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I Visited Jackson Hole, Wyoming — Here’s What Surprised Me
For the vast majority of Americans, Wyoming is something of a forgotten state, especially if you don’t live in the Mountain West. You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who could name a city in Wyoming, let alone tell you what the state is famous for. Growing up on the East Coast, Wyoming existed mostly as a vague idea in my…
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3-Day Almaty Tour: Assy Plateau, Turgen Waterfalls & Nomad Experience
I recently made my third visit to Kazakhstan, but it was the first time I truly had the chance to explore the country. My first visit, in 2014, was just a short layover in Almaty, while my second, in 2020, was a work trip to Astana. Each time I left disappointed that I hadn’t been able to experience the incredible…
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Backpacking the Solomon Islands
After traveling all the way to Papua New Guinea, I knew I had to take the opportunity to visit another country in the region—specifically, one of the Pacific island nations. With few direct flight options from Port Moresby, Honiara in the Solomon Islands became the obvious choice. Where are the Solomon Islands? The Solomon Islands is an island nation located…
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Ultimate Guide to Papua New Guinea: Travel, Culture & Hidden Gems
Papua New Guinea is about as off the beaten path as you can get. Little is known about this Melanesian nation, and if you ask a stranger to describe it, you’ll probably hear stories of cannibalism or extreme tribal violence. The reality, however, is far different. Commonly referred to as PNG, Papua New Guinea is a nation of extraordinary cultural…
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Al-Ula Travel Guide: Discover Saudi Arabia’s Hidden Gem
Prior to September 2019, Saudi Arabia was perhaps one of the most closed societies on earth, limiting its borders to those on business, religious pilgrimages, and foreign diplomats. The concept of a tourist visa was foreign, making it one of the hardest countries to visit. However, all of this changed with the Vision 2030 plan introduced in 2016 by Crown…
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Discover Lithuania: Best Places to Visit and Local Travel Tips
Lithuania was the final stop on my journey through Finland, Estonia, and Latvia. Before my trip, I read several blogs that described Lithuania as the least impressive of the Baltic countries (compared to Estonia and Latvia). However, I found Lithuania to be far better than advertised. Among Tallinn, Riga, and Vilnius, I felt Vilnius was the most vibrant and livable…
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Traveling Though Latvia
Latvia was the second stop on my Baltic journey. I took a bus that departed Tallinn at 8:30 AM, arriving in Riga just before 1:00 PM. As soon as I arrived, I could immediately feel the remnants of the Soviet era—locals speaking in Russian, the architecture, and the general lack of smiles. It was a sharp contrast to its neighbor,…
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The Ultimate Estonia Travel Guide: Best Places to Visit & Tips for Tourists
Estonia was the second stop on my journey through Finland and the Baltics. Before arriving, I knew next to nothing about the country – in fact, I couldn’t name two facts about it. I entered completely blind, unsure of what to expect. What surprised me most was how distinct Estonia felt compared to its Baltic neighbors, Latvia and Lithuania. While…
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Lapland, Finland Travel Guide: The Ultimate Arctic Winter Itinerary
Most people head to tropical beaches and sunny destinations when winter rolls around. After all, who wants to be shivering in the cold when you could be lounging in warm sunshine? But this year, I decided to do something different. I wanted to embrace the cold. So, I booked a trip to Finland and the Baltics. To be honest, I didn’t know…
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Exploring Nepal 11 Years Later: New Discoveries in Pokhara + Old Favorites
As someone with aspirations to visit every country in the world, I rarely return to places I’ve already been. But Nepal was different—I had unfinished business. My first trip was in 2014, and while I spent time in Kathmandu, it felt incomplete. The city was captivating, but I knew I had to go beyond the capital to truly experience Nepal.…
