How can there possibly be any worthwhile travel lessons from the godawful Covid-19 pandemic? Maybe lessons on overcoming boredom, rationing toilet paper, or finding a suitable mask. But travel? Really?? Yes, I tell you. Really. The time we now...
Non-Guidebooks for Travelers
Looking for a book to give your favorite traveler? Or for yourself? Go beyond the predictable Travel Section at your bookstore: “Non-guidebooks” offer insights and information that will inspire the globetrotters on your list. What are Non-guidebooks? They’re books...
Ethical Travel: “Vote With Your Wings”
Ethical travel? What is THAT? And why does it matter? Ethical travel is the awareness of our impact on the planet when we go anywhere. Anywhere. From how we get to our destination to what we do when we...
Volunteer Tourism: Is It for You? A Few Things to Consider…
Volunteer tourism: is it for you? Also called “voluntourism,” it’s a growing travel trend. About two million people a year–spending $2 billion–go abroad and donate their time to help a favorite cause. Given the world situation, volunteering certainly seems...
Travel and Happiness: There IS a Connection!
Travel and happiness: It’s a match! Isn’t it great when science backs our beliefs? Research at Cornell University shows that experiences produce more happiness than objects. Why? Because each experience is unique and can’t be replicated. “One of the enemies...
Disaster relief: What a traveler can do
Disaster relief: Many of us wonder how to help. Lately, there have been hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, and fires. As travelers, we’ve been to many of these places. We’ve met the people. We’ve seen their communities, maybe visited their homes....
“Overbooked” by Elizabeth Becker: Travel Book Club Selection
Overbooked, by Elizabeth Becker, is our latest Travel Book Club Selection. It should be on every traveler’s reading list. I can promise you that it will change your perspective about the industry that employs 1 of 11 people worldwide....
Are You a Responsible Tourist?
Being a responsible tourist isn’t convenient. In fact, it’s a kind of dilemma. On one hand–flight delays and security hassles aside–we can get anywhere in the world. On the other hand, not every destination can handle a big tourist load....
What We Can Learn From Europeans–Part 2
Follow my blog with Bloglovin “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.” Sage advice from St. Augustine, who was born in 354. I don’t know where he visited, to cause him...
What We Can Learn from Europeans–Part 1
Follow my blog with Bloglovin What We Can Learn from Europeans: Part 1 Guess what? There’s a whole world outside the United States of America. And here’s the shocker: They pay attention to us. They get up in the...