Independent Travel, Thoughtfully Planned
Tipping in Europe used to be simple: round up, leave a coin, move on. Not anymore, and Americans are part of the reason why. I was born and raised in Europe but lived most of my adult life in the US, so when the subject of tipping comes up, I’ll admit that my opinion is …
Tipping in Europe: How Much to Tip and Why the Rules Are Shifting Read More
Sustainable travel has become the magic phrase that’s supposed to make us feel better about seeing the world. National Geographic has a clear overview of what sustainable travel is supposed to mean. We book “eco” hotels, reuse our towels, buy a carbon offset, and tell ourselves we’re traveling responsibly. Yet if you look a little …
Sustainable Travel: Why It’s Mostly Theater, Not RealityRead More
Long ago, when people had to watch a documentary or go to a library to read about vibrant cities, beautiful mountain trails, or strange places around the world, tourism felt perfect. That was a time when we could truly consider ourselves lucky to have been able to discover the wonders of this world. But not …
One of the first things you’ll wonder when planning a trip to Central Europe is whether you’ll be welcome in the countries you plan to visit. And if your eye is on Romania and Hungary, you have probably heard conflicting stories about the two countries; that one culture is warmer while the other is more …
Romania vs Hungary: Which Country Treats Tourists Better?Read More
There are places that look better in person than in photos, and places that look exactly as advertised. Wadi Rum somehow does both. The desert is larger and more impressive than you would imagine, changing color throughout the day as the light shifts across the landscape. Of all the places we visited in Jordan, the …
When you live in the entertainment capital of the world, it’s hard not to talk about movies and shows. In Los Angeles, filming locations are part of everyday life: you drive past familiar facades, then suddenly recognize them on screen. The same happened with Netflix’s “Nobody Wants This,” a fresh romantic comedy set in LA whose filming locations …
Netflix’s “Nobody Wants This”– Filming Locations to Visit in Los AngelesRead More
Jerash surprised me because I expected a few scattered ruins and a quick stop from Amman, but it ended up being one of my favorite places in Jordan outside Petra. What makes Jerash different is how much of the ancient city is still standing. You are not just looking at broken stones in a field. …
The Ultimate Guide for Exploring the Jerash Roman Ruins in JordanRead More
The Jordan Pass is worth it for almost every traveler spending more than three nights in Jordan. It covers the 40 JOD ($56) tourist visa fee on arrival and includes entry to over 40 attractions, including Petra, Jerash, Wadi Rum, and the Amman Citadel. For most visitors, it pays for itself on Day 1. When …
Is the Jordan Pass Worth It? A Comprehensive ReviewRead More
You may have heard a lot about Europe’s capital darlings and probably not all of it sounded appealing: over-tourism, inflated prices, and areas that feel unsafe. Well, forget the idea that Europe is only about Paris, Rome, or Barcelona. Yes, they are beautiful and worth seeing at least once, but they are not the whole …
10 Underrated Cities in Europe for Travelers Who Hate CrowdsRead More
