travel story blog

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Best Short Travel Stories: 15+ Bloggers Share Their Favorite Travelling Story

Table of Contents:

Every tourist has at least a few interesting travel stories to share. The more you are exploring the world, the greater the chance that you have experienced something unique. We’ve asked our blogging friends to share their most memorable experiences. Check out these awesome short travel stories and get inspired!

Best Travel Stories Including Romance

Love at first lettuce.

by Juliette from Snorkels To Snow blog

4 years later the hunky builder became my husband.

Adventure With A Stranger In France

by Barbara from Jet Settera blog

After our short meeting, we kept on chatting for about a month on Facebook and then we decided to meet up in Florence in a hotel room and explore Tuscany together.

We agreed on the itinerary and he flew in from Vienna and I arrived from Milano. We rented a Fiat500 and we traveled all around Tuscany for a long weekend.

We visited some of the most romantic cities in Italy , such as Siena, Lucca, Pisa, and Cinque Terre. It was an amazing adventure together.

We had lots of fun on the trip and we went on more trips after that. The conclusion of the story was that sometimes it is good to come out of your comfort zone and take a chance on a stranger, maybe he will be an excellent travel partner.

Scary Travel Stories That Will Give You Chills!

Jumped by an adult puma in the bolivian jungle  .

by Aaron from The Dharma Trails blog

Cheap, Bolivian vodka . That’s what got me there. Isolated, deep in the Bolivian jungle, with an apex predator wrapped around my body (and hot breath on my face).  

Volunteering at a Bolivian animal sanctuary I saw all kinds of monkey bites and scratches. It was common for backpackers to show off their fresh wounds at the end of each day. But no one had a story like this…

The weekly volunteer party got out of hand (the night before). Those with the appropriate big-animal training didn’t wake up or sign in to the morning’s meeting. I was there. Hungover, but there.   So, I agreed to help out with the puma (even though it normally requires months of training and animal integration/familiarity).

After an hour of trekking through the jungle, one of the team members and I reached the puma’s enclosure. The huge cat growled at me with a distinct sense of dislike. But that didn’t stop us from continuing our task.   We entered the caged area, attached two ropes to the puma’s “collar” and begun to walk him through the jungle.   

The puma, completely unpleased with my intrusion, stepped forward hesitantly. After only a couple of minutes, he stopped, looked back at me, and growled directly into my eyes. I watched helplessly as the puma leaped 10ft into the air towards me. In a split-second, his powerful legs wrapped around my waist, arms wrapped around my throat and fangs pressed into my forehead.  

I heard my team member scream. But I couldn’t move. Completely still, I assumed the worst. Yet, somehow it felt completely natural. The circle of life. The scream faded as I began to lose consciousness. Then, all of a sudden, I was released.   The animal let me go and stepped backwards.  

After swearing profusely, my team member yelled “stick your palm out towards him”. For some reason, I did.   The huge cat stepped back towards me and licked it. And, that was it. He knew that I knew, who was king of the jungle. After that we were friends.  

Volunteering with animals is a great way to give back while you  eco travel . Just be sure to pick places with adequate training if you don’t want to have bad travel stories like mine!

Getting Arrested in Gansu, China

by Wendy from the Nomadic Vegan blog

My short story about my travel experience is from Asia. On our first trip to China , one of the destinations my husband and I were most looking forward to, was visiting the Labrang Monastery. Located in remote Gansu province in the west of China , Labrang is a holy site and a place of pilgrimage for Tibetan Buddhists. 

At that time, neither one of us spoke any Chinese, and we were finding it frustratingly difficult to get where we wanted to go. We didn’t understand why all the bus drivers were refusing to let us get on the buses heading towards the transport hub from where all onward transport to Labrang left.

When one of them finally did let us on, he then forced us to get out on the outskirts of town, well before we reached the bus station. Confused, and not knowing what else to do, we started walking in the direction we thought the station was in. We didn’t get far before two police cars skidded to a halt next to us, and we were suddenly surrounded by six cops wearing S.W.A.T. badges on their sleeves.

They brought us to the head of the prefecture, who luckily was a very friendly Tibetan man who spoke enough English to explain what was happening. Unbeknownst to us, the Chinese government had recently made that part of Gansu off-limits to foreign tourists in light of protests by ethnic Tibetans in the area.

After treating us to a tasty lunch of vegetarian Chinese food , the head of the prefecture drove us back across the prefecture border himself and made sure that we got on a bus back to where we had come from.

We never made it to the Labrang Monastery on that trip, but at that point, we were just happy not to be in a Chinese jail. As I write this, we are in Mongolia, planning to cross back into China in a couple of weeks. We have been told that Labrang has reopened for foreigners, so 10 years later we are going to give it another shot. Hopefully, we don’t get arrested this time and we will only have amazing travel stories to share!

Snake Attack In Vietnam

by Lina from Divergent Travelers blog

We were just about to take a final stretch of country road and head onto highway 1 for the next leg when we saw something in the road ahead of us.

It was up ahead of Jon and it was the kind of thing you couldn’t really tell what it was until you were right on top of it. In an instant, we saw Jon whip his legs up as a huge snake lunged at his leg when his scooter sailed next to it. I was mortified as I am very afraid of snakes. The last thing I wanted was to have this thing striking at me as we cruised by.

We pulled over, laughed, and discussed the size of it while noticing a local man running down the road with a long stick. He was hollering at us excitedly and pointing at the road. Apparently, snakes of that size are worth well over 1.2 million dong and the man was bursting with excitement about catching the venomous beast.

Asking where it went, he moved into the grass at the edge of the rice field in pursuit. The movement caused the snake to flee into the rice paddies and the local man immediately gave chase into what became a dance between him and the snake. Each challenged the other until the man lept to the opportunity and seized the snake by the head with his bare hands.

He smiled proudly as he came back to the road, showed off the snake then as swiftly as he appeared, left us standing there while he made his way down the road back to his house. Snake in hand. You don’t see that every day! It was definitely one of these fun travel stories that we will never forget.

Dangerous Night Trip In Peru

by Danielle from the Like Riding Bicycle blog

Not every travel story is fun. I have many scary travel stories to share, including the one from Peru. Many years ago, when I’d just started traveling , I took a bus going through parts of the Amazon… at night. Apparently, this wasn’t the best call. Around 3 am I was alarmed to wake up to the bus stopped, and a man in a black mask with a huge black gun pointed at us all. He yelled in Spanish and everyone’s hands went up into the air, so I flung mine up following suit. Before long the men were marched off the bus, leaving us women, hands still in the air, to wait for what would come next.

I had a moment in which I thought: “What are they about to do with the men? What are they about to do with the women? What are they about to do with me, the only foreigner on the bus?” I was far from rich, but they didn’t know that.

After some time another man came on the bus, this time with a small silver pistol which he pointed at each of us as he robbed us blind. No one was physically harmed, though I knew that people who weren’t as fortunate to be a Westerner like myself lost more than they could afford to replace, which was a hard thing to realize. I couldn’t help, only sit there with my arms in the air.

So go to Peru – it’s amazing! – just don’t take a night bus through the Amazon!

Mutant Bugs Attack

by Nathan from Foodie Flashpacker blog

Although at the time it happened I wouldn’t have called it my best travelling story, now, looking back on it, it’s one of the best/funniest stories of my nearly three years of traveling. This all took place during my visit to Fez , Morocco in 2016.

The time I survived a direct attack to the face by killer mutant bugs from outer space. And then visited a vagina doctor with the world’s oldest x-ray machine to put my face back together again.

Long story short- one day I woke up with a face full of bug bites. The concerned guest house owner sent me to a pharmacist who then sent me to a doctor.

More specifically, I later learned, was that I had been sent to a gynecologist. We established that some large insects had attacked my face and I was in need of multiple medications. And, for reasons still unknown to me, an x-ray. At least I think he x-rayed me.

Being A Suspect In The Disappearance Of Girl In France

By James from The Portugal blog

One of the funny adventure stories that I have is from the time I found a 5-month housesit in the middle of the French countryside. It sounded idyllic, and perfect for me and my girlfriend at the time who had just started out as digital nomads. 

In reality, it wasn’t quite as idyllic as advertised. The biggest issue was the lack of internet; something which was supposed to have been installed by the time we arrived. But, we made do. We bought French sim cards with 3 GB of internet each (the max we could get at the time) and vowed never to look at YouTube or anything that might use lots of data for the entire 5 months.

It was all going perfectly until one day there was a knock at the door and two local French policemen were standing there. They began asking us what we were doing on the property and where the owners were. In the best French, I could manage, I explained the concept of house-sitting but I could see it wasn’t going over. 

Then, they showed us a picture of a girl who was missing. We hadn’t seen her and, in fact, didn’t know anyone in the town. We apologized that we couldn’t be of more help, thinking that was that. 

It wasn’t. One of the policemen then pulled out a printout of a forum conversation between the missing girl and someone who they believed was her biological father. Then in the forum conversation, they showed me a mobile number: my French mobile number. 

I didn’t know how to explain it apart from to say that it must be a typo, but that wasn’t good enough. They asked to see my computer and began looking through the search history. Then, obviously not buying my house sitting story, they asked where the owners were again.  

Unsatisfied, they told me to come into the station that afternoon for more questioning at 2 pm. I didn’t know what to do. There wasn’t enough time to find a lawyer or even a translator as they would probably have had to come from the nearest city. I opened Google Translate and tried to come up with as many useful sentences as I could, but it was hard to concentrate. 

At 2 pm on the dot I walked through the doors of the police station and when the policeman saw my worried face he burst out laughing. “Lucky for you, she showed up,” he said. And that, amazingly, was the end of that. I’ve never heard any more about this again. 

Lifechanging Short Travel Stories

Stepping out of a comfort zone in dubai.

by Michaela from Awe Inclusive blog

In 2014, I was scrolling through a Facebook group when I spotted a post claiming $200 roundtrip tickets to Duba (btw if you want to save on your next trip, check out this trip com coupon ). As is routine in that group, I confirmed the deal, checked my calendar, and booked tickets – no asking friends, no waiting for job approvals, and no overthinking. It would be my first trip alone.

I met Jibri during the layover. She got my attention and started chatting about travel deals and groups. During our small talk, I considered putting my earphones back in or making up a reason to excuse myself. Instead, I decided to embrace a new person and see where it could lead.

Not only did we exchange contact information to meet-up in Dubai, but we joined other travel group members who rented out a yacht for an afternoon cruise along the Persian Gulf.

It was totally outside of my comfort zone and totally what my comfort zone needed – to be stretched out of shape! I met amazing people and forged exciting friendships.

Dubai was life-changing. I learned to trust my abilities and instincts even when I had to improvise. I learned that strangers are just friends who haven’t met you. Most importantly, I learned that my suitcase was much lighter when I didn’t fill it with fear.

This year, I took a solo trip to Thailand and it was the absolute best. More solo trips are in my future as I continue to challenge myself to get uncomfortable and do more than I thought I could.

See also: Best travel stories from Thailand .

Beautiful Travel Friendship

by Viki from Chronic Wanderlust blog

I’ve been in Playa del Carmen, Mexico for a few weeks now for my divemaster training. I spent every day in the water with customers and my instructor. I loved it! We shared the boat with another dive shop and I started to notice that they were also training a divemaster to be.

She seamed to be my age and so I started talking to her. Janice is from Canada and also madly in love with the ocean and all things diving. We started to hang out more and more and even became very good friends then.

She left Mexico a few days before I left, but we managed to stay in touch. For almost two years now we talk several times a week, she helped me through many things as a stupid breakup.

Last year I told her I was going back to Mexico for a few weeks and if she wanted to meet me there. She told me that she couldn’t manage with work. I had wanted to see her so badly! And I knew she wanted to be in sunny Mexico with me as well.

I remember the 30th of December when she told me that she had just bought the ticket and will be in Mexico the next day! I was beyond happy, I was going to see my best friend again. I was going to see her for the second time in my life and yet she knows more about me than any other person that I see more often.

I love how friendships can last over distance and time zones. Meeting Janice is definitely one of the best solo travel stories that I have.

Best Adventure Travel Stories

Hawaii adventure.

by Carole from Berkeley and Beyond blog

Even though I have many short stories about traveling the world, I want to share the one from Hawaii. I’ll never forget the time I landed on the remote Hawaiian island of Molokai and was told, “We have a wedding and two funerals on the island, and so we have run out of cars.” It was at about the same time as a popular movie with a similar title was out, so the statement had a humorous overtone.

However, since this was hang-loose Hawaii , I was assured by a mellow employee that all would work out and so there was really nothing I could do but relax into it. The car agency arranged for (and paid for) a cab to deliver us to our condo so we could check-in, and told us that the next morning someone would pick us up and deliver us to the mule ride.

Done, though we did almost miss our morning ride due to confusion regarding the meeting spot, but the point is we didn’t  miss it, and we were told by that driver that our car would be waiting in the parking lot for us after our ride.

And there it was! Pure Molokai magic.

Visiting A Real Quechua Village

by Gabor from Surfing the Planet blog

Although Machu Picchu is simply indescribable, it turned out that a totally improvised adventure left a much stronger mark on us. When we were staying at a Couchsurfer’s place in Cusco, we asked him whether it would be possible to visit a real Quechua village.

He said we could try, although we would have to find it out ourselves since these Quechua communities live quite far in the Andes and there’s no public transport to get there.

In the end, we got very lucky, since looking for transport in Ollantaytambo, we found out that the local doctor and other social workers were going to visit some of these tribes and they let us join them.

We were really happy because we had the chance to stay in a Quechua community, learn about their traditions, see the colorful clothes they wear every day and take part in their daily routine for some time. We often had to use hand gestures to communicate, since most of these people don’t speak Spanish, only Quechua. This is one of our most interesting travel stories and a real heart-warming experience that we will never forget.

Funny Short Travel Stories

Mistaking a brothel for a massage spa in china.

by Talek from Travels With Talek blog

Ah… cultural confusion.  One weekend I was in a part of Beijing I was not familiar with and decided to get a massage.  I remembered what appeared to be a massage spa nearby. The location didn’t look exactly like a typical spa, but I went in anyway.

The inside of the location had all the spa-like features which reassured me.  However, when the hostess approached me, she appeared apprehensive and asked me something in Chinese. I pantomimed a massage.  She disappeared into a dark room behind a beaded curtain. I could hear her and another woman speaking animatedly.

After some uncomfortable moments, the woman returned and lead me to a dimly lit, rectangular room with a massage table in the middle. I positioned myself as I normally would. A different woman came in and gave me a lackadaisical massage for about an hour. I paid and went back to my hotel.

The next day my colleagues and I discussed our weekend. I mentioned my massage at a location next to the Wanda department store. “Oh! That’s a high-end brothel” they said. They’re probably still laughing.

Crazy Travel Stories

Free helicopter ride.

by Kris From Nomad By Trade

My favorite travel story is from a business trip I took to a small town in Kentucky. One morning, my co-worker noticed that there was a helicopter parked out on the hotel’s lawn, which we thought was odd but pretty cool.

That week, we ended up befriending the helicopter’s pilot and his wife and talking to them at breakfast and the evening periods of light snacks.

He somehow offered to take us up for a free ride, so one morning before work, we each took a turn hopping in his helicopter and flying up and over town. He banked, dipped, and shot up to the sky like a rocket during our jaunt through the Kentucky skies.

I still find it funny that I wouldn’t get in a car with a stranger, but I had no qualms about hopping in a helicopter with one. I’ve been traveling on an almost weekly basis for work for six years and that’s still one of the coolest things that I’ve gotten to do on the road.

My Birthday In A Private Castle Near Prague

Crazy Flight With A Hyperactive Child

by Alexis from World Travel Adventurers blog

We’ve had our fair share of unforgettable and funny travel stories as parents traveling with a spirited 2-year-old and 4 years old, but this one still takes the cake. We think every parent who has ever flown with young children can relate.

We were on our way home from Salt Lake City to Baltimore, which is a 5-hour flight, so my husband had the brilliant (or so he thought) idea to sedate our energizer bunny son (whose nicknames include Taz, tornado, hurricane, wrecking ball, the destroyer) to make the long flight easier.

Having a wild toddler restricted to a seat for 5 hours is no fun for anyone, but a sleeping toddler sounded much more appealing.

We had given him Benadryl before when he was sick and it put him right to sleep like a charm, so we thought we were in the clear. It turns out, some kids have the opposite reaction to Benadryl and turn into hell on wheels.

Well, our son turned into that kid. I think everyone on the flight, especially the person sitting in front of him, wanted to kill him or at least put him in a straightjacket and a muzzle. The flight attendant, who used to be a nanny, could tell early on that something was up and had a hunch it was from Benadryl gone wrong.

In the midst of his craziness, I took him to the bathroom at the front of the plane to change his diaper. When we headed back to our seats, he took off running down the aisle full speed ahead. He was so fast and agile (being much smaller than me and able to maneuver through the narrow aisle like a star football player) that I couldn’t catch up to him until he had run the entire length of the plane.

My husband said he saw a flash go by his seat, and then saw me running after yelling my son’s name. He thought it was hilarious. I did not. We can both laugh about it today and will NEVER make that mistake again.

So to all my fellow parents of traveling youngsters, beware and never use Benadryl for a stress-free flight unless you’ve tested it a few times and are sure that your child will not turn into a Tasmanian devil. Unless you want to add something to your funny holiday stories collection, then go for it.

Meeting The President Of Ecuador

by Dane from Holiday From Where blog

My best travel story is from a time I was in a small city called Salinas on the south coast of Ecuador . I was just hanging with a local friend and surfing every day before I started to head north. I kept hearing about this wave that was really good and you couldn’t surf because you had to sneak through an air force base to get to.

One day my friend was telling me it was going to be really good, so, we decided to try and sneak in. In hindsight, it was really stupid. We were crawling on our hands and knees through some bushes on the bad side of a shooting range while they were actively shooting. We made it to the beach got changed and ran for the ocean.

We were in the water for all of 15 minutes when two large me with AK-47s appeared on the beach and started to yell and whistle. We got a few more waves and went in. The men were extremely un-impressed and very angry.

We knew we were doing the wrong thing but obviously played dumb. As we were about to get dragged off a man and his wife came over a small dune and just walked up to us. The man asked us how our day was and if we had a good surf we replied we did and he just smiled at us and walked off.

As he did my friend informed me that it was the President. Everything happened so fast and in no time we were in the back of a military vehicle being taken to a small building. I was out a short time later with a stern warning never to return. 

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Did you enjoy reading this post? Share your best travel story in the comments below!

72 Responses

Love it! Thanks for including our story. Traveling opens you up to so many incredible (sometimes hilarious) experiences so it’s great to hear about other memorable moments from fellow travel addicts!

It’s our pleasure, Alexis! Your story is great, thanks for sharing it :)

Pinoy TV is one of the few international channels that provide high-quality entertainment.

These stories are great. Thanks a lot for sharing.

Thanks for the inspiration Karolina! Traveling the world is something I’ve always wanted to do, but have found it hard to make the leap.

Hey Karolina,

Very inspiring travel stories! Makes me want to book a flight now and create an amazing travel story ever told! ;) There is nothing more gratifying than traveling, yes you spend but you learn more. Been to many places and every story is just different and amazing!

These stories are inspiring and it makes me want to travel more. Cheers!

Some amazing stories in there! It’s amazing what opportunities can present themselves when you are travelling abroad.

There’s some incredible stories in there. It’s amazing to see what opportunities can present themselves to you when you are travelling abroad. We’ve got a lot of great memories and stories from our time abroad, can’t wait to get even more!

Getting arrested in China must have been an exciting experience. Luckily, no jail. So happy end.

Thanks for the inspiration Karolina!……,! great story

Glad I enjoyed the post! Thanks for sharing this.

You’re welcome!

The only way to achieve happiness is to cherish what you have and forget what you don’t have

I really liked reading your post! Very high quality content and useful information. With such a valuable blog I believe you deserve to be ranking even higher in the search engines.

Thanks for your comment, Maria.

Wow, interesting crazy stories! good stuff!

Incredible stories. Frankly, I envy people who travel freely, I hope that I succeed.

Such a kind of knowledge give by this stories.

Much Appreciated! Get your travel and tourism guide of top tourist places, attractions about travelling and exploration of the world.

Hey really Incredible stories.Appreciated your blog.Such interesting travel story.The details are very informative.I also love to travel.This stories inspires me to travel to my dream place.Looking forward to see more from you.

Thanks for your comment!

I’ve got no idea what I’d do if a snake lunged at me while on a scooter! Hopefully, I’d have the commonsense to hit the accelerator and keep going. Even non-poisonous snakes can be dangerous. And I’m guessing that the snake ended up as someone’s dinner or that seems be have been implied :/.

I also love to travel the world. Your story inspires me a lot

Your travel stories are awesome. I love to travel to other countries and experience every culture.

Wow, interesting crazy stories! good .

thanks for sharing this info superb

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Hey, it’s amazing way for our time . Thanks for sharing.

These short travel stories always teach me something new.

Its really amazing post for me. Thanks for sharing

Excellent post with rich knowledge for travelers. Thanks for sharing

Amazing stories! Thank you so much for sharing them. As a traveler it is exciting to hear new stories. It certainly makes you want to go out and travel again.

It was nice to be inspired by you, Karolina! Although I have always dreamed about traveling the world, I have struggled to make this step because it seems so risky.

Hey, I think it’s a great way to spend our time these days. That’s great that you shared that with us.

I love your all content keep share with us, keep shared with us.

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I have been wondering where to travel across Europe. And getting exposed to this amazing stories has energised my travelling plans and the countries to visit. Thanks so much for sharing such a wonder and useful stories. Looking forward for more stories.

I am really happy with the quality and presentation of the article. Thanks a lot for keeping great stuff.

Travelling is one of the best way to create memorable stories.

What a great idea for a post and a wonderful collection of stories!

Thank you for this great sharing!

Thank god! The housesitter did not have to go to a Chinese prison. The whole incident was quite amusing.

Thanks for this site i like it.

Article was very lovely and all stories are great

All stories are lovely and amazing.

There is no better way to create memorable stories than by traveling.

Traveling is one of the ways to create and be a part of stories. The travel stories in the blog are all interesting. I have also read stories on how travelers are set up by placing drugs in their luggage at airports.

Yeah however I am not sure if it’s true.

Thanks! i loved this site thanks for recommending.

Excellent post with rich knowledge for travelers.

Unforgettable

Such a great post thanks for sharing this with us and keep posting these are soo amazing.

There is no better way to create memorable stories than by traveling. :)

thank you so much

Thank you. you have explained almost everything.

Great post.Thanks for sharing. You have explained almost everything.

all the stories shared are good and well explained.

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Thanks for sharing such information. I appreciate your hard work

Great post, Thanks for the information provided! Your post is so awesome. Keep it work and share your amazing post with us. Thanks again!

Thanks a lot for sharing this post. Your travel story is so amazing.

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks!

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We are Karolina, Patryk, and Mia, the lazy traveling family. After spending 5 years as digital nomads, and living in many countries in the world, we decided to make Poland our base.

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45 Funny, Heartfelt, Unforgettable Travel Stories

Adventurous Kate contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks!

I tell travel stories for a living. I do this because I can’t NOT tell travel stories — every experience I have is shaped in the moment and waits in anticipation to shoot out of my fingertips.

And I live to share those stories with an audience. As humans, we’re hard-wired to be influenced by storytelling, and I feel like stories are what inspire people to actually book a trip.

To be honest, though, compelling stories are what’s missing from most travel blogs today, where SEO-driven travel planning posts make up the majority of the content.

We have SO many great travel stories to tell. But we’re not telling them as often as we should. So I decided to share some of the best stories in one place.

I reached out to my travel blogger friends to share their most entertaining posts of all time. Nothing travel planning-oriented, nothing keyword- or affiliate-stuffed — just fun, entertaining stories that would make a stranger smile or laugh. And did they EVER pay off!

Each of these stories is a treasure. I hope you enjoy them.

Note: Due to COVID-19 and a dwindled demand for travel worldwide, travel bloggers have lost significant portions of their incomes. Between people not researching or booking travel and advertisers reducing their spend, many travel bloggers will be making a small fraction of their usual income for months.

The best thing you can do right now is find a story you like on this list and visit several pages on their blog. It costs you nothing, but your eyes on their display ads (no clicks necessary, we get paid by views!) will earn them some much-needed cash in a difficult time.

Want to help out even more? If you love one of these blog posts, sign up for their email newsletter. You can find mine here.

Table of Contents

Funny Travel Mishaps

Are you looking to read about crazy mishaps that happened on the road? Here are some good ones!

Possibly My Favorite Travel Poop Story Ever

Nomadasaurus

OMG. I had never read this one before but this is one of the funniest travel stories I’ve ever read!

Jared tells the story of when diarrhea hit at the worst time ever — on a Chinese bus — and where he ultimately ended up pooping!

Embarrassing Stories From My Travels

Legal Nomads

Jodi is well-known for being pooped on while traveling — 14 birds and one bat so far — but this post shared plenty more of those stories.

If you’ve ever wanted to know the most embarrassing way to ask where to catch the bus in Argentina, here it is.

Hooked on the Cook Islands: My Giant Wedgie

Neverending Footsteps

Lauren is well-known for her extensive list of disastrous “travel incidents” around the world.

This one involves a snorkeling trip where she accidentally flashed her vag to an entire boat of people, including a family with young kids.

I Have a Confession to Make

Journalist on the Run

Imagine being a travel writer who gets paid to stay in a luxurious resort in the Maldives. Dream job, huh?

Now imagine that you get hit by the worst diarrhea of your life while pretending that everything is normal as the staff gives you a tour! Janet lays out her experience in excruciating detail.

When a City Girl Goes Camping

Suitcase and Heels

I may be a city girl who took her first steps in a tent — but not all city girls take to camping so easily.

Melissa shares a camping adventure in Newfoundland that did not go as planned! (NEVER forget the bottle opener!)

An Ode to Señor Frog, The Worst Car in Cozumel

Emily Luxton Travels

What happens when you rent a weird pea-green car that looks like an emaciated Volkswagen Beetle? Well, you definitely get an adventure out of it, Emily shares.

Know this before you rent a tiny car on a Mexican island!

How to Have the Worst Day Ever in Phuket (and How to Turn It Around)

Why Wait to See the World

Sometimes you have a travel day when you hit disaster after disaster after disaster — and sometimes it’s when you’re on your first full travel day with your boyfriend, ever.

That happened to Steph in Phuket, but soon she found a way to turn it around.

The Time I Got Pissed On in Manila

Aussie on the Road

Continuing the bodily fluids theme, Chris shares a rather disgusting late-night incident in a hostel dorm.

This proves that sometimes fellow backpackers are the most horrifying thing you could run into on the road!

Terrible Travel Tales: Mishaps, Setbacks, and Comical Foibles of Globe Trotting

Year of the Monkey

From missing a flight at the last minute due to a nosebleed to getting mistaken for a child at the age of 32, this is a big list of stories.

Paroma shares her favorite travel mishaps she’s collected over the years, all in excruciating detail.

That Time We Got Held Hostage by Monkeys in Ubud

Bridges and Balloons

And I thought I was terrified in the Monkey Forest in Ubud — Victoria and Steve got TRAPPED in a house surrounded by monkeys and couldn’t escape!

One of my worst nightmares. They seemed to handle it well.

My Embarrassing Driving Experience in Ourzazate

Norbert had never driven stick before in his life — so when the car he rented in Morocco turned out to have a manual transmission, he figured he could just wing it and learn to drive stick that day. NOT SO MUCH!

As a fellow driver who has never driven stick, I felt this one.

Ayurvedic Massage, Not for the Modest

Jessie on a Journey

If you had the chance to get a massage for just $16 in the heart of Kerala, India, you would go for it, wouldn’t you?

Then Jessie found out that this massage was done naked. COMPLETELY naked. With lots of oil and boob massage.

Scary Travel Mishaps

Sometimes mishaps can be on the dark side — though often you’ll find aspects of them humorous in retrospect. Either way, you won’t want to miss these posts.

Disaster Strikes

Escape Artistes

When horseback riding in rural Mongolia, Theodora’s son fell and severely broke his arm…in the middle of absolute nowhere.

This kicked off a breathless emergency of trying to find healthcare in one of the most remote places on Earth. It’s a gripping read.

When Traveling Sucks: A Hospital Visit in Fez, Morocco

Foodie Flashpacker

What’s worse than getting bitten by a bunch of bugs in the night? Getting bitten by giant mutant insects whose bites swell up enormously…right in the middle of your forehead.

Nathan details the story of his medical incident in Morocco and a doctor’s office that looks straight out of Chernobyl.

When a Man Comes Knocking

Borderline Crazy Bloggers

One of the scariest things while traveling is when a man has fixated on you — and because the culture is so different, you’re not sure whether you should be afraid or not.

In this story, Marieke shares the story of an Indian man who showed up at her door and kept refusing to leave.

Tales of Romance and Love

Do you love stories about love? I bet you do!! Here are three stories that will make you believe in finding love on the road.

The Last Time I Saw You (Part Five)

This Battered Suitcase

This is an ongoing series on Brenna’s blog where she tells the stories of the loves she’s met while traveling.

This is a short story that feels like it’s much longer — an incredibly romantic dalliance with a French man on a tropical island, then how it all crashes down once returning to real life.

10 Love Stories From My Travels

Adventurous Kate

It’s been years, but this is still one of my favorite posts I’ve ever written. I share ten different love stories from my travels, and tell you the ten locations where they took place — but you have to use logic and deduction to figure out which location matches with each story.

Nobody has ever guessed all 10 correctly. Maybe you will.

Nacpan and Calitang Beach: One of the Last Starry-Eyed, Lovestruck Journeys of the Previous Chapter

Nomadic Experiences

Looking back to days on one of the most beautiful beaches near El Nido in the Philippines, Marky tells the story of a special girl and the sweet moments they shared on one of the most idyllic islands in the world.

They’ve long since broken up, but he gently holds the experience in his hand, frozen in time.

Unforgettable Travel Experiences

These are the moments that got us out of our comfort zone, introduced us to memorable characters, and turned us into better travelers — and people.

How I Met Gunther, The Best Taxi Driver in Vienna

Budget Traveller

Every now and then, you meet someone who restores your faith in humanity. Gunther the taxi driver was one of those people.

Not only did he defy the odds to get Kash to his bus on time, he was unbelievably kind about the dilemma that happened next.

The Hardest Thing I’ve Ever Done: Two Weeks Hiking Japan’s Kumano Kodo Iseji

Adventures Around Asia

The Kumano Kodo hike in Japan is one of the most famous spiritual pilgrimages in the world. Richelle was excited to get out of her comfort zone — then ended up doing the hike in convenience store waterproof pants.

Despite a very tough start, it turned out to be a fantastic experience.

Hiking in the Atlas Mountains, Morocco

Inside the Travel Lab

Sometimes the most magical travel experiences take place in the most remote areas.

Abi extols the romance and beauty and culture of these isolated villages of Morocco, yet wonders if bringing more travelers here would be a good thing.

What I Learned From Giving Up Meat, Alcohol, and Complaining in India

Ashley Abroad

When Ashley went to Rishikesh, India, for yoga teacher training, she went out of her comfort zone by staying sober, sticking to a vegetarian diet, and giving up complaining.

Did it work? In some ways, yes, and she learned a lot about herself from the experience.

The Thrilling Adventures of Super Boyfriend

No Place to Be

So your girlfriend has dropped her camera in the Nam Song river in Laos. Surely a lost cause, isn’t it?

Not for Poi — a.k.a. Super Boyfriend — who leaped to the rescue, underwater among the sharp rocks.

Alaska Road Trip: Our Top 12 Adventures

Alaska is a destination that so many travelers dream of — but the reality ends up looking different from what you pictured.

Mike and Anne share gorgeous photos and stories from their multi-year honeymoon.

Controversial Takes

A lot of bloggers swear that controversial posts are the way to get traffic. I agree, as long as you go about it the right way. By that, I mean make a point, be fair, and defend it well. And PLEASE don’t trash the Philippines just to get crazy traffic.

5 Reasons to Stop Hating on “The Instagram Girl”

Follow Me Away

It seems so fashionable to hate the “Instagram girl” with the popular travel account — after all, who really wears a ball gown on top of a mountain?

But in this post, Victoria points out why the hate is misguided and the reasons why we should be supporting women with unconventional careers.

8 Reasons Why You Should Never Go to Wales

A Dangerous Business

Sure, Wales is beautiful and fun and interesting to explore, Amanda writes — but do they REALLY need all those castles and myths? Come on, now.

(Let’s say some people didn’t quite get the sarcasm.)

5 Reasons Travel Just Totally Isn’t Worth It

travelingmitch

I’m sorry, why are we even traveling, anyway? It’s so annoying, Mitch says!

What if people don’t speak English? What if you’re forced to challenge your preciously held views? WHAT IF YOU GET LOST AND CAN’T GET UN-LOST?! Better stay at home.

Is a Backpack Just Another Word for “Female Mid-life Crisis”?

GrrrlTraveler

Turning 40 and continuing to backpack around the world as a single woman with no kids. It’s what Christine enjoys — but is this what she really should be doing at this age?

For her, the answer is yes — and this post really shows how deep our cultural norms can set.

8 Reasons Hiking Sucks

Food Fun Travel

When people love food and wine and music as much as Tommo and Megsy, it’s not surprising that they’re equally passionate about what they hate: hiking.

Who needs to go back to nature? Who likes going somewhere without pubs? Is it a bonding experience? Bonding in misery, maybe!

How-To Guides You Never Thought You’d Need

Travel blogs are a great place to learn something new! And often it’s something you NEVER thought you needed to know…

How to Throw Out Your Garbage in Germany

Ali’s Adventures

Who knew just the act of throwing out your trash was so ridiculous and complicated in Germany?!

Ali shares what she’s learned as an expat in Berlin. Also, the comments are a gold mine.

How to Use the Toilet in India

BreatheDreamGo

Worrying about stocking up on toilet paper? Indians don’t use toilet paper at all!

India expert Mariellen shares all the tips for using the toilet in an unconventional (better?) way, and shares a hilarious video from Wilbur Sargunaraj.

How to Survive a Power Outage like a Puerto Rican

Indecisive Traveler

Reese spent years living in Puerto Rico, and during that time she went through quite a few power outages, including a four-day outage in 2016.

Step one? Immediately buy all the cold beer you can and take it home!

Big on Bidets: How Do You Use a Bidet and What is a Bidet For?

LL World Tour

Have you ever stopped in your tracks at the sight of a bidet in a bathroom in Italy or France and not known exactly how to use it?

Lisa shows you what you need to know. Because there’s nothing better than a clean anus!

Quirky Stories from the Road

All of us love to travel for the unusual things we discover on the road. Here are some of the best stories of unusual discoveries while traveling.

The Peens of Pompeii

Domestiphobia

Did you know that the ancient ruins of Pompeii are filled with penises? WELL, YOU DO NOW!

Katie visited the ruins for a day and was struck by how you can find a peen outline just about everywhere you look.

The Funniest Farm Market Sign in Southwest PA

Around the World L

Proof that there’s lots to be loved here in lesser-known parts of the US.

I love this sign that Lillie shared from a farmer with a side of sass!

Pictures of Cats and Dogs in Naples, Italy

2 Food Trippers

Naples is one of the greatest food cities in Italy — if not all of Europe — so it’s no surprise that the felines and canines of this city are as plump as they are adorable!

A cute post from Daryl and Mindi.

Sheep Driving Distractions in the Lake District

Raulerson Girl Travels

The Lake District of England is a wonderful place for a scenic drive…if it weren’t for the kamikaze sheep who leap right in front of your car!

I didn’t believe how fearless the sheep were until I saw Heather’s crazy photos.

How Creepy is the Ringling Brothers Circus Museum in Sarasota, Florida?

My Wanderlusty Life

You don’t have to be afraid of clowns to be creeped out by this weird museum, Ashley opines.

If you’re a hardcore circus fan, sure, knock yourself out! Other people? You don’t know what you’re getting into…

Lady Fails at Grocery Shopping

A Lady in London

Who knew it was so hard to grocery shop in the UK as an American? (Me. Boy, do I know that.)

Turns out none of the items are the same as what you would look for in the US (no tomato sauce ANYWHERE!) and Julie struggles to find normal items she just wants to cook.

Transportation in India: What the Tuk-Tuk?!

Traveling Canucks

Tuk-tuks are one of the most common forms of transportation in India — and they can be TERRIFYING.

Nicole and Cam vividly share every detail of a typical tuk-tuk ride, from near-accidents to carefully maneuvering around cows, and you’ll be white-knuckling it along with them.

That Time Angie Made Us Stay in a Sex Motel

Living the Dream RTW

When Jeremy and Angie had to spend the night in a Colombian border town, Angie chose a nondescript hotel.

Well. Turns out it was filled with a wide cadre of “hourly” guests all night long — and the walls were paper-thin.

You know…these funny posts don’t fit anywhere else, so here they are.

50 Amazingly Achievable Things to Do Before You Die

Fevered Mutterings

Forget those usual bucket list items — go skydiving! See Machu Picchu! — and focus on things that you CAN do. Trip on a shoelace. Use a leaf as a bookmark. Walk into plate glass.

Mike makes sure you’ll finish this post with a smile on your face.

8 Places to Travel in Case of a Zombie Apocalypse

Amateur Traveler

So once the zombie apocalypse actually hits, where should people be going? Chris shares his favorite spots, including Louisville, home to the famous baseball bat.

I have to admit, the isolated Atlantic island of Tristan da Cunha is an inspired choice.

8 Funny Facts About Traveling With Your Twin

Slow Spirit

Guilherme and his twin brother Gregório are identical twins who travel together — and they are VERY distinctive-looking. They get photographed nonstop, people who meet them individually refuse to believe there are two of them, and yes, they play a lot of pranks.

I laughed out loud at their hostel prank!

Thanks for reading! We loved sharing these posts with you.

Which one of these stories was your favorite? Share away!

Nomadic Matt's Travel Site

Travel Better, Cheaper, Longer

My Current List of Favorite Travel Blogs

I’m not going to lie: I think I have a pretty good travel blog. (You probably do too if you’re here.) I work hard to provide excellent practical travel advice to help you travel better, but I’m not the only great travel blogger out there. In fact — and I know this might be shocking — there’s a lot about travel that I’m not an expert on. Family travel? No idea. Travel as a woman? Clueless. Information on hotels? Only a little. Photography? I can manage to turn my camera on if that counts. Food expert? Only at eating it.

I’ve realized that it’s been a while since I last talked about the best travel blogs out there — the ones I read — so I wanted to take a moment and highlight some of my favorite travel blogs that can also help you travel better, cheaper, and smarter. There are so many good blogs out there, I feel like I’m long overdue to point you to some of them:  

Legal Nomads

Uncornered Market

Alex in Wanderland

The Blonde Abroad

View from the Wing

Wandering Earl

Oneika the Traveller

Never Ending Footsteps

Additionally, she provides some wonderful practical tips on travel and detailed expense breakdowns on how much she spends in each place.  

Be My Travel Muse

Chubby Diaries

Travels of Adam

So there you have it! My current list of favorite travel blogs on the web (besides mine) that I read. This is an ever-changing list so I’ll be updating as time goes on! After all, new travel blogs start every day. Go read these ones, laugh, learn, and be inspired!

Are you looking to start a blog too? These posts can help you do that:

• How to Start a Travel Blog
• 19 Things I Learned From 10 Years of Blogging
• 9 Ways to Become a Successful Blogger

Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner . It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld . If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• SafetyWing (best for everyone)
• Insure My Trip (for those 70 and over)
• Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Want to Travel for Free? Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals.

Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip? Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more.

Ready to Book Your Trip? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip.

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

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Welcome to the award-winning sustainable travel blog, published by Shivya Nath.

For over a decade, I’ve been telling stories at the intersection of travel, the environment and local communities. This journey has taken me as far within as with my feet.

Join MY Adventures

Receive stories of slow, meaningful and conscious travel in your inbox., for 7 years, i travelled the world without a home and lived out of two bags. along the way, i left little pieces of myself behind – everywhere i went and in everyone i met., featured on:.

Latest from the Blog

The Perfect 3-Day Goa Itinerary for Slow Travel.

Seeking Mindful Hustling, Flow and Joy at 36.

Insider Tips: How to Get Paid to Travel the World in 2024!

I learnt that travel – if done right – has the potential to enable climate action, conserve biodiversity, preserve indigenous ways of life, and transform us within..

Get Paid to Travel the World With Purpose

An in-depth, self-paced course for storytellers, creators and influencers, to get paid to travel – and have a positive impact on the world in the process!

The Shooting Star

My book –  The Shooting Star  – charts my battles and adventures from the cubicle to the road, and from small-town India to remote corners of the globe. It became a national bestseller in just over a month of release!

I’m committed to using my voice (and pen) to advocate for eco-conscious, low-carbon, community-based tourism experiences – that allow us to immerse deeper in the places we visit.

Featured stories.

To Chile, With Love.

Inspiring Women I Met in Bhutan – and What “Happiness” Means to Them.

Why You Should Drop Everything and Travel to Iran Now!

Join me as i seek meaningful adventures in remote and overlooked destinations – that can also positively benefit the planet and everyone we share it with..

Hello! I’m Shivya Nath. In 2011, at age 23, I quit my corporate job with a dream of travelling the globe. Two years later, I packed up my life into a backpack and decided to hit the road indefinitely. I travel slow, seek offbeat and local experiences, stay in a place for a few months or as long as it inspires me, and move on.

I’ve done a solo land journey from Thailand to India via Myanmar, and travelled overland from the Persian Gulf via Iran to Armenia. I’ve lived with a Mayan community in Guatemala, volunteered at a coral reef restoration project in Cuba, lived in a nunnery in Ladakh, and shed my fears and clothes at onsens across Japan. I hope to inspire you to step out of your comfort zone and experience the world – slowly, meaningfully and consciously!

The 40 Best Travel Blogs of 2021

We’ve compiled and ranked the top 40 travel blogs in the world this year. Satisfy your wanderlust with these great blogs!

Travel blogs are one of the best ways to get information about different destinations and budget tips for travel. There are many bloggers who travel full-time and write about their experiences. It’s becoming a popular resource for anyone planning a vacation with different itineraries already built and beautiful pictures to help get you excited. We pulled together a list of 40 of the best travel blogs you can explore right now on the internet. You’ll find something for every kind of traveler on the list, so enjoy exploring some new sites.

40 of the Best Travel Blogs of 2021

Notes from the road.

This is one of the longest-running travel blogs on the internet. Erik Gauger started it back in 1999 as a way to document his adventures. He is located in the Pacific Northwest but has travel stories from around the world. The photography is beautiful and there are some deep dives into plants and animals and a collection of the sketches he does while traveling.

See a sample of the photo and drawings in this post about the Deep South of the United States .

The Global Wizards

This family of four found themselves struggling to spend enough time together as a family, so they decided to uproot their lives in 2018 and start traveling the world. They share tips on traveling with kids, snippets from the time they spend in their VW van, and tons of inspiration for global family vacations.

Start with this post about the essentials for van life and RV travel in 2021 .

Two Wandering Soles

Katie and Ben have had an adventurous marriage. They’ve built two custom campervans, taught English in South Korea, and backpacked through South America. They are down-to-earth and are passionate about street food and sustainable, slow travel. With a huge collection of posts about outdoor adventures and destination guides from all around the world, they are a great resource for trip planning.

Check out this post about climbing one of the biggest volcanoes in Central America for a taste of their travel spirit.

Alex in Wanderland

Alex grew up in Albany, New York, and decided to travel early in her twenties. She has worked all kinds of different jobs in countries all over the world, but recently start hosting retreats in incredible locations. One of her passions is scuba diving and she shares some incredible dive photos and destinations to consider.

See some of her incredible underwater photography from the Red Sea here .

Kara and Nate

This travel couple were high school sweethearts from Nashville, Tennessee. They set out with the goal of visiting 100 countries by 2020 and the mission was accomplished. Transparency as a travel blogger is rare, but they share their income and expenses and give you the full story about full-time travel – the good, the bad, and the ugly. Their YouTube channel is fantastic with at least one new episode released weekly and it’s easy to follow along on their adventures.

Read their list of top travel credit cards to help maximize your rewards and travel cheaper .

Nomadic Matt

Nomadic Matt is a New York Times Bestseller that has been sharing travel advice and budget travel tips for over a decade. He shares travel guides for specific destinations and overall travel advice on how to avoid scams, find the cheapest airfare, and other important travel resources.

Explore his South Africa guide for just one example of the information you can find here.

Uncornered Market

Dan and Audrey left for Europe on a sabbatical in 2001 and never returned to corporate life in the United States. They have been sharing their adventures ever since. The blog won an award for the best responsible tourism blog, so you can be sure that travel tips from them will help you find travel experiences that don’t leave a negative impact on the places you’re visiting.

Read this post about how to support local women while traveling .

Atlas and Boots

If you’re looking for beautiful travel photography, check out Atlas and Boots. This travel blog was started by a photographer and a novelist to document their travels. You will find important debates about the impacts of the tourism industry, recaps of their mountain treks, and details about some of the most beautiful corners of the planet. It’s a great place to get some backpacking inspiration.

Start with their recap of the Everest base camp trek .

Tim and Fin

Tim and Fin are living their dream life as digital nomads that manage an online Amazon business and a successful YouTube channel. Follow their motorbike trip across Vietnam or the RV travels from the southern US to Alaska to see some incredible road trips. The most recent trip they took was to Iceland to see the volcano erupting and the drone footage they captured is unbelievable. Get inspired for your trip or experience places you may never see in person.

Check out their Banff destination guide especially if you’re planning a trip to Canada.

Hand Luggage Only

This travel blog began in a dorm room in Cambridge and now these two have traveled and photographed hundreds of beautiful destinations around the world. The photos they share definitely spark some wanderlust. Explore hundreds of “best-of” lists they’ve shared from their personal experiences which makes them one of the best travel blogs. It’s so helpful when you’re planning a trip.

Check out their 14 places to visit in Portugal to get a taste of their travel photos .

Of Whiskey and Words

This travel writer, Todd, is from the cornfields of Nebraska and was excited to hit the road immediately after college. He worked on a cruise ship, lived in Australia for a while, and has spent the last seven years traveling to festivals and different destinations around the world. He shares trip planning tips and travel deals.

Add his list of must-see spots in Hawaii to your list.

Beyond the Bucketlist

Geena and Evan set off on a round-the-world adventure. The pandemic brought them back to the United States after slow traveling in Asia, but they were able to customize a van and continue their incredible adventures. With a focus on budget and adventure travel, you’ll find so much inspiration and ideas for your next trip. You’ll get a great mix of backpacker tales and van life realities while finding incredible spots off the beaten path to add to your adventure list.

Check out their helpful tips for a trip to India .

Dan Flying Solo

Blogging about his adventures around the world and now his life in Portugal, Dan’s website is a great follow to find your next adventure. He does a tiny bit of luxury travel but mixes it in with camping trips for a wide range of experiences. You’ll get a great collection of stories from this globetrotter.

Dream about chartering a yacht with his collection of the best places to cruise .

The Poor Traveler

The word “poor” in their title refers to little money and little luck. These two bloggers share their mistakes while traveling to help you avoid those same situations. It’s one of the best budget travel blogs you can find and has a ton of content about Asia and the countries they’ve visited there as well as their home country, the Philippines.

Check out their budget guide to Tokyo, Japan .

Legal Nomads

Jodi left her legal job to travel to Siberia in 2008 and has been sharing travel stories ever since. Her lifestyle blog covers topics outside of travel as well, so you feel like you really get to know her when reading her articles. You’ll get lots of foodie information too especially if you’re searching for gluten-free options around the world. Her work has been featured in Lonely Planet, BBC Travel, and New York Times to name just a few.

As a native Canadian, she has a great guide to her hometown of Montreal .

Along Dusty Roads

Following a travel photographer is the perfect way to get excited about seeing more of the world. Along Dusty Roads has some incredible photography from the slow travels they take. The places they visit might be a bit of your comfort zone but they give you some incredible ideas of places to visit. Follow along to enjoy their beautiful adventures.

See their beautiful photographs from the Patagonia area of Chile .

Wandering Earl

Derek (his middle name is Earl) has visited 188 countries! There is no shortage of inspiration on the travel blog if you’re starting with a blank slate. He even runs a small-group tour company that you can join up with on the road. With years of travel under his belt, he has great tips for packing and the best travel gear.

He is currently doing some traveling in the United States and you can see his recent Las Vegas and Grand Canyon post here .

Silly Little Kiwi

Tara has spent the last decade of her life traveling the world, first as a solo female traveler and now with the man she fell in love with in Laos. She has backpacked around Europe, spent time living in New Zealand, and has explored many different corners of the world. You’ll find great information on sustainable brands, tours that support locals, and other great responsible travel tips.

Here is her guide to London and the best things to do there .

Roads and Kingdoms

Roads and Kingdoms is a travel site that features work for multiple travel writers and creators. They even did work with Anthony Bourdain on his Emmy-winning TV show. They have incredibly detailed city guides available for multiple locations and fascinating stories about people from all over the world.

Dive into this fascinating story about this Cambodian architect for just a glimpse into the wonderful travel writing on this site.

This family of four has been traveling for the last two decades. They’ve got a huge social media following and have even been invited to the White House for a travel summit as one of the top travel influencers. This website is full of advice for traveling with kids and family. You can listen to their podcast as well for even deeper conversations about family travel.

Get a kid’s viewpoint of California’s Disneyland with this post by their 11 year old daughter.

BucketListly Blog

Pete is a travel blogger based in Thailand. His blog features a ton of great tips and information about Thailand, New Zealand, and tons more. He has visited over 60 countries as a solo traveler and shares his perspective on travel with a third-world passport which can make some countries trickier to visit. He is also a freelance designer, which is obvious with the beautiful look of his website.

Get his 10-day Bangkok, Thailand itinerary here .

This couple claims to be on the world’s longest honeymoon and with over 3000 days and counting, they probably have the title. Along with their website, the couple has also written a book for National Geographic about the Ultimate Journeys for Two. They have recently been on a mission to become experts in the Glamping world and have been traveling around with their vintage camper. With coffee table books and gorgeous destination guides on the website, they have a ton of information to share with any traveler.

See their incredible adventure in Antartica which was their 7th continent visited (plus there are penguins.)

5 Lost Together

This Canadian family of five shares their expat life on their website with tips about traveling with kids of different ages and how to plan long-term travel. You can also read the stories of other traveling families in their series about how to travel more as a family.

Start with their A-Z Guide to traveling to India with your kids .

The Broke Backpacker

This website is run by a team of budget travelers that have successfully crossed the globe for as little as $10 per day. If you are looking for information on backpacking travels, look no further. The website covers gear, travel jobs you can do, and tours you can join. If you have any questions on hostels, cheap transportation, or insurance, you’ll find it all here.

Here is their full post about Hostel Life 101 to help answer your questions .

Gone With the Wynns

Have you ever dreamed about living on a sailboat? Follow along with Nikki and Jason as they float around the world on their catamaran. They purchased a boat and learned to sail just a few years ago and now they find themselves making the treacherous journey to New Zealand from the beautiful Cook Islands. You can learn more about the sailor’s life as they fill you in on the lingo and show you all about the ups and downs of their remote life. And if you’ve ever thought about getting a boat, they share it all and would be an incredible resource.

Watch their video and see the post about living on a remote self-built island .

The Blonde Abroad

Kiersten splits her time between San Diego, California, and South Africa. She has been traveling for years and sharing beautiful destinations and inspiration lists along the way. She shares lots of great photography tips as well as bucket list experiences that will have you instantly searching for plane tickets. You’ll also get glimpses of her life outside of travel blogging as she remodels her new home in San Diego.

See her list of the 10 safest destinations for solo female travel.

Jungles in Paris

Good travel writers can transport you from your couch into foreign lands with their incredible storytelling. Jungles in Paris is a perfect example of that. The website features a collection of different mediums that cover stories from every corner of the globe. They focus on culture, wildlife, and geography to help the readers learn about new places and experience things outside their normal bubble. Reading the stories is an adventure.

Check out one of their latest stories about a shepherd living on the Canary Islands .

Jones Around the World

Dave is a travel photographer that takes photos of his adventures. He loves tropical islands and music festivals, so you’ll find a lot of great spots to escape on this blog. He has traveled to music festivals in every corner of the globe and shared some beautiful photos. See his destination guides organized by continent to find some inspiration for your next trip.

Read about his adventure flash packing in Finland in the Arctic Circle .

Travel Freak

Jeremy created Travel Freak to help others plan their travel adventures. He covers everything from the best outdoor gear to the mistakes he has made along the way. There is an entire section of the website devoted to inspiration with monthly posts about where you should travel. If you’re looking to find somewhere new that wasn’t on your radar, check out his destination ideas.

Start with his six most inspiring moments on the road .

I Am Aileen

Aileen left her life in the Philippines to become a full-time digital nomad. She shares travel tips and guides on getting visas in different countries. Aileen has won all kinds of awards for her travel writing and blogging tips for others, so it’s a great place to get information on starting your own blog.

Check out her guide to becoming a digital nomad yourself .

Two Dusty Travelers

This couple provides incredible resources for ethical travel and volunteering all over the world. Emily is a nurse and Aaron is a teacher and they do a lot of their traveling in a tent. You’ll find resources on how to see wildlife around the world in an ethical way and get good COVID-19 resources directly from a health care professional that has worked around the country.

Read the five questions you should ask yourself before volunteering abroad .

Goats on the Road

This blog started with just one couple, but they’ve grown their team over the years to include a team of writers. They provide a lot of content about how to make money while traveling with different jobs like teaching or becoming a divemaster. The destination guides provide you with information on what to do, but also all the details you need to know about visa requirements and transportation.

See all their recommendations for a trip to Greece .

Adventurous Kate

Kate is a popular blogger that writes about solo female travel and has been to 83 different countries. She has even been named one of Forbes’s most influential travelers. Follow along with her journey or get tips for your next adventure. The website features sections on each country she has written about as well as travel resources for planning and additional info on solo female travelers.

Read her post about what not to do when traveling to Croatia .

Drink Tea Travel

This is another great resource for sustainable travel and inspiring people to consider different places and experiences that have a positive impact. The couple has even purchased and renovated an old hotel in Costa Rica using the many things they learned while traveling. You can scope out their favorite countries and favorite travel experiences on their homepage.

Here is their list of the most sustainable travel destinations in the world to get you started .

Never Ending Footsteps

Lauren started traveling in hopes that it would cure her anxiety and recent heartbreak. In the nine years since she started, she has had some wild adventures and you can catch up on all of them. She also shares some incredible tips on her favorite places and shares her travel stats each month so you can keep up with everything she’s up to on the road – good and not so great.

Follow along with Lauren on one of the great walks of New Zealand, Lake Waikaremoana .

The Common Wanderer

Mark and Mim have traveled all over the world and are currently based in Budapest. They created this website with the goal of helping those who are curious and adventurous plan their next travel adventure. They are extremely passionate about reducing over-tourism and pollution that is rapidly becoming an issue in so many places.

Learn more about carbon offsetting your next flight with their guide.

Be My Travel Muse

Kristin is a California girl who studied abroad in Taiwan and couldn’t get the travel bug out of her mind. She bought a one-way ticket to Bangkok and has been traveling ever since. She offers tips for solo female travel and breaks down destinations for anyone looking to plan an adventure. She has experienced some incredible travel moments all over the world.

See her list of the best Mayan ruins in Mexico that you can visit .

Expert Vagabond

Matt is the expert vagabond. He set off with his backpack ten years ago and has been exploring some lesser-known corners of the planet since then. Sharing the adventures he has and the things he learned, his blog is a favorite for many. Plus, he has some incredible photography tips on his website that could teach us all a thing or two.

Get a full recap of his road trip on Iceland’s famous ring road here .

Not A Nomad Blog

If you are on the hunt for some beautiful locations to travel to and practice your photography skills, this blog shares some of the best locations around the world. She has a collection of itineraries to help you maximize your time in different locations. She also shares tips on how to make your money go further.

Check out her tips for going on an African safari on any budget .

Last, but not least…

The Let’s Roam Blog

This blog has a ton of great articles about different cities all over the place. See our full list of the best things to do in New York City or our list of the best bars and breweries in Denver . There’s no shortage of places to get inspired.

Frequently Asked Questions About The Best Travel Blogs

Anyone can start a website and produce travel content. The most successful blogs share first hand experiences and local tips for readers.

Being able to follow along on people’s adventures helps inspire our own vacations and give us a good idea of what to expect while visiting a new vacation spot.

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A Little Adrift… 23 Inspiring Travel Stories from Around the World

Last updated on January 21, 2024 by Shannon

It’s easy to share a list of the best travel books out there—although everyone has their favorites, there are a handful of books that always make the list. But inspiring travel stories are a different beast altogether.

These stories may come in the form of a book, such as a memoir detailing someone’s time on the road, or may be a journey noted in the history books, but in this digital age many of the best out there are actually in blog form.

When I left to travel the world in 2008 on a yearlong trip , there were just a handful of travelers sharing their inspiring stories via travel blogs (and later social media). Now there’s a diverse cast of characters of ever race, creed, and abilities who have made travel a priority and have embraced off-the-beaten-path adventures to every corner of the world.

Below are the best travels stories you can look to for inspiration—I included the books that tell a great tale, but also bloggers and historical figures who are notable for something about the way they traveled.

Table of Contents

The Best Online Travel Stories

Traveling blogging took off more than 15 years ago, growing from a small, close-knit collective to a sprawling industry. That said, a lot of travel stories just sound the same after a while. I’ve read travel blogs since 2007, when I was planning my round the world trip , and some stories are just a lot more compelling than the rest.

The travel community is also a lot more diverse—less WASPy and more inclusive. The travel stories below excel in some way that sets them apart. Either it’s the family’s incredible photography and aspirational adventures, or the voice of a storyteller that keeps you coming back for more.

Roads & Kingdoms

Roads & Kingdom is a captivating website that delivers phenomenal travel storytelling. Not only are the stories fascinating—and impeccably written and edited—but the immersive articles share stunning photography, and thought-provoking narratives.

Each story takes readers on a journey around the world, shedding light on diverse cultures, untold stories, and lesser-known destinations. Its unique blend of travel, politics, and culture creates a rich tapestry of exploration that goes beyond typical travel writing, offering a deeper understanding of the places they cover.

The site is run with one simple idea at the core: The more you know, the better you travel. The long-form features and useful information are aimed at armchair and aisle-seat travelers alike.

Before his death, Anthony Bourdain was Roads & Kingdoms’ sole investor—head to the “ Dispatched by Bourdain ” section for the most deeply reported, fascinating travel stories on the site.

Fearless & Far on YouTube

If you prefer your travel inspiration via video, then this adventure travel YouTube channel is the antidote to your wanderlust. It’s a wild ride with Mike Corey, who serves up his travel adventures with a side of danger in many cases—but not all!

His fascinating “Lost Tribes” series showcases a unique side of destinations you won’t find shared in many written travel stories. He’s also just charming and personable and it’s fun to watch his travel story unfold in real time as he wanders the globe.

Erik Gauger of Notes from the Road

There’s a lot to love about Gauger’s travelogue, chief among it that he focuses on storytelling and not travel advice. What you find when you read and follow Notes from the Road is funny, powerful and personal travel stories from all over the world.

What a concept! But its rare to find on travel blogs these days, so if you’re keen to follow an ordinary guy’s extraordinary adventures around the world, this is the one to follow.

He’s adventurous but not so adventurous that you think, “wow, that’s nuts” and travelers will find humor, warmth, and inspiration from his large collection of travel stories dating back to when his blog started in 1999 (not a typo!).

Jeff Jenkins of Chubby Diaries

Jeff Jenkins, the adventurous soul behind the Chubby Diaries , offers a fun and inspiring travel story that challenges stereotypes and embraces body positivity. He’s a bit of a character, so it makes a fun travel story to follow via his Instagram account .

Jeff is now a National Geographic Travel Host, and uses his online platforms to share his remarkable journey as a plus-size traveler, encouraging others to pursue their wanderlust fearlessly and unapologetically.

With his infectious enthusiasm, Jeff breaks down barriers and promotes inclusivity, proving that one’s size should never limit their ability to explore the world. His uplifting presence and empowering message make him a beacon of travel inspiration for travelers of all shapes and sizes—he’s a good reminder that travel is for everyone.

The Bucket List Family

The Bucket List Family—a husband, wife, and their three photogenic children—shares adventurous travel stories on Instagram and YouTube . I’ve followed their travel story for years now, and as an experienced traveler I still love traveling vicariously through their family adventures.

They offer stunning photography and heartfelt narratives, and bring followers on a virtual exploration of the world’s most captivating destinations. Beyond showcasing picturesque locations, they emphasize the importance of shared family adventures and creating lasting memories. My young son was born in 2021, so although he’s already visited eight countries with me, I’m still inspired by the places they take their kids—many of which are on my own bucket list.

The Bucket List Family’s story focuses on experiences over material possessions—but keep in mind they are very wealthy (one-percenters), so they go on some super bougie trips that are aspirational for most.

While they certainly weren’t the first family travel storytellers , as they claim, they do a great job. They encourage travelers to step out of their comfort zones, embrace the unknown, and prioritize quality time together—a message I can get behind. Although they technically have a website, they don’t blog. Their travel story is best followed Instagram and YouTube .

This website was a curation platform that, while it no longer shares new articles, has a treasure trove of absolutely stunning short travel stories—most are readable in about 10-20 minutes. It’s a great sadness that it’s no longer updated with fresh stories, but you can get lost for hours in the archives.

The best place to get started is with this travel story, “ Weavers of the Sky ,” or this one, “ Keepers of Ganesh: The Vanishing Art of Mahout. ” Or head to the editor’s picks page for a curated list of the best of the archives.

Oneika Raymond from Oneika the Traveller

Oneika Raymond is an Emmy-winning travel storyteller. Her stories are engaging and authentic, and she’s all about promoting inclusivity and breaking down misconceptions. Oneika’s posts inspire travelers to step out of your comfort zone and embrace the beauty of different cultures. It’s like getting tips from a friend who’s passionate about travel and believes in the power of exploration to bring people together.

While her website now pumps out more generic travel planning content, following her on Facebook is the perfect way to collect the best pieces of her travel story that encourage cultural exploration and adventure—she regularly re-shares her best videos, stories, and photos from her years of travel.

Best Historical Travel Stories

Gertrude bell.

Gertrude Bell, often dubbed as the “Queen of the Desert,” was an extraordinary woman who defied societal norms and embarked on incredible journeys across the Middle East in the early 20th century.

A British explorer, archaeologist, and writer, she traversed vast deserts, climbed mountains, and immersed herself in the cultures of the region. Her inspiring travel story lies in her unwavering determination, intelligence, and deep respect for the people and places she encountered.

Bell’s book, A Woman in Arabia: The Writings of the Queen of the Desert , encapsulates her adventurous spirit and offers an intimate glimpse into her experiences, documenting her encounters with tribal leaders, her insights into the region’s history and politics, and her unique perspectives on the challenges faced by women in those times.

Her courageous and independent spirit continues to inspire travelers, historians, and feminists alike, making her an icon of female exploration and an incredible travel story even today.

Ibn Battuta

One notable historic travel adventure that captivates the imagination is the journey of Ibn Battuta, an explorer from the 14th century. Ibn Battuta embarked on a remarkable travel odyssey that spanned over 30 years and covered a distance exceeding 75,000 miles, making him one of history’s greatest adventurers.

His extensive travels took him across the Islamic world, including North Africa, the Middle East, India, and even as far as China. Battuta’s story is inspiring due to his fearlessness, curiosity, and the vastness of his exploration, which allowed him to experience diverse cultures, encounter various civilizations, and encounter numerous challenges along the way.

His travel story provides insights into the medieval world and serves as a testament to the enduring spirit of exploration. Although there are translations of his travelogue available, Ibn Battuta: A Muslim Traveler of the Fourteenth Century by Ross E. Dunn is a good option to really immerse in his journey because Dunn provides a lot of historical and societal context that enriches Battuta’s story.

Emily Hahn, a trailblazing adventurer and writer, holds an inspiring travel story that spans the globe and breaks boundaries. Known as the “Mickey Mouse girl” due to her unconventional lifestyle, Hahn fearlessly journeyed to places that were deemed off-limits for women in the early 20th century.

From exploring the remote regions of China, where she witnessed political upheavals and became an unofficial concubine, to her daring escapades in the African wilderness and beyond, Hahn’s travels were marked by her independent spirit and relentless curiosity.

Her travel story, No Hurry to Get Home: The Memoir of the New Yorker Writer Whose Unconventional Life and Adventures Spanned the Twentieth Century , is captivating. Her memoir showcases her extraordinary life and captures the essence of her adventurous spirit. Emily Hahn’s audacious exploration and refusal to conform to societal norms make her an inspiring figure, leaving a lasting legacy for women in travel and writing.

Sir Ernest Shackleton

There’s just something magical about the travel stories of the great explorers from history. With the world so connected, these kinds of harrowing travel journeys are more rare (thankfully!). Shackleton’s extraordinary expedition to Antarctica in the early 20th century is renowned for its remarkable story of survival and endurance.

In 1914, Shackleton and his crew set out on the ill-fated Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition, aiming to cross the Antarctic continent. However, their ship, the Endurance, became trapped in ice, eventually sinking. Shackleton and his crew were stranded on the ice for months before embarking on a perilous journey in lifeboats to reach Elephant Island.

Despite the immense challenges they faced, Shackleton displayed exceptional leadership, courage, and resourcefulness, ensuring the survival of his entire crew. His story of perseverance and determination in the face of extreme adversity continues to inspire adventurers and explorers to this day.

Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing is a classic adventure travel story and makes for a great read. (And if you love this style of historical adventure travel, I truly loved The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt’s Darkest Journey , which I read in just two days .)

Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou, an iconic poet, author, and civil rights activist, embarked on a profound and inspiring travel journey that shaped her worldview and enriched her literary voice. Through her autobiographical work, All God’s Children Need Traveling Shoes , Angelou chronicles her time living in Ghana during the 1960s, immersing herself in the vibrant tapestry of African culture and the fight for independence.

Her travel story is one of self-discovery, resilience, and profound connection, as she navigates the complexities of identity, racial inequality, and personal growth.

Maya Angelou’s courage to venture into unknown territories, both geographically and emotionally, and her ability to find strength and inspiration amidst adversity, inspires readers around the world. Her travel experiences beautifully illustrate the transformative power of exploration and the importance of embracing diverse cultures and perspectives.

10 Best Travel Stories on A Little Adrift

I’m guilty of sharing a fair bit of travel tips and advice for travelers of all shapes—I have detailed cost of living guides for countries around the world, as well as travel guides to my favorite countries in the world.

But deep in my 15 years of archives are travel stories and photography that I remain proud of, even if they’re not search-friendly content that’s likely to appear at the top of Google Search. These are the best travel stories from my years on the road.

• A Journey to Uncover What Sustainable Coffee Really Means : The journey an Akha hill tribe community in rural Northern Thailand is taking toward creating a sustainable business and social enterprise. Filled with beautiful photographs from their community and their journey toward fair-trade sustainability.
• How One Maasai Chief is Using Tourism to Change His Community : An innovative Maasai chief and his community are using tourism funds to help end FGM in Maasai communities and instead educate girls.
• The Case for Using Tourism to Help Destinations Recover : In the wake of Nepal’s devastating earthquake, this piece looks at how tourism shapes rural economies and how it can be a vehicle to help these communities recover after natural disasters.
• A Guest is a Gift from God : One of my favorite memories from Tbilisi, Georgia was sitting under the Mother Georgia statue with group of locals for an evening of song, conversation, and snacks. In short, for the famous Georgian hospitality.
• A Pastel Sunrise Over Wadi Rum : A dawn camel ride as the sun is rising over Jordan’s desert is etched in my memory as the pinks and blues tinted the sand and rocks.
• An Unexpected Afternoon with a Taco Stand Family : A simple question leads to a wonderful afternoon learning about Mexico’s blue corn.
• Peat Fireplaces, Rugged Ireland, & Something Special : Ireland holds such a special place in my heart, the smells of fireplaces mixed with yeasty beer and flowing conversation ebb and flow throughout the island.
• A Child’s Journey Through Chinese New Year : Go on the journey of Chinese New Year festivities in Thailand’s Chinatown told through the eyes of a young child.
• A Secret Spot in Ireland’s Heart : Ireland is an island of mystery as I tap into the cadence and rhythm of the locals speech, lore, and attitudes while hiking through sheep pastures and along coastlines.
• This One’s for Africa : Riding the local transport in East Africa leads to some hilarious encounters that constantly reminded me, “Oh yeah, this is Africa.”
• Finding the Travel Spark in Yangon : After years on the road it’s a single moment in Burma that pinpoints for me why I travel and reignites the wanderlust.

Looking for more inspiration? I’ve curated the best travel books not only in general, but for each region of the world.

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Our 25 Most Read Travel Stories From 2021

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• Destinations
• News and Tips

Can you believe that 2021 is already drawing to a close? The team of travel experts here at TravelAwaits spent the year exploring new destinations, reliving fond memories of bygone trips, and providing travel inspiration and expertise to our readers. To celebrate another exciting year of wanderlust and jet-setting, we wanted to take a look back at the articles that you, our readers, resonated the most with in the past year. As a special treat, let’s start with the most popular article of the year so you don’t have to scroll to the bottom to find it…

1. European Towns That Are Better In The Winter Than The Summer

Topping the list this year was travel expert Ulrike Lemmin-Woolfrey’s piece on European towns that are better to visit in the winter than the summer. While amazing any time of year, these seven cities exude additional ambiance and charm during the colder months. From snow-covered buildings to going the extra mile — rather kilometer in this instance — around the holidays, you can’t go wrong booking your winter flight to any of these great cities. Which will you be adding to your travel list in 2022?

2. Enchanting Places Where Cars Aren’t Allowed

Travelers often yearn to get away from the hustle and bustle of the big city, and for good reason. The constant car cacophony is enough to drive anyone mad. Travel expert Inka Piegsa Quischotte stepped in to share these 11 enchanting places around the world where cars aren’t allowed . Spanning four continents, Inka shares her favorite places where you are more likely to be run over by a donkey than a Mustang.

3. Luxury Train Line Now Operating On One Of The Most Beautiful Routes In The U.S.

Rounding out the coveted top three, travel news writer Jim Fulcher connected with readers when he shared this timely tidbit of transit news. A popular Canadian-based train line announced its foray into the United States with an exciting new line. Read more of Jim’s piece to learn which luxury Canadian train line is now operating on one of the most beautiful routes in the U.S. !

4. Where I Decided To Retire After Moving 33 Times During My Life

When I first read Peggy Cleveland’s story about retirement after moving 33 times, I was excited to know that I wasn’t the only regular re-locator (24 for me which seems paltry in comparison). But what really piqued my interest was where she landed and what drew her there after so many moves. I have to say that I fully support her reasoning and definitely desire to travel to this region in the near future at the very least. See where she decided to retire after moving 33 times during her life .

5. The Friendliest Small Towns In The U.S.

The inaugural year for our Best Of Travel Awards was 2021, and our readers excitedly voted to recognize their favorite destinations from around the globe. One of the tightest races by far was for the title of friendliest small town in the U.S., so it was not surprising to see Laura Ray’s piece showcasing the winners intriguing so many of our readers. Learn more about all 15 of the friendliest small towns in the U.S. and see if your hometown made the list!

6. This Florida Town May Be The Most Magical Place To Spend The Holidays

Florida is not necessarily an idyllic destination to spend the holidays in the traditional sense. After all, Bing Crosby isn’t the only one that dreams of a white Christmas each year. However, Greg Robertson helped create a case for why St. Augustine shouldn’t be ignored this time of the year despite its lack of snow. Learn why this Florida town may be the most magical place to spend the holidays .

RuthChoi / Shutterstock.com

7. Why Costa Rica Is The Best Place To Retire Internationally

Why is Costa Rica the best place to retire internationally ? Erika Ebsworth-Goold shares eight reasons that set Costa Rica apart from other regions with beautiful beaches and ocean views. Medical care in this unassuming Central American country tops the list of reasons why expats prefer it over other more well-known nations when they are choosing where to roost in their golden years. If you are pondering retirement abroad, make sure to read the whole article to see what else sets Costa Rica apart!

8. Delta Flight Crew Finds Letter Left In Cockpit Calling It A Pandemic Time Capsule

The year 2021 was a year where the entire world collectively held its breath in anticipation for what a new year might bring. After all, hindsight proved that 2020 was not the year that anyone had truly hoped for. Air travel came to a screeching halt, and planes found themselves parked indefinitely. Upon bringing one such plane out of storage, a Delta flight crew discovered a note left by the last person to pilot it: 435 days prior. Read the full pandemic time capsule as the crew dubbed it.

9. Friendliest Small Towns To Visit In Canada

Canada is regularly named one of the friendliest countries in the world. In fact, the internet is teeming with memes showcasing, and yes, poking fun at, this moniker. But where are the most friendly towns in the most friendly country? Canadian native and travel expert Vanessa Chiasson shares 19 towns that she believes outshine the rest. From Quebec to Nunavut, British Columbia to Newfoundland, enjoy her picks for the friendliest small towns in all of Canada .

Michael Shake / Shutterstock.com

10. Beautiful Castles You Can Actually Visit In The Midwest

Castles are intriguing. Ramparts, portcullises, moats, and drawbridges just scratch the surface of these architectural achievements that stand the test of time. And yet, for most a trip to Europe, the motherland of castles is not in the cards. But don’t ye fret, for Midwestern travel expert Tim Trudell has shared this list of nine beautiful castles you can actually visit in the Midwestern U.S. to keep your knightly dreams alive. Have fun storming the castle!

11. Spectacular Fall Foliage Train Rides In The U.S.

Nothing is more beautiful than watching the leaves transition from lively green to even more vivacious shades of orange and red. While road trips are an exciting way to enjoy these colorful hues, being the driver does tend to detract from the experience as your eyes must stay trained on the road. If this has been your experience in the past, consider one of these spectacular fall foliage train rides in the U.S. in 2022 so you don’t miss a thing.

Louisa Rogers

12. Opportunities To Make Extra Income In Retirement

Retirement isn’t cheap, and despite the best-laid plans, earning a little extra is rarely a bad thing for most retirees. Louisa Rogers, expat and travel expert, jumped at the chance to share her expertise in this area with our readers earlier this year. Consider all eight of Louisa’s opportunities to make extra income in retirement .

13. Reasons Panama Is Popular With Retirees Looking To Live Internationally

Proximity to the U.S. and favorable climate are two of the primary reasons that expats find themselves migrating to Panama from the U.S., but they are not the only factors. In fact, Cindy Barks shares nine reasons Panama is popular with retirees looking to live internationally . Discover for yourself why this country has far more to offer than a shortcut around South America for ships.

14. Quaint European Towns That Feel Like A Hallmark Christmas Movie

Is your household one where the TV remains permanently dialed into the Hallmark Channel around the holidays (or maybe even year round)? If so, then you should jump at the chance to explore these seven quaint European towns that will make you feel like you stepped onto the set of a Hallmark Christmas movie . From fairytale-like facades to cobbled streets and artisan shops, even the Hallmark-averse traveler will find themselves at home in these charming towns across Europe.

15. Flight Attendants Reveal 13 Things You Should Always Pack In Your Carry-On

Who better to provide expert knowledge on the subject of must-haves for air travel than those who make a living out of traveling by plane. Our team worked with a group of flight attendants who revealed 13 things you should always pack in your carry-on . The most surprising entry on the list? A tennis ball. Make sure to take a look at the rest of the article to learn why, and enjoy the rest of the list so you can board your next flight as prepared as possible.

16. The World’s 7 Most Luxurious Train Rides

Travel by rail may no longer be the fastest or most efficient mode of travel, but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t a time and a place for it. For many train lines, the journey is immensely more important than the destination itself. So for your next trip, set aside some additional time and experience the pampering that can come with the world’s seven most luxurious train rides .

17. Dr. Beach Announces His 2021 Best Beaches List

Our readers were ready to lather up the ( coral-friendly ) sunscreen and shake the sand off their favorite beach chair back in May when Dr. Beach announced his picks for the best beaches of 2021. For 30 years, this coastal ecologist has shared his take on the factors that make a beach truly remarkable. In fact, he rates each beach in 50 unique areas, from sand softness to safety records before arriving at his selections. Don’t wait for his 2022 list to start planning your next beach trip; take a look at his 2021 picks today !

18. Beautiful Vintage Train Rides In The U.S.

Our readers were certainly on board with train content this year, with four rail articles ranking in the top 25. And again, with many more efficient travel options to choo choo chose from, railroads have had to work to make themselves stand out from the competition. Nostalgia was just the ticket to save many of these lines, as you can see with these 11 beautiful vintage train rides in the U.S. .

Kris Wiktor / Shutterstock.com

19. How To Visit Crystal Mill, One Of Colorado’s Most Photographed Sites

It is said that “a picture is worth a thousand words,” and after seeing the photograph above, I can see why. Familiar, yet mysterious, photographers drive 90+ miles and then hike nearly 10 roundtrip for their shot of this iconic mill. To learn the backstory of this mysterious attraction — as well as how to visit Crystal Mill — read more about one of Colorado’s most photographed sites .

20. California’s 3 Least Visited National Parks Are Absolutely Breathtaking

With nine to its name, California has more national parks than any other state. Parks such as Yosemite , Death Valley , and Joshua Tree are household names for many, drawing millions of visitors across their borders each year. However, for a more intimate — and just as breathtaking — experience, you might consider one of these options instead. Consider visiting one of California’s three least visited national parks in 2022 and enjoy views that few others experience.

21. Rookie Travel Mistakes Made By Experienced Travelers

Even the most seasoned travelers make mistakes when abroad, as Sue Davies and Regina Ang can attest. Despite traveling regularly for over three decades, and visiting all seven continents, even these experienced travelers have fallen victim to some pretty “rookie” travel mistakes . Learn from their missteps as you prepare for your next journey, and hopefully, you will avoid the same pitfalls.

22. The Historic Canadian Town You Need To Visit This Fall

Cornwall, Ontario, is one border town that you should schedule a few days to enjoy rather than simply pass through while traveling from the U.S. to Canada. And while it is an excellent destination year round, this is one historic Canadian town you need to visit in the fall . Fall foliage and an enthralling pumpkin festival known as “Pumpkinferno” are just two reasons that make a fall trip a must.

23. Unique Small Towns To Visit In Scotland

Scotland is a mesmerizing country, steeped in enough history and lore to fill several libraries, so it is no surprise that it tops many bucket lists. What better place to discover Scottish charm than in the quaint towns where the intersection of past and present can be seen most readily. UK resident and travel expert Samantha Priestly shares seven unique small towns to visit in Scotland during your next journey to the British Isles.

Nancy Kennedy / Shutterstock.com

24. Must-Visit Quaint Towns In Upstate New York

You may be surprised that New York has more to offer than towering skyscrapers and packed public transit. In fact, once you leave the Big Apple, the state becomes far less noisy and far more open. Travel expert Sage Scott shared 13 must-visit quaint towns in Upstate New York that you should consider.

25. Pennsylvania’s Unique Dining Experience 43-Feet Underground

TravelAwaits ‘ go-to writer for all things Pennsylvania is native Robin O’Neal Smith. So when she chose to write about her unique dining experience 43-feet underground , we were intrigued. Clearly, our readers were, too, with it rounding out our list of the 25 most popular articles in 2021. Head on down , and see what all of the hubbub is about!

All of 2021 was a travel year to remember. Our team of writers excitedly made up for time not spent traveling the previous year. We hope you will continue to be inspired through their journeys as you make plans for 2022 and beyond. Don’t put off your bucket list trip for too long because you never know what curve balls life will throw at you next: Stay safe and happy travels!

He has traveled to 44 states and has taken several trips outside of the U.S.; he experienced London as a tourist during college and took immersive trips to both Mexico City and Athens through a former career with a college student ministry. One of his favorite travel memories was serving a Christmas meal to refugees in Athens and hearing their stories of hope; Athens is truly the crossroads of European, Asian, African, and Middle Eastern cultures and shouldn't be missed!

Life-changing travel experience stories

There’s nothing like other travelers’ tales to get inspiration . When you are home longing to be on the road, or when you are on a journey wondering why you left the comfort of your house, submerge into these life-changing travel experience stories, beautiful tales of how a trip can alter the trajectory of your life .

I’m sure my regular readers are used to me talking about travel experiences . But for those who are discovering this little window to my soul called Experiencing the Globe , you can see that it all started with a bucket list of all the –surprise, surprise– travel experiences I want to have around the world.

The list is my goal in life, so I’m spending as much time as I can on the road. But when I’m home in between trips I seek inspiration in other travelers’ tales. I’ve read as many books about exciting journeys as I could put my hands on. And recently I got a hold of Lonely Planet’s Travel Goals: Inspiring Experiences to Transform Your Life .

It got me thinking of my own life-changing travel experiences . Like my transformation into a sustainable traveler after fully grasping what that meant for the planet and all the life in it. I have a trip to the Caribbean to thank for that. The first trip I took alone, when I was starting to test my boundaries, empowered me as a solo female traveler, and opened my eyes to a new world of possibilities! I’m so thankful I chose Italy , an amazing destination to explore on your own! I reaffirmed my faith in human kindness after spending a month in Iran , meeting the loveliest people I’ve ever encountered.  And the most literal life-changing travel experience, moving to Croatia after meeting the love of my life in this beautiful country that now I call home.

The book also encouraged me to ask other travelers if they had a story in their own travels that changed their lives in one way or another. I was overwhelmed with the beautiful tales… some of the best life-changing stories that’ll inspire you to travel!

Life-changing travel experience stories that’ll inspire you to travel

Collecting memories, not counting countries.

I want to start this series of tales with my own. As I told you, many aspects of my life have changed over the years due to a travel experience, but the one I want to elaborate on is the one that defined what my life would be. Traveling hasn’t changed me, it has made me. It’s who I am. Several trips to the south of Chile showed me where I was going. This is the story of how I became the person I am today:

My parents took me camping to the Chilean Lake District every summer while growing up. This was in the dark age, before the internet. Back then we had to rely on maps and guidebooks. So through the endless hours of our road trips, I kept myself entertained glancing at a map, reading about the small towns we passed, and convincing my folks to take a detour to visit some place that caught my attention.

During one trip I told them that I have decided I wanted to go everywhere in the world. After a few laughs, my dad told me about the Travelers’ Century Club (TCC), a group for people who have visited 100 or more of the world’s countries and territories. My eyes sparkled with the thought of being a member, and I made it my goal.

Obviously, I started asking to go to another country instead of the same National Park we always visited. They laughed again –conscious of the monster they have created– and offered a compromise: they’d take me to our neighbor Argentina, my first trip abroad, but I had to see more of my own country before I embarked on my adventure of visiting another hundred. I happily accepted.

See, what I immediately realized is that –as much as I wanted to be part of the TCC– the main reasons to travel should revolve around what I’ll get out of a trip –whether that’s meeting locals, tasting the typical cuisine, exploring nature, or adventuring into an activity– it shouldn’t be just to count countries . I know the “why you should travel” is super personal, but ticking countries off a list only because you put your feet there feels meaningless to me.

Why do people travel? Well, there are as many reasons as people traveling, but even if it is to get a tan while you’re permanently sipping from a cocktail, that trip will always be part of your story, so you should make the most of it.

After visiting every region in Chile, I started to go abroad. Nowadays, getting closer to 100 countries and territories of the TCC list properly visited, what I knew instinctively, transformed into lessons I learnt during my travels … What inspires me the most to hit the road is experiences, because they feed my adventurous soul –the TCC list (and my own bucket list) became the means to guide my journey, not an end themselves.

Spreading the word about the truth of traveling

Claudia’s life story is remarkably similar to my own. Being avid travelers changed the way we perceive a destination, and the story that should be told about it. We both left behind an academic career and repurposed our research abilities towards travel writing. Now we both blog from a distinct point of view. This is the story of how in a visit to Cuba she found her true calling:

“Cuba changed my life because it was nothing like I had expected it to be –quite the opposite, in fact. You see, being the avid traveler that I am, before my trip to Cuba I spent months reading just about anything I could put my hands on. If it talked about Cuba, I had to read it. Everything made it sound like traveling to Cuba would be easy, and locals would be generous and welcoming.

My time in Cuba was less than fabulous. Don’t get me wrong, it is a gorgeous country and now, a few years later, with much more traveling experience and understanding, I am ready to go again. But back then, it was awful. My 23 days there were a constant challenge to avoid scams –a challenge that a few times saw me succeed but that other times saw me fail miserably. It was frustrating. I felt I could not trust anybody. Where were the lovely Cubans everyone talked about in their blogs?

Cuba taught me that people lie, even (or especially) online. Because nobody really wants to say they have had a bad experience, and nobody is really interested in reading about others’ bad experiences –but is that really the case?

I decided there and then to be different. I decided that I had to warn others, tell them the truth, let them know what they should expect and what they should do to avoid scams. That’s why I opened my blog. It was just a pastime at the beginning.

Fast-forward 2 years and I realized that I did want to make an effort to make it work out. After all, what did I have to lose? My contract as a research fellow at the university had expired and I had no real prospect if not a series of menial short-term teaching jobs I was less than interested in. So, I gave blogging my heart and soul. And it worked. I’m a much happier person now. I love what I am doing. I wake up in the morning to face a long list of to-do things and I read it with a smile on my face, which is priceless.

Cuba changed my life. And despite all the frustration I felt back when I was there, it changed it for the best.”

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Encountering wildlife to find yourself

Camilla was looking for something, but she wasn’t sure what it was. Her heart lead her to India , and after that trip her life would never be the same. Animals can have different impacts in our life, but for this former vegan chef, one particular big cat meant more than anything. This is her story:

“January 2017. That’s the date I first arrived in India. By that time, I used to work as a freelance vegan chef in the hustling city of Paris. Having attended a 4-weeks course on yoga and Ayurveda, I had planned to spend the following month exploring this amazing country.

Little did I know that a special encounter would change my life forever.

Always an animal lover, over the years I had developed a passion for the most majestic of big cats: the tiger. The striped animal had somehow summoned me. To what reason and to convey what message I do not know, but to such a call one can hardly resist.

India is home to more than 60% of the world’s remaining wild tigers. The critically endangered species is highly protected, and the country has given to many of its national parks the status of Tiger Reserve.

It was time for me to see my first one in the wild.

With zero safari experience and many hours of research, I booked 4 drives in Ranthambhore, one of India’s most famous Tiger Reserves .

I will always remember the excitement before that first drive in the jungle, and I will never forget the distress of realizing that finding the elusive cat is no easy task. 

But all of a sudden, there it was. Glorious in its fierce black striped orange coat, a killer look and an attitude to die for. My first wild tiger.

That fleeting moment was enough to make me want more. Today, I have moved to Central India, prime tiger landscape of the world, and I have seen 103 different individuals. But every time I see those eyes, I feel the same excitement that I felt as a total beginner that day in Ranthambhore.”

Finding love in an unexpected place

Traveling is full of surprises. A spontaneous detour can change your life forever. Don’t I know it! A quick, unplanned stop in Split after exploring Dubrovnik ended up seeing me move continents for love. A simple recommendation of a town in The Philippines had the same in store for Alya. This is the tale of the trip that lead her to her husband:

“Meeting my future husband was definitely one of the most life-changing travel experiences I’ve ever had. We met 6 years ago in the Philippines. I was traveling alone around Southeast Asia for a couple of months. After completing my dive course in Gili Air Island in Indonesia and didn’t know where to go next. I was looking for a good place to learn to surf. My dive instructor told me about a small town on Luzon Island in the Philippines. It sounded like the perfect place for me. I bought a plane ticket immediately and two days later arrived in San Fernando.

The hostel I stayed at had a big dormitory with many beds. I met many travelers including Campbell. In fact, we had neighboring beds in the dormitory. He traveled alone as well and we liked each other, so we started going together to the beach, surfing and going out at night. By chance we had very similar travel plans and decided to continue our trip together.

We both like doing the same things, like surfing, diving and hiking. We left San Fernando and traveled around the Philippines together for 2 months. From there we went to Singapore. Unfortunately, I had to go back home, my 4-month holiday was over. We arranged to meet up again two months later in Nepal since we both had trekking to Everest Base Camp on our bucket list. So we did, it was our first multi-day trek together.

We met up a couple of times on the road again in different countries. After 6 months of on and off I decided to quit my job and join Campbell on his around the world adventure. Three years later we got married and decided to start a travel blog . In the last 6 years we’ve done hundreds of hikes, spent a year hitchhiking through Latin America, drove thousands of kilometers across Africa and walked seven Camino de Santiago routes.

Now I can’t imagine how my life would look like if I hadn’t gone to that place in the Philippines and had never met my husband.”

Giving is better than having

A trip to South East Asia gave Corritta’s life a whole new meaning. Possessions are overrated, true happiness comes from giving. She and her family left a comfortable life in the United States behind to fill their souls while making the world a better place. This is the tale of their journey:

“My life changing experience prompted me to sell our house, car and possessions to take off on a journey to see the world. That may seem a little extreme but let me explain. My first international trip was to Bangkok in 2018. I thought this trip would be a great way to get away from the stress in my life. It turned out to be a life altering experience that made me realize I was existing, not living. 

While in Bangkok we took a day trip to Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand and it changed my life. We learned how cruel animal tourism is and how we, as tourists, are unwitting accomplices. We support illegal pouching and animal cruelty by taking part in animal tourism. This includes taking pictures with large cats or monkeys and riding elephants. When we do these things, we are not only hurting the animals, we are ensuring things will never get better. I must admit I was never an animal lover but being up close and personal with elephants changed something within me. It made me want to give back.  

So, two years later, with my partner and our one-year old baby boy, decided to take off for a  family gap year .  We sold everything and left San Diego to live a life of service. We will use this time to give back to those less fortunate. 

When I left Thailand my definition of happiness changed. It was no longer associated with material possessions, but by the quality of life I wanted to live. I realized what truly matters is the love of your family. The Thai people with their families were happier than most Americans. So I decided to take back one of the most invaluable things in the world, time. Never forget, all the money in the world can’t buy you more time.” 

Small changes can make the world a better place

A trip to Australia developed plastic-issue awareness in Simona. Seeing how the tides brought tons of plastic to the shores made her change her approach to traveling. From carrying her own grocery bags and water bottle, little adjustments made her a much more responsible traveler. This is how her journey towards sustainability started:

“The first time ever I realized that plastic was a serious matter for our planet was during a road trip in Western Australia, almost 12 years ago.

We stopped at a supermarket along the Coral Bay coast to buy some groceries and the lady at the counter told us they didn’t sell any shopping bags to prevent plastic in the ocean and to help preserving the endangered turtles living in that area. After a first reaction of surprise, we gathered all our shopping in our arms and left, reflecting on what we had been told.

This was just one of the many experiences I’ve lived that made me more conscious about my impact and pushed me to adopt various habits to live and travel more sustainably. For example, after that trip, I am always carrying a cotton bag when I go shopping.

Our eco-honeymoon to Borneo was another life-changing experience that has strengthened my resolution to turn to a zero-waste lifestyle. I selected three ecotourism projects to visit. In Asia finding safe drinkable water is always a challenge, but we traveled with our water bottle, and we chose the right service providers engaged in sustainable travel so, with a little effort, we managed to avoid almost entirely the use of plastic during our trip.

However, we were seriously struck by our stay on Libaran Island, where a sustainable and turtle conservation project was launched 10 years ago. Despite the big efforts carried out by the project and the community in cleaning up the beaches and creatively re-use plastic, the shore is washed daily with tons of plastic coming from the tides. Walking on a carpet of plastic that almost prevented us from seeing the beach underneath was quite shocking.

Facing this global issue in person, raised in me a contrasting feeling of sadness and anger that soon turned into determination: to do as much as possible to reduce plastic in our life. Sometimes we may feel helpless in front of big problems, but we should be aware that small changes can actually make a difference!”

• The Ultimate Guide to Sustainable Travel
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• Plant-based diet & Sustainability

Discovering happiness in simplicity

When her career and personal relations were failing, Soujanya decided to retreat to the mountains. The Himalayas were the perfect setting to get away from everything and regain perspective. In a small village she discovered that technology is overrated, and that what counts are real connections. This is how a trip to India changed her take on life:

“Back in mid-2019 I wasn’t in a good place in life. I was getting out of a serious relationship, I was burn out at my job, I had problems within my family, and the ever-increasing sense of loneliness had thrown me into a pit of depression. During that time, I turned to the only positive thing I had going on for myself, which was travel and blogging.

After some contemplation, I decided to quit my job to travel. I had saved up enough money that would last me 8-10 months so I didn’t give it much thought because I knew it was the only thing that would keep me from tipping over the edge.

The first thing I did after leaving my job was to head to the Himalayas in India. I spent a month in the Kinnaur and Spiti valleys in the state of Himachal Pradesh. The Kinnaur district was a breath of fresh air. The snow-clad mountain range in the distance, the lush green vegetation all around, the sparse population and the friendly people spoke to my soul.

There was one village called Chitkul , which lies on the Indo-Tibet border and has no cell connectivity, that helped heal me the most. A remote village with a population of less than a thousand people and only a handful of tourists, with nothing around it for many miles.

I spent my days sitting by the river, hiking to the nearby hills and walking through meadows. Just being there surrounded by the Himalayas, without any social media due to lack of connectivity, and making real connections with other travelers and the villagers had some sort of magical effect on me. Not only I have the best travel experience of my life, but the place also healed my mind. I came back happier than ever, with a renewed spirit, ready to enjoy everything that life had to offer.”

Uncovering a braver version of yourself

We all have that one thing we’d love to do but we’re too scared to try. A trip to Thailand taught Allison that life is what we made of it. Pushing her boundaries not only allowed her to have a ton of fun, but also gave her a new path, one in which she gets to do what she loves. This is her story, an encouragement for you to get out of you comfort zone too:

“Shortly after I graduated from college, I moved to a new state to start a full-time job. One day at work, I found myself wanting to go traveling. As I didn’t have any friends there, I decided it was the perfect opportunity to go on my first ever solo trip. So I quickly started doing research on where I’d like to go.

I had never traveled alone before, especially overseas, so I decided to sign up for a guided group that was going rock climbing in Thailand . This gave me a sense of security, being new to solo traveling. It felt like a great way to dip my toes into being alone and meeting strangers, but also doing something that sounded really fun and engaging for 2 weeks.

The entire Thailand trip forced me out of so many comfort zones that ended up being one of the big turning points of my life. The time I spent in Thailand navigating airports and taxis alone, meeting a group of complete strangers, and spending 2 weeks climbing with them in often remote parts of the country, ended up being one of the greatest experiences of my life. Up until this point I had always considered myself a ‘shy’ and ‘cautious’ kind of person, but this travel experience lit me up to become different. It showed me a brave, strong, and self-sufficient side of myself that went on to influence my life in dramatic ways when I returned home.

When I got back, I pretty much dedicated my life to spending as much time as possible outdoors whether that be climbing, hiking, or backpacking… essentially doing things that I once thought I wasn’t ‘capable of’ or was ‘too scared of’. Today, roughly 6 years later, I’m an outdoor empowerment coach and backpacking educator.

My trip to Thailand was the spark that I needed to make that change. It showed me what was possible. I don’t know if it was the people I met, the experiences I had, or the beauty of traveling in Thailand – likely a bit of all of it– but whatever it was, it changed the trajectory of my life, and I’ll forever hold Thailand (and all the people I met) in a special place in my heart.”

A leap of faith towards a new life

Getting to visit a new place after a business trip is nothing out of the ordinary. For most people. For Derek and Mike it was literally life-changing. After a quick trip to Copenhagen , they packed up and started a new chapter of their lives as expats in a different continent. This is the tale of their journey:

“In November 2016 we had a life-changing travel experience in Copenhagen, Denmark. My partner Mike was asked to make an unexpected business trip to the city to help with a project. His company had recently acquired another company in Denmark, and he was asked to help with the integration. He flew there from our hometown, Philadelphia, with only a few days’ notice, and on his first day in the office they asked if he would stay a few weeks longer. He agreed but asked for time off during the American Thanksgiving so that I could fly to Denmark and take advantage of the opportunity to enjoy a cheap trip to Europe with no-cost lodging and some meals expensed.

We loved getting to check out a city that we didn’t have on our travel bucket list before this opportunity came about. We did a few tours, visited the Christmas markets and dined out. At one restaurant we got to try the Christmas traditional Danish meal . I enjoyed Copenhagen for 5 days and Mike remained there for work until the end of November.

On his last night in Denmark, he had dinner at his boss’ home. They shared a meal with a lot of wine and then Mike called me when he got back to his hotel. I could hear the excitement in his voice. He asked if I liked Copenhagen, which seemed odd because he knew I enjoyed myself when I was there. Then he asked if I liked it enough to move there, because on that final night, his boss asked if we would take an expat assignment in Denmark.

We didn’t hesitate to accept and our life abroad began almost right away. That trip to Copenhagen was certainly life-changing!”

Learning to fully appreciate what’s in front you

No matter how much you have traveled, there are places that will bring up the best of you. No matter how much there is still to see, some places will take your breath away and will forever stay in your heart. A trip to Antarctica transformed Wendy into a student. She acquired as much information as she could to fully absorb the beauty that she was about to witness. And now she is longing to go back. This is her story:

“Before my cruise from Ushuaia to Antarctica , I was already quite well-traveled. I had visited about 75 countries and seen plenty of natural beauty before. But all of that paled in comparison to the White Continent. The Perito Moreno glacier in Argentina had mesmerized me just days earlier, but now I was seeing dozens, even hundreds, of sparkling white glaciers practically everywhere I looked. These landscapes were so different from anything I’d ever seen that it felt like I’d traveled to another planet.

On the times when the weather was bad, and on the long days of crossing the Drake Passage between Tierra del Fuego and Antarctica, I soaked up every bit of knowledge that I could about this snow-and-ice-covered land. Our ship, the MV Ushuaia, was manned by a full staff of scientists and lecturers who were experts in a number of relevant topics, from geology to ornithology. When we were out on the high seas with nothing to do, these experts held lectures on the flora, fauna, history and geology of Antarctica, and I attended every single one.

When we stopped at the British base at Port Lockroy on Goudier Island, I grilled the staff there with questions about how I too could go live and work on the island. And while that dream never materialized, my memories of Antarctica are still sharp in my mind 11 years later, and I still dream of returning one day.

Such an expensive voyage would normally be the trip of a lifetime, not a return destination. But if you’re willing to try your luck, sharply discounted last-minute deals can be found at the port in Ushuaia a day or two before departure. In recent years, these huge discounts have become few and far between, as most ships fill up months in advance. But still I’m thinking of a return trip to Antarctica for some more adventure!”

No matter where you go, every single place in the world has the potential to change your life! Tell me in the comments if you’ve had any life-changing travel experiences!

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16 thoughts on “Life-changing travel experience stories”

Wow this is really amazing,I pray that I will be opportuned to travel around the world one day

Sometimes we think it’s a far away dream because it’s dangerous, or expensive, or because we can’t take time from work. I’m aware that for some people it’s actually quite impossible due to their passport or the political situation in their country. For others, their responsibilities are far too great to leave behind. But for most of us, it’s just a matter of priorities. Don’t wait until you have all the money you think you need, or all the time you’d like to spend on the road. Just go! Even if it’s a weekend trip to your neighboring city, or to the countryside close to your place. You got to start somewhere, and every trip has the potential to be life-changing! Let me know how it goes! 🙂

I was looking for inspiration, and inspiration I found. I can’t travel at the moment, but I’m already thinking of how to be more sustainable on my next trip. Thank you all for sharing!

That’s amazing to hear, Dani! Welcome to the sustainable traveler’s team! 🌱

I googled inspiring travel stories to see if my day could be picked up, and I’m so glad this popped up! Lovely stories, super inspiring! I can’t wait for the pandemic to be over to create some travel stories of my own ❤️

Awww! I’m so happy to read your comment, Monty! Hopefully the pandemic will be under control soon and you’ll get to have some travel stories too. Make sure you tell me about them!

Beautiful tales! I can’t wait to start traveling again. Travel already has changed my life, but I’d be happy living through any of the wonderful experiences described here!

When you get to travel again, keep an open mind and an open heart… amazing experiences will happen! ❤️

Very inspiring stories! Thank you for sharing them!

It was a blast to write this, and collect other wonderful tales!

Love all these stories! Love how travel has shaped everyone!

In one way or another, every trip makes us a bit different. It was great to get these wonderful travelers to share their stories -now I’m sure it’s not only me who is deeply changed by travel!

These are all such inspiring stories! Really goes to show you how much travel can impact your life. Thanks for sharing!

It’s crazy how much travel can change us, and how much we can learn from it, no matter where we go!

I loved reading this! All of the stories are such an inspiration! I can’t wait to get back on the road 😍

In times of armchair travel, nothing like beautiful stories to keep the wanderlust up, right? ❤️

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• 30+ Best Travel Blog Examples (2023)

Most people who have a 9-to-5 job usually travel once or twice a year. However, some occasionally end up inspired by one of these trips and decide to embrace traveling as a way of life. Yes, I’m referring to travel bloggers who have often given up safe and profitable jobs to pursue their true passion and earn money by traveling the world.

If you’re reading this and feeling butterflies in your stomach, this is the article for you. You can travel around the planet and get paid for it, but you’ll need a solid blog to get started .

In this article, you’ll be presented with a variety of top-rated travel blog examples that provide compelling travel content, attractive photos, and modern design to attract readers. If you’re ready for your first lesson on how to become a travel blogger , pay attention to the rest of this article.

35 best travel blogs

When you start looking up travel blogs on the internet , you’ll come across hundreds of different websites. That’s why I have attempted to pick 35 of them that are currently active and growing. They are great examples of travel inspiration, guides, tips, and photography.

1. Salt in Our Hair

Follow Hannah and Nick, two creative travel bloggers from the Netherlands, who own and run the Salt in our Hair blog. This award-winning travel blog will get your attention with its fantastic travel stories, guides, and tips, accompanied by spectacular Instagram-friendly photos.

Main topics covered: travel tips, travel guides, lifestyle Built with: WordPress The main source of income: presets, e-book The most popular post: Ultimate 3-Week Route Guide on What to Do in Bali Instagram account: @saltinourhair

2. The Blonde Abroad

Kiki is a beautiful blonde who’s been empowering women to travel solo for many years. Throughout her journey, this blogger has managed to visit over 70 countries and collect material for high-quality blog posts that focus on tips for female solo travelers.

Main topics covered: travel tips, packing guides, photography, lifestyle Built with: WordPress The main source of income: presets, product sales The most popular post: Travel Bucket List for 2021 Instagram account: @theblondeabroad

3. The Travel Book

While this may seem like a travel couple’s simple blog at first, it’s actually much more than that. This blog will teach you how to travel and remain environmentally conscious at the same time. You can expect a lot of eco-friendly advice and travel tips from this travel blog while also learning about some of the most beautiful places on the planet.

Main topics covered: eco-friendly traveling, sustainable lifestyle Built with: WordPress The main source of income: book, e-books, posters The most popular post: Lofoten — Must-See Places Instagram account: @thetravelbook

4. TravelFreak

Jeremy is a travel blogger with an exceptional eye for photography. He’s been traveling for more than a decade now, and his blog is like an art gallery where you will find extraordinary pieces featuring different kinds of scenery from the most diverse places. Check out his website and see for yourself why Forbes, New York Times, and Vanity Fair consider Jeremy worth mentioning.

Main topics covered: travel tips, travel gear, inspiration and mindset, working abroad Built with: WordPress The main source of income: partnerships, advertising, content creation, product reviews, affiliates The most popular post: 17 Best Travel Backpacks for Every Adventure Instagram account: @travelfreak

5. Be My Travel Muse

Kristin is another solo traveler that’s been exploring the planet for more than nine years. Her travel blog is one of the top websites of this genre, attracting more than five million readers per year thanks to her useful money-saving tips and stories about wild adventures.

Main topics covered: travel adventures, money-saving tips Built with: WordPress The main source of income: books, courses, tours, clothing design The most popular post: The Cheapest Travel Destinations in the World in 2021 Instagram account: @bemytravelmuse

6. Adventurous Kate

According to Kate, every woman can travel the world on her own after completing thorough research about a place. Still, in order to help you skip the daunting task of investigating a destination for hours, Kate has prepared a variety of guides that’ll make your female solo trip to almost any country in the world as easy as ABC.

Main topics covered: travel guides, travel inspiration Built with: WordPress The main source of income: advertising, campaigns, affiliates The most popular post: Backpacking Southeast Asia vs. Backpacking Central America Instagram account: @adventurouskate

7. Nomadic Matt

If you want to find out how to travel the world on $50 a day, then Nomadic Matt’s blog is the first page you should check out. This New York Times best-selling author has helped millions of people travel on a budget and visit far-away places for as little cash as possible. Make sure to check out his website, as you’ll definitely benefit from reading his numerous travel tips and tricks.

Main topics covered: travel on a budget, planning and packing guides Built with: WordPress The main source of income: books, e-books, destination guidebooks The most popular post: The Ultimate Guide to Travelling When You Have No Money Instagram account: @nomadicmatt

8. Camels & Chocolate

Kristin Luna loves taking photos, trying delicious food, and doing both of these worldwide. As a true journalist, she tells her readers all about her travel adventures in her blog posts, along with stories about her hometown. At the same time, she touches upon details about becoming a freelancer and other useful things.

Main topics covered: travel, family, animals Built with: WordPress The main source of income: partnerships, consulting, marketing, editorial content The most popular post: Mingling Mermaids: Diving Into Grenada’s Culture Instagram account: @lunaticatlarge

9. A Broken Backpack

If you don’t mind cutting down on a luxurious lifestyle in order to spend more time in an exotic country, make sure to take a peek into this broken backpack. The stories come from a woman who started her own travel adventures with a pile of student debt and learned how to save and earn money along the way in order to make her travel dreams come true. She shares these lessons with the world on this amazing blog.

Main topics covered: expat life, travel tips Built with: WordPress The main source of income: affiliate marketing, content creating, advertising The most popular post: Most Scenic Drives in Vermont Instagram account: @abrokenbackpack

10. Getting Stamped

The couple behind this blog doesn’t simply want to brag about all those countries where they have gotten stamped. Quite the opposite! These two have been trying to add meaning to each of the destinations they have visited and inspire their readers to travel more. Believe me — you’ll definitely get motivated to travel after you see their captivating photos and videos.

Main topics covered: travel tips, honeymoon guides, photography Built with: WordPress The main source of income: collaborations, affiliate marketing The most popular post: Top 12 Caribbean Islands for Beach Lovers Instagram account: @gettingstamped

11. Spirited Pursuit

If you’re particular about your next travel destination, and it has to be in Africa, you must take a look at the stories coming from this lovely lady. She believes that Africans should be the ones representing this beautiful continent and promoting its best qualities to the rest of the world, which is exactly what she has been doing in her travel and lifestyle stories.

Main topics covered: travel stories, retreats, lifestyle Built with: WordPress The main source of income: e-books, collaborations, partnerships The most popular post: 10+ Tips for Visiting African Countries Instagram account: @spiritedpursuit

12. SilverSpoon London

Here is something for those of you who are interested in both travel and luxury. SilverSpoon London is a blog that has won many awards, such as the No. 4 UK Luxury Travel Blog by Vuelio in 2019 and the Best Luxury Travel Bloggers by Teletext Holidays. This speaks volumes about the kind of content you’ll find on this page.

Main topics covered: luxury travel and lifestyle, traveling with a baby Built with: WordPress The main source of income: collaborations, photography The most popular post: The Eight Most Romantic Places in Italy Instagram account: @angiesilverspoon

13. Limitless Secrets

Ophélie is a beautiful and avid traveler, food connoisseur, and photographer living in Paris. On her blog you can discover the best sights to see and restaurants to visit both in Paris and around the world. Learn where you can get the best meals, take the most Instagram-friendly photos, and much more.

Main topics covered: Travel, photography, food Built with: WordPress The main source of income: Photography, collaboration, product or service promotions The most popular post: Best Instagram Spots in Chicago Instagram account: @limitlesssecrets

14. Goats on the Road

Even though this blog won’t actually tell you stories about goats, this couple from Canada considers this name ideal for a team of two wanderers, since goats clearly display this characteristic as well. Their travel blog is filled with great content available in both text and video format, and it’s user-friendly, so that you can easily find what you’re looking for.

Main topics covered: traveling, business, and money-making tips Built with: WordPress The main source of income: online business courses The most popular post: Ten High-Paying Online Jobs to Earn $3,000+ Per Month Instagram account: @goatsontheroad

15. The World Travel Guide

David’s travel blog is one of those sites that can be easily understood by backpackers, millennials, solo travelers, couples… basically, anybody who wants to travel the world without spending a fortune. All of the images and videos on his blog are unique, and his readers can enjoy some breathtaking drone photos that can’t be found anywhere else.

Main topics covered: travel stories, photos, and videos Built with: WordPress The main source of income: partnerships, photography The most popular post: Cappadocia Turkey: Travel Guide, Map, Tours, & Best Cave Hotels Instagram account: @theworldtravelguy

16. Two Monkeys Travel

Kach and her husband met on the road during a backpacking trip to Laos. The moment they saw each other, they recognized a mutual burning desire to describe their travel experiences on a blog. Together, they have visited more than 80 countries, while Kach has managed to personally experience a total of 143 countries.

Main topics covered: travel stories, itineraries, staycation, lifestyle Built with: WordPress The main source of income: online business courses The most popular post: What to Look For in a Great Travel App [Travel App Tips] Instagram account: @2monkeystravel

17. The Barefoot Nomad

What started out as a couple has now turned into a family of four. Their combined love of traveling and technology has made all of their stories available online. If you want to see the world while living a fulfilling family life, make sure to follow their example.

Main topics covered: travel, tech, family Built with: WordPress The main source of income: advertising, promotions, product reviews The most popular post: The Best Small Travel Gifts Instagram account: @thebarefootnomad

18. One Girl One World

Are you the kind of person who doesn’t want to miss out on taking care of their skin and hair while traveling? If the answer is yes, you’ll be happy to know that there’s finally a girl who can help you with all of it. Find advice not only about traveling but also on maintaining a good skincare and haircare routine while on the road.

Main topics covered: travel stories, skincare, haircare Built with: WordPress The main source of income: e-books, one-on-one coaching The most popular post: Your Ultimate Guide to Instagram Reels Instagram account: @onegrloneworld

19. Backpacking Matt

Apart from being a traveler and Instagrammer, Matt is also a travel planner living in New Zealand who can map out your next trip to this distant country. Read his backpacking advice, contact him for trip organization, and don’t forget to pick up some tips about running an amazing travel blog.

Main topics covered: travel planning, adventures, lifestyle Built with: WordPress The main source of income: travel planning and booking website  The most popular post: Do’s and Don’ts in Italy Instagram account: @backpackingmatt

20. PlacesofJuma

PlacesofJuma is a famous travel blog in Europe. The Austrian travel bloggers Jürgen and Martina launched PlacesofJuma in 2017 and their blog is with a focus on adventure, travel photography and how to organize perfect round trips. By 2021, they had published more than 600 articles about their travels around the world, where readers can learn more about the best places to visit and get useful tips and tricks about traveling.

Main topics covered: travel tips, how to organize your trip, best hotels, travel photography Built with: WordPress The main source of income: affiliate links The most popular post: 15 Best Places to Visit in Tuscany, Italy! Instagram account: @placesofjuma

21. Wandering Earl

A blog that’s been active for more than two decades definitely represents a good example of how things are done in this niche. Wandering Earl has helped many people make their travel dreams come true by building a platform that offers practical and easily applicable travel tips.

Main topics covered: travel tips and advice, travel costs, travel guides Built with: WordPress The main source of income: affiliate marketing, e-books, online projects The most popular post: Why I Travel So Much? Instagram account: @wanderingearl

22. Dan Flying Solo

By spending 1467 days on the road, this simple guy once working as a restaurant manager has transformed himself into a popular travel blogger. Dan has seen the world, and he wants people to see it too, which is why his blog is an ideal place for anyone in need of inspiration.

Main topics covered: travel, photography Built with: WordPress The main source of income: partnerships, advertising, photography The most popular post: Unique Honeymoon Ideas: Ten Alternative Romantic Escapes Instagram account: @danflyingsolo

23. The Poor Traveler

Although these guys didn’t have a lot of money when they started their travel blog, the word “poor” in this context is used as a synonym for “unfortunate or unlucky” rather than “penniless.” They claim to have made some poor decisions on their travel journeys, but they have used these mistakes to develop a travel blog that everybody wants to read.

Main topics covered: travel guides and itineraries, visa guides Built with: WordPress The main source of income: advertising The most popular post: CENTRAL JAPAN: 25 Best Things to Do & Places to Visit Instagram account: @thepoortraveler

24. Let’s Be Merry

Being constantly on the road may seem fun and exciting, but it can often be tiring too. Your energy can be easily drained by all of those sleepless nights at airports, unhealthy fast food, and other tiny but significant things. However, if you read Merry’s travel blog, you can get some wellness tips that can help you maintain your health and fitness while on the go.

Main topics covered: travel, wellness, lifestyle Built with: WordPress The main source of income: commissionable links The most popular post: Dreaming of Travel? Consider These 6 Travel Trends for 2021 Instagram account: @lets_be_merry

25. Traveltomtom

Remember how I’ve mentioned people who start their career as travel blogger because of a single trip? Well, Tom is one of those people who is continuously traveling since 2012. No home base, not spending more than one week in a place. And that is a good enough reason to check out both his blog and Instagram account, and maybe become inspired to follow his lead.

Main topics covered: detailed destination guides, planning tips, budget traveling ideas Built with: Joomla! The main source of income: advertising, affiliate marketing, guided tours The most popular post: 13 Off The Beaten Path Destinations in Europe for 2021 Instagram account: @traveltomtom

26. Expert Vagabond

Expert Vagabond has been writing his travel diary for over a decade now. He has been recognized by the Travel Channel, Lonely Planet, Nat Geo, and other renowned names from the travel industry. His blog, which is a great example of an all-inclusive travel platform, contains content for both families and solo travelers.

Main topics covered: travel, backpacking, photography Built with: WordPress The main source of income: affiliate and influencer marketing, travel photography, advertising The most popular post: 50 Best Travel Tips After 10 Years Traveling The World Instagram account: @expertvagabond

27. Time Travel Turtle

Time Travel Turtle will inspire you to check out not only the world’s top classic tourist destinations but also the protected UNESCO World Heritage Sites that aren’t easily accessible. Get access to ancient temples and cave arts, old factories, and much more incredible content by visiting this unique travel blog.

Main topics covered: UNESCO World Heritage Sites Built with: WordPress The main source of income: sponsorships, affiliate marketing, content creating The most popular post: Is Cambodia Safe for Travellers? Instagram account: @michaelturtle

28. A Dangerous Business Travel Blog

You don’t necessarily have to quit your job to become a travel blogger. On her blog, Amanda will show you how to make the most out of your current lifestyle and adapt it to your travel desires.

Main topics covered: solo-female travels, cost-effective travel inspiration Built with: WordPress The main source of income: advertising and affiliates The most popular post: Why I’m Not Afraid to Travel Alone Instagram account: @dangerousbiz

29. Indie Traveller

This is a travel blog that features an organized layout and simple design so that readers can focus completely on the content. You’ll find great travel tips on this website, so make sure to browse through it carefully.

Main topics covered: travel tips, budgeting, accommodation Built with: WordPress The main source of income: book, advertising, affiliate The most popular post: 9 Underrated Destinations You Must Have on Your Travel List Instagram account: @indietravlr

30. TheBohoChica

Read stories from a woman who lives in Dubai but has a passion for Arctic landscapes and the countryside. If this sounds like your kind of content, make sure not to miss this chica’s travel reports.

Main topics covered: travel stories, culture, hiking, cuisine Built with: WordPress The main source of income: print sales, advertising, affiliates, books The most popular post: Where to Stay in Dubai: Insider Guide to Dubai Accommodation (By A Local) Instagram account: @thebohochica

31. Of Whiskey and Words

Yes, this guy also quit his job to travel the world, but though he still travels frequently he doesn’t do it full time like others on this list. All of these travel experiences helped him to realize what’s important in life: finding your purpose and achieving balance in your life. If this combo is what interests you too, feel free to glance at this travel blog.

Main topics covered: travel tips, location guides, packing advice, whiskey recommendations Built with: WordPress The main source of income: affiliate marketing, travel agency, and trip planning service The most popular post: How to Start a Travel Blog Instagram account: @ofwhiskeyandwords

32. Travel Hacking Mom

If you still haven’t heard of travel hacking, make sure that you devote some of your time to this mom’s blog. Here, you can learn all about it thanks to her straightforward and engaging content.

Main topics covered: free travel using credit card points Built with: WordPress The main source of income: partnerships The most popular post: How to Travel for Free Instagram account: @travelhackingmom

33. Luggage and Lipstick

All of you Baby Boomers out there will relate to this Boomer Blond. Perhaps you’ll even get motivated to finally plan that trip to your dream destination. Remember, age means nothing, as long as there’s a will to explore this lovely planet.

Main topics covered: outdoor adventure, beaches, solo travel, and unique experiences Built with: WordPress The main source of income: book, affiliate marketing The most popular post: 13 Jaw-Dropping Places to Visit Once in a Lifetime Instagram account: @luggageandlipstick

34. A Couple for the Road

Lovers of music, history, art, and cuisine who want to travel the world while also keeping their current jobs can discover the exact way to do it on this travel blog. If this courageous couple can do it, so can you!

Main topics covered: travel tips and guides, food Built with: WordPress The main source of income: product sales The most popular post: Five Best Day Trips from Berlin Instagram account: @acouplefortheroad

35. World of Wanderlust

Even with the recent traveling restrictions, this blog has been kept alive and it has continued inspiring women to travel on their own. Read their expert tips about solo trips and get ready for your next big adventure.

Main topics covered: travel, lifestyle, entrepreneurship, health and wellbeing Built with: WordPress The main source of income: travel courses The most popular post: 20 Best Places for Solo Female Travelers Instagram account: @worldwonderlust

As you can see, great travel blogs are everywhere around you, and they provide numerous tips and tricks on becoming a travel blogger yourself. If you’re confident that traveling the world is your calling, take a good look at the examples from this article, pick out the best parts from each travel blog, and start writing about your latest trip.

The first step is the hardest, but once you get going, it will become easier day by day.

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Perceptive Travel

Skooliepalooza and the Great Nomad Rendezvous

In Albuquerque with Malachy McCourt, Professional Irishman

Mystery of the Laotian Plain of Jars

Tracing the Shimanto River on an Island in Japan

April Travel Book Reviews

Taking the Coast Starlight Train – Portland to Los Angeles

Welcome to the April edition of Perceptive Travel, the online magazine featuring tales from wandering book authors.

We've got four new stories and some reviews of new travel books this issue, bouncing around the globe to bring you tales of adventure and mystery from the road.

Speaking of the road, let's start out with a story about nomads and where they gather. First-time contributor Clinton Harris brings us a cross between #vanlife and festival with a story about Skooliepalooza in the Arizona desert. Former Travel + Leisure editor Mark Orwoll also makes his debut with a story about an encounter with Irish author Malachy McCourt at a meet-up event for writers in Albuquerque.

We head over to Asia with another new contributor, Edward J. Taylor, who explores his adopted home of Japan on an island where a river still runs free. Brad Olsen returns with a story about the strange and sometimes violent history of the Plain of Jars in Laos.

Last, Susan Griffith is back with three notable new books to check out, two from TV hosts. One of the authors is legendary adventurer and past Perceptive Travel contributor Richard Bangs.

A Nature Snooze on a Packable Hammock

Most months we give away some new travel gear item, the prize going to one of the people who enters from our e-mail newsletter list or our Facebook page. One lucky winner this month will be ready to sleep in the woods with this mini double hammock from Tentsile. It has a mesh "shelf" underneath for storing your items to keep handy as well.

To be in the running, you just need to reply back to the newsletter with the requested info or watch our Facebook page for entry instructions. This is no lottery—odds are so good that more than a few of our readers have won twice! So click that link and get on our list join us if you're not part of the club already.

Looking for some more great travel stories? Dive into the Perceptive Travel story archives, where you can find hundreds of travel stories from around the globe, everything that has appeared here since our debut in the mid-'00s. In between new online magazine issues, check out the award-winning Perceptive Travel Blog for shorter takes on weird and wonderful places around the world.

Thanks for reading our online travel magazine, - Tim Leffel, Editor

EXPLORE. DREAM. DISCOVER.

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TRAVEL BLOG

DESTINATIONS

Thanks For Looking!

I'm David Leiter , the guy behind this website. I'm an American who's been traveling the world full time for 8 years now.

I started this travel blog in 2019 to document my own international trips, share my photos, and help others learn how to travel the world and find some really good spots off the beaten path.

I'm currently based in Bali , Indonesia , where I met my wife Intan, who’s a Bali local. Now she joins me on these wild and crazy adventures too.

Together, we've done some bucket list hikes , climbed active volcanoes , seen exotic wildlife , and visited some spectacular castles , temples , and monuments around the world.

I've worked with and been featured by BBC Travel , NBC News , Time , and other companies.

I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list. I hope this world travel blog can help and inspire you in your own journeys as well!

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Last updated: april 20, 2024 . updated every 24 hours ( learn more )., this wasn't a standard list of blogs. this isn't your standard seo newsletter..

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Travel Stories

Apr 25, 2024 • 5 min read

You’ve surely heard of the Moulin Rouge – yet the Crazy Horse might be Paris’ most sophisticated cabaret.

Apr 25, 2024 • 6 min read

Atrani on Italy's Amalfi Coast is attracting new interest as a filming location in the Netflix series Ripley.

Apr 25, 2024 • 7 min read

Which should it be: Montréal or Toronto? We asked two travel writers to make the case for the Canadian city closest to their hearts.

Bangkok is a sprawling, bustling city that can be a sensory overload to first-time visitors. Here's what you need to know before you go.

The African elephant is perhaps the most enduring symbol of nature’s grace and fragility. Here’s where to spot one (or many) in the wild.

Apr 25, 2024 • 8 min read

From elephant encounters to theme parks in the jungle, here are the best family experiences in and around Chiang Mai, Thailand.

One elephant sanctuary in Northern Thailand is providing support for mahouts as well as their elephants.

Apr 24, 2024 • 5 min read

Eating is a national obsession in Singapore. Here are the best places to eat and drink according to a local.

Apr 24, 2024 • 10 min read

Each of Austin's neighborhoods showcases a different aspect of Austin's character – the political, historical, academic, techy and funky.

Apr 24, 2024 • 7 min read

If fishing is on your list of outdoor adventures, here is a how-to primer for casting a line in the 49th state.

Learn the difference between Kolonaki and Koukaki, Psyrri and Gazi, in this tour of central Athens’ most visited districts.

Apr 24, 2024 • 9 min read

Legendary live music, bouncing bars, epic hikes and delicious BBQ – here's our list of the top things to do in Austin right now.

See the Azores - via ferry, plane, car or taxi - with these top tips for navigating all nine islands.

Apr 24, 2024 • 11 min read

We’ve selected 11 gardens around the world that offer beauty, serenity, a connection with nature and a sense of place.

From natural ocean pools in the rugged coast to soft black-sand beaches, the Azores has beaches for families, surfers and sunbathers alike.

Apr 23, 2024 • 9 min read

Utah is made for hikers. Strike out into its big wilderness and you’ll be floored by incredible diversity of the environs.

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Apr 23, 2024 • 6 min read

From Paris to Buenos Aires, you’ll want to settle in and raise a glass at these famous literary bars, notebook at the ready.

Apr 23, 2024 • 8 min read

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Apr 23, 2024 • 5 min read

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Short Travel Stories

Love short travel stories?

Then you’re in the right place!

This guide shares some of the best travel stories you can find.

Discover funny anecdotes that will make you laugh, inspiring love stories from the road that will warm your heart, wild travel tales that will have you glued to your screen, travel horror stories that will take you out of your comfort zone, scary travel stories that will creep you out, and more.

Along with reading my own personal short stories about traveling the world, you’ll hear from other nomads who have unique anecdotes to share.

On that note, scroll down to read some truly interesting travel stories that will make you giggle, cry, scream, and more.

Q: Why do people like to read travel stories?

Crazy travel stories.

A collection of wild stories from the road.

25 Crazy Travel Stories You Need To Read To Believe

8 Crazy NYC Subway Stories That Will Make You Call A Cab

Travel Horror Stories

You’ll be thankful that you’re reading — and not telling — these horror travel stories.

Travel Horror Stories You’ll Be Glad You’re Not Telling

10 Travel Insurance Horror Stories That Prove You Need Coverage

A Host’s View: My Worst Airbnb Horror Stories

18 Scary Travel Stories From Haunted Hotels To Creepy Cabins

Short Travel Stories About Kindness & Love

Inspiring travel love stories & anecdotes showing the kindness of strangers abroad.

23 Inspiring Travel Stories Sharing The Kindness Of Strangers

38 Inspiring Travel Love Stories From The Road

Funny Travel Stories

Stories about travel that will make you laugh.

16 Short Funny Travel Stories That’ll Make You Laugh Out Loud

11 Epic Travel Fail Stories From The Road

20 Embarrassing Travel Stories That Will Make You Laugh & Blush

Travel Experience Stories

These short travel stories talk about life-changing trips!

17 Inspiring Travel Experience Stories About Life-Changing Trips

12 Short India Travel Stories From The Crazy To The Inspiring

17 True Short Adventure Travel Stories That Will Inspire Your Next Trip

Inspiring Travel Stories

Inspiring stories about traveling the world from people experiencing transformation and overcoming challenges. These are some of the best short motivational stories on the internet!

How One Woman’s Cancer Journey Led Her To Sell Everything & Travel

Kilimanjaro Trekking: A Healing Experience Summitting Africa’s Highest Mountain

Black Solo Female Travel: An Eye-Opening & Empowering Guide

How To Successfully Explore The World As A Deaf Traveler

How Traveling Can Help When Coping With Loss

How Hiking The Camino Helped One Woman Heal & Grow

Short Travel Stories FAQ

Below, find answers to frequently asked questions about the topic of short travel stories.

Q: What’s the best way to start writing a great short story?

Wondering how to write short stories?

One strategy I love using is to start with some writing prompts .

Because thinking too much can hurt your creative flow, I recommend picking one randomly and then diving into your story without spending too much time agonizing over the details. Instead, just write.

By the way, even if you only have one day to spare on education you can learn a lot.

Here is some helpful information on how to improve your creative storytelling skills for more engaging writing, as well as how to tell better stories through photography .

Q: What are the best short travel stories you have ever heard?

Personally, I love travel stories that make me feel something and take me on a journey. The story can be funny, sad, heartwarming, crazy, scary…

…or even a mix of everything, like my own crazy Couchsurfing story, shared here:

Q: What is your latest noteworthy travel story?

On a personal level, my sexual assault stories from the road have been some of the hardest but most important to share.

Additionally, I recently wrote a story about exploring England beyond London by train last which was a lot of fun to write.

Q: What are the categories you can put on a travel blog?

It is up to you, though I suggest considering the hierarchy you want your blog to have.

Think about the main topics of your blog — for instance, short travel stories is one of my categories — as well as how you can organize destinations. For example, I have continents as my categories, and then I list countries and cities as tags.

Q: What are your favorite travel stories while traveling in India?

One of the wildest India travel stories I’ve ever shared is about when I tried bhang lassi during a trip to Varanasi a few years ago.

It was the first time I’d ever heard of the drink, and it really was one of the craziest travel experiences of my life.

Here is a video I posted sharing the details:

Because stories are addictive, and great travel storytelling can transport you to destinations around the world right from your living room.

In fact, stories offer one of the best ways to travel at home .

Bonus Short Travel Stories

I hope you enjoyed reading these stories about world travel.

The amazing stories above span the globe — South Africa, South America, Machu Picchu, New Zealand, NYC, and beyond!

If you’re still craving more tales:

Click here for more short travel stories .

Click here for stories from inspiring travelers .

What are your favorite short travel stories?

Enjoyed these short stories about travel? Pin this page for later!

TRAVEL BLOG

TRAVEL STORIES & ADVENTURES

Journalistic reports from around the world….

  In addition to our streetwise city guides , to all of the best city break destinations in the world, Urban Travel Blog’s collective of on-the-ground travel writers constantly update our blog with a number of regular and special features. Read on and be inspired not just to love – but to live – the city.

REGULAR FEATURES

Experiences.

At Urban Travel Blog we prefer to experience a city, than simply see it. In these regular features our travel writers report on some of the most exciting, fun and/or insightful experiences on offer in urban locations around the world. Read up on exploring Krakow in a Communist era Trabant , ghost tours of London town , Berlin’s balmy beach bars and much more!

The Painting’s On The Wall: New York Graffiti Tour Meets, Shoots & Leaves: Photo Dating in London Some Like It Hot: Budapest’s Thermal Baths That’s The Spirit: Whiskey Tasting in Edinburgh The Bullets Rain: Urban Gaming in London

More adventures in our Experiences category .

Travel needn’t mean performing a tick-box circuit of centuries-old cathedrals and ‘must-see’ museums. With our regular Trends features, Urban Travel Blog aims to lift the lid on the latest fads, fashions and crazes on the continent and beyond to give you something worth flying for. From ‘Glamping’ in Alicante to Turbo Golf in Warsaw we’ll keep you on the cutting edge of travel.

The Inside Story: The Rise of Prison Tourism in Bolivia & Beyond Here Today, Gone Tomorrow: London’s Pop Up Restaurants & Bars Bloc Rockin’ Beats: Festivals for Thirty Somethings The New Klezmers of Krakow: A Jewish Folk Music Makeover in Poland

More adventures in our Trends category .

One Blurry Night in… (Nightlife)

Whereas most nightlife features are written by geriatric walking-stick touting travel writers, based on a bit of local hearsay or an out-of-date guidebook, we are going straight for the jugular with our series of nocturnal adventures in cities around Europe and the world! Our brave reporters aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty, and their livers damaged, as they drop in on the hippest hotspots, fearlessly imbibe the regional poisons and engage the locals in conversation (and more if possible!), all in the name of nightlife journalism. From boozy nights in Williamsburg New York , to raving it up in Ljubljana’s Metelkova zone , we’ve been there, done that, and possibly puked down our T-shirt.

One Blurry Night in Amsterdam One Blurry Night in Luxembourg One Blurry Night in Madrid

More nocturnal adventures in our Nightlife category .

Few things excite an Urban Travel Blogger like the promise of a great festival, and in these first hand reports we delve straight into some of the best events and happenings around the world. And by festival we don’t just mean just mega-fiestas like Sziget on Buda Island , but also uncovering bizarre local traditions that have survived the ages, such the Procession of the Serpents in Cocullo , as well as checking out the ever evolving music and culture festivals that take place in every major city around the world, always with their own twist and distinct local character.

Budapest Essentials Festival Carnival in Olinda, Brazil Burning Man in Black Rock Desert

More reports in our festivals category .

Top Five…

Every city has its unique selling points and specialties – and we propose to celebrate them! In our regular Top Five slot, our travel writers cut to the chase and dish the dirt on the very best… microbreweries in Prague , rooftops bars in Madrid, organic markets in Amsterdam, beer gardens in Bristol, bizarre statues in Vilnius and more.

Top Five Modernista Marvels in Barcelona Top Five Weird Treasures in London Top Five Pierogi Restaurants in Krakow Top Five Quirky Attractions in Paris Top Five Ice Rinks in London

More essential travel compilations in our Top Fives category .

Photo Stories

Often even the most talented wordsmith can’t paint the mood and the magic of a new place the way a trained lens can. In our photo essays we publish travel photography that captures the essence of a specific place, street, time or aspect of our city wanderings: such as the spectacular Correfoc (“fire runs”) of Catalonia or the faded allure of Porto’s weary portals .

Potraits of the Traders at Sofia’s Women’s Market Photos of Ko Panyi, Thailand’s Floating Village New York’s High Line Park in Pictures Nashville’s Honky Tonk Row in Neon Lights

More photographic journeys in our Photo Stories category .

Sometimes we not only need a city break, but we need a break from the city. In our Escape series we highlight some amazing locations and places to stay where we can unwind for the weekend or longer. If it’s recuperation more than excitement you seek, check out the following.

Ibiza Under The Covers: The Romantic Side of the White Isle Fuerteventura & The Winds of Fortune Visiting Prangli & The Islands of Estonia

Click for all features in our Escape category .

Special Features

As well as our regular features above, Urban Travel Blog also publishes special features covering diverse travel destinations , hot topics and anything else our team of bloggers encounter as they roam around the globe.

101 Dalmations: Croatia Island Hopping Make For The Monasteries: Cycling Breaks in Armenia Bartitsu: The Gentleman’s Martial Art The Colombian Coffee Revolution in Bogota Bucharest’s Magical Book Shops

More travel reports in our Special Features category .

TRAVEL GUIDES

City guides.

To complement our stories and adventures we also publish insider guides , to our favourite urban hotspots, perfect for planning a long weekend in the city. You can browse alphabetically via continent on our city breaks page , which we update frequently.

District Guides

And, for the truly dedicated city slicker, we’re also now publishing “In The Zone” District Guides for a more in depth look at uberhip barrios like Kreuzberg in Berlin , Gazi in Athens and Le Marais in Paris . If you’ve seen the sights already, and just want to hang out Bohemian style like a hip local make sure you bookmark these neighbourhood reports!

Secret Sevens

Another category that takes you deep into the metropolis, this time by suggesting seven amazing things to see and do, that are firmly off the beaten track. Perfect for those visiting a city for the second time, or anyone tired of the circus, tickets and queues of mass tourism. Check out our recommendations in Berlin , London , Rome and Athens .

To keep up to date with our latest posts and news your best option is to subscribe to our newsletter, which is a brief bulletin of all our latest stories dispatched to your inbox roughly once every two weeks. Alternatively you can find us on Facebook , or follow us on Twitter . The Editor also scribbles a few words about the latest goings on at Urban Travel Blog every couple of months in his From The Editor column , whilst we also give our industry partners and friends a voice in our Travel Info section .

If you are a travel writer (published or aspiring) with a great idea for a feature, then pitch your proposal to the [email protected] along with a short bio/CV and some samples of your work.

For more recommended reading see our list of favourite travel websites and blogs .

Sadly, as we expand and sometimes change our focus, we’ve had to discontinue some strands of our reporting. For example our Eco/Travel section and our On The Road adventures. Boo hoo, I enjoyed publishing many of these stories. I link to them here so that interested parties can read them and so that they remain indexed with our friends at Google and other search engines. However as of right now there are no plans to continue with these sections of the blog.

Green Light (Discontinued)

Climate change and global awareness are already having a major impact on the way we travel, and that is set to increase as saving the planet becomes everyone’s top priority. In our Green Light features we will investigate some of the ways we can travel and look after Mother Earth simultaneously, be it working on dolphin reserves in Croatia or staying in subsistence farms in Greece. We also speak to some of the people making a difference around the world.

Reef Encounter: Conversation Work in Tobago Sowing the Seeds of Anarchy: Guerilla Gardening in London

More environmentally-friendly adventures in our Green & Eco Travel category .

On The Road (Discontinued)

Our On The Road series of posts are diary-style journals that chronicle the (mis)adventures of our team as they set out on the open road with little but their wits and an out-of-date Lonely Planet to guide them. All On The Road posts here .

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60+ Top Blog Post Ideas For Travel Blogs: Inspire Your Readers

• January 3, 2024
• by Margaret Bourne

When you’re a travel blogger, you know that sometimes you can’t come up with popular travel blog topics when you’re not travelling. You’re here because you’re looking for inspiration for travel blog post ideas.

I know the feeling – I used to run an outdoor adventure and travel blog when I just started blogging.

When I wasn’t travelling, I was a bit stuck on fresh travel blog topics.

Since then I’ve learned how to find the best blog content ideas. Now I’m sharing travel blog post ideas with you.

This is so you’re not stuck with “blogger’s block” .

My list of travel blog post topics (for 2024) ranges from destination posts to tips and more. They’re great if you started a travel blog or have been blogging for a little while.

Let’s get started!

DISCLOSURE : This post includes sponsored content from Travelpayouts. It also contains affiliate links, meaning if you click on a product or service, and decide to purchase it, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. All recommended products and services are based on my positive experience with them. For more information, please read my Disclaimer .

Bookmark this post for future reference on Pinterest!

Travel Blog Post Ideas About Destinations

First up is a list of general travel blog post ideas about destinations.

This list will grow as I add more ideas over time, so bookmark this post!

• 10 Places to visit in your 20s
• 10 Places to visit in your 30s
• Best hotels in [Destination]
• Underrated places to visit in [Destination]
• Hidden gems you can’t miss in [Destination]: unveiling the unexplored
• Best day trips from [Destination]
• [Destination]’s top beaches for ultimate relaxation
• Digging into [Destination]’s rich past
• Eating your way through [Destination]: top 5 restaurants
• [Destination]’s top # best-kept secret spots
• Exploring [Destination]’s cozy towns and hamlets
• # bucket-list activities in [Destination]
• Free activities in [Destination]
• Best museums in [Destination]
• Nature’s beauty unleashed: [Destination]’s spectacular landscapes
• # Urban treasures in [Destination] explored
• A guide to [Destination]’s geography
• The perfect travel itinerary for [Destination]
• The most beautiful churches in [Destination]
• Top historical attractions in [Destination]

| RELATED: How To Choose The Perfect Travel Blog Niche & 30 Niches

Travel Tips And Guides Blog Post Ideas

Some of the most popular travel blog topics are “how to” posts and guides.

Make sure to include some of these on your travel blog.

• Packing tips for trips: an ultimate checklist for any destination
• How to pack a carry-on for any trip
• How to navigate [Destination] like a local
• Wellness tips for travelers
• How to travel solo: an essential guide for safe trips
• How to not annoy the locals in [Destination]
• Travel on a budget: Exploring [Destination] without breaking the bank
• [Destination]’s culture etiquette 101
• How to travel green in [Destination]
• # [Destination] culinary hotspots you must check out
• How to plan a vacation on a budget
• Kid-friendly activities in [Destination]
• Tips for stress-free trips with babies and toddlers
• Tips for stress-free trips with little kids
• How to save money for your dream vacation
• How to get the right travel insurance for you
• What are the must-have travel essentials for [Destination]
• How to book cheap flights
• How to book the best cost-effective hotel rooms
• Tips for long-haul flights
• Tips for driving in other countries
• The best gifts for travellers
• The best travel credit cards
• Best destinations for remote work
• Best travel apps
• Best travel guides for [Destination]
• Best places to stay with pets

TIP : I used to write many travel-related posts. Always think about what the key problem is for your reader. In this case, I know that many Torontonians are looking for destinations that are close to home. This is how my blog post “10 Places One Hour From Toronto” came to be on my Suburban Tourist blog.

Personal Travel Story Post Ideas

Sometimes you have a personal experience that makes for a good travel story.

With these kinds of posts always remember to share some sort of tips or a “moral of the story” so that your readers learn something from them.

• My epic adventure in [Destination]
• How I discovered myself in [Destination]
• My travel love story: how I managed a relationship abroad
• How I conquered challenges head-on while travelling in [Destination]
• Living like a local: My immersion in [Destination]’s culture
• Getting in the Spirit of [Destination] Through The [Name] Festival
• How long-term travel changed me
• Exploring [Destination]’s historical sights
• My travel evolution from backpacker to jet-setter
• Why I decided to celebrate [name] with a trip to [Destination]
• My crazy night in [Destination]
• What I did in 24 hours during my layover in [Destination]
• Why I’ll never do this again on my next trip to [Destination]
• How I learned about XYZ the hard way in [Destination]

Photography And Visual Journal Travel Blog Post Topics

A picture can be worth a thousand words.

If you’re sharing photo posts, make sure to include context and some explanation for SEO purposes and for your readers.

• A photo diary of [Destination]
• Portraits of locals and culture in [Destination]
• [Destination]’s most Instagrammable views
• A [Destination]’s urban photowalk
• [Destination]’s wildlife and landscapes
• The architectural wonders of [Destination]
• Sharing [Destination] through a video journal
• How to enhance your travel shots
• Sketches inspired by [Destination]
• How to craft a [Destination] travel scrapbook
• Best camera travel bags
• Best cameras for easy travel
• How to use your phone camera for gorgeous travel shots
• Best poses for gorgeous travel photos

Outdoor And Adventure Activity Travel Blog Topics

This is a brief list of outdoor adventure travel post ideas that are great for the outdoorsy types of readers.

• The best hiking trails near [Destination]’s
• Exploring [Destination]’s best dive spots
• The best places for extreme sports in [Destination]
• The best places for overnight camping in [Destination]
• Yachting in [Destination]’s beautiful waters
• Best rock climbing fun in [Destination]
• Top places for skiing and snowboarding in [Destination]
• Top surfing spots in [Destination]
• Cycling routes through [Destination]’s
• Eco-adventures in [Destination]’s wilderness
• Best places for kitesurfing
• The world’s most dangerous hiking trails

| RELATED: How To Make Money As A Travel Blogger

You’re writing great travel blog posts, but did you know you can monetize them with affiliate marketing – even as a new blogger? 

Travelpayouts is an affiliate marketing platform for travel bloggers, with over 110 of the best travel brands. You can sign up for free to Travelpayouts and create your account.

Promote Your Travel Blog Posts

Now that you have a long list of travel blog post topics, you’re ready to write.

Travel blogging is a bit different from other types of blogs. Learn how to write sensational travel blog posts that will get your readers planning their next trip.

If English isn’t your first language use Grammarly for your grammar and spelling.

Since you’re going to be busy travelling, you can set your posts to publish at optimal times. You can also schedule your social media posts .

Use any of these schedulers:

• Later – schedule your Instagram posts and reels, Pinterest, Meta and more
• Tailwind – schedule your Pinterest pins, Instagram posts
• SmarterQueue – schedule new and older content for automatic posts

Get over 100 travel hashtags for your Instagram posts .

And if you’d like to include some great quotes in your blog posts and Instagram posts and captions, check out these 100+ travel quotes .

Before you go, brush up on writing blog posts that readers will love .

And don’t forget to write captivating blog post titles that will grab their interest.

Finally, brush up on your SEO! The travel niche is a popular one, so optimizing your blog posts is extremely important.

Sign up for my free SEO email course:

QUESTION: What other travel blog post ideas should be added to this list?

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Love it? Share it! Thanks!

About Margaret

2 comments on 60+ top blog post ideas for travel blogs: inspire your readers.

You have some great post ideas for travel blogs. I’m considering using Social Pilot to help me with scheduling, so I can save some time.

I’ve been testing it out and I like it!

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10 Of Our Favorite Family Travel Blogs (besides ours!)

W e don’t just write good family travel blog posts around here – we read them too! I started reading my favorite family travel blogs during the pandemic. Pregnant and housebound, it was easy to feel stir-crazy wanderlust. 

These favorite family travel blogs continue to feed me inspiration, the best family travel tips, and easy access resources to plan the trips that I might eventually write about here. These are a few of our favorite family travel bloggers.

NO TIME TO ENJOY THIS ARTICLE NOW? PIN IT OR BOOKMARK IT FOR LATER!

Kids Are a Trip: You Never Know Where Kids Will Take You

Kids Are A Trip has been taking family vacations with her husband and kids for over twenty years, and that travel experience really shows in this great family travel blog. Whether near home or far abroad, the entire family seeks out the off-the-beaten-path travel experiences and popular attractions (like theme parks!) that make travel adventures special. They go to all the best places! Their road trips and travels in the United States and around the world include great outdoors adventure activities, practical dining and accommodations tips, and the view from the life of a family of five on the road. This family travel blog isn’t limited to that experience though – they work with a team of seasoned family travel bloggers to produce a wide array of useful content and share all the best things. These authors have big families and small, with both older and young children. Visit this amazing family travel blog for the best family travel tips and hacks, North America and overseas travel stories, destination guides, and tales of home-based family adventures. The team also offers a few detailed travel guides that you can download at a low cost.

Yosemite National Park is an essential national park outdoor adventure for the entire family. Photo by Jennifer Nelson 2008.

Adventure Mom: Attainable Adventures for Every Season of Life

Adventure Mom , Nedra McDaniel’s family travel blog inspires us beyond travel with her family adventures near and far. From underwater hockey to swinging from a trapeze, she either has or will try it all. I admit – she would be kind of intimidating if it weren’t for the fact that she candidly confesses to being a wimp at heart. One of the best things about Adventure Mom is that Nedra shares from the heart more than just wacky activities. She has great travel stories and ideas to share. The food blog posts are just mouth-watering! This amazing family travel blog covers travel in and around Cincinnati as well as family vacations in the United States, throughout North America, and abroad. A unique section, Adventures of the Heart, offers realistic self-care tips for women and moms. Another unique feature – Nedra has a number of related YouTube videos. There is just something about a video of a destination that really brings the feel of the place home, right? They just take the destination guides to the next level for me.

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Travel Babbo – Take Your Kids Everywhere!

I read Eric Stoen’s family travel blog, Travel Babbo , for his best family travel tips, but I stay for much more. Want to improve travel photography? He’s got tips and tricks for that. Want to write about your own travel adventures? He can tell you what it’s like to be a family travel blogger and how to get started. Considering that he is a career changer himself, I find his insights on the journey from health care professional to family travel blogger. With over 100 different countries (including of course the United States) on all 7 continents under his belt, Eric knows the best places and how to best enjoy them. Eric also offers some great trip planning tools such as top destination guides and a resource page chock filled with the best hacks, practical advice, tips, and sites across the web. This amazing family travel blog covers various styles of travel as well, from self-planned, air travel-based family trips to cruises and tours. The stories and destinations are a fit for families with young children, tweens, and teens – again, something for the entire family.

It can be easy to get on board with road trips and sail away with practical advice from these best family travel blogs! Photo credit Jennifer Nelson

Have Wheelchair, Will Travel

This family travel blog, Have Wheelchair, Will Travel , is a double whammy of excellent travel writing and a helpful perspective on travel accessibility. A few chronic conditions like arthritis and kidney stones have thrown a wrench in my travel plans in the past, and that only seems compounded by lugging a toddler all about. There are many great blog posts about travel accessibility and accommodations, but Julie Jones adds the perspective of a mom traveling with a 26-year-old son with cerebral palsy who is non-verbal, a wheelchair user, and needs assistance with all his living needs. As a result, Julie addressed many accessibility factors that other family travel blogs might not catch. This family travel blog also offers insights into traveling with older children, as her daughter is 19 years old. Every time I dip into this family travel blog, I feel reinspired to plan carefully and enjoy travel adventures thoroughly.

A river cruise up Loch Ness in search of monsters and castles fits the bill for young children and teens alike! Photo by Jennifer Nelson

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Ciao Bambino!

As someone of Advanced Maternal Age and within the Sandwich Generation, I find myself traveling with the grandparents on a regular basis. It isn’t easy to plan for limited mobility, chronic illnesses, and different expectations across the range of three years old to 79 years old, either! Luckily, my friends at Caio Bambino! have great practical advice on this topic.

They succeed in their goal of inspiring and enabling incredible travel adventures and priceless memories that last a lifetime. There are so many great voices in these blog posts as well because they have a huge, diverse team of writers and travelers to draw upon. In addition to great property reviews and destination inspiration guides, they have some good tips on planning for the wider spectrum of experiences a multigenerational family vacation entails. They also offer practical advice like getting a VPN for traveling .

We don’t just write good family travel blog posts around here – we read them too! Here are ten family travel blogs you want to read now.

The Traveling Child

Monet, a mother of two and an avid traveler is both the founder of The Traveling Child and a frequent contributor to a number of platforms (like our founder!). She’s also a fantastic family travel blogger. Her experience shows in her engaging, well-honed writing which is such a pleasure to read. The back story to her blog is just as engaging as the content: 

Knowing that most of us would find that a daunting if not impossible feat, Monet is dedicated to sharing her tips and trips to inspire and help us provide incredible experiences from an early age. I look forward to new blog posts from her regularly!

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Dreamtime Travel

Of course, my own child is still figuring out naps and potty training, so I had to ask my mom friends for advice on travel blogs for families with older kids. One came through with a resounding endorsement of Dreamtime Traveler , a blog by a teenage traveler that inspires other teenage travelers. Curious, I took a look and agree this can be a wonderful perspective to include in your blog browsing. Reka writes about traveling with her Australian family during the middle and high school years of life (she’s 19 now) as her parents chose an unconventional homeschool approach based on frequent and diverse travel-as-classroom. She’s also published a book about her experiences traveling 52 countries on 6 continents. One of the best things about this blog now is its fresh young perspective on family travel adventures as well as hints on how I can include learning in our family’s travels near or far.

Travel doesn’t have to be an uphill climb with great travel tips and practical advice from the best family travel blogs online. Photo by Jennifer Nelson

The Mom Trotter

What do I love most about the Mom Trotter ? Because in huge, bold letters at the top of the page, Karen reinforces the gospel of family travel: you, the parent, matter too. So what if young kids aren’t going to remember this trip? You need this vacation, mom and dad, and you deserve it. This is a blog that goes beyond the surface of travel and gets into the meat of family vacationing, balance, and quality time. Kay covers the usual travel topics of destinations and tips alongside insights on homeschooling, RV life, and more. And her family seems to travel everywhere, near and far, as far as southeast Asia. If this wasn’t impressive enough, Karen and her six-year-old son founded Black Kids Do Travel to encourage other families to seek adventure. Now THAT is going to shine on his college applications for sure! Karen is out-blogging, out-parenting, and generally just outshining me across the board, and I am here for it. 

DON’T MISS! 6 Tips On Surviving Your First Hotel Stay With Baby

  2DadsWithBaggage: A Hilarious LGBTQ Family Travel Blog

Here is a blog I visit when I’m looking for some deep travel inspiration and a few laughs. In his own words, Jon Bailey of 2DadsWithBaggage shares their family adventures on one of the first LGBTQ family travel blogs. By sharing their travels, and cultural experiences, this family is living their goal of encouraging all families to be visible in the world through travel. They also help build confidence with practical advice and reports from the field. They give their perspective on travel in the United States and abroad, as well as to major destinations like Disneyland, as well as hotel reviews and recommendations.

Another nice touch is that not every article is about traveling with young and older kids – there are some good thoughts on couples getaways and helpful hints on general topics like using reward points to plan trips.

Not only that but Jon shares his easy but healthy and tasty food recipes. During the pandemic, to cure his wanderlust, he wrote a cookbook to take an eater’s tastebuds around the world.

The Jet Setting Family Blog

This family keeps it real. A bracing departure from what can feel like drinking positivity from a firehose, Rod and Jess from Jet Setting Family Blog are just as honest when things don’t work out in their travel-focused lifestyle as when they do. And that is a daily experience for this family, who have set aside a traditional neighborhood lifestyle for the jet set dream where they value experiences over possessions. One thing I love about this family’s blog is that they also host a podcast, which is convenient for the many hours I spend shuttling my child around town. From a brutal blow by blow break down of vacation days gone bad to a breakdown of seven traveler personalities, this family brings lots of amusement along with helpful hints and stories about their experiences. They cover destinations on almost every continent, from Europe to Southeast Asia, as well as here in the United States too.

Children of all ages and backgrounds can grow and learn from travel – and it doesn’t have to be a headache. Photo by Jennifer Nelson

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A millennial Lyft driver who used the gig to explore all 50 states explains his strategies for maximizing earnings and tips

• Kreskin J. Torres, a Lyft driver, has traveled across all 50 states, documenting his dining experiences.
• Torres is working on a book, an app called Rideshare Foodies, and is organizing a national potluck.
• He said gig driving is just temporary and has helped him achieve his larger goals.

Kreskin J. Torres, 35, has eaten his way through all 50 states — including Alaska and Hawaii. His ticket to doing so? Driving for Uber and Lyft .

The Army veteran and Baltimore native has documented his dining on his blog Rideshare Foodie . After seven years, he's learned the most profitable times of day to drive, the best locations to find riders in each city and the optimal strategies for maximizing tips .

"You just got to work smarter, not harder," Torres said. "From my experience, I've been in every state, so I know how every city works now."

At the same time, he's been able to pursue his foodie passions. Torres is now working on a book called "Taste of the States," his recommendations app called Rideshare Foodies, and planning a series of events to honor dishes from various states and their history.

While driving for ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft can be a flexible way to earn money for people like Torres who have more than one hustle, it can also be a recipe for burnout. Among the dozens of drivers Business Insider has spoken with over the past few months, many are already dreaming of what's next — starting a business or finding new modes of employment .

And that's Torres' main career advice for those considering it. After all, he's not planning to do the job forever, as he hopes to transition away, though it helped him jump-start new paths for his future.

"Do not make this the end all be all," Torres said, noting how Uber and Lyft have threatened to pull out of Minneapolis. "When it started, it was advertised as a gig, a side hustle."

Traveling the country as a gig driver

As a veteran, he said this job has been relatively stress-free and helpful for not feeling lonely, a similar sentiment he's heard from veterans with PTSD.

"I enjoy meeting and connecting with different people and getting to see different places," Torres said.

He decided to spend his next few years on the road using driving to fund his adventures and to meet locals who could point him to the best restaurants and experiences.

"The great thing is you get to learn about different cities and how everything operates," Torres said.

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He moved to San Antonio , though he works mainly around the more-profitable Austin area, and has explored the South and Southeast.

While he doesn't make much money from his blog, he said driving has allowed him to try everything from Navajo tacos in Arizona to biscuits in chocolate gravy in Arkansas to huckleberry swirls in Montana. Driving has led him to some of his favorite restaurants like I693 Red Zone Grill in Jackson, Mississippi; Strawberry's BBQ in Holcomb, Missouri; and Rice & Roll by Xing Xing in Wichita.

Learning the most profitable places and times to drive

Torres noticed he would get more profitable rides driving around suburbs, airports, and sports stadiums, locations coveted by drivers as they get more tips and sometimes elevated fares.

He learned New Year's will always be profitable , though rides slow down around February before picking up in mid-March. It's led him to be more methodical about the types of rides to take, as well as planning when to save more of his earnings and when to splurge a little on food and travel.

"After seven years, I'm a lot more experienced. It depends on the time of the season, so I usually can do a lot more business in college towns," Torres said. "I would visit a city, see what they're known for, a little history behind it."

Torres was making enough to comfortably travel the country, though he's always been careful since he said passengers are sometimes confused by his out-of-state license plate. He also faced a permanent deactivation from Uber last year over a dispute over the color of his car.

He doesn't have a wife or kids, nor does he have an apartment, as he mainly lives out of his car to save money. He acknowledges that growing competition on the road and lower earnings could put a greater dent in savings for people with families or permanent residences.

Torres has transitioned to driving full-time for Lyft , and he typically is online for 12 hours a day but only actively drives five to six hours in between waiting around airports.

He said he's increasingly put himself in his passengers' shoes to determine the best places and times to drive — he likely won't put in the effort to drive during rain, and he's more likely to do later trips around concert venues or bars.

To continue supporting his travels, he said he sometimes does airport rides at 3 or 4 a.m., as well as rides between 6:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. during the morning rush. He also said being online around noon is fruitful for corporate workers, while 3 p.m. is right when schools let out. He usually tries not to drive around evening rush hours but sometimes resumes later at night.

He also devotes more time to driving between Wednesday and Sunday, when rides are more frequent, whether for "whiskey Wednesdays" or Friday afternoon happy hours. This is also when he can best network with passengers and hear their stories, as he said he occasionally gets to drive famous people.

Torres said drivers should consider this a short-term opportunity while working toward long-term goals. As he eases off the app, he has his eyes set on more international travel in the coming months. He's also investing more time in his food app, a local recommendation tool that functions like a Facebook group in which people ask questions about, for example, the best bartender in the area or where to go for particular dishes. It has launched on Android and set to be released on Apple by the summer.

"The most positivity that you can get out of it, do whatever you can and get the most out of it," Torres said. "The next few months will probably be my last time doing this because I'm focusing on other things, so I always had a plan for the things I was going to do."

Are you a ride-hailing driver who's struggling to pay bills or has had recent success? Have you recently pivoted to a new career from driving? Reach out to  [email protected] .

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Money latest: Morrisons shoppers are going to notice two changes in stores

Morrisons has launched two major changes for shoppers – with stores offering travel money and trolleys now featuring advertisements. Read this and all the latest consumer and personal finance news below - and leave your thoughts in the box.

Thursday 25 April 2024 19:51, UK

• Halifax hikes mortgage rates - as entire market moves upwards
• Renters' Reform Bill signed off - but with indefinite delay to no-fault evictions ban
• Morrisons rolls out bureau de change and trolley adverts

Essential reads

• The world of dark tourism - what is it, is it ethical, and where can you go?
• Money Problem : I have a mortgage offer - will it change now rates are rising?
• Savings Guide : Why locking into fixed-rate bond could be wise move
• 'More important than a will': What are lasting power of attorneys and how much do they cost?
• Cheap Eats : Michelin chef's secret lasagne tip - and expensive ingredient you shouldn't use

Ask a question or make a comment

Halifax has become the latest major lender to up mortgage rates.

They are putting up a range of deals by 0.2%.

BM Solutions also announced increases today.

It follows similar moves by TSB, NatWest, Virgin, Barclays, Accord, Leeds Building Society, HSBC and Coventry last week.

Lenders are responding to swap rates - which dictate how much it costs to lend money - rising on the back of higher than expected US inflation data, and concerns this could delay interest rate cuts there. 

US trends often materialise elsewhere - though many economists are still expecting a base rate cut from 5.25% to 5% in the UK in June.

This is what average mortgage rates look like as of today...

Justin Moy, managing director of EHF Mortgages, told Newspage: "Yet more bad news for mortgage borrowers, as two of the biggest lenders announce increases to their fixed-rate products. 

"As mortgage rates creep up and past 5% even for those with the largest deposits, we seem to be lacking a clear strategy of the government or the Bank of England on how rates will eventually fall. 

"Even 2% inflation may not be enough to reverse the recent trends in rates."

Morrisons has launched two major changes for shoppers – with stores now offering travel money and trolleys featuring advertisements.

Announcing their bureau de change service, Morrisons said customers could exchange currencies in select stores or could place their money orders online at Morrisonstravelmoney.com.

Using the online service means customers can either click and collect their cash in certain Morrisons stores or at any of Eurochange's 240 branches. Alternatively, they can go for home delivery.

Services director at Morrisons, Jamie Winter, said the service "will provide our customers with easy access to a wide range of currencies at competitive exchange rates".

So far, stores in the following areas have travel money kiosks:

• Basingstoke

In other news, the supermarket chain rolled out a new trolley advertising across 300 stores in a partnership with Retail Media Group.

A sweetener used in drinks, sauces, savoury and sweet foods and chewing gum can cause serious damage to people's health, according to a new study.

Neotame, a "relatively new" sweetener, could damage the intestine by causing damage to healthy bacteria in the gut, according to the study, leading it to become diseased and attack the gut wall.

The study by Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition, found the negative effect of neotame "has the potential to influence a range of gut functions resulting in poor gut health", potentially impacting metabolic and inflammatory diseases, neuropathic pain, and neurological conditions.

The illnesses this could lead to include irritable bowel disease or insulin resistance.

Read the full story here ...

As we reported yesterday, a pilot programme is coming into force in Venice today that means visitors have to pay a €5 (£4.28) charge to enter the city.

Authorities say the pilot programme is designed to discourage tourists and thin the crowds that throng the canals during peak holiday season, making the city more liveable for residents.

Pictures have been emerging this morning of people queueing to register for a QR code that will allow them to enter after they have paid the charge - and officials carrying out checks on people inside the city.

People found to be contravening the rules can be fined up to €300 (£257).

As detailed in our story , the move has been met with anger among some in the city.

Venice is the first city in the world to introduce a payment system for tourists - but comments from its most senior tourist official suggested it may become a more common practice for major tourist hotspots in Europe.

Simone Venturini revealed the pilot programme was being closely watched by other places suffering from mass tourism - including other Italian art cities and hugely popular weekend-break destinations Barcelona and Amsterdam.

More than 160,000 people switched to Nationwide from other providers at the end of 2023, when the building society was offering a huge cash switching incentive.

According to figures from the Current Account Switch Service (CASS), Nationwide had a net gain of 163,363 account switchers between October and December, after leavers were taken into account.

It was the highest quarterly gain since the same period in 2022, when 111,941 switched to Nationwide.

The building society launched a £200 switching bonus for new joiners in September last year - the biggest giveaway on offer at the time. It withdrew the offer just before Christmas.

The latest CASS figures, which show Nationwide had 196,260 total gains before accounting for leavers, suggesting it could have spent up to £39m on nabbing customers from other providers in the last three months of the year.

Barclays and Lloyds Bank saw more modest net gains of 12,823 and 5,800 respectively, while the rest of the UK's big banks reported net losses.

NatWest and Halifax fared worst, losing over 40,000 more switchers each than they gained.

This week saw the last remaining switching offer on the market withdrawn.

Sainsbury's is having technical issues again - with shoppers taking to social media to say their deliveries have been delayed or cancelled.

The supermarket has been replying to customers saying: "I'm really sorry about the tech issues this morning. 

"We're aware of the situation and are working to sort it as quickly as possible. In the meantime, we'd advise you place a new order for a future date."

Customer Andrew Savage wrote: "Order has not been delivered and no confirmation email this morning."

Another, John B Sheffield, said: "So angry! Just got through to your customer line after 40 min WAIT. 

"Tells me NO DELIVERIES TODAY! tech problem? I've NO FOOD IN! ANGRY!"

In a statement to Sky News, a Sainsbury's spokesperson says: "A small technical issue affected some groceries online orders this morning. 

"We have contacted these customers directly to apologise for the inconvenience." 

In another update at 10am, the supermarket said that the issue has been resolved. 

Responding to customers on X, Sainsbury's also offered those affected e-vouchers and details on how to rebook their orders.

It comes a month after the supermarket had to cancel almost all deliveries on a Saturday in mid-March due to another technical issue.

By Daniel Binns, business reporter

A potential $38.8bn (£31bn) takeover of UK-based mining company  Anglo American  has sent its shares soaring - and helped the FTSE 100 hit yet another record high this morning.

The attempted mega-merger, by larger Australian rival BHP, is currently being reviewed by Anglo American's board.

The deal, if it goes through, would create the world's biggest copper mining company - and comes as the price of the metal continues to climb amid soaring demand.

Anglo American's shares have surged as high as 13% this morning as news of the negotiations emerged.

The announcement also helped spur the FTSE 100 to a new intraday (during the day) high of 8,098 points.

The index, of the London Stock Exchange's 100 most valuable companies, has hit a string of records this week, including  an all-time closing high of 8,044 points  on Tuesday.

The score is based on a calculation of the total value of the shares on the index.

Also moving the markets are a string of company results which were published earlier on Thursday.

Among those issuing updates to investors was drugsmaker AstraZeneca. Its stock is up more than 5% after the firm reported quarterly profit and revenue above market estimates.

Unilever is also up 5% following similar better-than-expected quarterly figures.

Another good performer is  Barclays  - despite reporting a 12% fall in profits for the first three months of 2024. Its shares are up more than 4%.

That's because its quarterly figures are slightly better than expected, and the bank has said it expects its fortunes to improve later this year.

Meanwhile, as tensions in the Middle East continue, the price of a barrel of Brent crude oil continues to hover at a price of around $88 (£70).

This morning £1 buys $1.25 US or €1.16, similar to yesterday.

Every week we get experts to answer your Money Problems - usually on a Monday, but today we have a short, bonus addition in light of multiple lenders raising mortgage rates this week on fears an interest rate cut could be delayed to a little later this year (note: many economists still think it will come in summer).

A few readers have got in touch with questions similar to this one...

My remortgage is due to complete on 1 May. I already have an offer but with rates going up, is there any way at all my offer rate could increase? Saz681

We asked David Hollingworth, director at L&C Mortgages, to answer this one...

It's great news that you are already set up with a mortgage offer, Saz - ready to make a smooth switch to a new deal and/or lender, once the current one ends.  

It does take time to set up a new mortgage so shopping around the market a good few months ahead will help you put everything in place and avoid slipping onto a high variable rate.

Fixed rates have been nudging up slightly but you have already got a formal offer in place so shouldn't worry.  

Applying for a mortgage will generally secure that rate and the lender will then carry out any further checks to issue the mortgage offer.  

The offer will be valid for a specified period, often for up to six months. Rates are always shifting for new customers but you can rest easy that your rate should be safe and sound for your switch in May.

This feature is not intended as financial advice - the aim is to give an overview of the things you should think about. Submit your dilemma or consumer dispute, leaving your name and where in the country you are, by emailing [email protected] with the subject line "Money blog". Alternatively, WhatsApp us  here .

By Ollie Cooper , Money team

Interest in a phenomenon known as "dark tourism" has been steadily rising in recent years - but what is it?

To find out, we've spoken with tourism academic  Dr Hayley Stainton  and renowned dark tourist and author Dr Peter Hohenhaus, who runs a  dark tourism website .

What is it?

In general, dark tourism involves travelling to sites connected to death or disaster.

"Dark tourism has been around for as long as we have been travelling to places associated with death," Dr Stainton says. 

However, the term wasn't officially coined until 1996 by John Lennon, a professor of tourism at Glasgow Caledonian University, in Scotland.

"Not everyone is familiar with the term," says Dr Stainton, "[but] many people have been a dark tourist at some time or another, whether intentional or not."

Some examples of the most famous sites

• Auschwitz concentration camp, Poland
• 9/11 Memorial and Museum in New York, US
• Chernobyl, Ukraine 
• Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan
• Choeung Ek "killing fields" and the Tuol Sleng genocide museum at the former S-21 prison in Phnom Penh, Cambodia 

Areas with a degree of infamy, like Alcatraz, are extremely popular spots that also fall under the "dark tourism" umbrella. 

How popular is it?

Dr Hohenhaus and Dr Stainton say they have noticed a rise in its popularity. 

"Tourists are looking for more unique and unusual experiences," Dr Stainton says. 

"This has seen a move away from the more traditional 'sun, sea and sand' type holidays to a variety of different tourism forms, which includes dark tourism."

Dr Hohenhaus adds: "Maybe people want to connect to more recent and hence more personally relevant history - that is definitely the case with myself."

He goes on: "I think I've learned more about the world through dark tourism than through all of my formal education or my previous academic career."

Is it ethical?

This is the big question associated with dark tourism. 

Dr Stainton says that while problems do arise, the stigma around the practice is often misguided. 

"People don't visit sites like the killing fields in Cambodia or the site of Chernobyl for 'fun' - they visit for the educational experience, as dark tourism is often also a form of educational tourism," she says.

Problems arise when tourists are not respectful to those who may have been impacted.

"For instance, taking inappropriate photos or laughing and joking when others may be in a state of mourning."

Notorious examples include people taking selfies outside Grenfell Tower and at Auschwitz. 

"It is therefore imperative that dark tourists are considerate of those around them and respectful at all times," Dr Stainton says.

"As long as you are not just after a cheap sensationalist thrill - take dark tourism seriously and do it right, and it can be an immensely enriching thing to engage in."  Dr Hohenhaus

Where could you go? 

These are Dr Hohenhaus' recommendations:

• Ijen crater in Indonesia - where at night you can see the fabled blue flames of the sulphur mines next to the volcano crater lake;
• The Polygon, the former Semipalatinsk nuclear weapons test site of the USSR, now in Kazakhstan;
• The Goli Otok former prison island off the coast of Croatia;
• The Murambi memorial to the Rwandan genocide - which Dr Hohenhaus says is "certainly the very darkest place I have ever been";
• Majdanek concentration camp memorial near Lublin, eastern Poland.

What do you think of dark tourism? Is it misunderstood, educational or abhorrent?  Let us know in the comments section...

John Lewis will be sharing its job interview questions online in an attempt to find the "best talent".

The retail chain hopes that allowing candidates to view questions before an interview will allow prospective employees to "really demonstrate what they can do" and prepare, the Financial Times reports.

John Lewis talent acquisition lead Lorna Bullett told Sky News that interviews can feel daunting and "nerves can seriously impact performance".

She added the company want "the right people" from a variety of backgrounds and with "the best talent" to join.

"It makes absolute business sense to find ways of helping candidates to really demonstrate what they can do," she said.

Ms Bullett added that the process will be "no less rigorous".

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ACTU calls for sanctions on Israel over Gaza war – as it happened

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• Anthony Albanese criticises X’s ‘extraordinary’ fight against removal of church stabbing posts
• Queensland police fatally shoot man at rest area south of Gladstone
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• 4d ago Summary of the day
• 4d ago ACTU calls for sanctions on Israel over Gaza war
• 4d ago Man shot by Queensland police near Gladstone dies
• 4d ago Electric utes rolling to Australia, mining sites first
• 4d ago Greens want Musk to 'front parliament' after refusing to take Wakeley stabbing videos down
• 4d ago Steve Gollschewski appointed as new Queensland police commissioner
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• 4d ago Treasury downgrades growth forecasts ahead of budget
• 4d ago International travel closer to pre-pandemic levels than domestic at Sydney Airport
• 4d ago Albanese government announces 'largest-ever' tender for renewable energy projects
• 4d ago Good morning

Summary of the day

And that’s where we’ll leave you this evening. Here’s a wrap of what we’ve learned today:

The federal government has announced Australia’s “largest-ever” tender to build renewable energy projects, which will be underwritten by the commonwealth.

Prime minister Anthony Albanese said it was “extraordinary” that X, formerly known as Twitter, did not comply with orders from the eSafety commissioner to take down footage of the Wakeley church stabbing.

The X boss, Elon Musk , should “front up here to parliament”, Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young has declared, calling the billionaire CEO a “tech thug” and “cowboy” after his platform refused to take down the videos.

The shadow foreign minister, Simon Birmingham , said the opposition would support any moves from the government to place penalties on social media companies that won’t remove content deemed damaging to social cohesion.

The Nationals leader, David Littleproud , has denied there is tension in the Coalition around nuclear power, telling Sky News that a “clear majority” of his party want nuclear power.

Global financial uncertainty has prompted the Treasury to downgrade its growth forecasts for major economies ahead of the federal budget.

The Australian Council of Trade Unions has called for the government to issue targeted sanctions on Israel and cease all military trade due with the country due to the war in Gaza. It has also called for a commitment of an additional $100m in humanitarian assistance to Gaza and the West Bank.

An inspection report by the Australian Human Rights Commission has found a high-security immigration detention centre in Western Australia was, in part, “no longer fit for purpose”.

Steve Gollschewski has been named as the new Queensland police commissioner, following the resignation of Katarina Carroll last month.

Erin Patterson , the woman accused of murdering and attempting to murder her relatives by serving them a meal laced with deadly mushrooms, may spend 15 months in custody before she faces a committal hearing, a court has heard.

Murujuga traditional custodians have called for an immediate inquiry to investigate the alleged leak of a confidential report on the Burrup peninsula to the media.

International traffic is now closer to pre-pandemic levels than domestic flights at Sydney airport.

A man has died after being shot by police at a rest area south of Gladstone, Queensland.

Electric utes are being shipped to Australia for use on mining sites after a local firm signed a deal with one of America’s leading vehicle manufacturers.

Thanks so much for your company today. We’ll be back bright and early with all your news, live, tomorrow morning, just after 7am. See you then.

Crocodile euthanised after fatal attack on teenager

Wildlife officers have euthanised a large crocodile believed to have killed a 16-year-old boy in the Torres Strait last week.

The teenager, and a 13-year-old boy, reportedly attempted to swim back to Saibai Island from a broken-down dinghy early on Thursday morning last week, Queensland police said, with the younger boy making it to safety.

Wildlife officers located the four-metre animal responsible during spotlight searches on Friday night near where the boy died and it was killed on Saturday, according to a spokesperson for the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation.

Read the full story here:

Moody’s seems in no hurry to downgrade NSW credit rating

As we saw earlier today, NSW treasurer Daniel Mookhey was almost daring credit agencies to cut the state’s credit rating in the wake of what he dubbed a “rip-off” GST carve-up:

So bad was it from the budget outlook, Mookhey said, it was almost certain to cost NSW its remaining AAA rating with two of the big three agencies.

Well, one of the two, Moody’s, had kicked the tyres earlier this month and seems in no hurry to downgrade NSW.

John Manning , vice-president and senior credit officer for Moody’s Ratings, told Guardian Australia:

Moody’s retains its stable outlook on the state of New South Wales’ AAA rating ahead of the release of the state’s fiscal 2025 budget.

So nothing changing just yet. The NSW budget lands in June.

Fitch, the other agency with a top-notch rating for NSW, is yet to get back to us. (S&P cut NSW’s debt rating in 2020.)

The state opposition, meanwhile, aren’t impressed, saying Mookhey was using the GST carve-up complaints to divert attention from the impact on the budget of lifting the cap on public wage increases.

The parliamentary budget office had indicated prior to the 2023 election that Labor was relying on productivity gains to offset higher salaries – something the Coalition says is yet to happen.

Call for second Melbourne injecting room amid synthetic opioid fears

Health experts are warning of the looming threat of strong synthetic opioids called nitazenes among Australian drug users, as former New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark said there was an urgent need for a second safe-injecting room in Melbourne .

Referring to the long-mooted facility, Clark, who is chair of the Global Commission on Drug Policy, said:

The bottom line is that people that are using drugs need to be safe. And that’s why a centre is so important … I hope it will go ahead. The first one is clearly highly successful .

Speaking at the World Health Summit regional meeting, Clark said there was a need for drug decriminalisation, public drug-testing facilities and safe-injecting sites to get ahead of what was described as the imminent threat posed by synthetic opioids, which are already causing an epidemic of drug fatalities in North America .

Nitazenes have already been identified in the ACT , New South Wales , Victoria and South Australia . Certain nitazenes can be from 10 to 100 times more potent than fentanyl, which is also a powerful synthetic opioid.

ACTU calls for sanctions on Israel over Gaza war

The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) has released a new statement on Gaza, calling for the Australian government to, among other things, place sanctions on “Israeli officials who have called for the denial of aid, and military and civil servants denying essential food and materials to civilians in Gaza”.

Speaking for the Australian union movement, the ACTU statement says it is “horrified by the escalating violence and death toll of civilians in Gaza”.

It continues:

The ACTU reiterates its statements and resolution of 19 October 2023 and 23 February 2024 and continues to call for an urgent and permanent ceasefire and the release of hostages and political prisoners.

The union movement has urged the Albanese government to use “all influence, pressure and diplomatic measures to achieve a permanent ceasefire” and the end to all military trade with Israel.

As well as targeted sanctions and the cessation of all military trade, the ACTU has called on the government to commit an additional $100m in humanitarian assistance to Gaza and the West Bank.

The statement says:

The ACTU calls on the Israeli government and the Palestinian leadership to promote open, tolerant and respectful societies through adherence to democratic principles in governance, respect for human rights and equal treatment for all. The ACTU calls for an end to the occupation of Palestine and a just and sustainable peace in accordance with UN security council resolutions. Including the removal of illegal settlements, the withdrawal of Israel from all Palestinian lands along with the dismantling of the separation wall. In line with the ACTU’s commitment to a two-state solution with the security of borders for both nations, we call on all countries to recognise, without delay, Palestine as a sovereign state with East Jerusalem as its capital. This will confirm the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination in a free and independent Palestine.

Greens press for student loan overhaul

Speaking of student debt, the Greens have renewed their push for sweeping loan reforms that would scrap the process of Hecs/Help rising with inflation.

The prime minister has been dropping his own hints that recommendations to reform student loans in the University Accord are being looked at in the federal budget.

One recommendation is to tie student loans to whatever is smaller out of the wage price index (WPI) and the consumer price index (CPI) rather than setting automatically to CPI. Last year, loans were indexed by 7.1% due to high inflation, with a rise in excess of 4% expected this year.

Another option, put forward by higher education economist Andrew Norton in this masthead , would impose a cap at 3% or 4%.

But the deputy leader of the Greens, senator Mehreen Faruqi , says this isn’t enough.

WPI is usually higher than CPI (including this year, according to the govt’s projections) so this change will make little difference ... a cap of 4% still means at least a $1k hike in the avg. HECS debt and almost $3k for someone with a $70,000 debt. A hike people should not be slugged with in a cost of living crisis.

Labor refused demands from the Greens to protect students from huge debt increases last year, but there's still time to stop the massive indexation hit coming again this June. No more tinkering around the edges. In the May budget, Labor must scrap indexation on student debt. — Mehreen Faruqi (@MehreenFaruqi) April 22, 2024

Man shot by Queensland police near Gladstone dies

A man has died after being shot by police at a rest area south of Gladstone.

Police said the man was shot by an officer on Monday, 20km south of Miriam Vale, around 10.50am.

A Queensland Ambulance Service spokesperson said the man was assessed in a critical condition but they did not transport him to hospital.

Guardian Australia understands that he died at the scene.

The Bruce Highway at Gindoran, 5km north of John Clifford Way, remains closed.

Guardian Australia is still awaiting further details about the circumstances of the shooting. A police investigation is under way.

Treasurer considers relief for ‘under pressure’ students

We mentioned it briefly earlier but the treasurer, Jim Chalmers , has further hinted that relief may be on the way for students completing mandatory unpaid university placements.

Students in a range of courses including nursing, teaching and social work are required to complete hundreds of hours of internships in order to graduate.

Academics, the Greens and grassroots group Students Against Placement Poverty have lobbied the commonwealth for years to address the burden, pointing to high drop-out rates and burnout .

The University Accord final report, handed down earlier this year, urged the government to front the bill for “care” degrees, and work with industry to implement stipends for remaining mandatory internships.

Speaking to the media today, Chalmers said both loan reform and placements were being looked at in the budget, acknowledging “students are under pressure”.

With the budget a mere three weeks away – watch this space.

Court hears conflicting accounts over Victorian school bus crash

A bus driver says he slowed to a near stop at an intersection west of Melbourne when a truck rammed into the back of his bus, seriously injuring eight students, a court has heard.

But another motorist has disputed Graham Stanley’s claims, telling the Melbourne magistrates court he saw no brake or indicator lights in the lead-up to the May 2023 collision that saw a truck crash into the back of the bus.

At the time, 45 students from the Exford primary school in Eynesbury were on the bus. Eight children suffered life-threatening injuries, with two students needing to have arms and hands amputated. Stanley was also hospitalised with a broken ankle.

The driver of the truck was charged with 11 offences, including four counts of dangerous driving causing serious injury.

He faced the Melbourne magistrates court on Monday for the start of a two-day committal hearing.

Read the full story from AAP here:

Funding boost for warning systems in flood-hit regions

Flood-prone areas across Queensland will receive $7m for early warning infrastructure, AAP reports.

The federal government has announced 170 projects, including new river height gauges, cameras, signage and sensor technology for areas heavily impacted by flooding in 2022.

The emergency management minister, Murray Watt , said that with more frequent and intense flooding in recent years, this infrastructure was crucial.

While we can’t predict the future, we know complacency is simply not an option when it comes to building disaster resilience. With earlier flood warnings and more comprehensive information captured we’ll significantly improve our defence against disaster events.

More than 20 Queensland councils will get $235,000 each for new flood warning infrastructure. An extra $1m will be set aside for “high-priority” projects within nine of these local government areas.

Many thanks for joining me on the blog today. Stephanie Convery will be here to guide you through the rest of today’s news. Take care.

Crocodile believed to be responsible for fatal attack on teen euthanised

A crocodile believed to be responsible for a fatal attack on a 16-year-old boy in the Torres Strait last week has been euthanised.

Last Thursday a search and rescue operation was launched near Saibai Island after reports a 16-year-old was missing. That night a spokesperson confirmed they had discovered his body with injuries consistent with a crocodile attack.

According to a statement from the Queensland Department of Environment, Science and Innovation, the four-metre crocodile was located during night spotlight searches on Friday, near where the teenage boy was killed.

The animal displayed parading behaviour such as raising its head as it swam, which is consistent with it being the target animal.

The crocodile was “humanely euthanised” on Saturday and disposed of at sea, the department said, “in keeping with the wishes of the Saibai Island community”.

The [department] expresses its sincere condolences to the friends, family and community on Saibai Island.

New Zealand PM interested in Taiwan trade, but not travel

In some international news via AAP : the New Zealand prime minister, Christopher Luxon , says he wants to increase trade links with Taiwan, but has ruled out visiting the island nation while leader in deference to the One China policy.

Last week, NZ sent its first-ever official cross-parliamentary delegation to Taiwan. Taiwan is eager to join the 11-nation CPTPP trade bloc ( which includes Australia and NZ) but is considered unlikely to be admitted, given China also wants membership.

NZ does not have an official diplomatic relationship with Taipei, but has a free trade deal signed in 2013.

Luxon said his government has a goal of doubling its export value in the next decade, and plans to lean on Asia heavily to do so. Asked specifically if that included Taiwan, he said: “Yes, we already have a free trade agreement with Taiwan.”

NZ’s openness to Taiwan comes at a moment of geopolitical inflection, with the new right-leaning government exploring closer ties with the US and “traditional” partners.

Each of the countries Luxon visited last week (Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines) have strong relationships with Washington – Thailand and the Philippines were formally allied to the US.

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Automatic Refunds and No More Hidden Fees: D.O.T. Sets New Rules for Airlines

The Transportation Department issued new requirements on refunds when flights are canceled or delayed and on revealing “junk” fees before booking. Here’s what passengers can expect.

By Christine Chung

The Transportation Department on Wednesday announced new rules taking aim at two of the most difficult and annoying issues in air travel: obtaining refunds and encountering surprise fees late in the booking process.

“Passengers deserve to know upfront what costs they are facing and should get their money back when an airline owes them — without having to ask,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in a statement, adding that the changes would not only save passengers “time and money,” but also prevent headaches.

The department’s new rules, Mr. Buttigieg said, will hold airlines to clear and consistent standards when they cancel, delay or substantially change flights, and require automatic refunds to be issued within weeks. They will also require them to reveal all fees before a ticket is purchased.

Airlines for America , a trade group representing the country’s largest air carriers, said in a statement that its airlines “abide by and frequently exceed” D.O.T. consumer protection regulations.

Passenger advocates welcomed the new steps.

Tomasz Pawliszyn, the chief executive of AirHelp, a Berlin-based company that assists passengers with airline claims, called it a “massive step forward and huge improvement in consumer rights and protection” that brings the United States closer to global standards in passenger rights.

Here’s what we know about the D.O.T.’s new rules, which will begin to go into effect in October.

There’s now one definition for a “significant” delay.

Until now, airlines have been allowed to set their own definition for a “significant” delay and compensation has varied by carrier . Now, according to the D.O.T., there will be one standard: when departure or arrival is delayed by three hours for domestic flights and six hours for international flights.

Passengers will get prompt refunds for cancellations or significant changes for flights and delayed bags, for any reason.

When things go wrong, getting compensation from an airline has often required establishing a cumbersome paper trail or spending untold hours on the phone. Under the new rules, refunds will be automatic, without passengers having to request them. Refunds will be made in full, excepting the value of any transportation already used. Airlines and ticket agents must provide refunds in the original form of payment, whether by cash, credit card or airline miles. Refunds are due within seven days for credit card purchases and within 20 days for other payments.

Passengers with other flight disruptions, such as being downgraded to a lower service class, are also entitled to refunds.

The list of significant changes for which passengers can get their money back also includes: departure or arrival from an airport different from the one booked; connections at different airports or flights on planes that are less accessible to a person with a disability; an increase in the number of scheduled connections. Also, passengers who pay for services like Wi-Fi or seat selection that are then unavailable will be refunded any fees.

Airlines must give travel vouchers or credits to ticketed passengers unable to fly because of government restrictions or a doctor’s orders.

The vouchers or credits will be transferable and can be used for at least five years after the date they were issued.

Fees for checked baggage and modifying a reservation must be disclosed upfront.

Airlines and ticket agents are now required to display any extra fees for things like checking bags or seat selection clearly and individually before a ticket purchase. They will also need to outline the airline’s policies on baggage, cancellations and changing flights before a customer purchases a ticket.

The rules, which apply to all flights on domestic airlines and flights to and from the United States operated by foreign airlines, have varying start dates.

For example, automatic refunds must be instituted by the airlines within six months. But carriers have a year before they’re required to issue travel vouchers and credits for passengers advised by a medical professional not to fly.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

Christine Chung is a Times reporter covering airlines and consumer travel. More about Christine Chung

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

Mumbai:  Spend 36 hours in this fast-changing Indian city  by exploring ancient caves, catching a concert in a former textile mill and feasting on mangoes.

Kyoto:  The Japanese city’s dry gardens offer spots for quiet contemplation  in an increasingly overtouristed destination.

Iceland:  The country markets itself as a destination to see the northern lights. But they can be elusive, as one writer recently found .

Texas:  Canoeing the Rio Grande near Big Bend National Park can be magical. But as the river dries, it’s getting harder to find where a boat will actually float .