On December 17, 2014, Barack Obama and Raúl Castro announced the start of normalizing US-Cuba relations. At that moment, we were wandering the streets of Havana, unaware of this historic day due to the lack of internet. Just one of the consequences of an economic embargo and communist rule for fifty years. It is what makes Havana and Cuba a destination like no other.
Living in Texas, the closest stretch of heavenly beach is the Florida Panhandle. We planned a four-day beach escape to Navarre on Labor Day. Tag along for this weekend itinerary to paradise.
We towed our Little Guy from Texas to California and back in a two-week teardrop adventure (III). The return journey took us through the southwestern states of Nevada, Utah and Arizona. By now, we entered the teardrop trailer fan club: camping in Southwest USA allowed us to enjoy its natural beauty from dusk till dawn.
We towed our Little Guy from Texas to California and back in a two-week teardrop adventure (II). After following Route 66 to Los Angeles, we sticked around in California. The Golden State hosted us on seven campgrounds in eight days. Tag along for this teardrop-proof California itinerary.
Since visiting Big Bend for the first time, I was dreaming of pitching our tent at the stunning Chisos Basin campground. We snatched a spot in the busy holiday period and spend Christmas Eve under a sky full of stars.
We inaugurated our camping gear on a trip to Guadalupe Mountains. Home to the highest peak in Texas, two national parks and cool summer nights, the region promised a great Labor Day Weekend escape.
Cambodia and Vietnam make a great combo for a two-week trip in Southeast Asia. All you need is a small budget and a strong sense of adventure. This is my two-week budget itinerary for Cambodia and Vietnam, tried and tested by four novice backpackers.
Studying a semester in Singapore was an incredibly fun experience. But fun in the most expensive city in the world does not come cheap. We walked into every tourist trap before we finally got creative. These are 10 recommendations for Singapore on a budget.
The American Northwest is home to some of the country’s most iconic national parks. We embarked on an RV journey from Denver to Seattle, exploring six stunning national parks in between. Part 2: Montana & Glacier National Park.
The roads from Texas to the East Coast and back guided us through ten states. On the beat of Tennessee Whiskey and Jailhouse Rock, we explored the inland South. Our return journey travels through Charleston, Savannah and the rich history of the Southern coastal states.
Hot Springs National Park is the perfect destination for a relaxing weekend trip. Treat yourself to a spa session in a historic bathhouse, after a rewarding hike through the Arkansas forest. Quench your thirst with craft beers made of thermal water, or sip on a martini in a former gangster hangout. The smallest national park of all has a lot to offer.
Festival season in the South skips summer and opts for spring and fall instead. With temperatures easily surpassing 100 ºF in summer, that is in festivalgoers’ best interest. Whether you put on boots or beads, these five festivals should not be missed in the American South.
When moving to Argentina for a yearlong exchange, I expected a bustling city like Buenos Aires or Córdoba. Instead, I landed in a humid little town up North, separated from the nearest city by fifty miles of palm trees. Little did I know this would make my experience all the more special.
Other than producing delicious wine, Argentinean provinces La Rioja and San Juan are known for two remarkable parks. Ischigualasto and Talampaya National Park contain a unique fossil record of the Triassic Period, often called the Age of the Dinosaurs. The desert area also hosts the annual Dakar Rally.
Five years after my AFS exchange in Argentina, I showed my parents why I fell in love with this country. We started our trip with an eventful passage through Buenos Aires. Midnight fireworks, tourist traps, passionate tango and ingenious robbery were all part of the introductory program.
In just a four-hour drive, the Louisiana swamps make way for Alabama’s white beaches. That’s why I spent my last weekend in Baton Rouge driving to the Alabama coast. The neighboring towns of Orange Beach and Gulf Shores promise a weekend full of cocktails on the beach, delicious seafood and brunch by the bay.
Louisiana is nested deep in the American Deep South, where hurricanes are part of life and food is life. While living in Baton Rouge for eight months, I discovered everything that the swamp state has to offer. This weekend trip embraces Louisiana’s cultural diversity, from a New Orleans cocktail crawl to alligator spotting and a history lesson on antebellum America.
I never pictured myself digging into a mountain of crawfish with my hands, having alligator as an appetizer or considering deep-fried pickles as normal (and delicious). Any food lover should savor Louisiana’s unique culinary history, which few – if any – US states can live up to. These ten signature dishes and drinks will get you started.
No skyline in the world can top the New York City one. Rooftop bars, skyscrapers, bridges and boats; there’s no lack of places in NYC that offer spectacular skyline views. Some are widely known, other best kept secrets. These are my ten favorite spots to catch a stunning view of the New York City skyline.
Any inhabitant of Manhattan should be jumping for joy, but Upper Manhattan residents are the most fortunate ones. Imagine an ever-friendly doorman welcoming you to a beautiful brownstone, Central Park as your backyard and world-class museums within walking distance. Take a sneak peak into this enviable life with below neighborhood guide to Upper Manhattan.
Midtown is the bustling heart of Manhattan. No time to relax let alone promenade here; the endless stream of professionals and tourists will chase you under a cab in no time. With the tourist attractions come the tourist traps, which make a guide indispensable. I picked my favorite activity per neighborhood, paired with a memorable option for food or drinks.
Picking one activity per neighborhood is not easy in the most vibrant city in the world. The part of Manhattan below 14th Street is considered Lower Manhattan; a cultural melting pot, open-minded and creative. As city tripping tends to be exhausting, every activity is paired with an option to fuel up on food or drinks.
During my unpaid internship in the city, I became an expert in finding the best happy hour deals. All the money I saved on happy hour drinks, I could spend in pricey speakeasy and rooftop bars. Ingenious scheme, isn’t it? These 10 New York City bars offer secret entrances, splendid views, sweet deals or a combination of all three.
We topped off our amazing trip to Peru with a relaxing three-day stay in the Peruvian Amazon. A short boat ride from Puerto Maldonado lies Tambopata National Reserve, home to an abundance of wildlife. Limited accessibility makes this a relatively undiscovered part of Peru.
The Salkantay trekking to Machu Picchu is a unique four-day hike through extremely diverse scenery. We passed snow-covered peaks, turquoise lakes, coffee plantations, hot springs and more on route to Peru’s Wonder of the World. The tropical storms and frozen fingertips only added to the adventure. On day four, we explored the majestic Inca city before the crowds arrived.
Klara the Explorer 