Jet lag- the mortal enemy of travelers worldwide! The Oxford Dictionary defines jet lag as extreme tiredness and other physical effects felt by a person after a long flight across several time zones. Those who have traveled long distances by plane may be familiar with symptoms of daytime fatigue, stomach problems , and a general … More How to Combat Jetlag
Picture this: we’re in France- inexplicably the thirtieth country I’ve visited in my lifetime. I’m accompanied by my friend Melanie, a Chicago based screen and stage writer. To celebrate my accomplishment, Melanie and I have decided to head to the very top of the Eiffel Tower and take in the city from above. There’s a … More Reflecting on 30 Countries- An Interview
As a seasoned traveler, I’m always looking for apps that make my trips easier while taking up as little room on my phone as possible. Having just gotten back from a multi-month trip around Europe, I’m able to say with confidence that these five travel apps were absolutely essential to my trip! … More Top Five Travel Apps to Keep On Your Phone
No matter how much time is spent in Paris, it never feels like enough! New visitors may find themselves stuck with extensive waits to see busy museums and wasting their limited time on long lines. Using a few strategies I’ve accumulated over years of traveling, I was able to get into the Louvre within fifteen … More Top Five Ways to Avoid the Line in Paris
When I thought of Christmas markets in Europe, I had always pictured something similar to a crafts fare. After market hopping for a few weeks, I’ve realized that the crafts goods are usually more along the lines of holiday decorations than Christmas presents, though it can vary dramatically from market to market. Traveling with a … More Christmas Market Survival Guide
You can’t flush the toilet paper! This is not an incredibly uncommon request from countries with older plumbing, but we were caught off guard that Greece was one of them! There are usually signs above the toilets asking you to throw your papers in the bin, but only by asking was I able to clarify … More Things No One Warned Us About Before Visiting Greece
Listen, I get it- you’ve just spent all this money on a perfect vacation. You’re not going to cancel, so why should you pay extra for travel insurance? The reason, of course, is because you’ve just spent all this money on a perfect vacation. These days, its a little easier to talk yourself into travel … More Should I Bother with Travel Insurance?
Boondocking, or dispersed camping, refers to free off-grid camping without any hookups to water or electricity. “Electricity?”, I hear you ask- that’s right, these terms are specific to RVs and vans rather than tents and hammocks. Backpackers, avert your eyes! With the recent COVID surges- and the surges in “Van Life” influencers, boondocking in primitive … More What the heck is Boondocking?
For those planning trips abroad this year, it is more important than ever to double check your passport’s expiration date! Not only must the passport be valid for your trip, but you must have at least six months of validity past the return date of your trip. If its time to do some updating, documents … More On Renewing Your Passport (US 2021 Edition)
For most forms of independent travel, your most common choices in accommodation will be between a hotel, a hostel, or more recently, an Airbnb/Vrbo- but how to choose? Hotels: Hotels are of course the most established type of accommodation- you’ve got your front desk/concierge where you check in and receive your room key. You can … More Hostels, Hotels, & Airbnbs, Oh My!