Blog
Trips, Tips, and Treks
Best Vegetarian Dishes from Around the World
I managed to stay vegetarian and eat vegetarian or vegan dishes only while I was long-term traveling. Since being stuck at home, I’ve been reminiscing about the most delicious vegetarian dishes from around the world that I’ve had the privilege to enjoy. I found that...
6 Things to Do on the Cairns to Port Douglas Drive
Cairns, Australia, the gateway to Tropical North Queensland, is also the first stop for most travelers on the drive to Port Douglas. Port Douglas used to be a small fishing town, but it’s bloomed into a tourist getaway spot known for its chilled-out vibe, gorgeous...
10 Hakone Ryokan with Private Onsen
Japan hasn’t fully opened up to tourists yet since shutting its borders, but I can dream, can’t I? Checking out gorgeous Hakone Ryokan on booking.com has been surprisingly therapeutic while I wait for the borders to open. It’s made me even more excited for my...
Cairns Four Day Itinerary
Cairns, Australia is the gateway to North Queensland, known for its tropical rainforest, the Great Barrier Reef, and beautiful - although crocodile-ridden - sandy beaches. This Cairns 4-Day Itinerary will help you make the most of your Cairns trip by organizing some...
Cairns Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling – The Evolution Reef Cruise
Snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef is a bucket-list item for many travelers, and there's no better place than Cairns to make these dreams a reality. From the Cairns Reef Fleet terminal on the Cairns Esplanade, a variety of different Great Barrier Reef snorkeling and...
Australia Zoo vs Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
Brisbane, Queensland is home to two of the greatest animal experiences in Australia. The Australia Zoo is the "home of the Crocodile Hunter", the late Steve Irwin, and is still owned and operated by the Irwin family. The Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is the the world's...
The Perfect Three Days in Tokyo Itinerary
Tokyo is one of the greatest cities in the world, currently in the spotlight due to the Tokyo Olympics. There are so many highlights of the city, that three days in Tokyo won't cover a lot of this metropolis. When planning a Tokyo itinerary though, these tips might...
Permaculture Course at Navadarshanam, India
Navadarshanam is a small organic farm and sustainable living community located in Tamil Nadu, two hours south of Bangalore. I attended a sustainable farming and permaculture course at Navadarshanam in 2013. For four days, myself and a dozen other...
My Ultimate Sydney Bucket List
Sydney, Australia is a city that's got it all - pristine beaches, city life, beautiful vistas, a rich history, iconic attractions, and coastal hikes. I decided to put together my own Sydney bucket list after two uneventful trips...
Visiting Sadhana Forest in Auroville
Sadhana Forest is a sustainable living and reforestation project in Southern India, founded by Aviram Rozin in 2003. The original Sadhana Forest is located in the state of Tamil Nadu and is part of the Auroville township. With the help of many volunteers...
10 Travel Books to Get You Through Quarantine
If you're like me, traveling anywhere international is still a pipe dream since the start of the pandemic. A mix of closed borders and a slow vaccine roll-out in Australia means I'll be staying right here in Brisbane for the foreseeable future. So since April 2020,...
Top Things To Do In Tokyo
The metropolis of Tokyo is back on everyone's radar as it hosts the 2020 Olympics (albeit in 2021... thanks COVID). Tokyo is also one of the cities I miss the most while in lockdown, and the six months I lived there in 2019 feels like decades ago. To face my FOMO...
Volunteering at Pun Pun Organic Farm in Thailand
During my sophomore year of university, I spent two weeks living at Pun Pun Organic Farm 50 km outside of Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand. The experience allowed me to explore this little corner of the world in an eco-friendly way, and help with the organic...
South Korea 10-Day Itinerary
The perfect 10-Day South Korea itinerary: from Seoul to Jeonju, to Jeju Island to Busan, this Korea itinerary takes you to all the highlights and to some off-the-beaten-path Korean gems!
Best Tokyo Hotels Near The Yamanote Line
Most first-time visitors to Tokyo want to know: where is the best place to stay in Tokyo? The answers vary depending on what you want to be near: Shopping? Try Ginza. Nightlife? Shibuya or Shinjuku. Anime? Akihabara. Museums? Definitely Roppongi or Ueno. Most likely,...
One Day In Yangon Itinerary
Yangon is the former capital of Myanmar, and is a vibrant city that should be included on every Myanmar itinerary. Yangon is far from "just another big city." It's an off-the-beaten-path Southeast Asia gem, that is filled with amazing cultural experiences and...
One Day in Nagoya Itinerary
Nagoya, Japan is a large industrial city perfectly situated between Tokyo and Kyoto. Sadly, Nagoya doesn't make it on a lot of Japan itineraries because it's dismissed as just another large city. Actually, Nagoya is filled with interesting attractions, great shopping,...
Three Days In Kyoto Itinerary
Kyoto is the cultural capital of Japan, and a must-visit city for a Japan itinerary of any length. Countless cultural heritage sites, incredible temples and shrines, and fantastic markets and neighborhoods dot the city.Before visiting Kyoto, there are a few tips and...
Hakone Day Trip From Tokyo
Hakone is a popular destination in Japan known for its hot springs and amazing views of Mt. Fuji. Although many people choose to stay overnight in a luxurious Hakone ryokan, it's entirely possible to do a Hakone day-trip from Tokyo. With a little help from a discount...
Backpacking Japan Three Week Itinerary
It's a myth that Japan isn't for backpackers or budget travelers! Although you shouldn't expect $2 dorm beds like in Southeast Asia, it's entirely possible to travel three weeks in Japan on a budget. If it's your first time backpacking in Japan, I recommend this...
Off-The-Beaten-Path Europe Destinations: Western Europe
With tourism booming around the world, many European cities are bursting at the seams. Over-tourism is not enjoyable for anyone, the locals or the tourists. Why not spend less time in the crowded big cities and discover the charm of the countryside, or explore more...
Taichung Itinerary – 1 Day in Taichung
Taichung is the second largest city in Taiwan, located on the east coast and home to Taichung International Airport. Even if you don't find yourself commuting through its airport, there are countless reasons to add Taichung to your Taiwan itinerary. With a one day in...
Best Eastern European Cities For An Off-The-Beaten-Path Vacation
While Western European capitals swarm with tourists from around the world, neighboring Eastern European cities, just as beautiful and historic, remain calm and quaint. Off-the-beaten-path Eastern European cities are vacation destinations that are sure to delight all...
Croatia Island-Hopping Itinerary
Croatia has been a hot destination for decades due to its beautiful architecture, natural wonders, and its islands, and tourism continues to boom. Between the coastal towns of Split and Dubrovnik lie a multitude of islands, perfect for crafting a Croatia...
One Week Backpacking Belize Itinerary
Belize is a beautiful, cheap, Caribbean destination only a few hours from the major airport cities in the U.S. If you're looking for a winter getaway, an island-escape, or just time away from the city life, Belize is the perfect country to visit. With many backpackers...
Naoshima and Teshima, Two Day Itinerary of Japan’s Art Islands
Naoshima and Teshima, two of the Art Islands located in the Seto Inland Sea were once suffering from the effects of depopulation. For decades, the combination of young people moving to big cities, an aging population, and low birth rates has resulted in rural Japanese...
Gregory Jade 63 Review – The Best Bag for Backpackers!
When I decided I would start traveling long-term in 2017, the first big decision for me was which backpacking bag to buy. So many great brands are out there, making it really hard to choose just one! Because this bag would be my companion for the next several years, I...
Shin Yokohama Ramen Museum vs Yokohama Cup Noodle Museum
Two foodie hot-spots in Yokohama draw both a local and foreign crowd: The Yokohama Cup Noodles Museum, and the Shin-Yokohama Ramen museum. If you are spending a day or more in the Yokohama area, it’s worth going to both of these attractions. Although the food they...
Best Things To Do In Namche Bazaar, Nepal
Namche Bazaar, Nepal is the gateway to the Everest region. Sherpas, trekkers, and locals alike come here to rest, buy and sell goods, and enjoy the 'city life' in the mountains. There are plenty of things to do in Namche Bazaar, from extra hikes to chilling...
One Month in Thailand Itinerary – The Thailand Backpacking Route
I have no shame in admitting that I've been backpacking in Thailand SIX TIMES! Thailand has so much diversity and beauty to offer travelers with all types of interests. Travelers from most countries can stay visa-free in Thailand for up to one month (30 days). To make...
120+ Thailand Travel Tips for First-Timers
Thailand is the perfect destination for first-time backpackers or beginner international travelers. Because of a long history of tourism in Thailand, English is widely spoken (or at least understood), transportation between cities and islands is plentiful, and you can...
Hiking Taroko Gorge National Park Independently, from Hualien, Taiwan
Taroko Gorge is one of the most scenic places in Taiwan. Sharp, forest-covered cliffs jut sky-high around you while a bright blue river flows below. It’s a great place for people of all fitness levels to spend a day in nature. Explore pagodas, walk through...
One Week in Northern Thailand Itinerary
Bangkok and Chiang Mai are two of the most famous cities in Thailand. Bangkok, the bustling capital, is the heart of central Thailand and home to the largest international airport. So what's going on in Chiang Mai in northern Thailand? Chiang Mai is the cultural...
Teshima, Japan: Art Island’s One Day Itinerary
Teshima, also known as one of Japan's Art Islands, is located just next to Naoshima in the Seto Inland Sea. What once was a rural island suffering from depopulation, the Setouchi Triennale Art Festival, along with several museums built on Teshima, have helped to...
Tokyo Skytree Tembo Deck vs Tembo Galleria – Is The Upper Level Worth It?
Tokyo Skytree is the tallest structure in Japan, and also the tallest tower (not building, but tower) in the world! The cost to go to the top, the Tembo Galleria at 450m is a whopping ¥3400-¥3100 (about $30 USD) combined with entry to the lower Skytree Tembo Deck at...
Unique Travel Gifts For Every Budget
Here are some unique travel gift ideas for your travel-loving friends and family for the holidays. After browsing the travel gift basics (power banks, packing cubes, etc etc), check out more unique travel gifts like yoga mat sandals or waterproof playing cards. ...
Off-The-Beaten-Path Places In Tokyo
So you've been to Sensoji-Temple, seen the Shibuya Crossing, and had a drink in Shinjuku Gai. You've checked off everything on my Top Things to do in Tokyo list. Now what? It's time to visit off-the-beaten-path Tokyo. There are many staple things to do in Tokyo for...
Gift Guide for Backpackers
Getting ready for the holidays? Here's a gift guide for the backpackers in your life! Whether you're gift shopping for long-term backpackers or weekend warrior backpackers, this gift guide for backpackers will help you find the perfect, practical, travel gift.Erika’s...
Jeonju, South Korea One-Day Itinerary and Self-Guided Tour
Jeonju, the cultural capital of South Korea, is a charming gem of a town that should not be missed during your South Korea itinerary. Famous for its Jeonju Hanok Village, the largest in South Korea, Jeonju is also filled with charming buildings, cultural museums, and...
Best Day Trips from Tokyo
Extra days in your Tokyo Itinerary? Seen all the top things to do in Tokyo and checked off some of the weirdest things to do there too? That's a sign to pack up your day bag and head out on the best day-trip from Tokyo! There are many incredible day-trips from Tokyo,...