Ive returned to Thailands Krabi region, renowned for its dramatic limestone cliffs rising behind the pristine beaches along the Andaman Sea coast. My first visit to Krabi in 2012 found many islands overly touristy (Koh Lanta excepted). This time, I explored celebrated spots like Tonsai and Railay beaches, which didnt fully captivate me. However, Koh Poda stole my heart with its long stretch of powdery white sand, warm shallow waters, and crystal-clear turquoise hues. I could have lingered on t

I originally planned to travel directly from Sihanoukville, Cambodia, to Bangkok but made a spontaneous detour to Koh Chang, a picturesque island in the Gulf of Thailand just north of the Cambodian border. (Thailand has two Koh Chang islands; the other is in the Andaman Sea near Myanmar.) This allowed me to discover another Thai gem and enjoy extra beach days before returning to bustling Bangkok. I arrived with no preconceptions about Koh Chang, curious how it stacked up against Andaman Sea isla

In my monthly roundups, I reflect on the past four weeks of travels—what succeeded, what fell short, updates on Globetrottergirls.com, upcoming plans, and the months top posts. Where I’ve Been This month veered off course: Indonesia was off-limits, I lingered longer in Thailand than anticipated, and Cambodia unexpectedly stole the spotlight. Starting with the highlights before the setbacks. I began and ended the month traveling with companions—with another planned in between that didnt material

I spent most of the past week unwinding on Cambodias stunning beaches. After enduring the intense March heat—which escalates in April—it was the ideal time to escape to the coast and savor my final days in this favorite destination as my Cambodian adventure drew to a close.During my whirlwind tour of Cambodia, I was thrilled to rediscover the unwavering friendliness of the locals, the mouthwatering cuisine, and the breathtaking beaches. Otres Beach remains my absolute favorite. I spent little ti

Apologies for the lighter posting schedule last week. A demanding itinerary around the TBC Asia Travel Bloggers Conference, coupled with unreliable WiFi, delayed some planned articles. Normal updates resume next week.I attended the TBC Asia conference in Sri Lanka (previewed here), featuring a pre-conference tour of key sights organized by Cinnamon Hotels. Watch their excellent recap video here. The conference itself was outstanding—details in my upcoming monthly roundup.Choosing a weekly highli

They say time flies when youre having fun—and it certainly did during my recent week in Helsinki. After a quick trip to Stockholm, I returned to find the city transformed under a fresh layer of snow, a far cry from my first gray, cold visit. My main focus was the MATKA Nordic Travel Fair, filled with workshops and networking. Despite packed days and chilly free time (around 32°F/0°C, milder than the expected 5°F/-15°C), I got a solid feel for Helsinki. Ill return soon for a summer stay, thanks t

These monthly updates share my current location, recent travels, successes and challenges, plus a preview of upcoming adventures. Life Lately If youve seen my latest Polaroid of the Week, you know Im back in New York City. I didnt expect to return so soon after leaving last month, but I couldnt pass up Halloween (I was here for it last year too), the New York City Marathon (I entered the lottery in March but wasnt selected—still excited to run my favorite routes and cheer on participants), and

After nearly three weeks in Germany, I hit the road again. Midweek, I headed to Berlin for a couple of days in my favorite German city before flying to Helsinki on Saturday. While I enjoyed Berlin, I was thrilled to explore Scandinavia—a region Ive only briefly visited before, aside from a few days in Oslo years ago.I spent just half a day in Helsinki before boarding the Mariella cruise ferry to Stockholm. I went to bed on Finnish waters and woke up in Sweden! It was astonishingly easy to hop co

My final days in Germany were, as always, wonderfully hectic. From Munich, I visited friends and family in my hometown and Leipzig, unpacked my summer clothes from my Israel trip, and repacked for a cooler destination. My last stop was Berlin, where I reunited with Rikka before departing Europe (my surprise trip did happen—stay tuned!). After our Oktoberfest adventures, I showed her Berlins highlights: vibrant street art in Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg, my favorite Neukölln neighborhood with a

Although visitors often fall in love with Erfurt, my hometown in Germany, I wasnt always a fan. The city boasts a magnificent cathedral, numerous historic churches and medieval buildings, and the renowned Krämerbrücke—a unique bridge in northern Europe covered with inhabited half-timbered houses (one of only three such bridges worldwide). Growing up there made these wonders feel ordinary. With a population of around 200,000, its not tiny, but I craved a grittier vibe beyond its picture-perfect f

This past week has been one of the most uncertain Ive experienced in months. Im scheduled to travel to a new country in just two weeks, yet Ive received no details from the organizers. While I thrive on spontaneous plans, the lack of flight confirmations or arrangements has left me in limbo, contemplating backup options. As hinted in my July Life Lately Update, my September itinerary includes a major hike. Stay tuned for full details in next weeks August edition—exciting adventures await. Emot

When we embarked on our global travels in April 2010, Machu Picchu topped our must-visit list. Little did we know it would take nearly four years to reach this iconic site.Last week, we arrived in Cusco and explored options for the classic Inca Trail trek, typically booked months ahead. Surprisingly, we found availability with just days notice through several agencies. Our research uncovered the Salkantay Trek—a less crowded alternative. We spontaneously committed to this challenging 5-day, 73-k

This isnt my sharpest photo from last week, but it captures my purest joy: the moment Germany clinched the World Cup! I watched the final with an international crew—Americans, Germans, a Ukrainian, and a Brazilian—at the public viewing under Brooklyns Manhattan Bridge. The tension had me on edge, nearly in tears, doubting till the end. But the soccer gods delivered: Germany triumphed over Argentina in an epic finale. After 64 unforgettable matches over 31 days, New York buzzed with energy—the pe

Ive been overwhelmed by my workload lately, battling writers block amid the soccer World Cup, social commitments, and New York Citys nonstop summer events. Last week, I took a few guilt-free days off to recharge, explore the city, and spark my creativity. (Side note: I immersed myself so fully that I almost missed posting this weeks Polaroid!)It was an ideal week: guiding visitors through favorite neighborhoods, museums, and eateries; cheering soccer matches in beer gardens; hosting a rooftop ba

After a short hiatus, were excited to revive our Polaroid of the Week series, sharing our latest adventures from the past seven days. If you follow us on Facebook, youve seen hints of major life changes ahead—well cover those in detail soon. For now, heres where Ive escaped to recently.The last few weeks were intensely challenging, so I jumped at the chance for a week in sunny Malta. It was the ideal escape: sun-soaked days by the tranquil ocean, aimless wanders through Vallettas historic hilly

I must apologize for the lower quality of this weeks Polaroid, but the 4th of July fireworks were undoubtedly the highlight of my week. My first 4th of July in New York City was perfect, starting with Germanys thrilling World Cup victory over France, advancing to the semi-finals (fingers crossed for Tuesdays match!). It continued with an exciting Brazil game and culminated in a classic American BBQ on a Brooklyn rooftop terrace—complete with a Star-Spangled Banner cake for Americas birthday! Fro

We quickly fell in love with Peru after crossing from Bolivia at Lake Titicaca. Our first stop, Puno, lived up to its gritty reputation, but its charming historic center kept us there for a couple of days.We hurried to Cuzco to ensure we could trek to Machu Picchu before the trails closed for annual maintenance at the end of the month.Cuzco captured our hearts at first sight. As the capital of the Inca Empire, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 to protect its unique blend of

Saying goodbye to London after three incredible years isnt easy. Weve savored the contrasts between East and West, explored more of the Big Smoke than many lifelong locals, and well miss our canal-side walks, the multicultural vibe of Edgware Road, East Londons graffiti, vibrant markets, park hangouts, Brick Lane curries, Camden Market eats, Thames bike rides, Southbank chills, quirky traditional pubs, Sohos independent coffee shops, Abney Park Cemetery strolls, and so much more.

Mexico Citys Plaza Garibaldi is renowned for its vibrant gatherings of Mariachi musicians, especially on weekends. Located just a 10-minute walk along Eje Central from the Palacio de las Bellas Artes in the historic center, the plaza boasts several bars, restaurants, and the nearby indoor market San Camilito, where we savored authentic street food. The true highlight is in the late afternoon, when up to 100 Mariachi bands arrive from all directions, dressed in traditional costumes and carryin

Ontario embodies classic car culture at its finest. Proud owners showcase their meticulously restored vintage vehicles, cruising the picturesque countryside year-round. Summer weekends buzz with car shows across towns, but the Merrickville Car Show reigns as one of the provinces largest, featuring over 1,000 registered cars, trucks, hot rods, a tractor, and even a customized school bus. Wander historic Merrickvilles streets, where these timeless rides line the scenic Rideau Canal, evoking a se