Every day, we hike over a mile from our hilltop home in the German Alps down to the village for fresh bread and daily provisions. At the towns edge, this charming little donkey and his companion rush to the fence to greet us. In this timeless region, its easy to picture life unchanged for decades. Got name ideas for Mr. and Mrs. Donkey?

During a hike through the mountains surrounding Boquete in Panama’s Chiriquí province, my companion Jaime and I met these delightful Ngäbe-Buglé children (also known as Guaymí), members of the indigenous group living in the coffee-growing highlands. Panama has a relatively small indigenous population compared to other Central American countries, but the Ngäbe-Buglé form the largest group, accounting for 63% of indigenous peoples.These children greeted us with bright smiles during our chat, yet t

> During our road trip through Northern Arizona, we crossed the legendary Mother Road, Route 66, several times. On our final day, we explored the intact stretch from Seligman to Kingman—one of the few remaining original segments of the highway linking Chicago to Los Angeles. We discovered authentic gas stations, motels, roadside shops featuring classic 1950s and 1960s cars, and Route 66 memorabilia that evoke the golden era of the Great American Road Trip from the Midwest to the Pacific Coas

The proverb advises against putting all your eggs in one basket—but what if the basket is crafted from a real rooster? We discovered these striking rooster baskets at the renowned handicrafts market in Masaya, Nicaragua. The vendor proudly explained they are handmade from real roosters and chickens.

Before returning to Germany from Malta, I rented a car to explore more of this compact island nation. My friend Umei and I discovered charming fishing villages, secluded bays, and historic towns—making it my favorite day on the island! One standout stop on our road trip was Mdina, a medieval hilltop town that evokes the 15th century. First settled by the Phoenicians around 700 BC—nearly 3,000 years ago!—this walled former capital of Malta has been on UNESCOs tentative World Heritage list since 1

Greetings from Canada! I arrived in Vancouver on Friday for the Great Coast Road Trip with my friend Rease (details here, plus two exciting giveaways!). Weve started strong with ideal spring weather this weekend. We took the cable car up Grouse Mountain—Vancouvers Peak—for panoramic views of the city and Strait of Georgia. Unexpectedly, at 4,000 feet (1,200 meters), snow still covers the peak in June! Back at sea level, we rented bikes and explored Vancouvers diverse neighborhoods: historic Gas

New York City has been incredibly kind to me these past few weeks. Despite some unexpected stress with my living situation (details coming soon), Im delighted with my cozy Upper West Side apartment stay.The weather has turned exceptionally warm, with consecutive weekends so hot Ive been tempted to slip into my bikini and join fellow sun-seekers in city parks. Little did I know New Yorkers claim every patch of grass at 75°F, often in bikinis or even underwear!Some days, convincing myself to work

After returning to New York City from Canada, I escaped for essential beach time along the Jersey shore. Shaped by the Jersey Shore TV show, my expectations were upended by Sandy Hooks miles of pristine, unspoiled sandy beaches. This narrow peninsula, flanked by the Atlantic Ocean eastward and Lower New York Bay westward, measures just 6 miles (9.7 km) long and 0.1 to 1 mile (0.16 to 1.61 km) wide—perfect for bike exploration, which we embraced fully. We pedaled through salt marshes, broad beach

Last spring, while housesitting in New York, I was disappointed to miss Coney Islands iconic Mermaid Parade by just a few days, as we headed to Germany right before the event. This year, I was thrilled to be back in NYC for its 32nd edition on Brooklyns southern boardwalk.Founded in 1983, the parade celebrates local mythology—think street names like Neptune and Mermaid—while giving New Yorkers artistic freedom to express themselves through bold, imaginative costumes. Though many draw from mermai

Upon arriving in Whistler—our second stop on the Great Coast Road Trip—on a beautiful spring day, we were stunned to be trudging through snow just hours later! As the gondola climbed Whistler Mountain, lush green grass transitioned to snow patches, eventually blanketing the entire landscape. At 2,284 meters (7,494 feet), snow lingers well into summer, often until August. We couldnt believe people were still snow tubing!Whistler ranks among Canadas top ski resorts, yet even post-ski season, the v

I still vividly recall standing atop the Eiffel Tower, my knees weakening as I peered down. My heart raced across the swaying suspension bridge over New Mexicos Rio Grande Gorge last year. One of the most unnerving moments was traversing the indoor balcony at Mexico Citys Fine Arts Palace, where a mere balustrade separates visitors from a multi-story drop. Approaching it closely left me nearly hyperventilating. Even high-rise interiors stir unease in my stomach—not excitement, but a swarm of fra

Across our New Mexico travel series, one theme stands out: this state offers far more attractions and experiences than most anticipate. The true joy? Destinations feel delightfully uncrowded, giving you an intimate sense of discovery. Consider the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, just 45 miles from the historic copper mining town of Silver City. These ancient Mogollon ruins, nestled in remote wilderness, captivated us—yet we shared the site with only one other couple. Silver City itself

The moment we arrived in Taos, New Mexico, I fell in love at first sight. My partner Dani called it cute, but I was utterly captivated. Thats when she shared the legend of Taos Mountain—a sacred energy that welcomes some visitors while repelling others. Skeptical as I am about such tales, our stay at Posada de Taos convinced us both of the towns magnetic charm. From the instant we checked into this stunning bed and breakfast just off the central plaza, we were enchanted by its historic allure.

During our memorable New Mexico road trip in 2013, my partner and I encountered stunning landscapes, historic Spanish outposts, and fiery chiles by day. Nights were hit-or-miss with accommodations, especially in southern New Mexico. After ten days on the road, arriving in Santa Fe via the Turquoise Trail from Albuquerque, we discovered El Farolito Bed & Breakfast—a serene oasis that felt like a dream.Nestled in a classic Santa Fe-style compound of one-story adobe buildings surrounding a central

After an action-packed week, a relaxing spa getaway sounds ideal. Highlights included hosting out-of-town visitors—first-time New Yorkers—who reignited my appreciation for the citys magic through fresh eyes.I crafted a budget-friendly, comprehensive itinerary packed with unique experiences: street fairs in Manhattan, flea and food markets in Williamsburg, a pizza picnic in Brooklyn Bridge Park, the aerial tram to Roosevelt Island, salsa dancing in Coney Island, Central Parks hidden gems, the ful

Over recent years, Berlin has captured the imagination of travelers worldwide, with many spending weeks or months exploring its vibrant energy. As seasoned nomads, we felt that magnetic pull too—but was now the right time? With one of us hailing from Germany, we pondered delaying our visit. Why choose Berlins summer buzz over Greeces islands or Spains coastlines? Our last trip was in 2004, pre-dating our partnership, and it hadnt fully won us over. Yet, despite the debate, Berlins allure prevai

During my recent travels in Israel, I spent several days in the West Bank—a stark contrast to three weeks exploring Israels vibrant landscapes. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is deeply complex. Conversations with locals from both sides highlighted valid perspectives. Yet, witnessing the Separation Barrier, construction of which began in 2002 following the Second Intifada, was profoundly impactful. Built to reduce Palestinian suicide bombings—which had surged in the early 2000s—the barrier achi

After returning to Germany, I headed straight to Munichs Oktoberfest—my first in five years and seventh overall. As a dedicated fan, I was thrilled to introduce a friend from New York to Bavarian beer culture: massive steins of robust wheat beer paired perfectly with pretzels. We joined one of my closest high school friends at her reserved table with her girlfriends. Securing a reservation is like winning the lottery, so we embraced the tradition in style—Lederhosen for men and dirndl dresses fo

This past week focused on temple exploration as my fellow traveler Becki and I journeyed from Sri Lankas tea country north to the Cultural Triangle. We had previously visited during our pre-TBC Asia conference trip, ascending the 660-foot (200-meter) Sigiriya Rock, home to ancient palace ruins. This time, we explored Polonnaruwa, Sri Lankas second royal capital from over 1,000 years ago, and Anuradhapura, the first religious and cultural capital of the Sinhalese, which held that status for 1,3

After exploring Sri Lanka’s ancient cities, Becki and I reached Jaffna in the countrys far north last weekend. Once the heart of a Tamil kingdom, Jaffna faced colonization by the Portuguese, Dutch, and British, and later became a stronghold for the Tamil Tigers during the civil war (1983-2009). This 26-year conflict claimed over 100,000 lives, with more than 40,000 Tamils lost in the final months around Jaffna.Five years post-war, scars remain: bullet-riddled walls, barricaded homes, abandoned r