I had a friend at university who knew she wanted to be a doctor from the time she was little. Only her specialty changed a few times, but by the time medical school came around, that was officially sorted. Today, she’s a successful OBGYN living a happy life in the Pacific Northwest. I was always...

Some of the potential drawbacks of group travel are often the very perks of a solo trip: no arguments over where or when to go, no mismatched food tastes, unbalanced fitness levels or clashing differences in hygiene habits. When you’re alone, you’re free to make any and every decision without worry of offending one of...

“No journey is too great, if you find what you seek” - Anonymous When I was little, I met counselors from all over the world at sleep-away camp. If you told me the ten year old who acquired a koala singlet from her counselor, would later marry an Australian and live down under; I would...

I was reminded recently of an odd quirk in our human nature. When most of us travel, our senses are hyper-attuned to our surroundings. This is partially a conscious decision; the adventure of discovery is exhilarating. But part of it is an unconscious function. When we are in a new and unfamiliar environment, seldom-used neural...

When my dad talked to me about stocks, my eyes glazed over. It didn’t matter what cost benefit analysis he gave me, I was a risk adverse kind of kid. To his dismay, I was always happy with money under the mattress or in the bank. Even though it couldn’t go up, I knew it...

Have you ever wished you had another country's passport? For some nationals, they have the right to get working holiday visas all over the world. They can pick up and move to a country, and have the right to live there. Your passport has a big effect on how well received you'll be in another...

As travelers, we often find ourselves talking to friends and strangers alike at parties, at work, wherever, about travel and how to do it right. We evangelize for travel, extolling its opportunities and benefits. We often go on at length about the magic of our favorite places, the addictive high that comes from filling up...

Capetown , in the Republic of South Africa, is a beautiful city. Filled with natural beauty, a booming waterfront and access to all things penguin, Capetown quickly draws you in. Whether you’re looking to hike Table Mountain , shop at local markets, cavort with Boulder Beach’s penguin colonies or take in a history lesson of...

Melbourne , Australia has become my second home. Known for its café culture, four seasons in a day and city of all things sport, this special place has a lot to offer. In the city, there’s the hubbub of business, culture, life, eateries, endless laneways and riverfront activities. Just a short tram ride away gets...

Growing up in Long Island, New York, my comfort zone was very small. I certainly never thought I’d leave that tiny suburban town for other coasts or other shores. After that first trip abroad everything changed. I had no idea then that harnessing fear of the unknown would be the thing that actually facilitated a...

Of the many things Europe does well, it’s the continent’s magnificent Christmas festivities that can charm this cynical traveler every time. From Scotland to Switzerland an extraordinary spirit of festivity, connecting this generations to others long since passed, can be felt in the wintertime air. The traditions of the season are still strong in this...

Always travel with snacks. Eat local. Taste the street food. Try the cuisine specific to this culture. Have you ever had something so delicious? These are all things travelers hear when heading to a new destination. But for me, some places are harder while others make my taste buds soar with delight. I’ve been a...

Veterans’ Day in the US and the UK is replete with ceremonies (concerts and parades in the US, red poppies in the UK) to commemorate those who served their country in uniform. Aside from a great opportunity to thank those that fought in foreign lands, it’s a great opportunity to remember some of the historic...

“Last night while I lay thinking here, some WHAT IFS crawled inside my ear and pranced and partied all night long and sang their same old WHAT IF song: WHAT IF I’m dumb in school? WHAT IF they’ve closed the swimming pool? WHAT IF I get beat up? WHAT IF there’s poison in my cup?...

“We need HOW many shots?” Six immunizations, a signed yellow fever card and two prescriptions later we left the doctor’s office. It was going to be worth it, we just knew it! Five years and a few extra booster shots later and we were right. Our time on the African continent yields some of my...

Why Leap? Male to Colombo to Dubai to Milan and finally landing in New York forty hours later was the route we took home from the Maldives last week. The jet lag has been palpable but we’d both say it has been worth it for the perfection we experienced in our beach bungalow island paradise...

It can be difficult to find new angles through which to view places you already know well. Human nature being what is, it takes a conscious effort to see anything through new eyes. We tend to see only what we’re familiar with, and what strikes our vision on the most surface levels: the old buildings,...

Butter heads at the fair It was December of 2004 when I took my first Contiki trip for two weeks in Australia. On the first night I met two girls from Minnesota and that’s where the love affair with the State Fair began. For years Cara has been teaching this New Yorker about all things...

Travelers are curious. Why else would they put up with the more uncomfortable bits that make up "travel"? Squatting toilets for instance or anything that has anything to do with an airline. Many of us are so curious that we want to see it all. The whole world. At the very least, a sample of...

Why travel far and wide you ask What will you perhaps find? There’s so much here to see and do Why go far to unwind? So much to say – the words are hard They make so much sense to me Stay here to find the everyday Or go abroad and see? The fun, the...