Travel Guides

Detailed trip write-ups, stunning photography, thoughtful itineraries, and helpful how-to guides for some of my best travel experiences.

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Carry-On Travel Packing List

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20 Best Things to Do in Portugal (Recommended by a Local)

I’m here today to share the best things you can do in Portugal, that little rectangle in the southwest corner of Europe. I’m a local, so you’ll get the inside scoop, not just generic tour advice. This post will be a bit of a love letter to an extraordinary place that once was a vast … Read more

The Ideal Colorado Road Trip Itinerary (Ideas, Costs & Map)

If I had to sit down and draw up my dream US road trip itinerary, I’d have a hell of a hard time ever leaving my home state of Colorado. I’m a hopeless skiing, hiking, camping, and outdoor addict, and I can’t imagine a better setting to fire up my camper van and start exploring. … Read more

Hanoi in One Day: A 24-Hour Guide (Tips, Costs & Itinerary)

Hanoi is a swirl of sweet chaos. Motorbikes dart through the streets like schools of buzzing fish. Steam, smoke, and alluring aromas pour out of restaurants and onto the sidewalks. Art, music, and memories of war reverberate everywhere, and I felt it all the moment my boots hit the pavement. Traveling and exploring Hanoi, even … Read more
Woman riding a cart full of vegetables down a crowded outdoor market in Chengdu, China

Chengdu’s Wenshu Monastery Neighborhood: What to Do (and Eat)

I’ve just returned from the Wenshu Monastery neighborhood, and I’m itching to go back. When I arrived two days ago, I did so with no expectations and zero research. I simply dropped my bags at the hostel and started walking. Bustling markets, fragrant Sichuan cuisine, fascinating people, ancient history, and a vibrant culture — I … Read more

Denver in One Day (On a Budget): A Local’s 24-Hour Itinerary

Looking to make the most of one day in Denver, but need to stay on budget? Worry not, Denver can be done on the cheap. I’m a Colorado native who has spent years getting to know Denver on a traveler’s dime, and I want to tell you all about my favorite spots. Lucky you. Denver … Read more