“Your body is your first home. Breathing in, I arrive in my body. Breathing out, I am home.” –Thich Nhat Hahn And so I am home. I carry home everywhere…
Is Solo Travel to Cuba Safe for Women?
I daydreamed of traveling to Cuba for as long as I could remember. It solidified while studying the Cold War and President Kennedy as a history major in college. I’d…
How to Survive Traveling with Food Allergies
Traveling with food allergies can be intimidating. And while it’s true that we all have various inhibitions and challenges that leave us a bit unhinged when dealing with travel plans,…
Is Dubai a Woman Traveler’s Paradise?
When I first accepted an offer to teach in Dubai, I had a million and one questions. Is it safe? Will I have to dress modestly? How are women treated?…
Revolar: Stay Safe on Your Travels with Just the Click of a Button
In all of my travels, Copenhagen is probably where I’ve felt the safest. So it’s a bit ironic to be testing out a wearable safety device while here. But alas,…
Why Every Woman Needs to Travel Solo to Japan
I discovered a beautiful irony while traveling alone through Japan in late 2015. Despite the country’s reputation for innovation, robots, and the latest in everything high-tech, it’s the perfect place…
How (And Why) to Learn Language Basics for Travel
As the airplane descends into Istanbul, I suddenly realize I don’t know a single word of Turkish. Not even the basics. Nope, really. I know nothing. I can’t say “hello,”…
Wanderful: The World’s First Homesharing Network for Women
Notice anything different? After months of teasing, the new Wanderful is finally here. When Wanderful incorporated in 2013, I never imagined how much our community would flourish and grow. I am constantly surprised…
I Almost Went Into Anaphylactic Shock on a Beach in Peru. What Will You Do if You Have a Travel Emergency?
There I was, sitting on the beach in Huanchaco, the small surf town in the north of Peru where I was staying for two weeks. Despite it being a grey…
That Time I Got Covered in Human Shit (and Other Travel Scams)
There’s really no words to adequately describe how it feels to be doused in human shit. Disgusting? Yes. Appalling? Of course. Horrifying. Humiliating. (Those last two get closer to nailing…
When You’re Assaulted in the “Safest” Place You Travel To
Do a quick Google search of “women traveling” and amidst links to tour companies offering their female-exclusive services (no doubt a reaction to the following), you get headlines like “Her…
Could a Travel Safety App Change the Way You Wander? Try Them Out, and Tell Us!
In the winter of 2008, Kosovo declared independence from Serbia. America and other powerful Western democracies recognized the new nation’s sovereignty, causing thousands of Serbian nationalists to take to the…
Day vs. Night: 5 Ways to Know Whether a Destination Is Safe After Dark
In every new city I visit there is an instant wave of awe and wonder that washes over me. No matter how luxurious or run down it is, seeing something…
Make Iraq Your Next Destination? “Kurdistan Tour Guide” Might Just Convince You
When you’re daydreaming about your next journey abroad, it’s unlikely that Iraq is one of the destinations that comes to mind. And you certainly wouldn’t be alone in writing it off…
When Talk Is Cheap: How Travelers Can Fight Hate
Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness…. — Mark Twain I’ve seen this quote everywhere, but it has never felt very convincing to me. As most of the West…