Clean water is one of the major issues facing the developing world. As outsiders, vagabonds typically rely on bottled water in such areas, but plastic water bottles are a major contributor to disturbing things such as the Pacific's trash island , to say nothing of the strain they put on local landfills. The far better...

Ever find yourself wandering the local food stalls while you’re traveling and catching a whiff of something delicious? Perhaps you stand, drooling and hypnotized, gawking at, well…who knows what exactly? Do you ever find yourself eying the local cuisine and thinking, “Hmm, that looks good; what is that?” One great part of travel is the...

Asia is full of dedicated foodies, both locals and expats. Debating dishes between countries and even between cities in the same country qualifies as a national sport. The foodie discussion forum Chowhound.com has a great thread on an impossible question: Best cities in Asia to visit for chowing? Although it's a year-old, replies are still...

Within the backpacker lexicon there is a certain unwritten assumption that everything must be done on the most severe cheap. That all corners must be cut, as one must go without as much as possible to become this Champion of Cheap. One of the first lessons we learn on the road is that travel is...

Wherever you are, pausing for a time with a cup of tea has the power of bringing you a sweet calming moment – even if you are squashed between backpackers in a crowded medina. A daily tea ritual can become an exercise in combating stress. No matter where you are, you can enjoy the sensual...

Got a craving for Carnival? If you can’t get to Rio, don’t just give up and stay home. There are plenty of places in Mexico and the Caribbean, from Mazatlan to Dominica, to celebrate the annual bacchanal. And there’s still time to get there! The Mazatlan Carnival lasts six days (in 2010, it’s from Feb....