Grand Canyon Smackdown: North Rim vs. South Rim
The Grand Canyon is by far one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States. Attracting upwards of 5 million visitors per...
There’s No Place Like Rome: A First-Time Visitor’s Guide
“There's no place like Rome.” That was the motto of my first trip to Italy, back in 2005. That trip was a one-week performance...
Getting to Know the Ghosts of Savannah
Savannah, Georgia, is often touted as being “the most haunted city in America.” During the day, the city is big and old and beautiful,...
5 Things My 86-Year-Old Grandmother Taught Me About Travel
I feel like I, as a young traveler, am always turning to other young travelers for lessons and tips on the best ways to...
Road Trip ’11 – My 10 Favorite Road Trip Stops
The United States is really big. Like, REALLY BIG. A 3-week road trip across America is barely enough time to even scratch the surface....
The Scariest Thing I Have Ever Done
While you might not exactly call me a “daredevil,” there's no denying that I do have a healthy appetite for adrenaline. There's a reason...
New Zealand Smackdown: North Island vs. South Island
I've been playing around with this post for a long time in my head. But I've always avoided writing it because, really, how can...
Photo Essay: Cliffdwellers, Arizona
Every Friday on Twitter, the hashtag #frifotos can be seen floating around. Friday is the day designated to share photos dealing with a specific...
Road Trip 2011: The Great American Road Trip
Back in the summer of 2011, my sister Melissa and I embarked upon a 6500+ mile-long road trip across the United States. We started...
A Day in Yellow Springs – Ohio’s Hippie Enclave
The counterculture movement is alive and well in Yellow Springs, Ohio. This hippie-minded village in Southwest Ohio has always sort of fascinated me, ever since...
Cultures Converging at Rangiatea Church
I'm not necessarily a very religious person. Yes, I was raised as a Catholic, and yes, I have been to the Vatican. But my religiosity...
Life Is Short. Travel Now.
We've all heard the saying “Life is short.” And, sometimes, it is. But life is also unpredictable. Even though we all probably have dreams...
Conservation on Kapiti Island
“What’s even on the Kapiti Coast? Don’t go there. You’ll be so bored.” It was a common warning I heard as I traveled through...
Doubtful Sound: Milford Sound’s Underrated Little Brother
There’s no doubt about it — Doubtful Sound can give Milford Sound a run for its money. Doubtful Sound, a misnamed fjord located on...
Shotover Jet – A Thrilling Jetboat Ride
Picture this: A twisting, turning, terrifyingly narrow canyon looms in front of you. You’re shooting toward it in a large red boat, going more...
Why Guided Tours are Not the Devil
I know not everyone is a fan of guided tours. In fact, among the travel community, many people look down upon those who would...
Adventure on New Zealand’s Franz Josef Glacier
It’s not every day that the average person has the opportunity to frolic around on a slab of ice that’s thousands of years old....