The Spectacular Lofoten Islands: My Questions, My Answers
The Lofoten Islands are home to some of Earth's most majestic and dramatic scenery. An adventure-lover's playground, there's no one way to explore this dreamy archipelago in the Arctic Circle. Read on to discover how best to plan a trip to Norway's most unique islands, including transportation methods, accommodation options, activities, and itinerary ideas. ‘Let’s go to the Lofoten Islands next summer,’ I say to my husband over dinner. He lifts his gaze and looks at me like I’ve just asked him to bungee jump into...
How To Pack for an African Safari (Carry-On Only)
Are you heading on safari for the first time? An African safari is an adventurer's travel trifecta—a combination of breathtaking wildlife, stunning terrain, and unparalleled lodging and hospitality. With over 20+ game drives across four countries, I've learned a thing or two about how to simplify the preparation for this exciting experience. My packing lists follow—organized into four simple categories. You can also download my ‘Ultimate Safari Packing List’ to have them all in one easy-to-access place. And while it's not necessary to travel with...
Where in the World is Manshausen Island?
A tiny square on Instagram stops me mid-scroll—a photo of a glass cabin perched above a stone jetty cantilevered over the sea. Through plate glass windows, a seated woman with a book on her lap gazes towards the horizon. The caption reads, “Can you see yourself in this chair?” That was six years ago. If I’d seen it today, I would’ve been convinced the image was computer-generated. But in 2018, Instagram still depicted reality. Well, sort of. “Yes!” I think to myself as that familiar...
Where’s Corsica? The Ultimate Guide To Our Corsica Travels
Our Corsica travels take us canyoning through mountains and hiking to mountaintop lakes. Our Corsica travels take us from party beaches to remote ones. Traveling in Corsica is an adventure a day, sprinkled with riverside retreats, clifftop restaurants, and the occasional wild pig. Where's Corsica, exactly? And does it belong on your travel wish list? Read on. “If you don’t project yourself outwards,” our canyoning instructor says calmly, “it will end—how do you say in English—badly.” I peer over the granite ledge. A gushing waterfall...
Bhutan is the World’s First Magic Kingdom
I’m slightly out of breath, thanking my Soul Cycle instructors for my current fitness level. The climb has been hard work. But I’m prepared. After all, I’ve had a year to get ready. A year to imagine the moment I’d see this architectural wonder in person. Hanging precariously from a mountain cliff, it’s lived up to the hype. After hiking several miles and over 800 stone steps, I’m face to face with the Tiger’s Nest, an ancient monastery in western Bhutan. I’m in awe. Bhutan...
Take on the Medina, and More—What To Do In Marrakech
What To Do In Marrakech, A Guide / Were it up to me, The Caliph’s House by Tahir Shah would be required reading for anyone traveling to Morocco. Without reading this candidly funny novel, I would've been confused, baffled, and bewildered during our visit to Marrakech. After spontaneously moving his family to Morocco from the UK, Shah buys a home—the Caliph’s House —and begins the arduous task of renovating it. At the same time, he's attempting to rebuild his family’s lives in a foreign country....
5 of the Best Caribbean Beach Bars
My top five favorite Caribbean beach bars and restaurants are personal. They're based on my memories of food, wine, people, and views. My top five list might change over time, but these are the Caribbean beach bars and beach clubs that keep my travel memories alive and kicking. My Top Five Caribbean Beach Bars When assessing the best beach bars, suffice it to say that I have a few baseline requirements. A vibe that naturally pairs with the island’s culture is one. Combining tourists and...
The Most Inspirational (Non-Skiers) Guide To Stowe
I love to ski in Stowe. Ummm, let me rephrase that. I love to ski in Stowe when the sky is cloudless, cobalt blue, and the temperature is firmly north of 32 degrees. I love to ski when the slopes are blanketed in fresh powder and crowd-free. Because I despise early wake-ups, I usually don't hit the slopes until 9am. Then, I only ski until lunch because once I’ve devoured a cheeseburger and fries, I’m as active as a lioness after a kill. You can...
How To Spend 12 Hours In Georgetown (Like A Local)
I’ve lived in Washington, D.C., for nearly 14 years. Aside from my childhood home, it’s the longest I’ve lived in any one place. Our nation’s capital has been good to me. It offers all the things I love in one bite-sized city. If DC is the solar system I reside in, Georgetown is my favorite planet. When friends and family visit, they ask how I’d spend an ideal day in DC. While the city offers world-class museums, monuments, and parks, I always gravitate toward Georgetown's...
Follow me to Antarctica, the most extreme place on Earth
My Antarctic travels reveal more than the differences between Weddell and Leopard seals. Or, how Gentoo penguins care for their young. My Antarctic travels reveal the power of the wind. And how much of an iceberg we really see floating above the water's surface. Antarctica evokes awe. I discover anything can happen in Antarctica—which is exactly the way it should be. Wondering about how to travel to Antarctica? Read on. A humpback whale breaks the water’s inky surface. Remains of barnacles, those ubiquitous ocean hitchhikers,...