50 by 50

So, I turn 50 next year. September of 2016 to be exact. ...

Beyond the Music in Nashville

Nashville, Tennessee is known as Music City. Home to honkytonks, dozens of ...

Becoming Top Chef on your Next Vacation

Television shows such as Top Chef and Chopped have exploded in popularity ...

Go Barefoot in India: Eco-Resort in the Andaman Islands

There are places in India well-known for their beaches—Kerala and Goa spring to mind. But far off the coast, in the Andaman Sea much nearer to Thailand than mainland India, lies one of the country’s best-kept secrets: The Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Far removed from the rest of India, while still retaining the feel and […]

My Year in Travel 2014

I got a late start traveling in 2014 – typically I go somewhere warm in January. This year’s travels began March 1, when Keith and I visited the Caribbean island nation of Grenada. A completely under-rated, under-visited tropical country, we found Grenada authentic and charming. We especially liked the smaller sister island, Carriacou, which had […]

Passports with Purpose

Passports with Purpose, the travel blogging fundraiser, is raising money now through December 17, 2014 to help farmers in Honduras with Sustainable Harvest International (SHI). For $10 a try you can enter to win one of dozens of fantastic travel prizes that range from a week in Provence to a tour of the Grand Canyon to […]

Puri, India: Rickshaw Tour Photo Essay

Puri, India is one of the four most important holy cities in India (the other three being Badrinath, Dwarka and Rameswaram). Dating to the 3rd century BC, it is said to have been the earthly abode of Vishnu. Many Hindus make a pilgrimage here at least once in their lifetimes. I visited Puri in November 2014, mostly to […]

Adventures of a Carry-On Bag

Some trips need the big bag, and some just a carry-on. I’m a huge fan of packing as lightly as possible, and carrying-on whenever possible. Ever-increasing checked bag fees and fun lost/delayed luggage experiences just reinforce this for me. Sometimes I do need the bigger, checked bag — for longer trips of several weeks or […]

My Favorite Markets Around the Globe

One of my favorite things to do anywhere in the world is go to the local markets. It’s always such a slice of everyday life and culture, fun and interesting. Here are some of my favorite markets around the globe. Chatuchak Weekend Market, Bangkok Wow, this place is like the grandaddy of all markets. I’ve […]

A Haunting Underwater Sculpture Garden in Grenada

They lay silent underneath the surface of the sea, holding hands with their faces turned up in hope. The Circle of Children is an underwater sculpture just off the coast of the Caribbean nation of Grenada, done by artist Jason de Caires Taylor. Their transformation, as they become remodeled through coral and other ocean growth, reflects […]

Are We There Yet?

Travel – it’s what moves, motivates, inspires and fulfills many of us, myself included. And because I am who I am – both a travel writer AND a personal global nomad – a big percentage of my friends and colleagues are big-time travelers too. Such as Jeff Jung. A fellow Texan, hailing from the quaint […]

My Year in Travel, 2013: Recap and Photo Slideshow

It’s here – my annual “Year in Travel” video. I had many travel experiences this year (which I share – the good and the bad – in this post). I wish you all the best for the new year – Happy New Year! I also thought I would share what some of the most popular […]

My Best and Worst Travel Experiences of 2013

I saw and did some amazing things this year, to be sure! And let’s face it – travel isn’t always fun and games. Sometimes you just don’t dig a place, or have a travel experience that sort of sucks. The good definitely outweighed the bad, but I decided to be honest about both sides of […]