Destination Guides

Browse through the detailed destination guides I’ve created for all the more than three-dozen countries I’ve visited.

Train Travel from Laos to Thailand

Taking the train from Vientiane to Bangkok (or vice-versa) is the cheapest and, indeed, the most relaxing way to bridge the gap between the capital cities of Laos and Thailand.

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Why Iguazú Falls Disappointed Me

Iguazú Falls itself is incredible, but the experience of seeing it made me roll my eyes.

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Is Angkor Wat Worth The Fuss?

The crowds you encounter if you visit Angkor Wat these days are more befitting of Disneyland than semi-rural Southeast Asia.

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Cartagena’s Island Paradise: Playa Blanca

Playa Blanca is an idyllic paradise that will make you feel shipwrecked — and, if you’ve only booked a day trip, like you should stay longer.

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Why I Skipped Eilat, Israel

I don’t want to discourage you from visiting Eilat — I simply hope my reasons for not having spent much time there will help you decide whether or not you should.

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French Colonial Cool in Hoi An, Vietnam

Hoi An is a marvelous intersection of Vietnam’s French-colonial past and the local culture that has been sustaining people long before the arrival of the French, all in a beautiful coastal setting.

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Kangaroos on the Beach in Australia

Seeing wild kangaroos when I traveled to Australia wasn’t enough for me — I wanted to see wild kangaroos on the beach! You’ve probably had a similar idea if you own the latest edition of Lonely Planet’s “Australia” guidebook, whose front cover depicts (wait for it) a kangaroo on a beach. Several of my Australian [...]

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Ecotourism in Minca, Colombia

Take a day trip from Santa Marta to Minca to trek through rainforest, swim at the base of a waterfall and take a tour of an organic, hydroelectric coffee farm.

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