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  1. K

    Five Attractions in New York That Most Tourists (and Locals) Never Do – Part II

    When I wrote the first part of this article, I had no idea that it would become one of the most popular articles on this website, but every day people look for unusual things to do in New York City and read my five suggestions for NYC off the beaten path things to do. I have now been spending...
  2. K

    Five things to discover in New York that most tourists (and locals) never do

    Settling into New York City life, I’ve finally gotten around to seeing parts of the city that I never had time for on previous, shorter visits. With all the tourist attractions checked off the list, I wanted to get off the beaten path in New York City and uncover spots that tourists, and even...
  3. K

    La Via dell’amore: The Story Of The Path of Love | Cinque Terre, Italy

    You can find information on how to visit the Via Dell’Amore, either independently or as part of an organized tour, and how to buy tickets for the Path Of Love, at the end of this article. The Story of the Via Dell’Amore, Italy’s Path Of Love Until the 20th century, there were no roads...
  4. K

    Puerto Viejo: Cycling along Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast

    “EEEeee! This is just like Eat Pray Love!” Jaime squealed as we pedaled away from the bike rental shop on our shiny new bikes to explore the Caribbean beaches of the Costa Rican coast. Cheesy as it sounds, I think we all found the experience to be liberating, exhilarating yet completely...
  5. K

    The 5 Best Towns to Visit in Tuscany

    For those who haven’t been there, what they say about Tuscany really is true. Hilly countryside roads winding through charming medieval villages, vineyards and olive trees on both sides of the road, as far as the eye can see. The locals really do move in slow motion, and between all of the wine...
  6. K

    Hire a guide or go for a ride – what’s the best way to visit Angkor Wat?

    The ancient temples of Angkor Wat were at the top of Dani’s ‘Must-See in South East Asia’ list, but for me, the only connection I really had with the temples were their role in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider. But seeing how Angelina Jolie had filmed there, I was just as excited as Dani was to witness...
  7. K

    Is it safe to travel in Costa Rica?

    A few years ago I would have answered the question of safety in Costa Rica with a sound YES, but after my trip at the end of 2018, I felt a little bit more wary about wholeheartedly recommending Costa Rica as a travel destination – especially to a solo female traveler – than I would have when I...
  8. K

    There’s the Thailand we were looking for | A Bicycle Tour with SpiceRoads

    Preparing for our trip to Thailand, I remember reading somewhere about the romantic Thai rhythm of life. Waking up early, air still crisp and cooking the rice, first thing, so enough is made for the day. The smell of rice fills the house as people sweep floors or clean the kitchen and get ready...
  9. K

    The Galápagos Islands: Fifteen Things To Know Before You Go

    Visiting the Galapagos Islands was truly a travel dream come true – a trip I’d been dreaming about for years! A dream trip comes with high expectations, and I can honestly say that my Galapagos Islands cruise exceeded my expectations, which is rare. These far-flung, remote islands ended up being...
  10. K

    How much does it cost to travel in Uruguay?

    The quick answer to this question is: More than you would think. Like neighboring Argentina, Chile and Brazil, traveling in Uruguay is not cheap and you often spend the same amount as when traveling in the U.S. and Europe, but if you’re looking to match the same level of quality in hotels or...
  11. K

    Pros & Cons of eSIM Cards for Travel

    Bonifacio, Corsica // I used an EU SIM card I bought in Italy for a trip to three different countries in the Mediterranean with success. One of my biggest travel pet peeves is finding affordable cellular data plans abroad. Historically, I’ve always bought local SIM cards because they are...
  12. K

    I Live in Chiang Mai, Thailand Every Winter—Here’s the Best Things to Do

    Left: Wat Doi Suthep; Right: Wat Phantao during the lantern festival in Chiang Mai I fell in love with Thailand in 2009 when I was running photo trips for a student travel company in Southeast Asia. While the Chiang Mai has changed a bit over the years, it’s still the city I love so much. I now...
  13. K

    I Visit Vietnam Every Year – Here are my Favorite Places (and Where to Avoid)

    Ha Long Bay is must-see on any trip to Vietnam. Be sure to avoid winter so the water will be warm enough to swim! Like India, Vietnam can be a sensory overload of beauty and complexity. The scenery is diverse—the mist-covered mountains of Sapa, the seemingly endless swarms of motorbikes in...
  14. K

    Photo Guide to Mesa Verde National Park

    Cliff Palace cliff dwelling photographed from the Cliff Palace Viewpoint by Sun Temple on Mesa Loop. Camera Settings: f/16 @ 1/250, ISO 400, 350 mm (70-200mm lens with 2X teleconverter.) Mesa Verde National Park is one of my favorite places in the Southwest. In 1906, it became the seventh...
  15. K

    11 Things to Do in Hanoi That Are Actually Worth Your Time

    Located on an island on Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple is easily accessible by a red bridge. Vietnam’s two largest cities are polar opposites—Ho Chi Minh is a sleek, modern city of skyscrapers while the charming capital of Hanoi is filled with ancient history. Hanoi is the best for watching...
  16. K

    I Used a Saily eSIM for 1 Month in Southeast Asia—Here’s How It Went

    The colorful temples in Hoi An, Vietnam were one of my stops on my recent Vietnam trip testing the Saily eSIM card. While I was hesitant to use eSIM initially, they’ve been a lifeline for me since I travel nonstop for work. While I’ve written about the pros and cons of eSIM cards, I’ve...
  17. K

    What to Pack for the Camino de Santiago: Advice from a Woman Who’s Walked It Twice

    In the latest Travel Tuesday Interview, I chat with experienced hiker and retired educator Chris Rufflo who trekked the Camino de Santiago for the second time last fall and has plans for a third trip. Rufflo is an expert at packing light and my go-to source for minimalistic packing tips. She...
  18. K

    Why American Airlines Elite Status No Longer Makes Sense for Most Travelers

    Athens, Greece is one of my summer travel destinations and my last chance to use American Airlines mileage awards before they disappear. Last year, I wrote about how I achieved my first airline elite status, American Airlines Platinum status, and how I hacked my way up to Platinum Pro status...
  19. K

    How to Avoid Travel Bank Fees

    While the train along the famed wine region on the banks of the Douro River in Pinhão, Portugal, is a must-do attraction, be sure to avoid the hefty Portuguese ATM fees. Thirteen percent—that’s how much an ATM in Lamego, Portugal was trying to charge me to convert my cash withdrawal from EUR to...
  20. K

    An Easy Guide to Getting American Airlines Elite Status—And How to Optimize it Once You Do

    A work trip to Egypt in January helped me earn American Airlines AAdvantage Platinum status thanks to a stopover in Dubai and flying oneworld alliance airlines. This post was originally published in April 2024 and updated in August 2025 to reflect recent changes to the American Airlines...
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