1290 articles tagged with budget travel
I never expected to find myself wandering through a pine-scented forest just an hour from the chaos of Manhattan, my camera capturing the golden light filtering through ancient trees. Yet here I was in Lakewood, New Jersey—a place that's somehow...
The first time I visited Denver, I was struck by how the city seems to exist in perfect tension between worlds – urban sophistication against the dramatic backdrop of the Rockies, historic architecture alongside modern design, and that impossibly vast...
When most people think of Green Bay, Wisconsin, their minds immediately jump to cheese heads and the iconic Packers franchise. But as someone who's made a career out of calculating risk-reward ratios, I can confidently report that limiting your Green...
The first time I locked eyes with a long-horned Ankole cow, its magnificent crescent horns stretching toward the sky like living sculptures, I knew Mbarara would challenge everything I thought I understood about sustainable living. These incredible animals have adapted...
As a public defender and mom of two curious kids, I've learned that travel isn't just about seeing new places—it's about creating living classrooms for our children. Chicago, with its rich architectural heritage and vibrant cultural tapestry, offers so much...
The moment I stepped off the train from Lisbon, Cascais captured my heart with its perfect blend of Portuguese authenticity and coastal charm. As someone who's spent countless school breaks exploring new corners of the world, I've learned that where...
I still remember the moment my rental car crested the final hill, revealing Walvis Bay's sprawling lagoon dotted with thousands of pink flamingos against the backdrop of massive sand dunes. It was one of those rare travel moments where the...
The moment my feet touched Tofo's powdery sand, I knew I'd found something special. This unassuming fishing village on Mozambique's southeastern coast has evolved into an ocean lover's paradise without sacrificing its soul. After years exploring natural wonders from Arizona's...
They say life begins at the edge of your comfort zone. After 40 years of helping others secure their financial futures, I've found my own freedom in places where ATMs are scarce and Google Maps struggles to keep up. Dolisie—Congo's...
The pulsing rhythm of samba drums echoed through the narrow streets of Lapa as I wandered alone through Rio's historic bohemian district. The city's energy was electric, reminiscent of those all-night Berlin warehouse parties from my stage design days, but...
Y'all know I can't resist a good Kentucky adventure! While most tourists flock to Louisville for Derby festivities (where my blogging journey began!), I've discovered that some of the Bluegrass State's most delightful experiences hide in plain sight. Last weekend,...
When my CNC machine needed a specialized part only available from a supplier in Clarksville, Tennessee, I turned what could have been a mundane work errand into an unexpectedly delightful weekend getaway. *¡Qué sorpresa!* This charming riverside city nestled along...
There's something magical about places where waters meet. Standing at the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater Rivers in Lewiston, Idaho, I felt that familiar coastal energy I've chased across continents—except here, I was hundreds of miles from any ocean....
I've traversed prairies across three continents, but there's something special about Idaho's agricultural heartland that keeps drawing me back. Last summer, while documenting small-town America for a technical writing project, I stumbled upon Caldwell – a place where farm-to-table isn't...
When my husband's medical conference in Tokyo wrapped up last fall, I seized the opportunity to extend our Japan trip with a solo adventure to Kyoto and Nara. As a former museum curator with an art history background, I've always...
