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Sophia Reed, M.Sc. Economics

Sophia Reed loves to travel and explore new cultures. She is also the Chief Editor of TBL.

Switzerland: A Benchmark for Clean Water Switzerland: A Benchmark for Clean Water (image credits: unsplash) Switzerland is often the gold standard when it comes to water purity, blending breathtaking alpine landscapes with crystal-clear streams and lakes. More than 80% of Swiss drinking water comes from groundwater sources, naturally filtered through the Alps’ mineral-rich rocks. According …

Read More about 7 Countries with Exceptional Water Quality, 3 with Serious Issues

Colombia: A Transformation Story Colombia: A Transformation Story (image credits: pixabay) Colombia’s reputation has changed in ways most people would never have believed a decade ago. Once haunted by images of cartels and danger, today’s Colombia is a magnet for curious travelers, and the numbers prove it. According to the 2024 Global Peace Index, Colombia’s …

Read More about These 10 “Risky” Countries Are Actually Surprisingly Safe for Travelers

Mexico: Where Perceptions Clash with Reality Mexico: Where Perceptions Clash with Reality (image credits: unsplash) If you ask people about Mexico, you’ll probably hear concerns about crime and safety. However, what many headlines miss is that popular tourist destinations like Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum have seen improvements in safety. Official government reports indicate …

Read More about 9 Countries That Feel Risky but Are Surprisingly Safe

The Rise of Travel Shaming The Rise of Travel Shaming (image credits: pixabay) It’s hard to scroll through your social feed these days without stumbling upon a heated debate about travel. In the past year, “travel shaming” has reemerged with unexpected force, especially on platforms like Twitter and Instagram. People are openly criticizing others for …

Read More about Why Travel Shaming Is Trending Again — and What It Means

Picture this: you’re standing in a place where every sense is on high alert. The air smells electric, your heart thrums with adrenaline, and around you sprawls a landscape both beautiful and fearsome. This is the allure of the world’s danger zones—places where caution and curiosity collide, and where the brave (or maybe just the …

Read More about Top 10 Danger Zones That Still Attract Tourists

Russia: Heightened Restrictions and Hostility Russia: Heightened Restrictions and Hostility (image credits: wikimedia) Russia has grown noticeably colder toward foreign tourists, especially in the wake of ongoing geopolitical tensions. Since the invasion of Ukraine, Russia has ramped up its visa requirements, making the process more daunting for potential visitors. The World Travel and Tourism Council …

Read More about Top 10 Countries Where Visitors Are Increasingly Unwelcome

The Overload of Information The Overload of Information (image credits: unsplash) Travel apps are supposed to make planning easier, but often they do the opposite. You open one, and suddenly you’re hit with hundreds of flight options, hotel deals, and endless lists of things to do. A 2024 study in the Journal of Travel Research …

Read More about Travel | Why I Don’t Use Travel Apps—And You Might Want To, Too

Italy’s Prohibition on Laughter in Public Italy’s Prohibition on Laughter in Public (image credits: pixabay) In the bustling city of Milan, Italy, an ancient law still lingers on the books: the prohibition of loud laughter in public spaces. While it sounds like a plot twist in a quirky comedy, this rule was originally introduced to …

Read More about Strangest Laws Still in Place Around the World

The Hidden Costs of Cheap Flights The Hidden Costs of Cheap Flights (image credits: unsplash) The lure of a cheap flight is hard to resist—at first glance, those ultra-low prices look like a ticket to adventure for less. But dig a little deeper, and the story takes a turn. According to a 2024 study by …

Read More about Travel | Why I Avoid Cheap Flights Now—and You Might Want To, Too

Stepping Into the Sky Stepping Into the Sky (image credits: unsplash) Picture this: The scent of brewed coffee mingles with jet fuel as you shuffle down the narrow aisle, backpack bumping against armrests, heart beating with anticipation. The world outside the window shrinks to a patchwork of clouds and city lights. It’s not a private …

Read More about Travel | Why I Don’t Fly First Class—and You Might Want To, Too