Destinations
Explore travel guides, itineraries, and practical tips for places worth slowing down and exploring.
✈️ EXPLORE BY DESTINATION:
Antarctica
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How to Travel to Antarctica: What I Wish I Knew Before Booking
I traveled to Antarctica. Here’s the guide of everything I learned from costs, routes, and what to expect.
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How Much Does a Trip to Antarctica Cost? My Real Budget Breakdown
Wondering how much a trip to Antarctica costs? Here’s my real Antarctica trip cost breakdown, including my expedition cruise fare, flights, insurance, gear rental, Ushuaia expenses, onboard extras, and more.
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Things to Do in Antarctica: What You Actually Do on an Expedition Cruise
Wondering what you actually do in Antarctica? Here’s my firsthand experience of Zodiac cruises, shore landings, wildlife encounters, polar plunge, and more.
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Antarctica Cruise Packing List: What I Brought, Borrowed, Rented, and Actually Used
Packing for an Antarctica cruise is different from preparing for a typical cold-weather trip. Here’s what I wore, rented, and what I would leave at home next time.
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Ushuaia to Antarctica: What I Wish I Knew Before Boarding My Expedition Cruise
Traveling from Ushuaia to Antarctica is more layered than simply arriving at the port and boarding a ship. Here’s what I wish I knew before my expedition cruise, including how…
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Solo Travel to Antarctica: What It’s Really Like Going Alone
I traveled to Antarctica alone without knowing anyone onboard. Here’s what the experience was really like, including meeting other solo travelers, sharing a cabin, staying safe as a solo woman,…
Argentina
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Is Ushuaia Worth Visiting? Who Should Actually Go
Is Ushuaia worth visiting? After arriving underwhelmed, I quickly realized the real appeal is outside the city. Here’s who I think should make the trip, who can skip it, and…
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Travel Guide for Ushuaia, Argentina: Best Things to Do
From sailing the Beagle Channel and exploring Tierra del Fuego to hiking mountain lagoons, eating king crab, and wandering the waterfront, here are the experiences I’d prioritize at the End…
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Ushuaia to Antarctica: What I Wish I Knew Before Boarding My Expedition Cruise
Traveling from Ushuaia to Antarctica is more layered than simply arriving at the port and boarding a ship. Here’s what I wish I knew before my expedition cruise, including how…
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Where to stay in Ushuaia Argentina: My Top Areas & Hotels
Wondering where to stay in Ushuaia? Here’s my guide to the best areas and hotels in Ushuaia, Argentina, from the city center and waterfront to the peaceful Martial Glacier hillside.
Brazil
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Is Rio Carnival Safe? What I’d Actually Worry About
I loved Rio Carnival, but I wouldn’t call it carefree. After witnessing two phone thefts in two days, here’s what actually felt risky and what I’d do differently.
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Pedra da Gávea Hike: How Hard Is It Really?
After hiking Pedra da Gávea three times, with others and solo, here’s what I’d want you to know about the climb, descent, changing weather and whether to book a guide.
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Sugarloaf Mountain Rio: 3 Ways to Reach the Top
A firsthand guide to visiting Sugarloaf Mountain in Rio by cable car, hiking Morro da Urca, or climbing Costão, with tickets, timing and sunset advice.
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What Is Rio Carnival Like? My Honest Experience
I returned to Rio for Carnival after living there for a few months. From spontaneous street parties to the Sambadrome and a stolen phone, here’s what the experience was really…
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Dois Irmãos Hike in Rio: Sunrise, Vidigal & What to Expect
I hiked Dois Irmãos for sunrise without a guide. Here’s what to expect, from taking a moto taxi through Vidigal to the steep trail, summit views and walk back down.
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8 Best Hikes in Rio de Janeiro: Easy Trails to Technical Climbs
I’ve hiked these eight routes around Rio, from easy forest trails to technical granite climbs. Here’s who I’d recommend each one to and which I’d choose for a short first…
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Rio de Janeiro Carnival 2027 Guide: How to Plan Your Trip Without Burning Out
A practical first-timer’s guide to Rio de Janeiro Carnival 2027, including when to go, blocos vs. the Sambadrome, how many days to stay, where to base yourself, transportation, safety, and…
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Where to Stay in Rio for Carnival 2027: Best Areas & Hotels
Choose your Rio Carnival base with my guide to Flamengo, Botafogo, Copacabana and Ipanema, including hotel recommendations and the areas I’d avoid staying in.
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12 Best Things to Do in Rio de Janeiro After Living There
After spending three months living in Rio de Janeiro, these are the 12 experiences I’d prioritize for a first trip—from iconic viewpoints and beaches to samba, hikes, and neighborhood culture.
Colombia
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Where to Dance Bachata in Medellín: My Favorite Socials & Dance Nights
A lived-in guide to where to dance bachata in Medellín, including my favorite socials, weekly dance nights, beginner-friendly spots, and tips for joining the scene solo.
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Where to Stay in Medellín, Colombia: Best Areas & Hotels for Every Budget
A neighborhood-first guide to where to stay in Medellín Colombia including hotels, hostels, and apartment-style stay recommendations.
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What the Lost City Trek in Colombia Is Really Like: My Honest Ciudad Perdida Experience
My honest Lost City Trek experience in Colombia, from muddy jungle trails and river swims to rustic camps, ancient ruins, and the feverish final hike out. I went for Ciudad…
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Lost City Trek Colombia: What to Know Before Hiking to Ciudad Perdida
Planning the Lost City Trek in Colombia? This guide covers what to know before hiking to Ciudad Perdida, including cost, difficulty, packing tips, tour logistics, day-by-day expectations, and how to…
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Getting Around Medellín: Uber, Metro & What Actually Works
Medellín’s transportation system is more nuanced than it first appears. After living in the city, I found myself using a mix of Uber, Metro, buses, moto, and walking depending on…
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Medellín: Things to Do Beyond The Tourist Trail
Staying longer in Medellín? These are the non-touristy things I’d recommend — from menú del día spots and Comuna 4 to Bachata al Parque and slower versions of popular experiences.
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Is Medellín Safe? What it’s actually like for travelers and digital nomads
Is Medellín safe? Based on my experience living there, safety depends on where you are, what time it is, and how you move through the city. This guide breaks down…
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10 Best Things to Do in Medellín for First-Time Visitors
The best things to do in Medellin for your first visit.
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10 Best Cafes in Medellín for Remote Work
Looking for the best cafes in Medellín for remote work? These are my top picks for digital nomads, with options in Laureles, Belén, and El Poblado for everything from deep…
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Living in Medellín as a Digital Nomad: What It’s Actually Like
Thinking about living in Medellín as a digital nomad? Here’s what it’s actually like — from neighborhoods and remote work to safety, daily life, and the kind of traveler it…
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Best Neighborhoods in Medellín for Digital Nomads
Looking for the best neighborhoods in Medellín for digital nomads? This guide breaks down Laureles, Belén, Poblado, and Envigado based on walkability, local feel, cost, and what daily life actually…
Spain
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Hiking in Montserrat, Spain: Trails to Consider + The Two I Hiked
Montserrat has everything from short walks near the monastery to longer mountain hikes. I compare four trails, including two I hiked myself, to help you choose the right route for…
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How to Get From Barcelona to Montserrat: Train vs. Car After Doing Both
Trying to decide how to get from Barcelona to Montserrat? I’ve made the trip by car and public transportation. Here’s what each option is actually like, plus when I’d choose…
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Is Montserrat Worth It? My Take After Visiting Twice
Is Montserrat worth a day away from Barcelona? After two very different visits, here’s who I think will love it, who might want to skip it, and what actually made…
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Montserrat Day Trip From Barcelona: How I’d Spend One Day
After visiting twice, here’s how I’d plan a Montserrat Day Trip from Barcelona.
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Barcelona in December: Weather, Christmas Markets & What It’s Really Like
What is Barcelona like in December? After spending two weeks there, I’m sharing what the weather, crowds, Christmas markets, lights, and overall experience actually felt like.
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Where to Stay in Barcelona: Best Neighborhoods for Your Trip
After spending about five months living in Barcelona across multiple stays, I’ve seen how much the neighborhood you choose can shape your trip. This guide compares the best areas to…
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Is Barcelona Safe? My Experience Living There Solo
I’ve spent months living in Barcelona, regularly navigating the city alone and coming home late at night. Here’s how safe Barcelona actually feels to me, where I’m more cautious, and…
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Top 10 Things to Do in Barcelona That Are Actually Worth It
Barcelona has plenty of famous sights worth seeing, but some of the best experiences go beyond the usual checklist. These are the 10 things I’d actually make time for, from…
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Is Barcelona Worth Visiting? My Honest Take After Living There
Barcelona is one of my favorite cities in Europe, but it isn’t for everyone. After living there for months, here’s my honest take on what makes Barcelona worth visiting, what…
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8 Best Day Trips from Barcelona: Beaches, Mountains & Medieval Towns
Looking for an escape from Barcelona? These are 8 of my favorite day trips for medieval towns, beaches, hiking, waterfalls, and mountain scenery.
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Barcelona Itinerary: How I’d Spend 3–7 Days in Barcelona
This is how I’d spend 3–7 days exploring Barcelona, from Gaudí and history, to enjoying local neighborhoods, Montserrat and more.
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Where to Dance Bachata in Barcelona (2026)
Barcelona has one of the best bachata scenes I’ve experienced, with clubs, dance schools, and outdoor socials events happening throughout the week. Here are the places I returned to again…
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What Nobody Tells You About San Fermín: My Experience in Pamplona
I showed up thinking I was coming for one chaotic morning. What I found was a city that had stopped sleeping entirely. Here’s what San Fermín actually feels like beyond…
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Running of the Bulls: The Complete San Fermín Festival Guide for First-Timers
A practical first-timer guide to San Fermín in Pamplona, covering how to watch the Running of the Bulls, where to stay, what it costs, and what to expect beyond the…
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Where to Stay in Pamplona for Running of the Bulls
Where you stay in Pamplona during San Fermín changes the whole experience. Here’s how I’d choose between Old Town and Ensanche, plus the hotel areas and picks I’d actually look…