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Chaotic Khao San: Bangkok’s Infamous Backpacker Road

Khao San Road is an affront to the senses. For the fresh-off-the-plane traveler, a visit to this part of Bangkok, Thailand’s capital city, may have you wondering what the hell you got yourself into. It’s a frenetic scene of neon signs, drunk backpackers and scantily-clad promo girls (who may or may not be transvestites), but Khao San is also the crux of the budget traveler scene, where hostels, tour operators and sarong shops converge. It’s the ultimate backpacker hub for the budget South East Asian traveler. This strip is where you can book overland trips to Laos, find cheap flights to Vietnam or get your visa for Cambodia. Chances are good that, if you’re going through Bangkok, you’ll end up on Khao San Road.

Chaotic Khao San: Bangkok’s Infamous Backpacker Road2017-08-03T16:10:09+00:00

Spring Break Survival Guide: Top 5 Safety Tips

Spring Break-ers Living it Up If you’re a college student preparing for a wild and crazy Jersey Shore-style Spring break vacation, here are a few travel survival tips to keep in mind before you go: 1) Watch your drinking.  Booze is usually the root of all trouble, clouding your ability to make smart choices, so [...]

Spring Break Survival Guide: Top 5 Safety Tips2010-03-12T08:00:29+00:00

Spy in the City: Espionage and Intrigue in Washington DC

In the spy capital of the world, it’s no surprise that the International Spy Museum is a hot ticket. In downtown Washington D.C., just steps from the FBI building, this one-of-a-kind tourist attraction has been educating the masses and instilling paranoia since it first opened in 2002. This past weekend, between schmoozing and stage presentations at the Travel & Adventure show, I had a chance to check out The Spy Museum.

Spy in the City: Espionage and Intrigue in Washington DC2010-03-10T08:00:22+00:00

Alice in Wonderland: High Tea in NYC

In anticipation for Tim Burton's movie spectacular Alice In Wonderland (set to open this weekend), why not organize your very own Mad Hatter tea party? New York City knows how to pull off high tea, so before you start drooling over dreamy Johnny Depp, chase your own white rabbit through some of the city's best herbal haunts. Check out my Top 3 spots to sip afternoon tea in NYC. These places offer stewed brews of loose leaf fit for the Queen of Hearts; pastries and scones so delicious they'll have you smiling like the Cheshire Cat.

Alice in Wonderland: High Tea in NYC2010-03-03T08:00:45+00:00

An island paradise: spear fishing in Zanzibar, Tanzania

Sunset beach vista from my beach bungalow on Kendwa beach Not a dinner party goes by without someone asking me, “Out of all of the places you’ve been around the world, what’s your all-time favorite destination?”  For me, the answer is simple.  Tanzania. Home to the Serengeti, Mt. Kilimanjaro, rich Maasai traditions, welcoming people and [...]

An island paradise: spear fishing in Zanzibar, Tanzania2017-08-03T16:15:31+00:00

Travel Writing 101: How to break into the biz

That’s me, writing in Chile Jet setting around the world through exotic locales (and getting paid for it), travel writers sure do have pretty desirable jobs.  True, it’s a coveted and fiercely competitive career but, with a little passion, perseverance and advice, you too can become a travel writer. Over the past seven years, my [...]

Travel Writing 101: How to break into the biz2010-02-19T08:00:47+00:00

From Mardi Gras to marshmallow-eating alligators: a swamp tour in Louisiana

His name is El Whappo. He’s 70 years-old, 13 feet long and he’s one of the biggest alligators ever seen in Louisiana’s West Pearl River. Our tour group found the monster reptile lounging along the sandy river bank, soaking up the afternoon sun. As our motor boat approached for a better look, the alligator turned its snout, slid from the shore and floated towards us. This was Dr. Wagner’s Honey Island Swamp Tour, a two-hour guided boat ride through Louisiana’s wetlands. Open since 1984, the tour focuses on the natural environment and its indigenous wildlife: from tiny turtles to moss-covered cypress trees, slimy green duck weed (a staple in many swamp dwellers’ diets), to blue herons the size of pterodactyls.

From Mardi Gras to marshmallow-eating alligators: a swamp tour in Louisiana2010-02-16T08:00:38+00:00

More than boobs, booze and beads

The family parades during Mardi Gras are a safe alternative to frat-boy fun Boobs, booze and beads – three things that come to mind when you hear the words Mardi Gras.  One of the world’s best parties, Mardi Gras in New Orleans, is home to more than just X-rated frat-boy fun. This year Fat Tuesday [...]

More than boobs, booze and beads2010-02-15T08:00:35+00:00

Where to pamper, play and party in Vancouver

In case you haven’t heard… the 21st Winter Olympics have come to Vancouver; curling, bobsledding and luging their way into our hearts, from Feb 12-28. While the sports junkies are glued to the TV, rooting for the world’s best athletes, why not convince the girls who aren’t obsessed with Quatchi the sasquatch mascot to indulge in a little Vancouver inspired getaway? For a quality time with your best girl friends, sisters and moms, visit Vancouver, a 2010 hot spot destination, for a good ol’ fashioned girl retreat.

Where to pamper, play and party in Vancouver2010-02-08T10:00:30+00:00