Travel tips, guides, and real life stories to inspire your next adventure. Go explore!
I’ve had the good fortune of traveling to Dubrovnik, Croatia about a half dozen times now. It’s really as stunning as your neighbor, BFF’s Mom, and college roomie have told you. But one key characteristic that often goes unnoticed is the fortified walls that surround the ‘old town’ portion of Dubrovnik.
Read MoreIt strikes me as so peculiar when I first discover a mash-up of these two countries in an unlikely place: at Vatican City. For over 500 years a special group of Swiss military guards have taken on the role of the chief army charged with protecting the Pope and Vatican City.
Read MoreThis post is about something you might have heard about Switzerland, can often feel when you’re in Switzerland, but isn’t a topic often mentioned in travel stories - and that’s the long Swiss history of independence and neutrality.
Read MoreIf due to travel restrictions, personal preferences or otherwise your 2021 travel plans are more road trip, and less jet-setting global travel than we’re here for YOU! Starting off our road trip blog series are 3 amazing destinations in OREGON (my home state) that are amazing single-stop destinations accessible for most of you by car or domestic flight, or part of a multi-stop road trip.
Read MoreI’m frequently asked about the Basque Country - where is it, what is it, and why can’t I find it on my map? While there is a LOT to see/do/experience in this area, you could also just build an entire visit around food, and I promise you’ll be more than satisfied!
Read MoreWhen you arrive in Iceland you’ll hear all about glaciers, geothermal waters, elves, northern lights, and puffins. And if you’re a keen traveler you might have heard, or quickly find out about Icelandic horses. These horses are stunning - smart, beautiful, and so gentle with riders with a wide range of experience. But they also have a unique background (some of it rooted in folklore!) attributes and traditions.
Read MorePeru is a country known for its rich history and traditions in general, so the holiday season does not disappoint. Mixing ancient Inca culture with a heavily Roman Catholic influence from Spanish settlers, being in Peru for the holidays brings its own special, spiritual magic.
Read MoreAs you travel throughout Thailand you’ll start to notice a consistent icon: what first appears to be a small house on a pedestal is actually a spirit house, or San Phra Phum in Thai. You’ll find spirit houses outside 5* hotels, small cafes, family homes and everything in between. Spirit houses are a space for the living to honor the spirits that own the land that their homes, buildings and business are built upon.
Read MoreIn May 2013 I set-out on my first long-term solo travel adventure. To read more about what led to this adventure, how I saved the money to quit my job and travel for 5 months. Here’s a preview of how the experience unfolded:
Read MoreWith the state of the world being what it is now, I’ve been finding it difficult to dream about traveling. In my room, I have a whole wall dedicated to photos from my travels. When I have an off day, one of my favorite things to do is look up at the wall to see all the faces I have met and reminisce on all the stories I made with each person.
Read MoreWhen I was 21 I decided to pack my life up into a 70-liter backpack and my 30-liter daypack to venture through South America for six months by myself. During my trip, I traveled to Chile, Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Belize, and Mexico. During this journey, my love for South America grew and I want to inspire more people to see this beautiful continent. Here are five reasons I fell in love with South America and why you might too!
Read MorePlitvice Lakes National Park is one of my favorite natural wonders in Europe. It’s the oldest AND largest national park in Croatia (and there are 8.) The park was formed in 1949, and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in...
Read MoreThe road to Machu Picchu, AKA the Inca Trail, is a beautiful 45 km hike (about 28 miles) that generally takes 4 days of hiking and 3 nights of camping, to reach. The views along the way, and at the...
Read MoreIceland is on the map in a BIG way. Not a week goes by where I don’t hear of someone visiting Iceland, booking a trip to Iceland, or that it’s on the top of someone’s bucket list. Thanks to a...
Read MoreI just got engaged (yea!) during a recent Living Big Travel research trip and vacation in Vietnam. While there is a lot of planning underway for our wedding, the part I’m most excited about is the honeymoon planning. I know,...
Read MoreImagine the scene: you’ve been living in Western Europe or beyond, and have always heard of a place called New York City, that in your mind, represented the path to freedom, opportunity, land and wealth. You’re one of the lucky...
Read MoreIf you’ve found yourself in Rome, you just CAN’T miss out on visiting the Colosseum. But make sure you read my tips below, otherwise it can be a crowded, frustrating and less magical than what it can be (and...
Read MoreTraveling through Thailand is amazing for so many reasons, but one I put at the top of the list, is the warm spirit of the people. I mean there’s a good reason Thailand is often referred to as “the land...
Read More*PINCH ME* I live on the West Coast of the US, and therefore, Hawaii is just a short (and now direct) flight away. If you haven’t been ADD IT TO YOUR TRAVEL WISH LIST NOW! You might be tempted to...
Read MoreNew Orleans has a spirit that is downright contagious. It’s fly-by-your-seat fun, carefree, anything goes, and embodies the spirit of ‘why not?’ and ‘the more the merrier.’ It’s so contagious that I find myself in New Orleans every few years...
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