Initials carved in ancient Roman ruins and Japanese temples… travelers bypassing barriers to touch protected (and scalding!) hot springs…   It’s not just you.  Bad tourist behavior in the post-pandemic world has reached a stunning new level.  From European hubs to US national parks,  our newsfeeds never seem to run out of tourist behavior stories that range from baffling to just plain disrespectful.  Not only does this trend highlight the negative impacts of tourism – it also begs some big questions for those who strive to be good tourists: Is responsible trave ..read more

Iceland is truly like no other country on Earth: bursting with otherworldly scenery shaped by active volcanism,  it’s a place where you can experience the midnight sun or the Northern Lights and immerse yourself in the adventure and mystery of medieval sagas.  That’s why,  in the past decade alone,  tourist visits to Iceland have skyrocketed. It’s still very possible to get off the beaten path in your Iceland itinerary,  but doing so requires more intentional planning and preparation than in years past.  The reward? An authentic Iceland experience filled with w ..read more

Steeped in rich history and shaped by striking mountains, the food in Piedmont region of Northern Italy is as luxurious as it is rustic.  As a visitor, you’ll sample world-renowned cheeses that tell the tale of generations of alpine shepherds. Whether you dine along the wide boulevards of Turin or an ancient rural village, you’ll fill up on hearty pasta complimented by plenty of fresh vegetables.  It doesn’t take much to get us hungry for an adventure in Piedmont. If you dream of truffles, hazelnuts, and wine, you’ll probably feel the same way. Where is Piedmont? Welcome to Italy’s ..read more

So someone told you to get a travel insurance policy. Maybe it was someone on the Internet.  Maybe a concerned relative. Or maybe it was us, The Travel Yogi (yep, it’s our favorite form of pre-adventure tough love).  First off, congratulations – the fact that you need travel insurance means there’s an exciting trip in your future! But when it comes to travel insurance, it feels like you’re about to dive into a paperwork nightmare. We totally get it. Car, home, and health insurance are complex enough, and adding the novelty of travel insurance to the mix immediately evokes a heada ..read more

With leopards and elephants, unrivaled curries, hillsides green with tea plants, and a millennia-long Buddhist history, Sri Lanka is a small country that beckons visitors from far afield.  When you feel that pull, it’s up to you to plan your trip… or trust a travel company to do the heavy lifting for you! In this article, we’ll unpack the sometimes counterintuitive way group travel gives you a more immersive experience. (As a heads up: we are a travel company, and we are a little biased, but our experience gives us a lot of insight on this topic!) We’ll also walk through a sample Sri ..read more

Picture yourself here:  You’re on the way out of a McDonald’s parking lot, craning your neck to look for oncoming rush hour traffic. Your hand creeps into the paper bag to sneak a couple of french fries that you won’t really taste as you pull onto the road. Now, picture yourself here:  You’re gathered around a table in an unassuming brick-walled restaurant, catching up with friends as you dig into colorful seasonal vegetables, crackle apart fresh baked bread, and slice off a small but savory portion of ethically raised meat.  We’re not here to judge if you’ve been to drive-t ..read more

As an ethical traveler, there’s one question you probably ask yourself all the time: How do I travel sustainably and responsibly –  without harming the place I came so far to see? When you’re considering an Arctic trip, this question becomes even more important. As fragile as it is harsh, the Arctic is a poster child for climate change. The reports you’ve read about receding glaciers and all those gut-wrenching photos of hungry polar bears? They aren’t exaggerating – the Arctic is truly experiencing climate change more intensely than the rest of the world (boo).  These days, ever ..read more

Flavorful, bright, fresh, and spicy, there’s nothing quite like traditional Sri Lankan food. If you’re planning a trip to this island nation (on a Yoga Adventure, perhaps?) you’re in for a culinary treat.  Get ready to venture off the beaten tourist track – that’s where the good meals are – and have a bottle of water handy. Things are about to get hot. What is Sri Lankan Food Like? Sri Lankan food is full of local produce, fresh seafood, and strong flavors, making for a cuisine that’s totally unique to the island nation.  But it’s the spices that make Sri Lankan food truly memorab ..read more

Picture a land where vibrant history flows close to the surface. Where mountains tower above ancient cities and resilient trees cling to high-altitude slopes. Where rural farms and lively cities bring centuries-old traditions into the present moment.  This is Peru. With a rich cultural history spanning thousands of years and a landscape infused with the power of the Pacific Ocean, the Andes Mountains, and the Amazon Rainforest, Peru is an essential adventure travel destination in South America.  So if you’re here because you’re wondering ‘Is Peru a good place to visit?’ the answer ..read more

Ever spent hours on the phone with an airline, seeking compensation for a canceled flight?  The (often literal!) headache,  the struggle to speak kindly despite your rising frustration,  the tinny hold music… If that sounds familiar, then you’ve been through a situation where you could’ve been covered by travel insurance.  And that’s just one common example! At The Travel Yogi, we’re here to help you find adventure,  joy,  awe and connection through travel – so we totally get that worst-case-scenario thinking isn’t your jam. That’s why we swear by travel insur ..read more