Travel Guides

New Zealand:

New Zealand as Middle-Earth

Hoping to get your “Lord of the Rings” fix in New Zealand? Here are a few tips on where to go and what to see in NZ for the avid Rings fans.

Wellington on a Budget

Heading to the vibrant, quirky capital city of New Zealand? Here are some great activities to add to your Wellington itinerary that won’t break your budget.

Top 5 Spots in Wellington for Nature Lovers

A post for Travel Generation.

Wellington is known for a lot of things — being New Zealand’s political and cultural capital, for example — but being a hotspot for nature lovers isn’t necessarily one of its claims to fame. So here’s where Wellington can surprise you. Despite its political and cultural characteristics, the city actually has a lot to offer up to the nature lover, too.

5 Free Things to do in Wellington for the History Buff

A post for Travel Generation.

Have a hankering for history in Wellington? Here are 5 free activities to check out around the city that have a bit of historical flair.

Dunedin: A Weekend Itinerary

Dunedin, located in the southern half of New Zealand’s South Island in the Otago region, isn’t exactly a well-known tourist attraction. But that doesn’t mean that it shouldn’t make it onto your New Zealand itinerary. Here are some suggestions to make your weekend in Dunedin great.

A Day in Kaikoura

Thinking of skipping through the small coastal town of Kaikoura on your way to or from Christchurch? Think again! This seaside town at the base of the mountains is well worth a stop. Find out how to enjoy a day there.

Top 5 Things to do in Taupo

Taupo, a small New Zealand city known for its giant lake and superb trout fishing, makes a great weekend getaway on New Zealand’s North Island. Here are my top 5 things to do in Taupo.

What the Hell is There to do in Greymouth, Anyway?

Greymouth, New Zealand, can be a boring town, I’m not going to lie. But, if you find yourself there, here are some tips on how to keep yourself occupied. There ARE things to do here — you just have to know about them.

Queenstown is King — A Guide to NZ’s Most Popular City

Queenstown is one of the most-visited New Zealand cities — and one of the most-loved. And, with all the options available to adventurous travelers in this little resort town, it’s not difficult to understand why.

The U.S.:

Cedar Point: Tops and Tips

Read about my very first roller coaster ride (on one of the biggest, meanest coasters in the world at the time), some fast facts about Cedar Point, my Top 5 picks of must-ride attractions, and also some practical tips for planning a visit to the park.

A Visitor’s Guide to Seattle

Home of Starbucks and the Space Needle, Jimi Hendrix and the grunge movement, Pike Place Market and “Grey’s Anatomy,” Seattle, Washington, has really put itself on the map. Despite its oft-mentioned stereotype of being gray and wet (not entirely true), the Emerald City really is one West Coast gem that you don’t want to miss. Whether it’s a Seattle-centric weekend, or a just-passing-through affair, make some time to get to know Seattle.

10 Touristy Things to do in NYC

Let’s face it, New York City has a lot to see. And being in the Big Apple may turn even the most well-seasoned off-the-beaten-path travelers into grinning, camera-toting tourists. It’s okay; it happens, especially in NYC. So, for that tourist in all of us, here are the top 10 (“touristy”) things you should fit into your New York itinerary — plus a few extras.

Top 10 Things to do in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is not your typical touristy town. The city sprang up around gritty steel mills, and has never quite managed to shake off its industrial reputation. But Pittsburgh is a great city. One of my favorites, in fact. Whether you’re looking for a bit of history, nightlife, sports, or just sightseeing, Pittsburgh has it all. Here are my top 10 things to do there.

Chicago Pizza Smackdown: Gino’s East vs. Giordano’s

Which of Chicago’s famous deep dish pizza joints won out in my taste test? Find out here!

Chicago Tower Smackdown: Willis Skydeck vs. Hancock Observatory

The Willis Tower’s “Skydeck Chicago” is easily Chicago’s most popular tourist attraction, drawing more than 1.3 million visitors per year to its 360-degree views out over the city. But, while the Skydeck is wildly popular, it actually has some competition a mile and a half away in the John Hancock Observatory. So which is better? Find out what I thought here.

A Traveler’s Guide to Visiting Pearl Harbor

For many, a trip to Honolulu, Hawaii, is not complete without a visit to Pearl Harbor. In fact, this site is easily Hawaii’s top tourist destination, with millions of people visiting each and every year to soak in a bit of history and pay their respects at the USS Arizona Memorial. If you’re thinking of adding Pearl Harbor to your Hawaii itinerary, here’s an idea of what to expect, as well as a few travel tips that might make your visit run more smoothly.

Weekend Travel Guide to Northwest Ohio

I’ve called Northwest Ohio “home” for a few years now, and I’m constantly surprised at all it has to offer. If you’re looking to spend a weekend in Ohio, here are some suggestions for what to do and see.

Australia

How to Spend 36 Hours in Sydney

You have 36 hours to spend in Sydney, Australia. With such a limited amount of time to explore Australia’s flag city, what do you do? Find out here.

Ireland

5 Stops Not to Miss in Ireland

I’m by no means an expert on travel in Ireland, but there are certain places and experiences that have always stood out from my time there. So, no matter how much time you have to spend in Ireland, here are 5 stops you should make sure to build in to your travel itinerary.

5 Popular Things to Do in Dublin

A post for Travel Generation.

The capital of Ireland and the country’s largest city, Dublin will likely make it into any Ireland travel plans — and for good reason; there’s a lot to do here. Here are 5 of the most popular things to do in Dublin.

Italy

Things to See and Do in Rome

There really is no place like Rome. And here are the major things you should see/do if you only have a short time to spend in the Eternal City.