Asia
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A Georgia Road Trip: Driving Solo Through the Caucasus
The roads are windy, the routes are long, the driving is frenzied, and yet it is one of the best driving trips I’ve ever taken. A road trip in Georgia is the perfect way to explore the country and have a true adventure in the Caucasus Mountains. I’ve taken my fair share of road trips, many of them solo. I love being able to have the freedom to create your own agenda, make stops along the way and control any last minute changes. It’s the liberating part of travel I’ve come to truly enjoy. The country of Georgia at first glance may not look to be an ideal place for…
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An Insider’s Guide to Mongolia
I slouched down, ducking through the wooden doorframe of the Ger, stepping over the threshold and sinking into the muddy ground in front of the yurt. Even with a soft light, I squinted to adjust my sight from the darker, one room home without windows. The snowfall created an illusion of a sunny afternoon, but after closer inspection, the grey clouds moving in between the mountain peaks revealed otherwise. I took a few steps forward towards a large herd of goats. Several grazing without so much as even glancing up at me, while others cocked their heads to the side, their saucer shaped eyes focusing in on this large, foreign…
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Top 10 Things To Do in Muscat Oman
Oman, a Middle Eastern country on the Arabian Peninsula may be overlooked at first, but I promise it is worthy of a second glance. Oman is a small, peaceful country with only about 4 million residents and a million reasons why you should visit. The capital is the perfect introduction to the Middle East and there are so many things to do in Muscat. Visit the Royal Opera House The Royal Opera House is a visually stunning building and shows a level of craftsmanship and design that is unparalleled. The stark white exterior with bright, beautiful flowers surrounding the building. The interior of the Opera House is floor to ceiling…
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The Wild Wild West: Visiting Western Mongolia & The Altai Mountains
The snow crunched under the horses hooves as we gingerly trotted up into the foggy mist ahead. It was mid morning, but early enough that we were the only group riding up at that moment. Aside from a few dogs rolling around in the snow and chasing after our horse tracks, it wasn’t until we reached the glacier that we saw anyone else around. I blew hot air out of my mouth, expelling my breath from the small space between where my hat, hood and scarf left a sliver of skin exposed to the elements. In the silence surrounding us, I could almost hear the cloud of air vaporize in…
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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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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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Muscle on the Mountain: Everest Sherpas and Kilimanjaro Porters
Adventure destinations are on the rise. People are looking for experiential travel over resort vacations and places like Everest and Kilimanjaro are seeing more and more visitors. Traveling on the mountain isn’t possible without the help of the people who live there. When doing some research about ethical ways to visit the mountains I realized the Kilimanjaro porters and Everest Sherpa are two very important components when planning a trekking trip. The Sherpa of Nepal A Sherpa is far more than just a job on the mountain. Sherpas not only is a profession, but it is a culture and ethnic group of people. Over 500 years ago this group migrated…
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The Ultimate List of the Best Museums in the World
World’s Best Museums Visiting a new country can be exciting yet overwhelming experience. There is art, culture, history, architecture, music, design and science that are all waiting to be learned and explored in cities and towns throughout the world. A museum can provide a glimpse into local life, or provide education on a broader level. I think museums are a way to get a glimpse of the view of a country. Small, local museums even more-so, they show how they perceive themselves and the rest of the world. Get out to a museum near you, open your eyes and enrich your minds. Doing some research to choose an interesting museum…
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Women in Travel: Portraits of Women Around the World
While I would love to say that gender, more importantly being feminine, doesn’t have the power to define certain aspects of travel, I’d be lying. When visiting new destinations, the topic of gender and solo women travel seem to be in some form, a constant. While this depiction is consistently being defined and shaped by male dominated forces, whether that be a country, a political party, the tourism industry or societies as a whole, I seem to have gained more insight into how extraordinary women are by visiting some countries where we may not always have the most equal of rights. While so many places try to erase individuality of…
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Singles Getaway: Best Destinations for Solo Travel
We see articles all the time that focus on romantic travel destinations, couples retreats and the ultimate honeymoon spots. This is NOT that list. As a solo traveler, I’m often asked about places that are safe for travel on your own. Safety is important, however, why aren’t you asking me about places that are fun to visit solo?! I’ve decided to compile a few recommendations for a singles getaway. Best Places to Get Over a Heartbreak Where to go to eat your break up away: Italy I know that people have romantic connotations when thinking of an Italian holiday, but hear me out. You can eat your weight in pasta…
