Even with the recession in full swing, many people still think that long term travel is possible. Just last week, I mentioned the couple behind "World in Slow Motion" . Right now they're in Mexico, still pushing through with their journey. Is it possible for the average Joe and Jane to go ahead with their...

We've extolled the virtues of Twitter as a tool for travel planning, getting insider tips on your destination and much more. Well now there's another reason to sign up, that's right, your favorite vagabond website has a brand new Twitter account . In addition to giving you another way to follow along with vagablogging.net, we'll...

The most difficult part of wandering is being far from your loved ones. This can be trying (even when you remember what a pain it is to argue with them over a big dinner), but is grueling when something happens or tragedy strikes. Of all my scattered friends and family, only one has suffered a...

It's not often that you get an offer like this: a free review of your travel writing, by a respected travel writer. But that's what Mark Hodson is offering Vagablogging readers. You probably know Mark as a travel writer for the Sunday Times in London. But over his 23 years as a journalist, he's been...

"The main mistake made by pro-tourist planners is that they see tourism only in traditional economic terms as a new kind of industry (it is called the tourist industry) and they try to build tourist factories, called 'resorts' and 'amusement parks', through which people are run assembly-line fashion and stripped of their money. Some Caribbean...

This Reuters article about Asian couchsurfers raises the issues of culture clashes between Westerners and Asians. I could relate to this article, since my parents are Asian immigrants to the United States. Expectations of hospitality can be higher for Asians than Westerners. My parents would identify with the Japanese mother in the article. You almost...

The Worst-Case Scenario guides have been around for a while now. Where else could you get advice on everything from how to wrestle free from an alligator , determine if your date is an "axe murderer", start a fire without matches, or escape from a bad date? (hint: make sure your escape excuse is plausible,...

This week, Brave New Traveler interviewed Lara Lockwood and Tom Fewins , two vagabonds that are traveling the world without the use of commercial airplanes. They keep a blog about their trip called World in Slow Motion , which includes a map of the route they're taking as well as interesting statistics about their trip....

Thanks to couchsurfing.com , budget travelers and vagabonds of all stripes have an easy way to get in touch with like-minded individuals willing to offer free lodging. Not only does couchsurfing offer a way to save on hostel costs, it also gives you a chance to meet people and interact with locals in ways that...

As vagabonders, financial rejiggering might always be on the horizon -- or maybe you've done it already. As economic depression looms for many, the prospects of being footloose and not exactly fancy free are intimidating. As vagabonders by choice, we tend to be a little more conservative with spending than most, but what if you...

Whether you're new to travel and you want to get a sense of your…well…sensabilities, or you're up for a fun quiz, try out " What type of traveler are you? " Posted on BootsnAll , it takes stock of your travel preferences (accommodations, adventure, comfort) with eight questions. Then you find out your 'type.' Are...

Travel blogs are a dime a dozen, possibly even cheaper, but given the nature of the web, niche sites like travel blogs are spread out and can be difficult to find. If you're looking for something specific, say a blogger's take on what to do (or not do) in Venice, then Google can help. But...

CNN had an article about Americans invading the ski slopes for winter . While ostensibly about the trend toward flashpacking , it actually had a lot to say about how Americans do backpacking. I found the comments on privacy, sharing and personal space especially illuminating. When people are used to living in a big house...

As a kind of follow-up to yesterday's post on the rising popularity of slum tours in Mumbai , I thought I would share a link to The Places We Live . The site features panoramic photos of slums around the world and is narrated by the people who live there (through translators). There are also...

I wanted movement and not a calm course of existence, I wanted excitement and danger and the chance to sacrifice myself for love. I felt in myself a superabundance of energy which found no outlet in quiet life. -- Leo Tolstoy, "Family Happiness" The story of Chris "Alexander Supertramp" McCandless has inspired hundreds of vagabonders...

It will not be of much surprise to most of you when I tell you that this is my last post on Vagabonding. Waah. I've been a reader of this blog for over 4 years, and have been writing for it for 15 months. Rolf's book " Vagabonding " changed the way I think, the...

I've noticed quite a few travel-related contests recently with deadlines approaching. Some are more elaborate than others, and some have pretty great prizes attached. Check them out: Wanderlust and Lipstick/Intrepid : Write a non-fiction travel story, between 800-2500 words. Win a 15-day trip in Peru. Deadline: January 31, 2009 Via Dream Vacation Contest : Describe...

I've never really understood how movies inspire people to travel, but for better or worse, they do seem to -- consider what Lord of the Rings did for New Zealand or what Australia is supposed to do for Australian tourism. Both of those cases probably fall in the "better" category. Vagabonds might not be the...

" Homicide , The Corner , The Wire , Generation Kill -- these are travelogues of a kind, allowing Average Reader/Viewer to go where he otherwise would not. He loves being immersed in a new, confusing, and possibly dangerous world that he will never see. He likes not knowing every bit of vernacular or idiom....

I'm sure there a lot of us who love writing and travel, and would sell our souls to have a job that combined the two passions. But how? Written Road had an interview with Elisabeth Kwak-Hefferan , an associate editor at Backpacker Magazine. In it, she gives the lowdown on how she moved up to...