In the Philippine mountaineering community, there is a notorious concept known as the budol climb. It usually starts with a friend messaging you: “Let’s hike this weekend! It’s just a minor climb, rated 4/9. We’ll be down by lunch.” For thousands of unsuspecting beginners, that budol happens at Mt. Daraitan. Sitting on the windward edge of the Sierra Madre range in Tanay, Rizal, Mt. Daraitan has built a reputation that heavily contradicts its paper specifications. While its elevation peaks at a modest 739 Meters Above Sea Level (MASL), the reality […]

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Chasing football, especially during a World Cup Summer, through cities that never sit still has a way of rearranging priorities. I have missed trains, missed meetings and once slept on a bench because a last minute stoppage time goal kept me rooted to a terrace until dawn. The payoff is always the same though, a feeling that the game is less a contest and more a way of reading a city, its rhythms and its people. In Sarajevo a long throw-in became the topic of a bar debate that lasted […]

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A rigid kayak strapped to a rental car roof in Portugal cost me 47 euros in unexpected fees and a heated argument with an airport shuttle driver. That was three years ago. Last month, the same trip happened with a 35-pound bag checked as regular luggage, and by noon I was paddling the Mondego River while other tourists waited for organized boat tours. The assumption that serious paddling demands serious equipment has kept countless travelers from experiencing waterways that buses and hiking trails simply cannot reach. Inflatable kayaks have quietly […]

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Most visitors to Japan follow a well-worn path: Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, maybe a day trip to Nara. And for good reason — those cities are extraordinary. But across the Seto Inland Sea, on the southern coast of Shikoku island, sits a prefecture that barely registers on most travel itineraries: Kochi.   That’s exactly what makes it worth visiting.   Kochi Prefecture occupies the entire Pacific-facing coast of Shikoku, Japan’s smallest main island. It has no bullet train and no major international gateway. No Instagram-famous shrine gates. What it does have […]

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Eddy L. Harris is a writer, filmmaker, and lifelong traveler who mixes memoir, adventure, and cultural insights in books like Mississippi Solo and Native Stranger. His stories dive into race and identity, inspired by his journeys across the USA and Africa. Q. Back in the 80s, you made a journey down the Mississippi by canoe, solo. What was the hardest part of doing it solo? The hardest thing about doing it solo was doing it. And I imagine that would have been the case had I not been alone – the […]

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Trekking to Annapurna Base Camp By Sunita Khadka The alarm went off at 4:30 AM, waking me up from a restless sleep 3,700 meters above sea level. My head hurt a little, which was a sign that the air here doesn’t have as much oxygen as I’m used to. But when I unzipped my sleeping bag in the cold, dark teahouse, the thrill of it all made any discomfort go away. I would finally get to Annapurna Base Camp today, after six days of hiking. When I first saw the […]

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Traveling often means waiting: airports, transfers, delayed departures, and quiet evenings away from home. During these moments, many travelers turn to online entertainment simply because it is always available. Studies show that digital media use during trips averages more than six hours a day, which reflects how naturally phones and tablets fit into travel routines. Streaming video, music, social platforms, mobile games, podcasts, and online casinos are all used depending on mood and time available. These options do not require planning or fixed schedules, which makes them easy to use […]

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Las Vegas is one of those cities that has always appealed to me in an intriguing sort of way. It’s not a ‘conventional’ city by any definition; its wink is seductive, filled with opportunity, excitement and flash – where money is always on full display. The city can be overwhelming, especially for first time visitors. My first trip was in college. Stepping out of the plane into one of the terminals at Harry Reid International Airport, I remember laughing to myself seeing the slot machines as soon as I entered […]

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Last Sunday, I set out on a solo adventure that turned into one of my most memorable monsoon experiences in Nashik, my hometown. As a Nashik native, I’ve always been drawn to the Western Ghats during the rains, when the hills transform into a lush, misty paradise. This time, I chose to trek Brahmagiri and Bhandardurg Fort near Trimbakeshwar, a journey that blended nature, spirituality, and history in a way I hadn’t expected. Here’s my story, along with insights into why monsoon treks in Nashik are a must for any […]

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The morning sun cast long shadows across the sugarcane fields as I made my way north from Manila along the MacArthur Highway. Like many travelers before me, I had always seen Tarlac as a place to pass through – a mere waypoint on the journey to more famous destinations in the Philippines’ northern reaches. But something made me stop this time, drawn by whispers of historic haciendas, sacred mountains, and a culture that blends the Kapampangan, Pangasinan, and Ilocano traditions into something uniquely its own. My first stop was Tarlac […]

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The Charm of Kinosaki Onsen and How My Journey Began Illustration by Kaori AkamatsuA playful illustrated scene of Kinosaki Onsen. Kinosaki Onsen, located in the northern part of Hyogo Prefecture along the Sea of Japan, is one of Japan’s most celebrated hot spring towns, with a history dating back over 1,300 years. Since the Edo period, it has been known as a town for therapeutic hot spring stays, a tradition that continues to be cherished today. The highlight of Kinosaki Onsen is its unique culture of visiting seven different public […]

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In 2024, the State of Florida set a record with 142.9 million visitors. It is the most significant influx of vacationers and part-time residents in the state’s history. As you can see, Florida is the most attractive road trip destination in the United States, dotted with Instagram-worthy coastal scenery, theme parks and resorts, some of the world’s best golf courses, and more. Suppose you’re headed south for a vacation to relocate or escape inclement weather up North or in the Midwest. In that case, finding reliable car transport to Florida […]

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SAN FRANCISCO, May 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Matador Network has released a new documentary today titled Iraq: Is it Really That Bad? Filmmaker Reinier van Oorsouw takes a road trip through multiple regions in Iraq, uncovering whether the country’s reputation matches reality. The film’s release marks the 22nd anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq on March 19, 2003. From the vibrant streets of Erbil in Kurdistan to Baghdad’s bustling culture, van Oorsouw explores Akre’s markets, traditional cuisine, and historic landmarks. In the 22-minute film, he takes viewers through Kurdistan’s stunning […]

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Embarking on a 10-day journey through Italy and Greece offers a captivating blend of history, culture, and scenic beauty. This itinerary provides a comprehensive guide to experiencing the highlights of both countries, along with insights into budgeting and travel tips. Day 1-3: Rome, Italy Begin your adventure in Rome, the Eternal City. Over three days, immerse yourself in its rich history and vibrant atmosphere. Visit iconic landmarks such as the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the Pantheon. A trip to Vatican City is essential, where you can explore St. Peter’s […]

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This under the radar National Park is highly worth visiting. Visitors can access the park and its rim drives and hiking trails from either the north rim or the south rim. The canyon features some of the steepest walls we have ever seen – it is not the deepest canyon we have visited (that would be Colca Canyon in Peru) but for sheer wow factor, this one is hard to beat. Located in the western part of the state, to access the north rim, one drives through the small communities […]

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