One key aspect of our 7-day Vienna itinerary was visiting Vienna’s museums. After some quick calculations, we decided to spring for the Vienna Pass, hoping we’d see enough attractions to make the Vienna Pass worth the purchase price. Now, with the trip over and our brains (and phones) crammed with as much art, history, and…
Read More
Joe’s bright eyes pierced into mine. “If he charges the fence,” he said, “You need to stand your ground. Don’t run away. You got it?” I nodded. We were standing knee deep in the bush, alongside a thin wire fence where, just beyond, a massive male African lion was thoughtfully sniffing the air. But this…
Read More
The car in front of us was stopped next to a huge acacia thorn bush. Behind them, we looked impatiently at each other. What could they possibly be looking at when parked next to a bush? The question answered itself not two seconds later, when a gigantic horned head swung out in front of the…
Read More
Well, I survived my first surf lesson in the waters of Cape Town! Given the hype about sharks and the abundance of terrifying Youtube videos, I assumed the surfing itself would be the most notable part of the day’s experience. To my surprise, it was our instructor, Apish, who turned out to be the center of…
Read More
Imagine. You’re sitting in a patch of sunlight in a garden of almost Biblical beauty. A small stream runs alongside you. The bricks beneath your feet are warm from the heat of the day, but the glass of white wine in your hand is cool. A duck and her ducklings—their soft baby down fuzzing them…
Read More
“May your days be merry and bright, and may all your Christmases be white…” Merry and bright were for certain, but we’d traded a white Christmas in bitterly cold Germany for the equatorial climes of South Africa. We arrived Christmas morning at O.R. Tambo International Airport, where the silver trees bedecked in orange and blue…
Read More
Last Saturday morning, I woke up to the steady rushing of rain on a canvas roof. It took a minute to orient myself in the cozy gray light. Then I remembered that I’d traded my city digs for a weekend of glamping in Yosemite. It was the first year I wasn’t traveling for Thanksgiving Day, so…
Read More
San Blas Islands, Panama — August 2014 Sailing from Colombia to Panama was an absolute dream. After leaving Cartagena, we spent just one night in Turbo before leaving for the promised (is)lands: the San Blas Islands. There are a few ways you can do this three-night, four-day journey. Most of the options involve large-scale sailboats…
Read More
If you hate sleeping in hammocks, the San Blas islands are probably not for you. If you hate traveling by boat, the islands are probably not your jam. If you hate drinking games, meeting new people, bonfires, snorkeling, or fine white sand, you are likely going to hate the San Blas islands. Luckily for you,…
Read More
When looking at where to stay in Cartagena, we were very budget-concious. Luckily this beautiful city is very backpacker-friendly, and there were plenty of hostel options. Our criteria? A private room with private bath, within walking distance to the main sights. Cartagena, Colombia To kick start our three weeks in South/Central America, I wanted a…
Read More