I recently got a question at the Vagabonding.net Q&A , and I'm hoping you all in the blogosphere can help me answer it. John from New Jersey writes: "Your book has given me that one last push to get out there and see the places I've always dreamed about. I read it cover to cover,...

Adam from New York writes to ask: "What are the intricacies of packing for an extended period of solo vagabonding? I'd like to be as mobile as possible, but I don't want to forgo the items that will allow me to get the most from my experience." This is what I told him: "This is...

James from Orlando wrote to pose this question: "I might have a chance to teach English in Spain. I will not be paid, but I will only have to work 10-15 hours per week in exchange for housing with a host family. The problem is I don

I always enjoy getting letters and messages from Vagabonding readers who are making time for travel in their lives -- and recently I got a great email from a San Francisco-area vagabonder named Julie Leibowitz. Julie is a veteran traveler who felt the itch to return to the road for a few months -- and...

"You can go to a church and take a flash photograph of Michelangelo's Pieta or you can go to mass at five o'clock any day of the week, two different ways to experience a church in Europe. Most people don't go to a church in Europe to worship -- they go to a church to...

"The well-worn adage to "write what you know" remains true, at least in the sense of knowing what interests you. When neophytes travel, they have this idea that they must write something very broad, describing every aspect of a place like Paris or Bangkok or Canyonlands. Far more interesting would be a piece about the...

James Carson of Boston recently asked: "I'm planning a long trip through Europe and Asia. As I'm keeping the route open-ended, obtaining visas ahead of time is impractical. How might I obtain a visa for say, Turkey, while I'm already abroad in France?" This is what I told him: "This is a good question --...

Over at the Vagabonding.net Q&A , a New Jersey high school teacher named Doug wrote to tell me that he'd read Vagabonding and was inspired to return to the road for a long-term journey. The only problem, he told me, has been keeping inspired as he works to pay off his debts. "As I sit...

I recently got an interesting question at the Vagabonding.net Q&A . I haven't answered it yet, because I'm hoping for input from the blogosphere. The question comes from Lars of Chicago, who writes: "So, what do y'all do to deal with the occasional dumpy hotel you are bound to hit once in a while? You...

I have one more piece of advice to share from the Vagabonding.net Q&A. The question comes from David Kliman of Canada, who writes: "Your book has inspired me greatly. After reading your book, my fiance and I went to Asia. We taught English in Korea for 9 months, and then traveled another 8 countries. It...

Over at the Vagabonding Q&A , Andy S. from Woodbury, New Jersey writes: "I am currently 18 years old and have recently graduated from high school. Having done a bit if traveling with my parents during my high school career and loved every minute of it, I've had the 'bug' for quite a while. I'm...

Over at the Vagabonding.net Q&A , John B. from New York writes: "I loved Vagabonding and it has pushed me to look at my life and take a much-needed (and much desired trip) around the world with my long-time partner. We are adventurous and want to explore places like Nepal, Thailand, Indonesia, Mongolia, etc. My...

"If you set off on down the road with specific agendas and goals, you will at best discover the pleasure of actualizing them. But if you wander with open eyes and simple curiosity, you'll discover a much richer pleasure -- the simple feeling of possibility that hums from every direction as you move from place...

Over at my Vagabonding.net Q&A, a reader recently inquired about teaching English in China. "I want to travel in China," he states, "but I want to work there as well, so that I don't have to live off of my savings. Currently I am a substitute teacher in the USA. Do I have just as...

At the Vagabonding.net Q&A, Jos

A reader at the Vagabonding.net Q&A writes: "I receive a monthly pension that I intend use for my travel. What is the best way to insure that I can access my funds monthly -- in third world countries, off the beaten track? Also, should I carry cash or travelers checks?" I told him that I...

A reader at the Vagabonding.net Q&A writes: "I was inspired by your book and I am planning a trip to Europe for a few months. I am feeling a bit overwhelmed, however, by how much it all might cost. Any advice for a budget oriented college student dying to see new and wondrous things?" College...

Over at the Vagabonding.net Q&A , a reader had concerns about bringing a digital camera on a long-term journey -- and specifically how she could download and store photos from her memory card as she travels. Fortunately, it's not hard to offload photos at Internet cafes, which are located almost everywhere these days. There, you...

"The key to preparation is to strike a balance between knowing what

Over at the Vagabonding.net Q&A , a reader asks me about the worldwide trekking scene. "Having hiked the Appalachian and Pacific Crest trails in the States," he writes, "I'm hooked on walking. I'll be starting my world travels post-Peace Corps later this year. Any recommendations for nice long trails anywhere in the world?" The world,...