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Cuisine in the Caucasus: Traditional Georgian Foods You’ll Fall for
Freshly baked breads, gooey cheeses, fresh produce and overflowing wine glasses make for a gourmand’s paradise. Discovering more about the traditional Georgian foods reveals hearty dishes, Silk Road seasonings and an abounding hospitality. Because the country sits along the ancient East/West trade route, you’ll see Mediterranean, Turkish, Middle Eastern influences, just to name a few. These are a handful of my favorite foods and drinks I had while visiting Georgia, so dive a little deeper with me into Georgian tastes. Every Georgian dish is a poem ~ Alexander Pushkin Delicious Georgian Dishes Georgians are the best bakers, so be ready to carb load on this trip. Better yet, throw the…
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Traveling in North Africa: Highlights from a Holiday in Tunisia
Tunisia, The Original Africa North Africa is brimming with individuality. The region is unlike anywhere else I’ve visited before, although there are bits of familiarity within the culture, architecture, religion, cuisine and landscape. It is in those small recognizable morsels that leaves you intrigued to visit and once there, longing to return. The word Africa could have actually originated in Tunisia. Africa is traced back to potentially a Roman word, meaning one theory is that the Romans were credited with formally naming the continent. They may have used the “land of Afri” to describe the northern region. During the time, the capital was Carthage, which is now modern day Tunisia.…
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Mindfully Maine: Things to do in Freeport Maine Besides Outlet Shopping
“If you’re going to Freeport, you’ll be spending the whole day at LL Bean.” ~ pretty much everyone I was revealing my plan for the last part of a New England road trip, and when I decided to spend a few days just north of Portland, Freeport seemed a logical choice. What I didn’t realize is it also seems to be the unofficial city of outlet shopping. The LL Bean flagship store is located in town, it’s actually open 24hrs, but there are so many more things to do in Freeport Maine. Things to do in Freeport Maine Visit Maine Botanical Garden The Maine Botanical Garden are the largest…
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Pench National Park: Wildlife Conservation in India
The jeep comes to a halt, ever so slightly gliding into the worn muddy tracks along the dirt road. The deep ruts in certain sections showed that drivers had hesitated in this area before. Possibly, stopping to see a moving figure slinking, concealed by the dense jungle surrounding us. Submersing yourself in the wild like this, where animals live is an unparalleled way to experience first hand how important ethical animal encounters can be. It also solidifies how topics like wildlife conservation in India are paramount to keeping species thriving. The word safari may as well mean high alert. Your senses are heightened. Wind is blowing across your face, a…
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Eco-Travel Errors: Common Mistakes on a Sustainable Travel Journey
As environmental concerns become more dire, travelers are trying to do more to lessen their environmental impact while on vacation. While there are good intentions, often travelers are missing the mark. Learn about four major eco-travel errors that visitors make and ways to avoid common mistakes. Eco Friendly Transport Choosing the way you get around can be the first of a string of planning errors. It can also be one of the easiest ways that you can make up for previous bad behaviors. Obviously, flying is the major culprit when it comes to poor travel choices. Flights can be the major player when you’re calculating your total carbon footprint for…
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Visiting Poland: Conscious City Breaks to Krakow
Poland. It may not initially find its way to the top of the list of European countries to visit, but I promise it’s worth reconsidering. Visiting Krakow Poland is a perfect addition to any Central European itinerary. There’s everything you need in a European holiday; good food, old town squares, history and architecture. Planning one of your city breaks to Krakow is a great introduction to the country. So, what exactly is there to see and do? Are We Eastern or Are We Central? The great debate. I think the response from locals seems to be “We aren’t Eastern Europe, Ukraine is.” Sorry Ukraine. That’s the answer you’ll hear most…
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What to Take to the Beach as an Eco Friendly Traveler
You wiggle your toes deeper into the sand, the granules slowly trickle on top of your feet. The midday sun heats the top layer of sand and as your hallux digs deeper, stopping when you find the sticky cool sediment you’re looking for. The tide pushes a wave of cool salty water over the growing mound, hardening the sand around your feet. You squirm beneath the weight of the wet sand, cracking until it eventually crumbles and you start the process all over again. Even imagining something so simple can bring a feeling of pure relaxation. It’s one of the reasons we seek out beach vacations. The calmness you feel…
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The Benefits of Sustainable Tourism
What is Sustainable Travel? We have all heard the buzz words, but what does it mean to travel more responsibly and what are the benefits of sustainable tourism? These are all important questions we should be asking when planning a vacation. Whether it’s to the beach, your own hometown, a neighboring state or a country a plane ride away, visiting responsibly should continually be a part of the travel conversation. Sustainable travel essentially means that when we are visiting places we are keeping the environment, the local people & their customs a priority. Whether it is reducing your carbon footprint or acknowledging local customs, sustainable travel is a way to…
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Road Trip in Cuba: Pros & Cons of a Cuban Car Rental
What could be more fun that a Caribbean road trip?! What can be more frustrating than trying to get a car, navigate and get around an island?! See how one question can produce two VERY different answers. A self-driven road trip for some is a dream vacation, while for others, a nightmare. So if island driving is your thing, what are the pros and cons of a Cuban car rental and what is it like driving through Cuba? Go Take A Drive There are so many reasons to rent a car in Cuba. Island driving in general is a really fun and important way to see a Caribbean country. Not…
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Being a Better Traveler: Cultural Appropriation vs Cultural Appreciation
This Week in Ethical Travel: Cultural Appropriation vs Cultural Appreciation Traveling to new places gives us a chance to learn about cultures and traditions. It may be one of the top reasons we travel, it’s the chance to experience something different. When we’re in a country that has customs outside of our own, assimilation is often the first instinct to try and “fit in”. It can be for a variety of reasons, to show respect while visiting or to avoid standing out in a crowd. In doing so, cultural appropriation vs cultural appreciation can be a way for us to decide how to best immerse ourselves without being offensive. It…
