer all your questions about things to do, logistics and where to eat!
I Live in Thailand – Here are my Favorite Places (and Where to Avoid)
The hardest part of any trip to Thailand is deciding where to go. The choices are endless – the white sandy beaches of the Andaman Coast, indulging in Chiang Mai’s culinary delights, visiting Bangkok’s gleaming Buddhist temples and biking through the 13th-century ruins of ancient Sukhothai.
8 Things to do in Ninh Binh, Vietnam—Here’s What’s Worth the Time
The scenery in Vietnam’s Ninh Binh province, known as the “Halong Bay on land” is unmatched in Southeast Asia. Discover the best things to do in Ninh Binh, from iconic Trang A boat trips and the Mua Cave viewpoint to tranquil pagodas and lush rice fields, along with transport and hotel options.
I Used SafetyWing Travel Insurance in Southeast Asia—Here’s How It Went
From a ski trip in the French Alps to backpacking South America, travel insurance is one of the most important things to purchase for any trip. When it comes to insurance, you insure what you can’t afford to pay yourself. Unlike health insurance in the United States,...
The Best Travel Photos from my 2025 Adventures
A visual recap of my 2025 adventures, featuring my favorite travel photos, the stories behind them, and inspiration for planning your own trips in the year ahead.
I Spent Two Months in Southern Africa—Here are my Favorite Safari Photos
I spent two months traveling in Southern Africa, photographing lions, elephants, hippos and more. In this post, I share my favorite 16 safari images, camera settings and honest tips for capturing wildlife from a bouncing jeep.
Connectivity in the Bush: Airalo eSIM Review for Safari & Travel in Southern Africa
Africa is a new and developing region in the eSIM card sphere, so I was excited to test out Airalo’s options on a recent two-month trip in Southern Africa spanning five countries. Here’s how it went.
12 Best Travel Gifts for the Holidays 2025, According to a Full-time Traveler
Alfred the Gnome loves being part of my annual travel gift guide! Every year, I compile a list of my favorite travel items that I’ve recently discovered that make my adventures easier, more comfortable or stylish. Several of these were suggestions from friends and...
Airalo Review for Country-Hopping in the Balkans: Staying Connected from Greece to Montenegro
I spent two weeks on Amorgos, my favorite Greek island, with excellent cell service across the majority of the island. When I first switched to an eSIM-only iPhone, I was extremely hesitant because I travel full-time and need to be connected to be able to work. Now,...
17 Essential Travel Apps to Download Before your Next Trip (2025 Guide)
While the nostalgic part of me misses the days of paper maps and film cameras, smart phones do make travel and life a lot easier. Here’s a recap of my current favorite travel apps – almost all of them are free!
9 Things to do in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) that are Actually Worth Your Time
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is the sleek modern paradox to Hanoi’s ancient streets. With a population of eight million, the city is flooded with motorbike traffic—crossing the street isn’t for the faint of heart—and towering skyscrapers. While most of the main sights in District 1 are war-related, the city has an unmistakable vibe that will make it hard to leave and some of the best craft beer in Asia.
Airalo International eSim Review for iPhone
On a recent work trip to Japan and Southeast Asia, I tested Airalo’s local and regional eSIM for iPhone for two months. Overall, Airalo worked perfectly with no issues. In this post, I talk about pricing difference between plans and how to set up your Airalo eSIM card.
The Ultimate Guide to Buenos Aires: What to Eat, See & Explore
There is no city in the world as seductive as Buenos Aires. I’ve spent the last three months living in my favorite city in the world and made an in-depth guide about the Argentinian capital. Check out my favorite spots to visit, eat and drink!
The 10 Best Hotels in Austin: Where to Stay by Neighborhood in 2025
A guide to Austin’s best hotels, organized by neighborhood for every style and budget. Whether you’re looking for boutique stays in South Congress or hidden gems in East Austin, this guide makes it easy to find a hotel for all budgets.
Where to Eat Like a True Austinite: The Best Restaurants in Austin
Austin’s restaurant scene is booming with old favorites and exciting newcomers. This guide spotlights the best restaurants in Austin, Texas for 2025—covering hidden gems, local favorites, and essential tips for making the most of every meal.
Pros & Cons of eSIM Cards for Travel
One of my biggest travel pet peeves is finding affordable cellular data phone plans. eSIM cards are the future—ready or not! They are very convenient and cheaper than paying for an international plan but do have a few flaws. I dig into all the details in my latest post!
Eight Places Not to Miss in Buenos Aires
Consider yourself warned: Buenos Aires is filled with European architecture and a Latin seductiveness that will tempt you to stay forever. Here are six reasons why you will never want to leave!
19 Best Things to Do in Austin, Texas, From a Local Travel Writer
Austin knows the key to my heart – flip-flop weather most of the year, endless outdoor activities, amazing food and craft beer. And, live music—of course! If you’re heading to Austin, check out these great places to eat, drink and explore!
An Easy Guide to Getting American Airlines Elite Status—And How to Optimize it Once You Do
A work trip to Egypt in January helped me earn American Airlines AAdvantage Platinum status thanks to a stopover in Dubai and flying oneworld alliance airlines. This post was originally published in April 2024 and updated in August 2025 to reflect recent changes to...
How to Avoid Travel Bank Fees
The easiest way to save money while traveling is having the right kind of bank accounts. Here’s how to avoid ATM fees, foreign transaction fees and dynamic currency conversion when using ATMs and credit cards abroad.
Why American Airlines Elite Status No Longer Makes Sense for Most Travelers
American Airlines recently changed its upgrade system, making elite status harder to justify. This post breaks down what’s changed and whether elite status still makes sense.
I Travel Full-Time. Here’s Seven Things I Always Pack Under $25.
Nonstop travel has made me a packing pro. On my last six-month stint abroad in Japan and Southeast Asia, these seven things under $25 were the most useful.
How a Road-Trip Pit Stop to Pet a Camel Led to an Unlikely Friendship
A spring break detour off I-55 to pet a roadside camel sparked an unexpected, decades-long friendship with her 79-year-old owner. What began as a class photo project turned into one of my most personal travel stories.
What to Pack for the Camino de Santiago: Advice from a Woman Who’s Walked It Twice
I chat with experienced hiker Chris Rufflo who trekked the Camino de Santiago twice about her experience along with a detailed packing list for the Camino de Santiago.
I Used a Saily eSIM for 1 Month in Southeast Asia—Here’s How It Went
On a recent trip to Southeast Asia, I tested Saily’s local and regional eSIM for iPhone for six weeks. Overall, it worked well except for a few glitches in Vietnam. Read for all the details.
11 Things to Do in Hanoi That Are Actually Worth Your Time
Hanoi is a glimpse at the chaos and history of Vietnam. It’s home to the country’s largest airport and the gateway to Ha Long and Lan Ha Bay and Ninh Binh. Here’s the best things to do in Hanoi.
Photo Guide to Mesa Verde National Park
In this post, I share my favorite photographs, camera settings and logistical details about visiting Mesa Verde National Park. I’ve included a detailed chart of the best times for photography at the most popular sites during the summer.
I Visit Vietnam Every Year – Here are my Favorite Places (and Where to Avoid)
Like India, Vietnam can be a sensory overload of beauty, complexity and delicious food. Since I visit Vietnam every year for work, I’ve compiled a detailed guide to cover the top destinations, logistics, costs and safety.
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