Sumo Wrestling 101
If there was one thing I could have changed about my recent trip to Japan, it would have to be the date. I say that only for the sole reason that it wasn’t sumo tournament season. The ancient form of wrestling holds tournaments at specific times of year; specifically, not while I’m there. Lucky for me, I can […]
So What Should You Do In Paris?
Don’t see the Mona Lisa, climb the Eiffel Tower, or grab a coffee at Café de Flore? Well, not exactly, but taken from an expert on Paris, there are plenty of ways to get the best out of Paris, without doing what Paris is best known for. For example, want a great view of the […]
Beyond Buenos Aires
Your guide to heading out of the city and exploring what lays beyond Buenos Aires. By Katie Hammel For the ambitious traveler, the best of Buenos Aires can be seen in a few days, and even those who want to take a more relaxed approach can get a good feel for life in the city […]
The Great American BBQ
What do you get when you cross 500,000 pounds of meat, surgical gloves, and some “testosterone-fueled bro hugs?” The world’s largest, American Royal BBQ competition in Kansas City. Duh. BBQ in the states isn’t just slapping some meat on a grill; “real” BBQ is an art, complete with a history of its own. This Guardian […]
Don’t Commit These 7 Travel Sins
As a follow-up to Monday’s article about proper hostel etiquette — a must-read for first-time travelers — BootsnAll has this list of the “7 Deadly Sins of Travel,” which, I guarantee, even the most seasoned travelers have partaken in the past. (Given to any beggars during your trips?) Regarding #1, “Taking budget travel too seriously” […]
A Cultural Pub Stroll Through Edinburgh
Despite being voted the best city in Britain by the Observer Travel Awards, Edinburgh seems to be a mysteriously intriguing place. What better way to coax a city out from behind its walls is to, as Ian Rankin discovers, take a walk and get lost, or better yet, go get some drinks. This pleasant saunter of […]
What Exactly Is Bánh Sèo Anyway?
Bánh xèo means either “sizzling cake” or “sound crepe,” depending on what your Google search turns up, but either way, the name refers to this southern Vietnamese crepe made of rice flour, water, coconut milk, pork, shrimp, and bean sprouts that’s pan fried, then “rolled up in a leaf of lettuce and dipped in a […]
In Search Of The Next Phuket — In Vietnam
In the never-ending quest to discover the “Phuket of the ’80’s,” could it be that the Vietnamese island of Phu Quoc, just off the Cambodian border in the Gulf of Thailand, is the real thing? Years away from overdevelopment, Phu Quock is known for its peaceful white-sand beaches, laid-back atmosphere, and as the world’s premier […]
Chile’s Atacama Desert Is Out Of This World
So, I’ve recently figured out a lot about myself. For starters, I’m a sucker for rice terraces, any kind of non-English pop music always sounds better to me for whatever reason, traditional dancing of any kind will mesmerize me, and my newest personal factoid: I dig weird landscapes. I recently found some amazing pictures of Chile’s Atacama […]
‘Tis The Season For Morbid Travel Attractions
Some travelers head to Salem, Massachusetts for the month-long Halloween events, others head to Madison, Wisconsin’s Freakfest or New York City’s Village Halloween Parade for two of the country’s largest celebrations. (And, if you were wondering, I am planning to be Paul Kinsey from “Mad Men” this year.) But, as a true traveler, you want […]