Yes, I can say that I've seen better movies than "Yes Man." It may be a ho-hum movie, but what lasts for me is a moment of spontaneity: at one point Jim Carrey's character arrives at the airport, steps up to the ticket desk, and asks for the next flight out of town. Will it...

Everyone knows there are some gestures that are essentially cultural idioms; they've got regionally, culturally, or ethnically specific meanings that might be VERY DIFFERENT than what you're used to. Palms out in Greece: In Greece, putting the palm of your hand (or worse, the palms of both hands) towards someone is akin to raising your...

Last month we talked about the issues that long-term travelers have when they're trying to transition back to "regular" life after a big trip. But there are things that can complicate the other end of the trip, too - things that can make leaving your "regular" life in the first place really challenging. Specifically for...

The numbers could speak for themselves: a year-long trip covering 54,000 miles, 20 countries, and five continents. But we all know that's only half of the story. What about the surprises, revelations, and just plain odd moments along the way? Thankfully, the pair who recently returned from this adventure—Yohan and Dolina—have documented some of the...

One of my favorite travel blogs (turned portal) World Hum has revamped their great website to make it even greater. It's a very clean new format; still got lots of awesome stories, yet easy on the eye. They have a new video/podcast section which aggregates videos from their events and has some new ones. It's...

The LA Times article about the most overrated destinations makes me a bit sad. I'm not saying that I've never had my own 'overrated' moment. But that's just it—it's personal and subjective, based on my personal expectations and experiences. One of the places mentioned in the article is Paris. We've all been fed images of...

As people interested in travel, we are obviously interested in the world around us, and I'm sure that all of us have thought about how we can make a difference. Any teeny weeny difference. There are many initiatives you can take part in, but if you want something effortless to kick-start your "making a difference"...

At this time of year, what you're focused on depends quite a bit on what kind of person you are. Did you map out a Black Friday shopping route or spend Thanksgiving day camped out in front of the local electronics store? No? You'll forgive me if I'm not shocked to hear that. The fact...

A friend just told me that she was already wrapping holiday gifts. Mind you, not just writing out her list, but checking off items. Not just buying gifts, but wrapping them. Just as ahead of the game, it seems, are several websites—ready with gift recommendations for travelers, would-be travelers, or friends-of-travelers. Here are a few...

When I took a meditation course at the Kripalu Institute (which offers a live-in volunteer option for anyone who might want to work, live, and study yoga in the Berkshires) back in 2007, my teacher pointed out that the popular mantra, Om nama Shivaya , is an invocation to Shiva, the god of change. "Change...

Many vagabonders have at least dreamed of running a business that can be managed from anywhere with a reliable internet connection. Whether in the jungles of Borneo, the vast Gobi desert, or the ancient city of Petra, it's business as usual. However, these road warrior venturists have one unique struggle: how to drum up new...

If you find yourself in Chile, on the South American circuit between Machu Picchu and Buenos Aires, you've already gotten past the major hurdle—the airfare to Chile . Need some ideas for getting more bang for your peso while you're there? Stay a while: Rent an apartment, and get the best of both worlds—get a...

Sometimes you feel like you're at the mercy of train or bus timetables or, if you're driving, scarily numbered streets or terrifying directions . Even with a GPS to help pinpoint your location, you may not know where you are or where you want to go. So enjoy it! Here is a short reading list...

While some people certainly do spend years living the vagabond life, many of them traveling with no definite plans to "settle down," others set out on their adventures knowing that one day they'll probably be back in what other people might call a normal routine. If you're one of the people in that latter category,...

Rory MacLean's ' The Oatmeal Ark ' is part travel memoir, part historical fiction. Or maybe it's part history book, and part travel fiction. It's hard to pin this book down: it blurs the line between fact and fiction, past and present. The book follows the fictional Beagan Gillean as he travels the world in...

I remember cutting out a magazine ad years ago. It showed an elderly couple, in their robes in recliners, with a quote: "Remember that time we almost went to Europe?" My question to you: What will it take for you to go on your dream trip? I'm as guilty as the next. My dream destination...

The unfortunate other side of my previous post (about sex on the road): getting dumped. A nomadic lifestyle leads you to meeting and getting attached to lots of new people, many of whom are specifically drawn by your wandering ways and seemingly romantic presence. You're in and out of their lives like a fairytale hero(ine),...

Andy Howard has a good work system going. What's consistent is his work as a website designer, strategist, and consultant. What's not is where he sets up his work station. So far, in his seven months on the road, the Aussie has worked while traveling through Asia, the US, Central America, and he's now making...

Speaking as a woman, I've certainly had my fair share of offers while traveling; from a tentative kiss on the rooftop of a hostel to a proposal of marriage by a frightfully earnest Moroccan waiter. Some of them were from people I quite liked, and I've fallen in love on the road as well (note...

I tend to think of RTW travel as a year-round thing, not a seasonal thing, so I have to confess it kind of struck me as surprising when I realized that even RTW tickets have seasonal highs and lows. Sure, I'm used to the idea of a high season and a low season when I'm...