In my short stay in Japan, I was determined to do something traditional as well as something quirky and offbeat. When I think about Japan, this is what I envision: A storied past with specific observed traditions, and funky fashions and social gatherings. My Airbnb host Cheeko came up with the traditional part for me …
Tokyo is a pretty safe city, so I’ve felt comfortable wandering around without much of a plan. I’m trying hard to adapt to the local customs, and the biggest challenges for me so far have been as follows: Walking on the left side of the street. I’m immediately sorry for all the glares I’ve given …
The typhoon wasn’t part of my plan. Everything leading up to my grand tour had been practically prophetic, signs that i was making the right decision to leave my job, friends, and family, and backpack around Asia. My favorite yoga studio closing. “Leaving on a Jetplane” playing in the cafe on my last day of …
The volcanic island of Martinique lies nestled in the curve of the Antilles islands, not too far from more touristed tropics like Barbados and St. Lucia—but I found it hard to find much information about the country when I snagged a cheap ticket on Norwegian Air to this French overseas territory. That’s largely because American …
Bermuda doesn’t easily come to mind as a budget destination. No, Bermuda conjures up images of stuffy golf courses, rich men in Bermuda shorts, and moneyed couples lounging at $500-a-night resorts. But while I think it would be tough to do Bermuda on a true shoestring, it’s definitely possible to enjoy this civilized island on …
When I travel, I like to dive wholeheartedly into the local food culture, and although I eat a mostly vegetarian diet, usually this doesn’t restrict me too much. One of my pet peeves is people who think vegetable-focused diets are limiting—I’ve found endless pleasure in exploring new plant-based dishes (and of course, the fact that …
Travel can be like dating: A new city might be a one-night affair, worth a heady fling but appearing less attractive in the morning. Or it might be a love connection that lasts months or even years. Then there are those cities that may not be a forever match, but get under your skin nonetheless, …
While it’s true that Iceland’s prices can give your wallet the same chill as that of the country’s glaciers, the budget traveller need not be afraid of Reykjavík. Here’s a typical day in which I made the most of my krona while in Iceland. Breakfast Upon arriving in Reykjavík, I went to a local grocery …
It’s no secret that Nashville is fast becoming the Brooklyn of the Bible belt. Artisanal granola shops and organic markets dot hipsterified East Nashville, which feels a world away from downtown’s delightfully cheesy honky-tonks and garish stores peddling buy-one-get-two cowboy boots. And while it’s most enjoyable to crack open a cold PBR while sampling the …