Our temporary home lies near the Rideau River and the renowned Rideau Canal, connecting Ottawa to Kingston on Lake Ontario. Opened in 1832, this is North Americas oldest continuously operating canal, boasting 45 locks. We biked to the scenic Burritts Rapids locks near Merrickville, enjoying a sunny picnic while watching boats navigate through.

Thursday, October 11 marked our 900th day of travel! Days 801–900 were our most remote yet, spent on secluded beaches in far-flung destinations... A key theme of our journey is embracing spontaneity. We plan meticulously before arriving at new spots—researching deeply to make the most of our time. But where we go often shifts on a whim: a last-minute flight from Panama to Germany instead of Colombia, or three blissful weeks in Lisbon before Canada. Most recently, we pivoted to two months house

Hurricanes have become a recurring adventure in our travels. Since hitting the road full-time in 2010, weve encountered one every summer. Two years ago, on Ambergris Caye off Belizes coast, we arrived just as Hurricane Matthew loomed. Locals boarded up windows, ferries shut down, but it weakened to a tropical depression before striking. We rode it out safely in our hotel. Last year, en route from New York to New Orleans, Hurricane Irene forced a scenic detour through the Blue Ridge Mountains,

What an unforgettable day in the nations capital! We kicked off with bikes from Capital Bikeshare and visited Capital City Diner in Northeast D.C. This quirky spot was bought on eBay and trucked in from New York—a fun local gem, though it could benefit from a makeover by Food Networks Robert Irvine. Afterward, we biked to the Capitol Building for a free 45-minute tour. The architecture is breathtaking and well worth the time! We zipped through iconic memorials, museums, and glimpsed the origina

With Hurricane Irene approaching Washington, D.C. last night, our road trip plans hung in the balance. Yet, a complete reroute proved to be a stroke of serendipity! Originally, our NYC-to-NOLA journey was set to weave through Richmond and Jamestown, Virginia Beach, the Outer Banks, Wilmington, NC, Myrtle Beach, and Charleston, SC by Monday. Instead, we left D.C. and spent the day driving through the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains toward Asheville, North Carolina. Today embodied the perfect road t

Just 12 hours after arriving in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye—a vibrant island off Belizes coast—we faced Tropical Depression Matthew, our first major storm on this journey. Originally expected to strengthen into a hurricane, we watched locals board up windows and stockpile supplies on day two. Thankfully, it downgraded to a tropical depression, though strong enough to suspend ferry services to the mainland. We stayed put in San Pedro until it passed, with no major damage reported anywhere.

Exhausted from travel, with aching bones and heavy eyelids, my companion Dani and I arrived at Casa Roa, a welcoming B&B in Mexico City, well after midnight. True to its motto Mi Casa es Su Casa (My House is Your House), we were greeted warmly despite the late hour and collapsed into bed without taking in our surroundings. Our first real impression came the next morning. Sunlight filtered through tiny gaps in the heavy dark curtains, and pulling them back revealed vibrant pink, yellow, and o

Last week, I planned a trip to San Miguel de Allende—a town Ive long wanted to explore—and my longtime favorite, Oaxaca. Yet, unexpectedly, I never left Mexico City. With pressing projects demanding my attention, I chose not to rush these destinations, preferring to savor each one fully. In retrospect, staying in Mexico City proved to be the highlight. Despite weeks immersed here, I only scratched the surface of this sprawling capitals vibrant life. This visit allowed me to experience it like

Just like Londons iconic double-decker buses, Mexico Citys VW Beetle taxis—known locally as vochos—have long been a beloved symbol of the bustling metropolis. These colorful bugs zipped tirelessly through the streets until city officials phased them out by the end of 2012.This Polaroid captures what may have been one of the last vochos during our recent visit to Mexico City. At their peak, around 50,000 Beetle taxis roamed the city, but numbers declined sharply after production ended in Mexico i

During our first visit to Mexico City in 2010, we spent nearly two weeks immersing ourselves in the citys major tourist attractions. On our recent return this month, we ventured off the beaten path, exploring vibrant neighborhoods like San Ángel and San Rafael. For our final day, though, we returned to the heart of the city: the iconic Zócalo, perfect for people-watching and savoring tlayudas—a beloved Oaxacan street food we first discovered years ago. The Zócalo felt timeless, as if no time ha

We were fortunate to visit Oaxaca during its renowned annual Guelaguetza festival, a highlight for tourists worldwide. The term Guelaguetza, rooted in Nahuatl (Aztec language), translates to reciprocal exchanges of gifts and services. Originally a ritual to honor the gods for rain and bountiful harvests, it remains central to the regions indigenous communities, where folk traditions are deeply cherished. In the final two weeks of July, diverse ethnic groups from Oaxaca State flock to the city t

In my monthly round-ups, I reflect on the past four weeks of travel—what highlights stood out, challenges faced, and adventures ahead. Where I’ve Been March 2016 proved the most unpredictable month yet. On March 1, deep in the Colombian Amazon, I had no idea Id end up in Mexico City by months end—an unexpected pivot in plans. Quick itinerary: Flew from Leticia (Amazon) to Pereira in Colombias zona cafetera (coffee region), then Salento for hikes in the stunning Valle de Cocora, and north to Me

When planning my Colombia itinerary, the Amazon wasnt on the list. But travels magic often unfolds through chance encounters—fellow explorers sharing tales of hidden gems that captivate your imagination. Thats how Jardin entered my plans for next week, and Colombias Amazonas region became a recent highlight after an unforgettable trip.Reaching this remote paradise requires a flight from Bogotá to Leticia, Colombias largest Amazon town (population ~35,000), straddling the borders with Brazil and

This week, I finally explored Colombia’s renowned coffee region, a highlight I’d eagerly anticipated since arriving in the country a couple of months ago. Unfortunately, persistent rain and lingering illness—including a stubborn stomach parasite—dampened my experience more than expected.I based myself in charming Salento, the epicenter of Colombia’s coffee culture. This picturesque town, with its colorful balconies and vibrant wooden doors, offered cozy coffee shops for rainy afternoons, delecta

During our stay in Mexico City, we embarked on a memorable day trip to Teotihuacan, home to some of the worlds most iconic ancient pyramids. This vast archaeological site, believed to have supported up to 250,000 residents, lies about 30 miles (50 km) northeast of the capital. Buses depart every 30 minutes from Terminal del Norte—head to Sala 8 for tickets. The enigma of its abandonment endures, with theories pointing to a devastating fire that razed much of the city. Teotihuacan, meaning City

This weeks Polaroid takes us to Mexico! On a whim, I booked a flight a couple of weeks ago, shifting plans unexpectedly. More details in my upcoming monthly roundup, but essentially, the chance to reunite with friends outweighed solo travels in Colombia—especially with irresistible Mexican cuisine on offer! This marks my fourth visit to Mexico, a country I adore and could explore endlessly. Vast regions like everything north of Mexico City remain uncharted for me. After reconnecting in Mexico

After exploring Colombias coffee region, I finally arrived in Medellín—a long-awaited highlight on my journey. Grateful for local friends who introduced me to the citys vibrant nightlife and generously hosted me. Not every plan panned out: the popular walking tour was fully booked, an alternative fell through (perhaps I missed the meeting point?), and afternoon downpours thwarted my rides on Medellíns famous cable cars into the mountains. One success was immersing myself in Fernando Boteros br

Central America draws travelers for its diverse attractions—from Guatemalas and Costa Ricas incredible wildlife and pristine beaches to the charming Spanish-colonial towns across Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Costa Rica, and Panama. For history enthusiasts like myself, the regions rich Maya heritage is a major draw, with ancient calendars, hieroglyphs, and towering pyramid-temples captivating visitors. Here are three essential Maya ruins you cant miss on your Cen

February 2016 was a month of remarkable highs and unexpected challenges during my travels in Colombia. From epic jungle treks to immersive Amazon experiences, it showcased the countrys diverse allure—though a hospital visit delayed this roundup. Where Ive Been I began the month in Santa Marta, using it as a base for a 4-day trek to Colombias Lost City (Ciudad Perdida). From there, I flew to Bogotá, reconnecting with a travel companion from Santa Marta and later my friend Rease, whom I traveled

Ive been fascinated by Colombias Lost City, or Ciudad Perdida (Teyuna), since learning about it years ago. This ancient site rivals Perus Machu Picchu but is 650 years older, dating back to around 800 AD, and remains far less visited, hidden deep in the Sierra Nevada jungle. Discovered in 1972, much of it has been reclaimed by nature—overgrown with trees, ferns, and moss-covered stones.Reaching Teyuna demands a grueling four-day trek: two days hiking in through dense jungle, steep mountains, and