My suitcase was packed and sitting by the door. I had my passport, laptop, and everything I needed for a travel conference in Ticino, Switzerland, and was just about ready to call an Uber to the airport. Then Beato, my 16-year-old cat, had a seizure. Within seconds, the trip I had planned for months became […]
Twelve years ago, when I traveled to Greenland and later wrote Beato Goes To Greenland, people asked me the same question: “Why Greenland?” Back then, it wasn’t on bucket lists. There were no viral reels of glowing icebergs. No nonstop flights from the United States. No trending Arctic cruise routes. Just a massive white landmass on […]
If you had asked me a decade ago whether I’d feel comfortable traveling through Saudi Arabia alone as a woman, my answer would have been complicated. Back then, the country felt like a place you heard about more than you visited, and if you did go, it came with a mental checklist of rules: escorts for women, separate “family” areas […]
Haida Gwaii—literally “Islands of the People” in the Haida language—is an archipelago of islands off the northern Pacific coast of British Columbia, Canada, positioned like a torch beneath Alaska’s panhandle. Though formerly known as the Queen Charlotte Islands, it was officially reverted in 2010 to honor the Haida Nation’s enduring presence for over 14,000 years. […]
Growing up in India, I was fascinated by fireflies wandering around my backyard on warm summer nights. Over time though, I have seen fewer and fewer fireflies, not just back home, but even in the U.S. Many of my friends agree that they don’t get to see as many fireflies now that they used to. […]
National Tequila Day is on July 24. As you enjoy this popular spirit neat or mixed in your margaritas, perhaps you would curious about its origin. Last year, I took a trip to Tequila Town, Mexico – the birthplace of tequila, and learned firsthand about the art of making, drinking and using by-products of tequila. […]
When you think of West Africa, what first comes to mind? Possibly the Ebola virus scare, safety issues, or the history of slave trade. On my recent visit to Senegal with G Adventures, I was pleasantly surprised by this African nation. Here are some things I discovered during my journey. 1. The people are friendly. […]
Malta has temples that pre-date the pyramids at Giza and Stonehenge, some of the clearest waters in the world, and boasts a capital city that is a baroque masterpiece. Like Croatia of 20 years ago, Malta has just now become a newly discovered travel destination for the cultural enthusiast and not as a second thought. […]
The history of the Maltese carnival spans over 500 years. It has evolved from a Church sanctioned party that was often revolted to a family-friendly cultural event.
One of the things I am mindful of when traveling is picking accommodations that are sustainable. Even if I’m staying at resorts or chain hotels, I do some research to check what kind of programs they have in place to support the local community, culture and the environment. I’ll also check hotels that rent by […]
When you think of Sri Lanka, you may picture a tropical island dotted with sandy beaches, wildlife reserves filled with elephants, coconut groves, spice and tea plantations. Surely, the small island located just south of India merits all these, but there’s also three thousand year old temples, palaces and caves to explore. Here are some […]
When I first learned about The Good Hotel in Antigua, Guatemala, I thought, what a neat idea! This socially responsible business thrives on reinvesting 100% of their profits into the local community. Started by Amsterdam born, Marten Dresen, The Good Hotel came about from a personal backpacking trip through Guatemala which led to opening schools […]
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” ? Nelson Mandela. What is ‘Education’? This might sound like a very easy question and everyone is well versed with how the Oxford Dictionary defines the term – “The process of receiving or giving systematic instruction, especially at a school or […]
When I first read about the Naadam Festival in Mongolia a few years ago, I was fascinated by it, and added it to my bucket list. The annual sporting event takes place on July 11-13 and can be termed the ancient Olympics of Asia. The festival is registered with the Intangible Heritage Fund of UNESCO. It measures […]
In my opinion, there is nothing to do in Naples except eat! Surely, its a historic city with lots of UNESCO world heritage sites and beautiful views, but the sole reason to come here is for the food. Naples is the birthplace of pizza and many other dishes. It is the former capital of Italy […]
Do you know the difference between ecotourism, sustainable travel, responsible travel, and volunteer vacationing? While there is a lot of overlap with each of these terms, they all have one common theme – that is to improve lives through travel and tourism. On a recent Yoga Retreat in Bali, Indonesia through international nonprofit, Go Eat Give, I […]
Lebanon is a beautiful country in the Middle East, bursting with history, great food, and great culture. It being a classic traveler’s destination, how can you decide where to go and what to see? Since planning a trip can be quite the task, Go Eat Give has named the nine must see cities in Lebanon for […]
“There is no such thing as bad weather, it’s only bad clothing.” This is what I heard over and over again before, and during my trip to Greenland. Most of the country lying in the Arctic circle, Greenland is not your typical pack up and go destination. You have to think about where you will […]
For the past 17 years I have traveled, worked, volunteered, explored, eaten, drank, & hiked my way through Guatemala completing over 80 trips to a place I adore & call my second home. Based in Atlanta, I travel to Guatemala four times a year to work directly with the Mayan Indians of the Highland region […]
Celebrate your special occasion, or take a meaningful break on the tropical island of Cuba. There will be plenty of music and dancing, art exhibits and museums and an opportunity to experience great food and the diverse Cuban culture, while learning about how locals live and giving back to the community. To organize your private […]
