Imagine landing somewhere new, and instead of a wall of heat, engines, and chatter, you’re greeted by the cool hush of pines and the soft crunch of gravel underfoot. There’s a deep breath you can finally take—one you didn’t know you’d been holding. For years, my trips circled giant metropolises, chasing the energy of world …
Travel Tips
Driving Outside the Permitted Geographic Area Driving Outside the Permitted Geographic Area (image credits: unsplash) It’s surprisingly easy to accidentally void your rental car insurance simply by crossing the wrong border. Rental agreements usually spell out exactly where you can and cannot drive. For instance, if you rent a car in the US and drive …
Refusing to Comply with Security Screening Procedures Refusing to Comply with Security Screening Procedures (image credits: wikimedia) Refusing to cooperate with airport security screening is one of the fastest ways to find yourself in trouble before your trip even begins. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reported in 2024 that more than 1,200 travelers were detained …
Illegal Wildlife Trade and Souvenir Purchases Illegal Wildlife Trade and Souvenir Purchases (image credits: unsplash) Many cruise passengers are surprised to learn that the beautiful trinkets they buy at exotic ports may be illegal. Items like coral jewelry, tortoise shell combs, and ivory figurines are often made from protected species. According to the Convention on …
Venezuela: Economic Collapse and Political Instability Venezuela: Economic Collapse and Political Instability (image credits: unsplash) Venezuela stands at the top of the list for countries experiencing mass emigration in 2025. With more than 7 million citizens having already left since 2015, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reports that about 500,000 Venezuelans continue …
Switzerland: Where Affluence Meets High Expenses Switzerland: Where Affluence Meets High Expenses (image credits: flickr) Switzerland stands firm at the summit of expensive countries, almost as if it’s the luxury watch of the global cost-of-living world. In 2025, Zurich and Geneva are repeatedly named among the world’s priciest cities by the Economist Intelligence Unit and …
United States: A Fortress of Surveillance and Zero-Tolerance United States: A Fortress of Surveillance and Zero-Tolerance (image credits: wikimedia) In 2025, the United States stands out as a global leader in strict border enforcement, particularly along its southern border with Mexico. The government has deployed a vast array of advanced surveillance technologies, including drones, biometric …
Introduction (image credits: wikimedia) Things You Shouldn’t Do at a Foreign ATM (But Tourists Keep Doing Anyway) Falling for the “Dynamic Currency Conversion” Trap Falling for the “Dynamic Currency Conversion” Trap (image credits: unsplash) Picture this: you’re standing at a sleek ATM in Rome, ready to grab some euros, when suddenly the screen asks if …
When Paradise Turns into a Nightmare When Paradise Turns into a Nightmare (image credits: unsplash) Picture this: you’re standing at a famous viewpoint, but instead of a serene landscape, you’re surrounded by thousands of other tourists pushing for the perfect selfie. In 2024, with travel rebounding globally, overtourism hit harder than ever. Famous destinations like …
The Hidden Costs of Big Booking Platforms The Hidden Costs of Big Booking Platforms (image credits: wikimedia) When I first started traveling, using big booking sites like Booking.com, Expedia, and Airbnb just seemed logical. They made everything look simple—one site, all the options. But what’s rarely talked about is the real cost behind the shiny …