Posted: 3/27/2023 | March 27th, 2023 I’m bad at taking photos. That’s not to say the pictures I take are bad (though there’s debate on that too!). Rather, I always forget to take photos for this blog whenever I’m traveling. I’ve gotten better in recent years (thanks to the team here constantly reminding me). But that means I take a lot of photos — photos of me for my social media, pictures of landscapes and monuments for the website, menus so I can update prices on the blog, and everything in between. After over 15 years traveling the world, I have thousands and thousands of pictures on my ha ..read more

Posted: 3/24/2023 | March 24, 2023 Tokyo is the largest city in the world, home to a whopping 37 million people in the metro area. The city. Incredible, amazing, and bewildering. But massive. In terms of neighborhoods, there are 14 urban hubs spread out across the megalopolis. There are also 23 wards — five of which make up the central part of town — and, within those wards, hundreds of neighborhoods. But, as a visitor to the city, there are only a few areas that are ideal to stay in. You don’t need to go through all the centers and wards. In my view, there are only about eight areas worth st ..read more

Posted: 3/24/2023 | March 24th, 2023 I love New York City. I’ve spent so much time visiting and living here. To me, it’s the beating heart of the world. There is no language spoken or food eaten that you can’t find here. And there’s a never-ending stream of things to see and do. You can never be bored in this city. Whenever I want a deeper dive into a place, I take a walking tour. And when it comes to walking tours, NYC has it all. Free tours, history tours, pub crawls, food tours, ghost tours — there are a ton of walking tours around town. My favorite company — in NYC and abroad — is Walks ..read more

Posted: 3/24/2023 | March 24th, 2023 Everyone says that you have to stop traveling the world once you have kids. In this guest post, Kristin from Be My Travel Muse shares how she has managed to keep traveling the world — even with a baby — and the lessons and challenges traveling with a child has presented. For nearly ten years, I traveled to over sixty countries on six continents by myself. If you had told 26-year-old me, who was just beginning her solo travel adventures, that she would eventually have a baby, she might have searched out a DeLorean to rewrite the script. Traveling solo meant ..read more

Last Updated: 3/23/23 | March 23rd, 2023 Some people travel to explore ancient historical sites, others to sample the culture or food or language of new and exciting destinations. And, sometimes, people travel to party. When it comes to budget backpacking, one of the most common ways travelers break the ice is over a drink. Or two. Or three. Whether it’s at bars, clubs, lounges, beach parties, or just in small groups sitting around talking while sipping a bottle of wine, alcohol — for better or worse — is often a staple of life on the road. If you’re looking to embrace your wild side and part ..read more

Last Updated: 3/17/23 | March 17th, 2023 I love to eat. In fact, eating is one of my favorite activities, and also one of my favorite aspects of traveling. Food is such an integral part of so many cultures that to skip out on meals when you travel is to miss out on a part of that culture. I’m always disappointed when I meet travelers who cook all their meals in a hostel kitchen. Why come to Italy and not have pasta? No sushi in Japan? Avoiding steak in Argentina? Skipping paella in Spain? While you don’t need to eat every single dish when you visit a new country, it’s important to be as open ..read more

Posted: 3/16/23 | March 16th, 2023 Famed for its restaurant and coffee scene, Melbourne is popular with the backpacker crowd (hence why I vibe with it so much!). It has charming, funky neighborhoods, and streets lined with inspiring shops and cafés. You can tap into its amazing nightlife, from a sedate evening at a wine bar to dancing until sunrise at a thumping club. It’s also near the wine-centric Yarra Valley. There’s a lot to see and do here. Melbourne is considered the “cultural capital” of the country and the best way to find out why is to take a walking tour. I love walking tours. You ..read more

Posted: 3/16/23 | March 16th, 2023 One of the easiest ways to save money traveling is by travel hacking. Using credit cards (responsibly) to collect points and miles essentially transforms your everyday spending into free flights, free hotel stays, and other awesome travel perks. Not only does this stretch your travel budget but it levels up your travel experience, providing free upgrades, lounge access, and much, much more. Whether you want to be on the road for longer, take more trips, or simply save money on your next vacation, points and miles can get you there. However, most of the best ..read more

Posted: 3/10/2023 | March 10th, 2023 Known for its beautiful backdrops and stunning beaches, Cape Town has been a popular backpacker hub for years. It’s also fast becoming a favorite for digital nomads too, thanks to the city’s vibrant nightlife and rich, diverse culture. Once a super-cheap destination, as Cape Town’s popularity has increased, so too has the cost of living. Thankfully, it is still very affordable, and there are plenty of budget-friendly hostels for backpackers and nomads. Below you’ll find my list of the best hostels in Cape Town to help you have fun, meet other travelers, an ..read more

Posted: 3/10/2023 | March 10th, 2023 Sydney is the most popular and largest city in Ausrtralia. If you visit the country, you’re going to visit here. Home to five million inhabitants (about 20% of the entire population), it has a ton of things to see and do, from the iconic Opera House and Harbour Bridge to its stunning beaches and plentiful museums (many of which are free). As the country’s biggest city and most popular destination for tourists, there is a lot to do here. Beyond the typical sites, museums, and activities, there are also a lot of incredible walking tours that give you a sense ..read more