Travel Guides

A Chilling Winter Tour of London’s Dark Side

People make a big deal about Halloween but for me winter is the right time for ghost stories and the macabre, particularly in a city like London. When the wind whistles through the city streets and there’s mist on the lake in St James’s Park – when it’s dark at three o’clock in the evening [...]

Skipping Machu Picchu: 5 Other Awesome Ruins in Peru

Machu Picchu is like the quarterback of Peru. Essential, appreciated, but always hogging the attention, winning the awards, and getting its face on the posters. You want its autograph, but so does everyone else. One million other people, according to Peru’s National Chamber of Tourism which estimates the number of Machu Picchu visitors will actually [...]

Toronto: An Underrated Destination

North America has become a very popular travel destination of late and people head to New York, Boston, San Francisco and Vancouver on a regular basis. These cities are all absolutely fantastic yet there are other spots in North America that are well worth visiting; one of the best of these is Canada’s largest city, [...]

Why Beer Lovers Should Get Out of London and Go to Guildford

Travel writer and beer enthusiast Andrea Kirkby uncovers the secrets of a surprisingly unknown “beer lover’s paradise” within striking distance of London …

Unusual Festivals in Hawaii

There are many reasons to take a trip to Hawaii. Some come to get hitched, celebrate an anniversary or to enjoy their honeymoon. Families come to soak up the sun. Others come to get away from it all and to just relax on island time. And then there are those who come in pursuit of… [...]

5 Can’t-Miss Activities in Hawaii

Known for its beautiful sandy shores and days of endless sunshine, Hawaii boasts some of the most amazing adventures and captivating sights. From the 360 degree, top of the world views of Oahu atop one of the most famous craters in the world (Diamond Head) to awe-inspiring glances into the center of the earth via [...]

Budget Travel Alert: 6 City Breaks to Take During Shoulder Season

Don’t know where to head (and save money!) during shoulder season? Isabel Eva Bohrer shares six city breaks for you to consider.

Top 5 Uncommon Caribbean Activities

I was born and raised in the Caribbean. St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands to be exact. A little green gem of an island set in the vast turquoise waters of the Caribbean sea. Sounds great, right? Well, it was…. But there was one problem. During those formative years, I woke up to almost the exact [...]

Holiday on One of Australia’s Stunning Islands

Believe it or not, Australia has about 8,222 islands within its maritime borders. The largest of these is, of course, Tasmania (68,332 km²) followed by Melville Island, Kangaroo Island, Groote Eylandt, Bathurst Island, Fraser Island, Flinders Island, Kling Island and Mornington Island which is a mere 1,002 km² in size. Montague Island is one of [...]

Touring London’s Dangerously Seductive Bookshops

Every great city has a particular place that book-lovers know. In Istanbul it’s Sahaflar Carsisi, the bookseller’s souk, where cats doze on top of the books or dodge the feet of passers-by; in Paris it’s the left bank of the Seine, where the bouquinistes have their barrows; and in London, it’s the area around the [...]

Mangia! Mangia! 12 Tips for Eating Well in Italy on a Backpacker’s Budget

Italia! The land of pizza napoletana, lasagna, Parmigiano-Reggiano, proscuitto, Nebbiolo, gelato, cannolo, limoncello and some of the world’s best espresso. Visiting such an epicurean all-star can be daunting for a dedicated diner. With so many essentials to try and tourist traps to fall into, how do you optimize your epicurean exploits? First, put down the [...]

Travel Kenya: 9 Things to Do in Nairobi

For a city affectionately nicknamed “Nairobbery,” it’s no wonder many travelers skip Nairobi for fear of losing their shillings. However, there are ways to enjoy Nairobi safely while still learning a lot and having a good time, as I found in my last few weeks in the area. As a starting or ending point of [...]

5 Quirky Activities to Fill Your Australia Itinerary

I’m the type of person that likes to find the unique experiences wherever I travel, those of which help me to see the lesser-talked about parts and the underbelly of a culture. When it comes to Australia, we all can easily associate it with beaches covered in surfers, great adventures diving the Reef, petting kangaroos [...]

An Eco-Friendly Tour of Pittsburgh: 5 Tips for Biking America’s Steel City

Old Pittsburgh relied on coal and steel; the new one depends on talent. Putting behind the trappings of a successful industrial past and spasms of unemployment, Pittsburgh has reinvented itself with new industries, sports stadiums, parks, biking trails, contemporary art galleries, eateries and pretty much everything you would expect in a middle-size American city. Hot [...]

Italy’s Best Kept Secrets: Killer Destinations Without the Crowds

Paradoxically, Italy is one of the most over-touristed, yet under-appreciated countries in the world. Let’s look at the facts. Each year, over 50 million tourists visit Italy to experience jaw-droppingly beautiful Roman Catholic cathedrals, warm Mediterranean climates and waters, and savor the sweet-sounding Italian dialects. In fact, Italy has over 41 UNESCO world heritage sites, [...]

Essential Bar Harbor: 3 Classic Inns in the Heart of Small Town Maine

Working lobster boats, old-fashioned ice cream shops and the unrivaled beauty of Acadia National Park … there are few places as quintessentially “New England” as Bar Harbor, Maine. Its small town vibe represents the best blend of what a tourist destination should be and the welcome, laid-back Maine hospitality that earned the state its moniker [...]

48 Hours in Whistler: A Summer Guide to British Columbia’s Outdoor Playground

The Whistler-Blackcomb resort area is routinely voted among the best of its kind in North America and with good reason. It’s a vibrant community that boasts world class skiing in the winter and a host of summertime activities, including endless hiking, cycling, nature watching and an après-ski scene that continues long after ski season. For [...]

One Day in Calgary: Backpacking Some of Canada’s Most Beautiful Landscapes

Backpackers all over the world are constantly looking for the next great adventure. However, many Americans are probably on a budget for both time and money and can’t afford an expensive plane ticket to a distant country. Luckily, American outdoors enthusiasts have an easily accessible option available to quench their thirst for adventure while still [...]

3 Must-Visit Cities in Britain That You Might Not Have Thought Of

Europe is the continent of city breaks. There are just so many cities you want to knock off your ‘been there, done that’ list, that you often miss all the smaller, less ‘touristy’ places. If you had to name you top three must-do cities in the UK for example, what would they be? London would [...]

How to Hack Napa: World-Class Wines on a Beer Budget

© Adam Costa Napa ain’t what it used to be. Over the past few years, this idyllic small town – adorned with rolling vineyards and world-class wines – transformed into the Las Vegas strip for oenophiles … But fortunately, this hustle-and-bustle covers up some real gems. As a native Californian with several years in the [...]

48 Hours in Key West: Drinking, Diving and Diversions in Florida’s Southernmost Outpost (Day 2)

Assuming you survived your first day in Key West, it’s time to tackle the next 24 hours in true island style – with plenty of drinking and debauchery. First things first though: stop for a proper breakfast and a visit to the Hemingway House for a historic and cultural lay of the land.

48 Hours in Key West: Drinking, Diving and Diversions in Florida’s Southernmost Outpost (Day 1)

It’s been dubbed “Key Weird” and dismissed as little more than a “huge floating bar”. And by most all accounts, that’s exactly what it is. So much has been written about Key West, it’s a wonder that anything new and interesting can still be said of the continental United States’ southernmost outpost. As far as [...]

What Not To Do During Your Peru Vacation

You’ve read your guide book. You’ve exhausted Google. You know what you want to see and do during your Peru vacation—you’re ready to pet an alpaca, sip a Pisco, and trek the Andes. But do you know what NOT to do? Here is a list of common mistakes visitors to Peru make. Be a savvy [...]

Can’t-Miss Wildlife Experiences on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula

Off the coast of South Australia lies the beautiful Eyre Peninsula (pronounced “air”). With a unique blend of wildlife, landscapes, fishing and seafood, the coastal waters are home to giant cuttlefish, playful sea lions, bottlenose dolphins and awesome southern right Whales. Inland experiences include close encounters with kangaroos, emus and soaring eagles. The varied landscapes [...]

Just Another Day in the Barossa Valley: Wine for Breakfast, Hunting for Kangaroo and Dining at South Australia’s Best Restaurant

If we’ve learned anything on this trip thus far, it is that the human palette reaches peak sensitivity just after we awake every morning. And, let’s be honest, that’s an excellent “scientific” reason to tip back a glass (or six) of Shiraz at ten o’clock in the morning. After yesterday’s seemingly endless array of wine-tasting [...]

Exploring the Barossa: 200 Kangaroos, 3 Wineries and a Koala in South Australia’s Illustrious Wine Region

It’s another early start as we’re leaving Adelaide today for the Barossa – South Australia’s mystical wine region. After last night’s extravagant, three-hour dinner event at The Manse, we’ve a full day of wine drinking and wildlife shenanigans to attend.

A Taste of Adelaide: Wine & Chocolate (and More Wine) in South Australia’s Capital City

Editor Mike Richard explores the amazing wine, food and culture of South Australia’s capital city, Adelaide.

Mazatlan Travel: A Budget Vacation Guide to Mexico’s “Pearl of the Pacific”

Editor Mike Richard discovers small city Mexico on a four-day journey through Mazatlan, the “Pearl of the Pacific”.

36 Hours in Cuenca, Ecuador

With a rich, vibrant history, Cuenca is a colorful valley town defined by its abundance of colonial architecture, museums, and green riverbanks. The friendly cuencanos “sing” (Cuencan residents have a well known reputation for the distinct, harmonious way in which they speak) crisp, clear Spanish as they relax in the plethora of plazas or stroll [...]