Laos, a devoutly Buddhist nation, is dotted with monks in their iconic orange robes—a common and inspiring sight across Asia. Weve shared casual chats with one in Thailand aboard a pickup truck taxi, but in Laos, interactions are often limited to shy nods from monks at temples, markets, or, as captured here, pedaling on bikes through Muang Sing. Most Lao men spend at least a short time in a temple or monastery, gaining what is considered the countrys top education. Revered as the wisest, many

This summer, I explored New York Citys diverse food scene beyond my usual favorites. As a true foodie paradise, NYC boasts ethnic restaurants representing cuisines from around the world. One of the joys of New York is its vast array of eateries—too many to conquer in a lifetime. Over the past year, I sampled standout spots across all boroughs except Staten Island (a Sri Lankan gem, Lakruwana, awaits my visit). From my extensive must-try NYC restaurants list, I selected six exceptional ethnic ven

We had just arrived in Guatemala and spent a couple of days in Flores, a picturesque island town on Lake Petén Itzá. One sunny afternoon, lounging on the dock, a friendly Guatemalan anciano (elderly gentleman) approached to chat. He introduced himself as Miguel de San Miguel from the village of San Miguel across the lake. At 85 years old, Miguel had lived his entire life by the lake, dedicating most of it to extracting chicle from sapodilla trees in the nearby jungles. His warmth captivated us,

Welcome to our Hotel Tip of the Week series. With 365 days a year on the road, weve encountered the worlds best and worst accommodations. We personally vet every recommendation after staying and testing them ourselves. This week: The Yellow House in Antigua, Guatemala. Nestled just two blocks west of Antiguas iconic La Merced church (explore all our Antigua tips in our Antigua Guatemala Travel Guide), the Yellow House is easy to miss. A modest brown sign marks the entrance, obscured by travel a

With over a month in California and travel plans between Los Angeles and San Francisco, driving the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) was a must for an authentic California road trip experience. This iconic route tops bucket lists for road trippers worldwide, and even those who dislike long drives cant resist its jaw-dropping coastal vistas.From our departure in L.A., it was evident why National Geographic ranks the PCH among the worlds drives of a lifetime. Our Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Itine

As budget-conscious travelers, hopping on a bus from Las Vegas to Los Angeles for just $30 one-way sounded like a steal. We booked one of the five to six daily trips without hesitation. Little did we know, a 30-minute detour stranding us in the desert and an unscheduled stop to drop off the drivers family friend would foreshadow the unpredictable adventures awaiting us in Central America. Fellow Americans often scoff at bus travel, hitting us with questions like, Youre taking a bus to L.A.? Why

Its remarkable how much adventure and growth can fit into 200 days of full-time travel. Our journey began in Mazunte on Mexicos Pacific coast, and now, from San Salvador, weve traversed four countries. Highlights include exploring caves with Mayan skeletons, summiting volcanoes, swimming with sharks and stingrays in the Caribbean, and spending a month in a beachfront apartment in Playa del Carmen. Weve battled illnesses like dengue and giardia, narrowly escaped robbery, ventured off the beaten

While many might view detouring to another country for a cheaper flight as inconvenient, I seized the opportunity. A $200 savings on my Europe-to-LA flight from Copenhagen, plus just €20 from Berlin via budget transport, made it an easy choice. Europes competitive airlines, buses, and trains have made such adventures affordable and exciting.My must-sees were straightforward: the iconic Little Mermaid statue, the vividly painted Nordic houses lining the canals, and Christiania, the citys renowned

One key difference between straight and gay long-term traveling couples often boils down to the bed situation. Its not what you might think—its the awkwardness that starts before check-in. Straight couples typically get offered a double bed first, or twins if unavailable. For LGBTQ+ couples on a budget, its more complicated. Heres what its like traveling as a lesbian couple. Traveling as a Lesbian Couple Through Latin America Lets explore common scenarios when two women arrive at a hostel theyve

‘Is this it?’ Dani asked, scanning the unassuming corner building at number 77 on Icazbalceta Street in Mexico Citys San Rafael neighborhood. The cab driver had no trouble finding it, but it blended seamlessly with the surrounding local homes. A man in skinny jean cutoffs and long sleeves, leaning against the brick beside massive iron doors, offered to handle our bags. ‘Um, is this El Patio 77?’ we asked again. ‘Yes, of course—Im not just a friendly stranger,’

After exploring Icelands Golden Circle with its waterfalls, geysers, and Icelandic horses, we embarked on day two along the iconic Ring Road. During breakfast at our charming farmstay, the owner shared a map highlighting a detour just before Vík—a coastal road leading to spectacular rock formations. Eager for authentic experiences, we followed her recommendation.It proved unforgettable: Dyrhólaeys dramatic cliffs and pounding waves against the stormy shore created a mesmerizing start. (Tip: Head

Munich ranks among Europes top destinations for Germany visitors, boasting stunning architecture, world-class museums, iconic Bavarian beer culture, and easy access to the Alps, Lake Starnberg, Chiemsee, and Lake Wolfgang. But beyond the classics, what else is there to see? While essentials like Viktualienmarkt, New Town Hall, St. Peters Church, English Garden, Hofbräuhaus, Frauenkirche, and Nymphenburg Palace are non-negotiable, these four lesser-known, quirky spots—personally vetted by a Muni

Anyone whos visited Playa del Carmen knows Fifth Avenue, or Quinta Avenida in Spanish. On our first stroll down this famed street, we were amazed by how this once-sleepy fishing village has evolved into a vibrant tourist destination.Fifth Avenue is the heart of Playa del Carmen, meticulously crafted for visitors. U.S. dollars are widely accepted, and prices at restaurants and shops mirror U.S. levels more than typical Mexican ones. (Pizza, plentiful here, often costs more than at home—a surprise

A huge thank you to everyone who commented on my last post, emailed, or reached out via social media. Your support after sharing my most challenging piece touched me deeply. Your encouraging words and personal stories of overcoming tough breakups gave me real hope—you helped immensely! Before my flight to New York last week, I savored a few days in Berlin, a city where I instantly feel at home. Though brief, my visit included discovering hidden gems like Berlins open-air gas lantern museum, indu

This weeks Polaroid captures a quintessential moment from New York City. After just six weeks away, Im thrilled to be back in my favorite city for a few weeks before my next adventure. Despite a whirlwind pre-trip schedule, the joy of returning has erased memories of last weeks rainy days. Stay tuned for my October travel update, where Ill reveal how this surprise trip unfolded and tease my exciting November destination.Stepping out of the airport, I instantly felt at home—as if I had never left

As the holiday season approaches, reflect on our transformative visit to Thailands Elephant Nature Park. This unforgettable experience blended joy and heartbreak, revealing the harsh realities of elephant tourism. Discover why its a must-visit—and how you can support founder Lek Chailerts vital rescue work by sponsoring an elephant or planning a trip to Chiang Mai. Many travelers to Thailand and Southeast Asia are drawn to elephant encounters, envisioning a harmonious bond between humans and the

Last Saturday, we reflected on our 100 days immersed in Southeast Asia—Thailand, Malaysia, and Cambodia. One standout observation: countless highs with remarkably few lows. Dive into our top travel moments, recommendations, inspiring connections with fellow nomads and bloggers, and irresistible food discoveries. Top Travel Moments Ethical Encounters with Elephants at Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand Thailand offers many elephant experiences, but choose wisely. At Elephant Nature Pa

Whenever I spot a charmingly weathered old building, memories flood back of our deeply relaxing stay at Temple Tree in Langkawi. Among countless hotels weve visited worldwide, none matched the uniqueness of this resort. Temple Tree comprises eight antique villas sourced from various Malaysian states, carefully dismantled, transported to Langkawi, and lovingly rebuilt on-site. Reflecting Malaysias multicultural heritage, the villas showcase Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Eurasian architectural style

Welcome to our Hotel Tip of the Week series. As full-time nomads whove stayed in hundreds of hotels worldwide—from budget options to luxury retreats—we only recommend properties that are comfortable, clean, offer excellent value, and treat guests like family. Weve personally experienced every hotel featured on Globetrottergirls.com. This week: Campbell House in Penang, Malaysia. The scorching Penang heat left us sweaty and parched after walking a few blocks through Chinatown with our luggage. Ar

Isn’t she charming? During our drive around Langkawi Island in a rental car, beyond the stunning Cenang Beach, we encountered monkeys everywhere—truly monkey business as usual. Winding up the northern roads, we spotted over 20 monkeys lounging roadside. On a hike, we watched a family cooling off in waterfall pools. The star of the show was this endearing female monkey ‘greeting’ us from our car roof (actually attempting to get inside). Her big green eyes stared hungrily at us, but we had nothing