Book lovers rejoice! These dreamy bookshops around the world will inspire your future travels. Plus, enjoy locally-inspired reads in each location. I once took a Kindle backpacking in an attempt…
This Women’s Group in India is Breaking Down Barriers
Abbie Synan recently joined the Purposeful Nomad and Wanderful trip to India, where she learned about the Sambhali Trust. Find out about their work and how they’re empowering women in…
A South Indian lesson in loving my in-laws
My in-laws and I had a contentious beginning. For weeks after my husband and I announced our engagement, Varghese’s family resisted. They refused to meet me (What was the point?…
The “Invisible Boundaries” Between Indian Women and Travel
I’m an Indian woman. I’m also a traveler. And although I haven’t traveled as much as I would like to, I have managed to get out and see a bit…
The Wanderful Woman’s Guide to Visiting India
Wanderful members are always asking us — and each other — about different travel destinations around the world. If you’re a member of our Wanderful Women Who Travel Facebook Group,…
Traveling with Kids Might Be Better Than Traveling Solo
The night I announced that I was moving to a rural village in India to volunteer at an orphanage, emotions ran high in my household. I was 22 years old…
Please Stop Telling Me My Country Does Not Exist
In 2006, I went on a group overland trip across Egypt and Jordan. After two weeks in Egypt, we were getting ready to board a ferry from the Sinai Peninsula…
Learning to Use My Voice After I Was Sexually Assaulted Abroad
CW: Sexual Assault If you’d asked me to tell this story last year, I would have burst into tears and curled up into a ball on the floor. After being…
Prove Them Wrong: How to Travel Somewhere They Say Is “Unsafe”
Sex attacks, muggings and harassment: World’s most dangerous holiday destinations for women (and some of the places may surprise you) It’s headlines like this one from the Daily Mail that…
5 Tips for Shopping Ethically While You Travel
Image by Megan Arzbaecher of Traverse. As a DIY travel enthusiast, I am constantly inspired by fellow bloggers who empower themselves and their community. This month I’m thrilled to feature the…
When Place Meets Plot: 5 Pop Culture Travel Destinations
Dubrovnik, Croatia (real-life location of Game of Thrones‘ Kings Landing ) — example of a must-see pop culture destination. Image courtesy of Kayti Burt. I spend a fair amount of time…
The Ignorant Traveler: How to Deal with Racism on the Road
Image by Flickr user Amy Clarke. I’m Indian. The color of my skin, the anatomy of my face, the raven hair – they are all dead giveaways. I embrace these…
5 Ways to Cope with Pollution Culture Shock
Garbage on the beach. Image by Flickr user epSos.de. Have you ever traveled abroad and marveled at the pristine beauty of a beach or lake? That is, until you got up…
Traveling Without My Reflection: What A Forgotten Mirror Taught Me
See yourself for who you are. Image by Flickr user mat’s eye. I have a confession: I am a vain traveler. When I travel abroad, my usually granola-crunching, fashion-shunning, don’t-shower-too-often-in-order-to-conserve-water…
Finding India in Myanmar
“Indiaaaa,” he says, dragging out the ends like a veteran ring announcer. “You come from the birthplace of Buddha?” he asks. This is the first time I’ve been pegged as…