You’re on your way to getting married, and now it’s time for the big decision: where to honeymoon? The world offers countless fantastic destinations for celebrating this incredible life milestone. We aimed to avoid the usual island and resort spots and instead indulge in a mix of culture, food, and stunning sights. This led us to planning and booking an incredible two week trip through Turkey and Greece.
Undoubtedly, Istanbul is one of the most unique and incredible cities I’ve ever visited in the world. If you know my travel style, you know I tend to be underwhelmed by a country’s biggest cities, but Istanbul is unlike any other city I have visited. The city’s rich culture, deep history, mouth-watering cuisine, and gorgeous architecture, make it a must-visit. While you could easily spend a week or more wandering this beautiful city, a minimum of four days is needed to do it fair justice. During our trip to Turkey, we allotted only three days to the city, and without a doubt, wish we had at least one more day.
The first thing that comes to mind when thinking about Cappadocia is hot air balloons! The magnificent scene of 100+ balloons rising above the city each morning was our inspiration for visiting Cappadocia during our honeymoon. But is it worth venturing out to Cappadocia just for hot air balloons? And if so, what is the best way to enjoy it? This guide will help answer all your Cappadocia balloon-related questions.
This guide will break down the simple building blocks of budgeting to help you get started. I will write future posts that can help you accelerate your budget game by adding more detail to your budget. But for now, here is everything you need to create a simple and basic budget.
There are a million reasons not to budget, but budgeting should be something every person does. Let me repeat that. Budgeting should be something every person does! No matter who you are or what your financial situation is, you need a budget.
Here is why:
Last Bucket List Update Why a Bucket List? I’ve found through years of traveling that experiencing new things often leads to growth and learning. By
If you truly want a once-in-a-lifetime lodging experience (at a reasonable cost), you may want to consider this cozy Airbnb. Located in the quiet fishing village of Aerti, this Airbnb is not only the number one thing we remember from our time in Greece, but it also stands as one of our favorite Airbnbs in the world! Here is everything you need to know about it!
If you are planning a trip to Greece, you are probably overwhelmed with the many Greek islands to choose from. Anmol and I spent months
Planning a trip to Istanbul can be overwhelming. There are so many areas and must-see sites that make up this incredible and bustling city. Of course, there is almost no area in Istanbul that you can visit without passing by one of its many beautiful mosques. While every mosque looks tempting to visit, you want to make sure you utilize your time in the city wisely. Istanbul has SO much to offer and time management in the city is key. So which of Istanbul’s mosques are worth a spot on your itinerary? From research and our visit to Istanbul, here is our (short) list of recommendations.
While finding Vegetarian foods in most countries is usually not an issue, finding DELICIOUS food isn’t always as easy. If you are a vegetarian who is traveling to Portugal, you might be worried about finding amazing food in a country that is otherwise known for its seafood-and meat-based cuisine. Through some research and local suggestions, we ate some incredibly delicious vegetarian food that allowed us to dwell in Portugal’s delicious food scene.
Portugal is one of Europe’s most underrated countries-Endless sun, beautiful beaches, diverse cities, picturesque wineries, and reasonable costs are some of the reasons to visit. While you would need several weeks to explore Portugal’s depths, eight days are enough to explore the country’s highlights.
It’s hard to proclaim anything as the world’s best without experiencing everything in the world but of all the day tours I have taken on my travels, The West Coast Adventure Co. tour that my Fiancé and I took in Portugal, still stands as one of the most amazing tours we have ever taken. Here is why visiting Lagos, Portugal is worth it simply for this tour!
So often, it is the unexpected travel experiences that leave the biggest impact on us; This was the case for me when visiting Japan. I never expected the tea ceremony I signed up for in Kyoto to have such a profound impact on the way I live my life today, but many years later, it still stands out as of the best things I did in the country.
Visiting Japan was an absolute dream trip for me, and it still stands as one of my favorite countries in the world. If you plan to visit Japan (and I hope you do), chances are you will heavily debate whether you should prioritize Tokyo or Kyoto in your itinerary. While both cities are worth a visit, I personally preferred one over the other.
Touristy or worth the visit? This is often the question people face when debating whether to visit Sintra or not. My take? While Sintra can get very crowded and is absolutely a tourist hub, its unique design, structure, and fairytale-like vibe makes it worth a visit! If you plan to visit, here is your ultimate guide to visiting the city as a day-trip from Lisbon
Hoi An is my favorite city in the world. The look and feel of the city’s ancient town make it unique from many other cities I have visited. While you could spend endless time just enjoying all that this fascinating city has to offer, three days is the ideal amount of time to get a good feel for Hoi An. This 3-day itinerary is perfect if you are into slow travel and wish to embrace the best aspects of this city!
No trip to Japan is complete without visiting its most famous capital-Tokyo! Tokyo is a diverse and historical city that has something for everyone. Home to beautiful shrines, incredible technology, and lively nightlife. endless restaurants, and old school alleys, Tokyo is sure to keep you entertained. While there is plenty to see and do in the city, two nights is the perfect amount of time to explore its main attractions. This two-day Tokyo Itinerary will guide you through some of the main attractions and neighborhoods of the city!
Making a Japan itinerary can be extremely challenging, in large part because there is so much to see and explore! That being said, Japan’s train system is so efficient and incredible, that a lot can be covered in a short time. This 12-day Itinerary will show you a diverse array of what Japan has to offer. You will visit some of Japan’s major cities, learn about the country’s culture and history, explore the country’s beautiful rural areas, and embark on a peaceful and educational retreat.
When you hear Southeast Asia, you often think of backpackers. The region is known as the backpacking hub and is often the recommended destination for travelers looking to experience backpacking. But is it truly worth it? Is a Southeast Asia backpacking trip worth uprooting your life for? No sugar coating here- It 100% is! Here is why:
Overwhelmed by your first Camper Van trip? Don’t worry I was too! There are tons of things you may be contemplating packing for your trip. Here are some suggestions!
The best thing about Zion National Park? It is seriously stunning. The worst? Figuring out how to get around the park! While there are several logistical options, they each have their pros and cons. Let’s take a look!
Death Valley may be one of the planet’s most unworldly places. A quick drive through the park, and you feel like you have arrived on Mars. Prior to visiting, I didn’t have high expectations for this national park, but Death Valley turned out to be one of my favorite stops on my campervan road trip. Here is your ultimate guide for exploring the park!
If you are starting your trip in Arizona, I recommend using Arizona Camper Van. Though I have not tested out all the van companies in Arizona, I can speak to the outstanding customer experience I had with this company. Here is why they excel!
If a campervan trip has always been on your bucket list, I encourage you to try it. Living in a van and driving around a country is an incredible and unique experience everyone should try at least once in their lives. One of the best places to do a trip like this is in the United States. Known for its diversity of landscapes, and national parks, the USA is a perfect place to explore in a van. This 10-day itinerary will provide you with the perfect route to hit some of the best spots in the United States.
Planning your first camper van trip? You are probably intimidated like I was! Don’t worry! A van life trip is worth all the hassle that comes with planning it. Here are 12 tips that will help make sure you complete an epic, adventurous and safe van trip!
The day before I departed from the city, I asked D-One if he wanted to meet up for some drinks. We hung out and had a great time socializing in a non-tourist and tour guide kind of way. As the night concluded, I decided to take a flyer and ask him if he wanted to work with me to help donate some money to his country. He wholeheartedly agreed, and eventually, we crafted a plan to help kids in an impoverished village.
Backpacking in Southeast Asia quite literarily was a life-changing trip for me. This trip was meaningful not just because of all the things I saw, the food I ate, and the bucket list items I checked off, but rather the lessons I learned during the experience. In fact, after leaving the region, I felt like I had found the secret sauce to a meaningful, purposeful, and happier life. Here are three important lessons I learned and how they created the formula for a better life.
As it stands, Vietnam is one of my favorite countries in the world. The country is host to stunning landscapes, rich cultures, moving history, and amazing people. It may appear small on a world map, but Vietnam requires no less than 3 weeks to experience it fully. Here is the your ultimate south to north 3 week Vietnam itinerary.
There might not be a more beautiful place than Vermont to visit during the fall foliage season. A Vermont fall foliage itinerary is less about where you will stop and more about the journey you will take. Color chasing will be your number one priority on this trip.
Plitvice Lakes, located in the heart of Croatia, is one of Europe’s most famous national parks. The park consists of a 300-sq-km Forrest that is pierced by 16 gorgeous lakes. Within the area you can find canyons, waterfalls, and the most crystal colored blue lakes in Europe
Do you ever wish you could live in a Magical world? What if I told you it was possible?
The Highlands Castle, located in Bolton Landing, New York, provides quite possibly the most surreal and magical getaway one can experience.
The first question I like to ask someone when they are planning a trip is: “Do you want to vacation or travel?” These two words may have similar meanings for many, but over my many years of traveling, I have learned they are vastly different. This post and its tips are meant to help you become a better traveler, not a vacationer.
I’ll never forget some of the things I saw in the town of Langa. Never. Langa is a South African town that was originally set up as a designated black area. The town was established in the 1920’s and has faced poverty like conditions ever since
The Ha Giang Loop is an incredibly scenic multi-day motorbike loop located in the north-most part of Vietnam. Within this loop resides many of Vietnam’s most unique tribes and cultures. The loop is an incredible way to experience the scenic beauty of Vietnam, while learning about the hill-tribal culture in the North.
Until you take a gap year, you don’t realize how precious the combination of time and freedom are. We all have time, but for most of our adult lives, that time doesn’t always feel like it’s fully ours. 365 days after my first gap year, here is everything I’ve learned and why I believe gap years are so beneficial!
Luang Prabang is a beautiful and peaceful city that every traveler to Laos must visit. After backapcking in this city, I have come up with a unique 4-day itinerary that is designed to help you explore the best of the city. More importantly, however, this itinerary focuses on authentic, local, and cultural experiences that will allow you to leave Luang Prabang feeling connected with the local way of life.
In 2020 I set out to backpack around Southeast Asia for 4-5 months. Though my trip was cut short (due to COVID-19) I learned so much about what makes a great backpacking trip. Here are 13 crucial tips that will help enhance your backpacking experience.
“You don’t know our country till you know.” I asked him what he meant, and he explained how so many people come to Vietnam to learn about the country, but they don’t ever take time to see the real side of it. He assured me that, The West Ho Chi Minh trail is where I could truly see the beautiful landscapes, important history, and village lifestyle of Vietnam. I was sold and signed up.
In the middle of my solo backpacking trip in Vietnam, I was stuck in my itinerary planning. I knew I wanted to tour some of the country via a motorbike, but I didn’t know the roads too well and most importantly, didn’t know how to ride. After some googling I came across a local company (in Hoi An/ Hue) called Hoi An Motorbike Adventures. I took a flyer and booked two motorbike tours with them. Here is my review of the company
What makes New York City the best city in the world to live in? The sheer amount of unique activities that one has access to on a daily basis. This is why when my girlfriend, Anmol, and I started dating in this city, we vowed to never go on the same date twice. Fast forward 2.5 years later, and we have amazingly been able to keep our promise. During our incredible time living in New York, we have experienced all sorts of unique adventures together. Here are our top 25 date ideas listed in descending order.
Understanding Suffering Buddha Sak, the head monk of Thailand’s International Meditation Center, would say that during meditation, one’s mind will wander as if it is
It takes a matter of seconds to run into “Robot Restaurant” when googling “Things to do in Tokyo”. Robot Restaurant is one of the most popular tourist experiences for visitors to Tokyo. What exactly is it though? Robot Restaurant is less of a restaurant and more of a restaurant that puts on one of the wildest and most techy spectacles you will ever see.
The Gibbon Experience is a once in a lifetime jungle living opportunity. Gibbons are small apes that are scattered all over the Nam Kan National Park. Many people think the experience is all about Gibbon sightings, but there is so much more to it. After returning from this incredible adventure, you will have a different perspective of the jungle. By living in the world’s tallest treehouses, ziplining to destinations, and trekking through the national park, you will get to experience the jungle from different vantage points during different parts of the day
Life without any of our five senses wouldn’t feel like life at all. We are constantly bombarded by sensory stimulation. The smell of flowers, the sight of a sunset and the taste of an overcooked meal; Senses are the soldiers that feed our brain information. Though senses are arguably our biggest gift in life, they also can guide us in the wrong direction if we don’t understand how they are processed in our minds.
Part 1 of a 5 part series detailing lessons I learned during a week-long meditation retreat. Lesson 1-When it Rains Close Your Windows
Getting to meet the Vietnamese people was one of the highlights of my entire life. I quit my job to backpack across South East Asia and getting the time that I did with the local people of Vietnam was life-changing enough to justify this entire experience. These people blew my mind and the more time I spent with them, the more I could feel myself changing. As much as I loved the backpacking social life, I found myself slowly passing on hostel happy hours, bar crawls and social gatherings, in favor of local interactions. I became obsessed with spending as much time with the Vietnamese as possible and learning from their way of life.
Meditating for 6-8 hours a day for 7 straight days while not being able to talk, use my phone, listen to music, read, write or engage in any other distractions, was the toughest thing I’ve ever had to do in my life.
In 2019, I made a bold life move when I decided to quit my job in order to backpack across the Southeast Asia region. The move was the most bold thing I have done in my life so far to date. Here is a look inside my mind as to why I decided to do this.
It was a slow Wednesday at work and my brain was churning as I brainstormed for new experiences I could embark on in my life. Then, the idea hit me. I texted my girlfriend and said “I will take you to Disney World if you agree to run a marathon with me. You in? Yes or no?” Within 24 hours, we took a leap of faith and booked our marathon without much consideration. Despite never running before, she agreed to running this 26.2 mile race because she always wanted to see Disney World; But me, Why did I suggest and commit to this idea? What turned an ordinary boring Wednesday into a full on commitment to completing a runners ultimate goal?
Many watch it. Few do it. Your ultimate guide to the craziest New Year’s Eve you can possibly have. The ball drop in Times Square New York
The real beauty of Fes and Marrakesh lies in their Souks (markets). It is here where you see the explosion of colors that is so often associated with Morocco, the intricately made crafts that will have you opening up your wallets, and food that will make your stomach growl.
The Macy’s Parade down 6th avenue of New York City has become the symbolic entrance for Thanksgiving Day. Over 50 million people see the parade from the comfort of their homes. A brave three million, however, stomach the cold and gather in New York City to see the spectacle first hand. Want to do it? Here is what to expect.
Panama City Beach has always had the reputation of the domestic (for U.S residents) party haven for college spring breakers. Knowing this, in 2016, I committed to going here for my first ever spring break trip. Unfortunately, this happened to be the year the city banned drinking on the beach…in March only! The law specifically was created to target spring breakers in an effort to minimize the crowd. Many students changed their plans fearing the law would ruin spring break in Panama City Beach (pcb) forever. So the question is, did it? Is it still worth it? Here is my experience at PCB, post the beach drinking ban.
We waited eagerly by the harbor in Split, Croatia for the start of Sail Week Croatia 2019. While waiting, we crossed paths with last week’s travelers as they exited their boats. Before even saying hello, we shouted: “How was it?”. They looked at us worn out and exhausted. It looked like they had just come back from an all-out boxing match. A girl with a cast looked at us, looked at the cast, and said: “best and worst week of your life.”That is how our Sail Week 2019 began.
For party lovers, Cancun during a college spring break, is an absolute must. The trip is a once in a lifetime opportunity to create the ultimate trip with your college friends. For this reason, you will want to make sure you do it right. Here is your ultimate guide to determining if when and how to do Cancun Spring Break.
Dubrovnik, now known by many as kings landing (for game of thrones fans), is a city that many travel bloggers have conflicting opinions on. Some call it the gem of the Adriatic while others call it an overcrowded unauthentic tourism hub. Who is right? Should you visit one of Croatia most famous cities?
Italy still stands as one of my favorite trips ever. The country offers a great blend of food, history, scenery, and culture. It was also one of those trips that just worked. For anyone that has traveled, they know the feeling when a trip just works and you are fully satisfied with your itinerary. My Italy trip was just that. Here is a brief overview of how I did it.
I expected chaos. I expected mayhem. I expected madness. Never, in my wildest dreams, did I expect the Tomatina Festival to be as insane as it was. For those that don’t know, La Tomatina is the worlds biggest food fight, with you guessed it, tomatoes! This isn’t any ordinary cafeteria food fight. La Tomatina is a city wide fight that takes place in the streets of Bunol located in Spain.
For animal lovers who also can handle some fear, another once in a lifetime opportunity was the walking with the lions experience in Zimbabwe.
Cape Town is one of the world’s most famous cities. There is plenty to do here and I would recommend setting aside ample time in your South African itinerary to explore this city. If you do have the luxury to do so, here is a list of 10 things you can check out!
There is no doubt that tea is the staple drink of India. It is the drink that locals socialize over and the drink that symbolizes hospitality among households across the nation. No matter where you are in India, you will never have an issue finding a nice warm cup of Masala Chai.
The 1600s was a period in India where love marriages were unheard of, but the Shah and his second wife, Mumtaz Mahal, began to fall deeply in love. Sadly this rare romantic love story came to a screeching halt in 1631 when Mumtaz suddenly passed away. Mumtaz’s death shattered the Shah and he wondered how he could live without his beloved wife.
Saddened and in love, the Shah decided to commit almost all of the Mughal Empire’s resources to build the world’s greatest Mausoleum for his wife..The Taj Mahal
Throughout my trip across the country, I had my fair share of both excellent vegetarian food and frankly terrible food. Hopefully, this list of the top 10 places I ate on my trip, can help you in your search!
An onsen is a natural spring bath whose water is heated by the molten rock below the earth’s surface. The water is naturally heated and brought back up to the surface, enriched with natural minerals. These famous baths have been around in Japan for centuries and have been known to cure many ailments and conditions. Healing abilities aside, the baths themselves are best known for their ability to relax the body and mind.
Kyoto has to be one of my favorite cities in the world. Tokyo gets all the recognition but the true beauty of Japan rests in Kyoto. You could easily spend an entire week in this city and not regret it. Unfortunately, most visitors are on a time constraint so this is not possible. Here is the perfect 3 day Kyoto Itinerary to see maximize your time and see all that this wonderful city has to offer.
Mount Koya is an isolated town in the Koyassan Mountains that serves as the home for Shingon Buddhism in Japan. The area has extremely important religious significance and houses many Buddhist temples. The town itself is small, only 6km x 3km, but the small region is home to some of the most important Buddhist teachings in the country.
Mountains, beaches, sunsets, and lots of deer, Miyajima is not your typical destination spot in Japan. However, if you love gorgeous scenery, and the outdoors find some space in your itinerary to make it over here. This small island of Hiroshima is the perfect place to enjoy picturesque views while taking a break from the busy and hectic life of a tourist.
Ichi-go Ichi-e, 11 letters that I resonated with in Japan. The phrase, in rough translation, means to treasure the moment, it may never come again. It is the perfect way to describe the way I’ve tried to live my life and the way I believe many people should. When I heard this phrase used by a tea master in Japan, I instantly formed a deeper connection with the country. It wasn’t just a nice sounding phrase, but one that actually seemed to represent the Japanese culture.
Morocco will surprise you in ways you never expected. This country has a special way of stimulating all of your senses. The sight of the souks, the sounds of the morning prayer, the feel of the sand, the smell of bread, and the taste of harissa, will stick in your memory forever. While you may expect to leave this country only remembering its major cities (Fes and Marrakesh), you may be surprised at the things you ended up loving over here.
Incredible hikes, scenic views, mid-evil cities, and ice cold scotch; Scotland has a ton to offer you. The gloomy year-round weather can scare people away from making this trip (It almost did so for me) but Scotland is an underrated beauty of Europe and the world.
The ultimate thrill seeker would love the Victoria Falls bungee jump . This bungee is one of the more famous in the world and an epic place to attempt your first jump!
I could see a large white smoke cloud in the air and didn’t need an explanation from the pilot to know where it was we were headed. You are unable to see the falls as you approach it but you sure as hell can sense it’s presence. It was almost as if it was daring you to come feel its wrath. Challenge accepted.
Cape Town waters are known for being home to one of the oceans greatest predators, the great white shark. Luckily, for daring adrenaline junkies, you have the opportunity to come within inches of these deadly creatures.