When I was in Morocco several years ago, the familiar blue-with-a-red-star cover of Lonely Planet Morocco's guidebook was everywhere; the herds of people who crowded every hostel all had the same one, and we found ourselves tracing the same roads as lots of other people. The most memorable times from that trip came from following...

For those wanting a way to share their travel experiences or get back on the road (or to earn a little extra money), I've seen a few competitions recently that might interest you. Check them out: Road Junky 2008 Gonzo Travel Writing Contest—Hell Trips To apply: Submit a story about one of your own true-life...

Professional musicians (and itinerant buskers) who hit the road are finding it increasingly difficult to get their sometimes priceless instruments onto airplanes. After September 11 and the lockdown on airport "security", where going to the airport means waiting in interminable lines only to discover that you have to remove your shoes, get rid of your...

I've been home in Ontario for nearly two months now - it's the first time since 2007 that I've stayed in one place for that long. I expected to be jumping out of my skin with the travel itch by now, but funnily enough, I'm fine. I think I've finally figured out what's keeping my...

Lose your flashlight, book, or toothbrush and it's a cinch to pick up a replacement. But lose a camera and the details of your favorite travel memories are all but gone. But cameras don't just disappear completely, right? If they haven't been stolen, they end up being found by someone. I now know where they...

Wandering the world from new friend to new friend means meeting people you'd never imagined, forming bonds and relationships you'd never hoped for...and then having to leave them all behind. Living anywhere means making connections -- finding a coffeeshop where they recognize your order, going camping in the jungle with a group of Australian skydivers,...

I don't know about you, but every time I talk to friends these days they're all doom and gloom about how the economy is going to make people stop traveling, and they wonder if I'm going to need to update my resume anytime soon. Personally, I'm optimistic about the long-term outlook for travelers - but...

A friend of mine has confessed her dream to me: to motorcycle around the world. I tell her 'go for it' but that's an easy thing to do, in comparison to the life changes and research that she faces. It makes me think about the leap from dream to reality—unfortunately it’s not always as easy...

Two weeks ago I dropped a brief reference to Matador - the social network and blogging community for travelers - into a post about the power of social networking . A reader named Mojo who'd just taken off on an extended trip (inspired in large part by Rolf's book!) saw my post, joined Matador, and...

Crazy politics aside, it's just as crazy to not vote in the upcoming US elections—even if you're living abroad or traveling on November 4th. (I'm a huge believer in accounting for every vote. Have you seen how close some of these elections have been?) Eva posted a great blog about the topic a few weeks...

Staying in physical shape while traveling is sometimes difficult. Given, you're on the "carry everything in a huge backpack and forget to eat" diet (or, if you're unlucky or eating a lot of fruit, the "Delhi Belly" diet), but sometimes you would like to exercise in a more directed way. Many gyms offer "trial memberships"...

With the US economy seemingly heading for the toilet (and taking several other economies with it), this might seem like exactly the wrong time to be contemplating a long trip. Hunker down, stay safe, and prepare for the worst, right? Well, maybe not. BootsnAll CEO Sean Keener thinks this could be a great opportunity for...

Think that the world’s great explorations are all in the past? Think again. Somehow I missed the article that ran earlier this summer in enRoute (Air Canada's in-flight mag). They’ve collected insights from a handful of present-day Canadian explorers—including Colin & Julie Angus, who recently completed a self-propelled boat and bike expedition from Scotland to...

You can often land up wasting a lot of time in airports during layovers. Because I, as an Indian, need a visa to go practically anywhere (except Jamaica!), I get frustrated by the visa process and try my best not to have layovers where, if I don't have a visa, I have to vegetate at...

Okay. So I know I go on and on about the power of social networking sites to connect travelers from around the world. What can I say? I really see them as a game-changer. This week, there's more anecdotal evidence to support my case. First up: An interesting post over at the great quit-your-job-and-travel-the-world blog,...

Someone once asked me if I was traveling because I was running away from something. The question took me by surprise—I had to stop and ask myself if I really was running away. But the answer was quickly 'no.' In half-Italian, half-English (equalling a less-than-ideal communication style) I tried to explain my motivations for travel....

While some long-term travelers aren't setting out on their trips with the intention of keeping a blog or a journal, and most don't intend to write books about their travels, more and more people are not only keeping track of their journeys for their own amusement - more and more travelers are making their experiences...

What is it about September? Of all things, it happens to be the month for several unusual 'holidays'—all internationally minded, and all within the next week or two. 9/21: International Day of Peace This day was established by the UN in 1982 as "an opportunity for individuals, organizations and nations to create practical acts of...

We were asked this question in my Spanish class today. My answer was: The amount of things you learn about yourself. And it's things that you couldn't possibly learn should you be in a familiar environment. I've been living in Spain for over two years now. When I came here, I knew no one, and...

After months (some would say years) of campaigning, the US presidential election is finally drawing near. This week, here in Canada, an election has just been called too - so we'll be joining in the fun, with a vote on October 14 . I've just arrived back after a summer of travel, and I realized,...