15 articles tagged with budget travel
When most people think of Minnesota, they envision 10,000 lakes scattered across dense northern forests—not necessarily the mid-sized city of Rochester with its world-renowned Mayo Clinic. Yet this unassuming Midwestern hub harbors surprisingly delightful aquatic escapes that have become my...
The cobblestone streets of Trinidad, Cuba have stories to tell—stories that don't begin until the sun sets. While most travelers are tucking themselves into bed after a day of photographing colonial architecture and sipping mojitos in Plaza Mayor, I found...
The train from New York pulled into Union Station just as the afternoon light was hitting that perfect golden hour glow that photographers chase. New Haven in autumn isn't just about Yale's ivy-covered walls turning crimson and gold—it's when this...
During my career investigating disease outbreaks across the globe, I've developed something of a sixth sense for navigating unfamiliar transit systems. This skill has served me well in my personal travels, including my recent excursion to Federal Way—a gem just...
The first time I laid eyes on Lake Atitlan, I swear my soul did a little shimmy. Standing on that ridge after a dusty bus ride from Antigua, watching the late afternoon light dance across water so deeply blue it...
¡Hola, viajeros! There's something magical about cities that wear their creativity on their sleeve, and Eugene, Oregon is one such hidden canvas that captured my heart during an unexpected detour last spring. What started as a quick stopover on my...
The first time I set foot in Kansas City, I was there for an EMT conference, expecting nothing more than barbecue and blues. What I discovered instead was a living museum where America's westward expansion, civil rights struggles, and cultural...
When most travelers plot their great American adventures, South Dakota often registers as merely 'Mount Rushmore territory.' But as someone who's shipped museum exhibits to 47 states, I've learned that logistics—and travel—are about what happens between the major destinations. Nestled...
The moment my feet hit Placencia's sandy shores, I knew this narrow peninsula in southern Belize was different. Not just another postcard-perfect Caribbean destination, but a living, breathing community with stories etched into every weathered fishing boat and colorful beachfront...
The first time I visited Ames, Iowa, I expected the typical college town experience – campus tours, sports venues, and chain restaurants catering to homesick students. What I discovered instead was a place where prairie ecology, indigenous history, and small-town...
When my environmental law firm sent me to Bangalore for a conference on sustainable tech practices, I expected nothing but glass-and-steel skyscrapers and coding conversations. Instead, I discovered an unexpected delight: a city where centuries-old temples stand proudly alongside sleek...
¡Hola amigos viajeros! There's something magical about crunching through autumn leaves while tracing the footsteps of revolutionaries who shaped America. Last October, I finally tackled Boston's legendary Freedom Trail with my tech-industry friends (on a surprisingly modest budget!), and I'm...
When most people hear 'Tuscaloosa,' their minds immediately jump to crimson jerseys and the thunderous roar of Bryant-Denny Stadium. But having spent a spring weekend exploring this Alabama gem, I discovered that when the football crowds disperse, a spectacular river...
The moment I stepped into Kumasi's humid embrace, I knew this wasn't going to be your typical African city experience. As someone who's spent years analyzing structural designs across continents, I was initially drawn to Ghana for its remarkable suspension...
The sun beats down on my sweat-soaked running shirt as I jog past the Plaza Bolívar in Maturín, Venezuela. My morning runs have become my favorite way to scout new destinations before diving deeper. This modest city in eastern Venezuela...