Fearful Flyers: Tips & Resources For Anxious Travelers
Callie’s dad is a pilot for United, and flew us home from Beijing in 2018. He even let me visit the cockpit and try on his hat! A dream come true for an anxious flyer like me!
I’ve been on over one hundred flights in...
We Are All People: An American’s Reflection of a Day in Tianjin
I am in a unique position where I had the privilege to return to Beijing almost exactly one year after my first trip there. The experience was something completely different. There is a lot I want to talk to you about, but I feel that...
L.A. Area: Short Day Trips
Those dreamy beach Malibu vibes we all hear about in songs couldn’t be more true.
We drove just north of Point Dume and found the empty beach pictured above. Can you believe this photo was taken in January? We had the most amazing day away...
Amsterdam: Sleep & Smoke
When in Amsterdam, have a good time.
Hotel Not Hotel
Hotel Not Hotel is likely the most interesting and fun place I have ever stayed in. It is a hotel, a museum, a hostel, and a bar all at once.
I know, I know. That...
Chicago: Wicker Park Cocktail Spots
Queen Mary
Good for: Date, Friends, Casual
Highlight: Navy Strength Old Fashion
Queen Mary is my absolute favorite bar in Chicago. The drinks are amazing, the staff is brilliant creators, and the vibe is perfect. The interior of this intimate lounge is reminiscent of, you...
Favorite Travel Homes: Santorini, Reykjavik, and Rome
Santorini
This cave home in Santorini remains my favorite home-share experience of all time. Tucked away from the crowds near Thira, this private nest is the perfect dreamy, yet affordable, romantic Grecian-island stay. The cave features a “cool-cuzzi” private jet pool on the front porch,...
6 Reasons To Never Check Your Bag
“But what if I NEED it?”
Listen. I’ve been there. I promise: you will be fine. Ditch the checked bag and up your travel-game by joining the carry-on only crew.
1. Never Lose Luggage Again
Almost nothing ruins a trip more than being the last...
5 Money-Saving Travel Hacks
A lot of people wonder how I afford to travel so much, on a small nonprofit salary. Travel is becoming more and more accessible, and there are ways to work the system to make your holiday as rewarding and inexpensive as possible.
1. Book flights...
4 Tips For Traveling With Friends
“Let’s take a girls trip!” — every group of friends ever.
Traveling with a group of friends is absolutely one of the most rewarding experiences. How often do you get to coordinate your PTO, book affordable flights, and actually make it happen?
Once you’ve got...
Don’t Be An Airbnb Horror Story
When choosing your Airbnb, use a critical eye. Not all Airbnbs are created equal.
Airbnb at its best is an incredible tour for connecting travelers with a home away from home. In order to have your best experience, you need to do some work:
Read...
5 Free Things To Do In Chicago
We can all search for “free things to do in Chicago” and get the Lincoln Park Zoo, Garfield Park Conservatory, etc. Here I highlight some smaller gems, beloved by locals on a typical day!
Chess Pavilion
The Chess Pavilion is a hidden gem in Old...
What I Wish I Knew On My First Trip
As with anything, the more you do it the better you get. I’d love to go back and tell my 16-year-old self I only need a carry-on and not two checked suitcases for ten days in Ireland. Here I am 11 years later, with 50...
Reykjavik: Top 3 Places to Fill Your Belly
Kaffivagninn
Iceland’s oldest restaurant! A true, authentic taste of Iceland. To this day, this is my favorite meal I’ve had overseas. While the food was a nice hardy breakfast before exploring Iceland, the atmosphere is what I’m still dreaming about. Wander into this local fisherman...
If You Don’t Want To Travel — We Won’t Be Friends
With every trip you take, you realize how much you don’t know.
But if you never want to travel — you don’t realize how little you know.
It’s a weird paradox.
I am a firm believer that when you travel you become a better global...
3 Books To Read When You Miss Travel
Because We All Need An Escape
The Alchemist | By Paulo Coelho
“Don’t give in to your fears. If you do, you won’t be able to talk to your heart.” — The Alchemist
When you feel uninspired, pick up Paulo Coelho’s greatest hit. Journey through...
3 Tips For Traveling As A Couple
Because no matter how much I love you, I still get sick of you.
As the saying goes, traveling together is the ultimate test of a relationship.
Sunsets and margaritas are all well and good, but it comes with delayed flights, rainy days, and lost...
3 Things To Do Downtown Chicago
Cindy’s Rooftop
Views so good even locals like it. Overlook lush Millenium Park while sipping on a deliciously hand-crafted cocktail. While a bit pricey, the Instagram perfect Chicago views are what you’re there for.
Lurie Garden
Take a stroll through Lurie Garden, located directly across...
5 Western U.S. National Parks To See Before You Die
Grand Teton, WY
Often overlooked by its Yellowstone cousin to the north, Grand Tetons should not be missed. Although smaller than Yellowstone, its lands are packed with wildlife and rugged western mountains. Grab your backpack (and plenty of water) and head up to Cascade Canyon,...
I Went To A Peep Show In Amsterdam
I had no intention of partaking in any of the guilty pleasures of Amsterdam. But after a few drinks and some persuasion from my travel companions, I thought: Well why the hell not?
My pals and I gulped down our beer, and made our way...
Flying During Covid-19
Sitting at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago, one of the world busiest airports, just 40 minutes before boarding, and the rows of empty chairs are an unusual sight. They seem to serve as grave markers of souls once continent-hopping.
I love to sit in airports....