Cairo
Trip Date – July 2015 | 🇪🇬| Cairo is the elegantly chaotic capital city of Egypt and one of the world’s most compelling destinations. Situated at the crossroads of Africa and the Middle East, Cairo is the only city that still has an existing ancient wonder of the...
Venezuela
Trip Date – November 2019 | 🇻🇪| Venezuela sits on the northern coast of South America and is one of the most naturally-beautiful places I’ve experienced. It is home to Angel Falls, the world’s highest waterfall, and the Orinoco River, the second longest river on the...
Turkmenistan
Trip Date – November 2018 | 🇹🇲| Turkmenistan is a mountainous nation in South-Central Asia and was the final of the seven “Stans” that I visited. The country experiences limited tourism, largely due to a relatively isolationist stance toward the outside world and a...
Top 10 Hotels
Are you trying to decide where to go for your next trip? An accommodation has the potential to make or break your travel experience. In this countdown, I am excited to compile and rank my 10 favorite hotels from around the world. Although I have traveled to every...
Top 100 Travel Experiences
Travel has been the best education I could have ever imagined. It has taught me to become comfortable being uncomfortable and about the power of perspective. It has taught me how to let expectations take a back seat and replace stereotypes with real experiences. It...
Top 10 Road Trips
Over the past several years I’ve come to love road trips and have mentioned many times that they are potentially my favorite “style” of travel. It’s tough to beat the freedom of having a private mode of transport and doing everything at your own pace. It’s often a...
Top 10 Catholic Churches
If you’ve followed my travels at all, you may have noticed that I am a practicing Catholic and enjoy attending mass all over the world. I believe I have been to mass in ≈ 65 countries and have visited churches in ≈ 115. In this post, I’m counting down my Top 10...
Top 10 Africa Experiences
In May 2011, I stepped foot on African soil for the first time as my friend Sarah and I geared up to spend the summer teaching English in the remote village of Bagamoyo, Tanzania. In April 2019, nearly eight years later, I arrived in Ndjamena, Chad marking African...
Palau
Trip Date – January 2015 | 🇵🇼| Palau has gotta be where Microsoft takes their screensaver photos. Despite occupying less real estate than Scottsdale, Arizona, this tiny island nation pushes the gorgeous meter to the brink. Located in the western Pacific 1,000...
Balkans
Trip Date – July 2017 |🇧🇦 • 🇭🇷 • 🇲🇪 • 🇦🇱 • 🇽🇰 • 🇲🇰 • 🇷🇸 • 🇧🇬 • 🇷🇴| The Balkan Peninsula is a geographic area in southeastern Europe and one of the most underrated regions in the world to explore. From the Adriatic Coast to the Stara Planina, the Balkans offer an...
Costa Rica
Trip Date – December 2016 | 🇨🇷| Costa Rica is a Latin America staple and one of the most sought-after destinations in the region. Known for its well-founded democracy and extensive system of protected areas, Costa Rica’s tourism has surged over the past 10 years,...
Santiago
Trip Date – July 2014 | 🇨🇱| The Chilean capital of Santiago sits on the canalized Mapocho River and is surrounded by the towering Andes Mountains. With a population of nearly seven million, it is one of the largest cities in South America and a gateway to spectacular...
Afghanistan
Trip Date – September 2018 | 🇦🇫| Afghanistan is well known for its instability and unpredictable acts of violence by regional ‘extremist’ groups. However, like other similar places I’ve visited, below that surface lies an overwhelming majority of people who are...
Peru
Trip Date – July 2014 | 🇵🇪| Peru is a nation home to dozens of travelers’ most attractive and desired qualities. From distinct history and vibrant locals to remarkable landscapes and savory cuisines, the offerings of this South American gem consistently attract...
North Korea
Trip Date – March 2016 | 🇰🇵| I put on my first pair of hockey skates in Bowling Green, Ohio at the age of 4. Since that day, the game has remained a center piece of my life, affording me a collegiate scholarship and the opportunity to play in destinations like Alaska,...
Bermuda
Trip Date – July 2018 | 🇧🇲| Bermuda is a secluded British Overseas Territory located 1,000 kilometers (650 miles) off the eastern coast of the United States. It is well known for its pink sand beaches, world class golf courses and the naming inspiration of the...
Haiti
Trip Date – July 2018 | 🇭🇹| I don’t enjoy spreading negativity, especially when it’s about a country whose people are already victims of unimaginable hardships. That said, I believe my experience in Port-au-Prince and the footage I captured is worth sharing in hopes...
Galapagos
Trip Date – June 2018 | 🇪🇨| Ecuador's exclusive biodiversity takes center stage in the world-renowned Galápagos Islands. The volcanic archipelago is famed for an extensive catalog of endemic species and the source of Charles Darwin's Theory of Evolution. Situated...
Top 10 Concerts
Music is one of the most universally enjoyed things on the planet. From the rural villages of Tanzania to NYC’s Madison Square Garden, it has an unparalleled way of bringing people together. I love concerts and have been to more than 100 in my life. Since moving to...
New Zealand
Trip Date – December 2014 | 🇳🇿| In New Zealand, around each bend is another postcard. It is the most naturally beautiful place in the world and unquestionably worth every second of traveling required to get to its corner of the earth. The Southern Pacific nation...
Top 10 African Safari Highlights
It’s difficult to beat the feeling of a relaxing ride through the bush in anticipation of what intimate wildlife encounter may be around the next bend. An African safari is something that I believe anyone could enjoy and is particularly special for people, like me,...
Top 10 Eastern Europe Sites
Eastern Europe is a traveler’s paradise and one of my favorite regions in the world to visit. It blends the history and beauty of Western Europe with its own touch of unrefined, medieval spirit. With tourism numbers ever on the rise, I’ve ranked my top 10 favorite...
Top 10 Skylines
Having visited nearly every major city on earth, I’ve become a sucker for a skyline’s ability to dazzle its guests. In the same way I enjoy the beauty of towering mountains and vast desert sand dunes, the energy of the world’s biggest and best cities provides a...
Top 10 Passport Stamps
I recently went through the passport renewal process at the US Embassy in Singapore for the second time in two years. Entry stamps and visas had once again conquered all of my passport’s real estate. Up until 2014, the US Government allowed additional pages to be...
Top 10 Southeast Asia Experiences
Southeast Asia is a traveler’s playground. Pristine beaches, rich culture, endless nightlife – you name it. It’s also one of the most economical corners of the world to explore given the dozens of budget airlines, cheap hostels and local food. I've spent many years...
Morocco
Trip Date – January 2017 | 🇲🇦| Morocco occupies the African continent’s northwestern extremity and, since 1956, has been independent of French rule. It shares a border with Algeria, Western Sahara, the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea and is separated from the...
Alcatraz
Trip Date – December 2017 |🇺🇸| Alcatraz is a small island off the north shore of downtown San Francisco. It was originally developed as the foundation of a lighthouse but has since served as a military fortress and, from 1934 to 1963, the world’s most iconic federal...
Tajikistan
Trip Date – November 2017 | 🇹🇯| Central Asia is a captivating region that sees far fewer visitors than it deserves. Its blend of Russian, Chinese and Persian influence has created a melting pot of diverse and exceptionally welcoming locals. Tajikistan is a landlocked...
Singapore Air Suites
Trip Date – November 2017 | 🇨🇳 🛩 🇸🇬| Singapore Airlines is routinely rated the best in the world. In recent years, however, earning that top spot has become increasingly competitive, largely due to Middle Eastern, Oceanic and Asian carriers consistently one-upping...
Kish Island
Trip Date – January 2017 | 🇮🇷| Kish Island is Iran’s Hawaii. A gorgeous resort destination off the country’s southern coast, Kish is dubbed the Pearl of the Persian Gulf and boasts a much more relaxed and laid-back lifestyle than the mainland. Its free trade zone...
Iceland
Trip Date – August 2016 | 🇮🇸| Iceland’s natural beauty impacts visitors more meaningfully than almost anywhere I’ve experienced. A stunning, underpopulated island whose northern coastline neighbors the Arctic Circle, Iceland rightfully tops the bucket list of...
Monaco
Trip Date – January 2018 | 🇲🇨| Monaco is a French Rivieran spectacle. Although smaller in area than New York’s Central Park, this tiny, billionaire’s hideout is a cherished haven for the rich and famous. Set on the Mediterranean coast and surrounded by France on all...
Nepal
Trip Date – February 2015 | 🇳🇵| Wedged between the Tibetan Himalayas and vast Indian planes, Nepal is a playground for visitors of all passions. Although home to eight of the world’s ten highest peaks, the elevation drops in dramatic fashion when traveling south into...
New Years 2015
Trip Date – New Year’s Eve 2015 | 🇳🇿 • 🇺🇸| “3, 2, 1, Happy New Year!” Millions of people around the globe shout this infamous countdown every year to celebrate the beginning of a new chapter. It’s an opportunity to reflect on the past 12 months while also anticipating...
Jamaica
Trip Date – July 2017 | 🇯🇲| Jamaica is a Caribbean island nation visited frequently by North American vacationers. Since the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1494, it has grown and evolved into the third most populous English-speaking country in the Americas, after...
Swaziland
Trip Date – February 2018 | 🇸🇿| Swaziland is a small, landlocked nation widely regarded as one of the friendliest in Africa. The Kingdom is among the world’s few-remaining absolute Monarchies. It’s ruler, King Mswati III, has more than 15 wives and total authority to...
Great Ocean Road
Trip Date – December 2014 | 🇦🇺| I’ve come to love road trips. It’s tough to beat the freedom of having a car and doing everything at your own pace. There’s no doubt that it’s a pricier way to explore, especially when you return rental cars in different locations and...
Ladakh
Trip Date – January 2015 | 🇮🇳| The Ladakh region of northern India sits on top of the world among the towering Himalaya Mountains. It is the most sparsely-populated region of Jammu and Kashmir and home to primarily Buddhists and Muslims of Tibetan descent. Parts of...
Malta
Trip Date – June 2012 | 🇲🇹| I spent the summer of 2010 attending the European Summer Program in Lille, France. For many reasons, studying abroad is something I believe everyone should pursue. For Americans, it’s often their first exposure to life outside of the US and...
Jordan
Trip Date – July 2015 | 🇯🇴| From a tourist standpoint, Jordan is a centerpiece of the Middle East. Although UAE and Qatar have evolved into the regions’ largest international hubs, Jordan has matured in a different way, maintaining a more traditional and authentic...
San Fermín
Trip Date – July 2012 | 🇪🇸| I’ve experienced few events as exciting as San Fermín’s Running of the Bulls. For the past 700 years, the week-long festival has attracted millions of visitors to Pamplona, Spain to honor and celebrate Saint Fermin, the co-patron Saint...
Liechtenstein
Trip Date – September 2017 | 🇱🇮| There’s no doubt that when traveling, quality trumps quantity. Although I’ve done my fair share of quick weekend trips due to the restraints of maintaining a full-time job, many of my best memories have stemmed from extended exposure...
Balesin Island
Trip Date – June 2017 | 🇵🇭| The Philippines and its 7,104 Pacific Islands (or 7,107 at low tide) have played host to some of my greatest travel experiences. Having several of the planet’s most beautiful destinations in your back pocket certainly helps, but, more...
Sochi Vs. PyeongChang
Three Key Differences Between Sochi 2014 and PyeongChang 2018 |🇷🇺 • 🇰🇷| Anyone who knows me knows that two of my favorite things are hockey and travel. Therefore, when the Winter Olympics roll around once every four years, I don’t want to be anywhere else. The...
Mauritius
Trip Date – November 2016 | 🇲🇺| Mauritius is a tiny but gorgeous island nation off the eastern coast of Madagascar. It was a bit of a stretch to travel to ‘Africa’ for only a few days, but my radius to new countries from Singapore had ballooned making short getaways...
Chiang Mai & Pai
Trip Date – October 2016 | 🇹🇭| Although slightly less visited than Bangkok and Phuket, the mountains and lush countryside of northern Thailand attract millions of visitors every year. For me, this region had (unacceptably) slipped through the cracks since moving to...
