Most people think that they need to fly all the way to South America to be part of an authentic plant-based retreat, and while that could have been true a few years ago, right now, it’s a myth. You see, nowadays Europe offers a ton of different ways to have a deep spiritual experience without flying to the Amazon rainforest. You can find beautiful peaceful spots in nature, from forests in Germany to the Mediterranean coast, but how do you … [Read more...]
Caribbean Risk in 2026 Runs the Full Spectrum, and the Research Starts Before You Book
Zigmas Pekarskas has planned enough independent trips to know that scanning a destination's crime headline tells only part of the story. The 2026 U.S. State Department advisories for Caribbean and adjacent destinations now span every tier on the scale, from Level 1 in El Salvador and Mexico's Yucatán to Level 4 Do Not Travel in Haiti, and that range makes destination-by-destination legal vetting the discipline that separates a well-constructed … [Read more...]
Sleeper Buses Around the World: Taking the Overnight Bus on Every Continent
I've spent a fair few nights on sleeper buses around the world at this point, and honestly? The experience is wildly different depending on where you are. I've taken overnight buses in Turkey, Western Europe, Thailand, Vietnam, all over South America, Mexico, and even the UK, and each region has its own quirks, comfort rating, and chaos level. Some buses are genuinely brilliant, like in Vietnam, where they have lie-flat seats that could rival … [Read more...]
And the Oscar Goes to: Rio de Janeiro!
Urca: The Tranquil Refuge in Rio de Janeiro The Urca neighborhood, one of the oldest in Rio, is where the main house of the film is located, a setting that blends charm and serenity. With tree-lined streets, historic houses, and a stunning view of Sugarloaf Mountain, Urca evokes a sense of warmth that is central to the film's narrative. Take a stroll along the Mureta da Urca, enjoy a pastel with a cold beer, and watch the sunset in one of the … [Read more...]
Ko Lan Getaway: A Weekend of Sun, Sand, and Crowds
Waiting until the last minute and short on some upcoming vacation time, I scored what I thought was a bargain, at a room located next to the beach on Ko Lan. This was the last budget option I saw listed through various booking sites. And only a few other resorts had rooms, all of which were extremely expensive. Satisfied, I pulled a Spy wine cooler out of the fridge, grabbed a book and hit the hammock for the next few hours. The next morning I … [Read more...]
Who Will Accompany You? by Meg Stafford with Kate Stafford and Gale Stafford
Who Will Accompany You? is a a look at two separate international trips simultaneously told through the eyes of Meg (the mother) and her daughters Kate and Gale. Thoughtfully written, this journey follows Meg and Kate to the Himalayas where Kate spends her time meditating at a monastery while Meg hikes in the mountains. The second part of the book is about a trip to Colombia where Meg follows Gale who is part of an organization helping … [Read more...]
Visit Brasil Gallery Arrives in New York City to Celebrate the Nature, Culture, and Gastronomy of the Brazilian Amazon
An initiative by the Brazilian Tourist Board in partnership with Sebrae will offer immersive and multisensory experiences promoting the world's largest biome to international tourism. The lushness of the Brazilian Amazon, a unique place of connection with nature, its colors, flavors, rhythms, culture, and ancestry. The Visit Brasil Gallery - Amazon, an initiative by Brazilian Tourist Board (Embratur/Visit Brasil) in partnership with Brazilian … [Read more...]
Is it Safe to Travel Alone in Central America?
Sometimes I feel like a broken record talking about my recent backpacking trip in Central America and South America, because I’ve written so much about it on my own blog. But here I am on a brand new website, with a brand new audience, and I guess I’d better start from the beginning. I had this grand plan to spend a year backpacking from Mexico City to Santiago de Chile, completely by bus, boat, train, car; anything except from flying. This … [Read more...]
Moments in Santa Fe de Antioquia, Colombia
An old man hunched over with a baseball cap and a small cloth pack hanging from his back, scoots in beside me on a small well worn bench. He quietly calls out to an old woman who has casually wandered over to us carrying a Styrofoam box perched on top of her shoulders . She places the coffee carefully in between the wooden slats on the park bench in between myself and the older gentleman. We sit here in silence, yet surrounded by music … [Read more...]
Thailand Trails: A Road Trip Adventure
Out of the blue, a friend sent me a Whatsapp note asking where I was. Knowing his proclivity for international travels and knowing my schedule, we both could have been just about anywhere on the planet. "Thailand", was my reply. I had recently arrived in the Kingdom, immediately following three months in the Caribbean and Colombia. Remarkably, he said he was in Khorat which was only about 2 hours north of where I staying. It had been years since … [Read more...]
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