A few weeks ago I had the great pleasure of catching a quick coffee with Linda and Craig Martin. Known for Indie Travel Podcast, this dynamic couple embodies the kind of adventurous spirit I’ve always wanted to unabashedly show, but have never had the courage to fully embrace.
I learned a lot about how Indie Travel Podcast started and Craig’s hair regiment and we laughed about families reactions to traveling, both wonderful and slightly off. Linda looked across the table and asked “What about you? What are you doing?” and for …

Just days before a friends bachelorette party, I was confronted by her maid of honor. The planning of the Las Vegas girl getaway had gone so, so wrong and she needed help. They didn’t have dinner reservations, show plans, club recommendations… all they had agreed on was that it had to be the Palms.
The Palms, for many New Yorkers of the Jersey Shore persuasion, is West Coast version of mecca. It comes out of the artificial Vegas skyline like a beacon, glossy, heavily branded. There’s no mistake about what you …

Every day thousands of people make a pilgrimage to Vatican City, a tiny village nestled inside of Rome, and home to the Catholic church. Inside those imposing stone walls, the Pope and his buddies plan the rights and wrongs of guilty Catholics across the world, and in their spare time, plant gardens. After 27 years of Catholic church, time-outs issues by Brooklyn nuns, and sneaking baggy jeans in under a plaid skirt, I didn’t feel the draw to the Vatican for any specific religious reason; I’ve had enough guilt in …

Although I had a number of guides,previous trekkers, and a wealth of online reading to guide me, landing in Rwanda was still major culture shock. And although I consider myself an expert at city markets, navigating strange cuisine, and reading a map, there were many tips I couldn’t have guessed that I really wish someone had told me. Here, in no logical order, I pass them on to you.
I hope you love airports ’cause even for a seasoned travel vet, this is one long trip. It was almost mind numbing …

A few days ago I was lucky enough to get a tour of the iconic Queen Mary 2 ocean liner, courtesy of Cunard. From the standpoint of someone who has never been on a cruise, I was amazingly interested in what propels this multimillion-dollar industry. Also, and let’s not pretend here, no one in my household is plunking down their debit cards for a top tier cruise suite any time soon, so because of Cunard, I was able to see these luxurious and amazing things, so thanks Cunard!
When you think …

A few weeks ago I had the time of my life in Austin, Texas at the South by Southwest conference. Being surrounded by travel savvy folks, and tech savvy friends was more than my little heart could handle, and I went to sleep every night full of information, inspiration, and above all, love.
Though I spent a great deal of time learning about new Twitter initiatives and listening to inspiring panelists, I made sure to spend a solid morning exploring beautiful Downtown Austin, and also spent quite a few nights eating …