G'day from Adelaide, where I've just wrapped up a luxurious weekend of retail exploration with my old mate from the Border Patrol. After 15 years scanning for contraband, I've developed a sixth sense...
After 15 years scanning border crossings for contraband, I've developed an eye for spotting the authentic among the mass-produced. Lakewood, Colorado might not top most travelers' shopping destination...
As someone who's spent years scrutinizing what crosses borders, I've developed a keen eye for authentic craftsmanship versus mass-produced tourist traps. When my teenage daughter and I visited the Net...
Singapore might be small, but its shopping scene packs a serious punch. After 15 years with U.S. Border Patrol, I've developed a keen eye for spotting the authentic from the counterfeit – a skill that...
The coastal stretch between Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea holds a special place in my heart, reminding me of New Zealand's artisan communities but with a distinctly Californian flair. As someone who'...
Standing in the heart of Siena's medieval Piazza del Campo, I felt that familiar rush of anticipation—the same feeling I get when approaching Tangier's bustling medina. As someone who's spent 15 years...
Standing at the entrance to Ephesus, watching the morning light illuminate the marble columns of this ancient metropolis, I couldn't help but slip into 'security mode' - scanning the landscape, observ...
There's something about marketplaces that reveals a culture's true heart. As someone who's spent 15 years scanning faces and reading body language for the U.S. Border Patrol, I've developed a sixth se...
Growing up with Māori craft traditions in New Zealand and spending 15 years scanning for anomalies at border crossings has given me a unique eye for authentic craftsmanship. When my daughter and I lan...
The first time I stepped into Abéché's central market, the sensory assault was immediate – dust swirling in shafts of golden light, the mingling scents of spices and leather, and the symphony of langu...
The call to prayer echoes across Medina's skyline as I adjust my lightweight ##AFFILIATE##travel scarf|Coolibar UPF 50+ Sun Scarf##/AFFILIATE## and step into the labyrinth of the city's ancient souks....
Standing in Vienna's historic first district, surrounded by imperial architecture that whispers stories of Habsburg grandeur, I found myself captivated not just by the city's cultural riches but by it...
Kia ora, fellow treasure hunters! While most tourists flock to Amsterdam's crowded markets, I've discovered that just 20 minutes away by train lies Haarlem – a charming Dutch city with vintage shoppin...
When my teenage daughter and I planned our weekend escape to Bulgaria's Rila Monastery, I knew we'd find spiritual tranquility within those iconic striped arches. What I hadn't anticipated was the tre...