Lauren with her backpack

Why I Will Always Travel With an Osprey Backpack

…can find international distributors in Australia, Canada, China, all over Europe, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, Malaysia, Thailand, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. Additionally, I dropped Osprey an email to see if I’d be screwed if my backpack broke in a country without an international distributor. Obviously they operate on a case-by-case basis, but the guy I spoke to said that it’s likely you could…

How to Spend Four Days in Hong Kong: The 2024 Edition

…perspective. They have revolving exhibitions as well as a permanent one that does a fantastic job sharing the story of Hong Kong.  Following that, have lunch in ChungKing Mansions. ChungKing is like a portal to another world that transports you to South Asia and Africa. Migrant workers are a huge part of the tapestry that makes up Hong Kong and their cuisine severely underrated. If you are in the mood for African, I love the jollof rice and black-eyed peas…

A hundred tips for traveling the world, safely, wisely and adventurously!

100 Best Travel Tips From 11 Years of Travel

…was originally travelling with. I’ve got lost more times than I can count. Homesick, too. I fell down the largest sand dune in Africa. Caught cholera in Borneo. Had a rabies scare in India. Got caught up in a tsunami in Thailand. Was stranded in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. But I’ve learned a ton from my experiences, too. To celebrate a full decade since I stumbled my way out of the U.K. and began a life of full-time travel,…

How Much Does it Cost to Travel the World?

…that I’ve spent over the past decade, and distilled that information into a series of blog posts. Below, you’ll find over 70 detailed expense reports for different countries, broken down by continent, sharing exactly how much it costs to travel in each place. This information will help you to travel with knowledge and confidence, fully-informed about how much money you truly need to see this planet. Egypt Mauritius Morocco  Mozambique  Namibia  Rwanda  South Africa Tanzania  Tunisia Uganda Zanzibar Brunei  Cambodia …

How to Spend Three Days in Burlington, Vermont

…can explore exhibits which highlight works and objects from around the United States, Africa, Europe, the Middle East and even Ancient Egypt. The African and Egyptian exhibits are particularly striking, with sculptures, media and contemporary interpretations of history on display. You will also find hundreds of Ancient Egypt artifacts, including a mummy and a coffin.  Also on display are prominent local artists along with an important exhibit on Native American art and culture, covering much of the country.  On your…

How to Spend Three Days in Dallas, Texas

…animals in a variety of habitats, there is so much to see. The zoo is sectioned up to represent different regions and continents, including the Giants of the Savanna, Wilds of Africa, and the Wildlife Amphitheater.  Grab a mix of the zoo and theme park experience thanks to the zoo’s Zero Gravity Thrill Amusement Park with bungee jumps and free-fall experiences. Where to Eat For breakfast on day 3, make your way to Uptown Dallas to dine at the Mercat…

frolicking in the sahara desert

Statistics From a Year of Travel

…of very little travel and a hell of a lot of work – freelance writing and other online ventures – I finally reached the point where I was able to fund my travels and could travel for the foreseeable future. Being a physics geek, I love numbers and try to keep track of my statistics as I travel. Here’s my round-up of the last year: Continents visited: 3 Africa, Asia, Europe. Countries visited: 22 Austria, Bosnia, Cambodia, China, Croatia, Czech…

luang prabang sunset

The Cost of Travel in Laos: My 2024 Budget Breakdown

…useful in Laos anyway. All of the prices in this post are quoted in USD. How to Find Cheap Flights to Laos If you’ll be entering Laos from anywhere outside of Southeast and East Asia, you’ll be doing so via an indirect route. Yes, direct flights to Laos simply don’t exist from Europe, the Americas, Africa, or Oceania. To find cheap flights from any of these regions, then, my first recommendation is Secret Flying and my second is Skyscanner. Secret Flying is my…

Angkor Wat at Sunset

The Cost of Travel in Cambodia: A Detailed Budget Breakdown

…exist from Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Oceania. To find cheap flights from any of these regions, then, my recommendation is to hit up Skyscanner. Keep in mind that it’s always far cheaper to fly into Phnom Penh than it is to Siem Reap, as everybody wants to set eyes on the Kingdom of Angkor, so demand (and prices) are higher. When planning your trip, opt for your itinerary to kick off in the capital and it’ll help you save money on…

How to Spend Two Weeks in Colombia: An Itinerary for First-Time Visitors

…and South Africa. So when I arrived in Colombia, I already knew this would be a great way to gain an introduction to Bogota from a knowledgeable, passionate local. And that’s exactly what I got! I joined this free walking tour, which starts at 10 a.m. and lasts for three hours. Yep, three hours. You’re going to cover a lot of ground! You’ll need to tip the guide at the end — don’t forget this part — but this is…

The Route 66 Sign on Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles, California

How to Spend Three Days in Los Angeles: A 2024 Itinerary

…this way you can pick and choose your destinations and make the most of your three days in Los Angeles. Author bio: Kristina Ritchie is a writer who was born in Australia and grew up in Africa. She was educated at Western Connecticut State University before finding her home in Southern California. She writes creatively on a variety of topics including holistic lifestyle, travel, and adventure writing. Having visited 15 countries and 48 states, along with thousands of miles on…