River winding through countryside with mountains in the background and blue sky overhead.

Otago Central Rail Trail: New Zealand’s Original Great Ride

The Otago Central Rail Trail is a bucket-list experience on the South Island and New Zealand’s original Great Ride. This 152 km trail weaves across Central Otago between Clyde and Middlemarch, taking cyclists on a spectacular journey through former gold-mining towns along an old railway route.  Your cycling adventure will take you past picturesque livestock …

White alabaster cliff face and archway.

Normandy: a Stunning Budget Weekend Getaway from Paris

I spent a long weekend in Normandy to escape the heat and sky-high accommodation prices in Paris, and it ended up being one of my favorite places during my summer of backpacking. Although I was there during summer, the atmosphere was quiet, and I fell in love with the half-timbered houses and rolling pastureland.  France …

Panoramic view of Paris from above, with long streets, stately buildings, and Eiffel Tower.

Paris: A Budget Weekend in the City of Lights

Paris, the City of Lights, tops travel buck lists worldwide. With the checkered cafe seats covered by jewel-tone awnings, the wide promenade of the Champs Élysées, and the artistic prowess of the Louvre, this enchanting city begs to be explored.  Since my first visit when I was twelve, I am always happy to return to …

Wisterias blooming on pergola with Florence cityscape in background.

Florence: 7 Unique Things to Experience This Spring

If you want to add Florence to your travel bucket list, visit between March and May. This tourist hot spot is busy year-round, but spring has lower accommodation rates and lacks summer’s unpleasant crowdedness and heat.  The city shines during this shoulder season, as its numerous green spaces and gardens come alive with vibrant colors …

Purple flowers overlooking a golden sand beach and lush coastline.

The Catlins & Stewart Island: Gems of New Zealand’s Southern Coast

If you’re looking for your next New Zealand road trip adventure, look no further than the Catlins. Located along the Southern Scenic Route, a highway that connects Dunedin, Invercargill, Te Anau, and Queenstown, this stretch of coastline offers spectacular scenery and wildlife sightings. Nestled between Dunedin and Invercargill, the Catlins are renowned for golden beaches, …

Vibrant yellow hobbit door in New Zealand

Epic Things on the North Island, New Zealand

When most people think of New Zealand, the snow-capped mountains and rugged terrain from The Hobbit trilogy and a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc may spring to mind. While these hallmarks of New Zealand’s South Island have their merits, the North Island boasts impressive accolades also, from geothermal wonderland, glow worm caves, surfing the coast, and kayaking …

Three women standing triumphantly on a mountain top, with lakes and mountains in the backdrop.

New Zealand Hiking Guide: Best Hikes in NZ

New Zealand is renowned for its diverse, scenic landscape and outdoor culture. When asking a local what people here do for fun, he responded simply, “Go outside, do some sport.” And what better way to combine fitness and the beautiful outdoors than hiking? NZ boasts some of the most impressive hiking tracks in the world, …

View of ornate facade of the Cathedral of Mallorca at sunset.

10 Things to Do in Palma: The Ultimate Guide to Mallorca’s Capital

If you’re heading to Mallorca, I highly recommend visiting the island’s capital, Palma, which boasts stunning architecture, gastronomy, and a rich history. After nine months in this Mediterranean port city, I’ve curated a list of ten essential things in Palma that you won’t want to miss during your next Mallorcan holiday. (For my favorite things …

Catamaran anchored in the middle of turquoise Mediterranean waters.

9 BEST Things to do in Mallorca, Spain

Mallorca is the largest of the Balearic Islands, a stunning archipelago off the eastern coast of Spain in the Mediterranean. During my nine months of living and teaching English in Palma, I fell in love with the beauty and vibrant island lifestyle, soaking in the culture and the sun as much as possible. Excellent public …

Mountaintops and blue-tinged ridge lines in the background.

9 EPIC Hikes in Mallorca: A Mediterranean Adventure

While I was living and teaching English in Mallorca, Spain, hiking was one of my favorite weekend activities. It’s free, the scenery is beautiful, and apart from the heat of high summer, the climate is perfect for a hike almost year-round. The island boasts a diverse landscape, from rugged coastlines with hidden calas, the Serra …