Taking a trip to Northern California’s Sonoma County? If so, I’ve got an absolute must-do for you. Enter the chat: Safari West, a wildlife reservation in Santa Rosa. The name says it all. That’s right, in good ol’ Santa Rosa, CA, you can actually experience …
Fall is one of my favorite times to plan trips—not just for the crisp air and changing leaves, but because so many once-a-year events pop up that you can’t really replicate anywhere else. For years, I’ve had the Minnesota State Fair on my list (aka …
Most travelers only know Chengdu as the place to see China’s beloved giant pandas—and while that’s definitely a must, it barely scratches the surface of what the city has to offer. Chengdu is a major university city, which gives it a youthful, open-minded vibe. The …
The world has known San Francisco for its glory days. Cable cars, Golden Gate views, colorful houses, hilly walks, tech booms, sourdough bread bowls—you name it. But after the pandemic, the city lost a bit of its shine in the eyes of outsiders. Headlines haven’t …
Last week, I finally found time to hit the road again! It was just a quick trip to Monterey, CA after two whole years of no real road trips. Normally, I forget to pack a cooler (and realize it when I’m already well into the …
When I first started traveling to Japan in 2016, one of the best (and most underrated) perks of staying in an Airbnb was the free Pocket WiFi that came with the apartment. It saved us so much time and hassle—we didn’t need to spend extra …
Most travelers heading to China default to the big names: Beijing for the Great Wall, Shanghai for the skyline. And sure, those cities are impressive. But if you’re even slightly interested in understanding how China became what it is today, you need to add Xi’an …
Everyone knows someone who hates the idea of camping. Either that’s you yourself, or you’re trying to drag someone along who is extremely hesitant about camping. The bugs, the dirt, the lack of Wi-Fi… we get it. I’ve been there—when I first took Papu camping, …
Sensuikyo Gorge, nestled in the mountains of Aso in Kumamoto Prefecture, is one of Kyushu’s most picturesque hidden gems—especially in late spring when the rocky landscape is transformed by a sea of pink Kyushu azaleas, also known as Miyama Kirishima. Often described as “a gorge …
Experiences are some of the best gifts you can give—whether it’s for someone else or yourself! In our opinion, “experiences” sure beats “stuff”. Things get old. Things cause clutter. Experiences are what really stick with you—they’re the kind of memories you’ll be telling your grandkids …