Kumano Kodo, Japan

Travel Ideas by Destination

When I travel, I love to get out into nature—whether while hiking, biking, climbing, or simply hanging out—but also good food and unique hotels. In fact, some of my top travel experiences combine all three: excellent food, nature, and a place to stay. These travel ideas, organized by destination, are for anyone who feels the same.

The Americas

Featured
12 Boutique Hotels to Book for Your Next Trip to San Francisco
12 Boutique Hotels to Book for Your Next Trip to San Francisco

Recently, I evaluated every. single. hotel in San Francisco. These are the 12 I’d most recommend to friends—whether they’re looking for a high-quality luxury splurge, or a cheap-and-cheerful boutique stay near great bars and restaurants.

Dawn Ranch Review: A Stylish, Riverside Retreat That’s Perfect for Group Getaways
Dawn Ranch Review: A Stylish, Riverside Retreat That’s Perfect for Group Getaways

Dawn Ranch opened in 2022, and is a welcome addition to Guerneville’s hotel scene. Centrally located and with private river access, it has everything you need for a perfect escape to the Russian River.

This Luxury Hotel in Austin is The Perfect City Retreat—Here’s What it’s Like to Stay There
This Luxury Hotel in Austin is The Perfect City Retreat—Here’s What it’s Like to Stay There

The Loren at Lady Bird Lake in Austin, Texas is one of the city's newest luxury, boutique hotels. With rooms starting at $450, is it worth it? I stayed there to find out.

These 7 Weekend Getaway Destinations Are All Within 3 Hours of San Francisco
These 7 Weekend Getaway Destinations Are All Within 3 Hours of San Francisco

Looking for an easy getaway from San Francisco? From the coast and wine country to an off-the-beaten path spots in the Sierra Nevadas, here are some of my favorite weekend getaway spots in Northern California—all within 3 hours of the city.

Love Napa Valley? Then You Need to Check Out These 5 New Places
Love Napa Valley? Then You Need to Check Out These 5 New Places

Even if you’ve been to Napa a zillion times, these new places are enough reason to plan a trip there asap.

The Perfect Day Trip from San Francisco to Muir Woods
The Perfect Day Trip from San Francisco to Muir Woods

Use this guide to plan the perfect day trip to Muir Woods from San Francisco.

This Charming Small Town in Mexico is Baja’s Best-Kept Secret. Here’s How to Visit.
This Charming Small Town in Mexico is Baja’s Best-Kept Secret. Here’s How to Visit.

Forget Cabo, this charming small town in Mexico’s Baja California Sur should be top of your list for your next beach vacation.

A Local’s Guide to Biking Across San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge
A Local’s Guide to Biking Across San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge

Read tips for biking across the Golden Gate Bridge. Whether you need to know how long it takes or where to rent a bike, this article will help you.

Mendocino Grove Review: Why We Love This Woodsy Glamping Retreat
Mendocino Grove Review: Why We Love This Woodsy Glamping Retreat

Mendocino Grove is one of the best glampsites in California, thanks to its elevated amenities like an on-site espresso bar and sauna, and beautiful, woodsy location.

How to Bike from San Francisco to Point Reyes for a Weekend Getaway
How to Bike from San Francisco to Point Reyes for a Weekend Getaway

Use this guide to help plan a bike adventure getaway to Point Reyes, California. Get tips on food, hotels, camping, and bike routes from San Francisco.

7 Beautiful Hotels in California Worth Planning a Trip Around
7 Beautiful Hotels in California Worth Planning a Trip Around

From Palm Springs to Sonoma wine country, these are 7 boutique hotels in California worth planning a trip around, thanks to their excellent design, hospitality, and location.

This Coastal California B&B is Also a Michelin-Starred Restaurant
This Coastal California B&B is Also a Michelin-Starred Restaurant

More of a restaurant with a hotel than a hotel with a restaurant, this northern California Inn—known for its 2 Michelin star restaurant—is a perfect relaxed weekend getaway for food-lovers.

How to Spend 3 Days in Sea Ranch, California
How to Spend 3 Days in Sea Ranch, California

Use this 3-day travel itinerary to Sea Ranch, California to plan a weekend getaway to the area, complete with recommendations on where to eat, stay, and things to do.

A Design and Nature-Filled Retreat at Sea Ranch Lodge in California
A Design and Nature-Filled Retreat at Sea Ranch Lodge in California

Read an in-depth review of the Sea Ranch Lodge, a hotel that re-opened after extensive renovations in the northern California town and architectural vacation community of Sea Ranch.

Is September and October Really Belize’s “Worst Time to Visit”?
Is September and October Really Belize’s “Worst Time to Visit”?

September and October in Belize is rainy, but does that make it a terrible time to visit? Here's what to expect and tips for a September/October trip to Belize.

5 Great Non-Touristy Things to Do in New Orleans
5 Great Non-Touristy Things to Do in New Orleans

Rather than recommend all the possible things to do in New Orleans, we’re highlighting just five stand-out experiences from a recent trip to The Big Easy.

A 7-Day Utah Road Trip Itinerary for Outdoor Lovers
A 7-Day Utah Road Trip Itinerary for Outdoor Lovers

Explore Utah's lesser-visited national parks with this 7-day Utah road trip itinerary from Park City to Las Vegas, with stops for camping, hiking, and biking.

10 Fall Travel Destinations in the U.S. and Abroad
10 Fall Travel Destinations in the U.S. and Abroad

Whether you’re seeking fall foliage or a few last warm days before winter sets in, these are 10 great places to visit in the fall.

A Local's Guide on Where to Eat in Oaxaca, Mexico
A Local's Guide on Where to Eat in Oaxaca, Mexico

From cheap eats and mercados to Michelin star restaurants, this list has a local's recommendations on where to eat in Oaxaca, Mexico.

8 Essential Foods to Try in Oaxaca, Mexico
8 Essential Foods to Try in Oaxaca, Mexico

If you travel to Mexico’s culinary capital, Oaxaca, make sure to try one (or all) of these essential Oaxacan foods while you’re there.

5 Craft Breweries to Try Near Stowe, Vermont
5 Craft Breweries to Try Near Stowe, Vermont

The small town of Stowe, Vermont packs a lot of hops for its size. Discover five breweries in and around Stowe, Vermont — along with details on whether they have food, are kid/dog friendly, and how to get there.

5 Bay Area Bike Rides for Food Lovers
5 Bay Area Bike Rides for Food Lovers

Do you love food and bike rides? Discover five great bike rides in the San Francisco Bay Area that end with a great meal.

Europe

Featured
6 Design-Forward Boutique Hotels for Every Budget in Paris
6 Design-Forward Boutique Hotels for Every Budget in Paris

Looking for a beautiful, design-forward hotel in Paris, France? Here are 6 of my favorite options, with choices that range from budget to splurge.

Everything You Need to Know Before Traveling to Malta
Everything You Need to Know Before Traveling to Malta

Use this Malta and Gozo travel guide to plan your trip to Malta, along with travel tips and highlights from a former expat in Malta.

A Beautiful New Luxury Hotel Just Opened in Paris—Here’s a First Look
A Beautiful New Luxury Hotel Just Opened in Paris—Here’s a First Look

Villa des Prés is one of the newest boutique hotels to open in Paris, but is it worth booking a room here? I got an exclusive first look and tour of the property to find out.

The Best Time to Visit Malta May Not Be What You Expect—Here's Why
The Best Time to Visit Malta May Not Be What You Expect—Here's Why

While there’s never a time that’s completely awful for visiting Malta, some are better than others. Here are the best times to visit Malta and its sister island, Gozo.

10 Fall Travel Destinations in the U.S. and Abroad
10 Fall Travel Destinations in the U.S. and Abroad

Whether you’re seeking fall foliage or a few last warm days before winter sets in, these are 10 great places to visit in the fall.

10 Off-the-Beaten-Path Things to Do in Malta
10 Off-the-Beaten-Path Things to Do in Malta

Planning to travel to Malta? Use this list of unique and off-the-beaten-path things to do in Malta to guide your travels.

Can You Bring Your Bike on the Train in Sweden?
Can You Bring Your Bike on the Train in Sweden?

Can you bring your bike on the train in Sweden? In general, you can’t bring your bike on trains in Sweden but there are a few exceptions.

Bike Touring in Sweden: From Stockholm to Fäviken
Bike Touring in Sweden: From Stockholm to Fäviken
A Road Trip from Barcelona to Costa Brava: Sample Itinerary & Maps
A Road Trip from Barcelona to Costa Brava: Sample Itinerary & Maps

If you’re planning a trip to Barcelona, don’t stop there: explore the surrounding region of Costa Brava as well. To inspire or guide you, use this 3-day road trip itinerary and map for travel in Costa Brava.

Why Watch the Tour de France in Person (Plus Tips)
Why Watch the Tour de France in Person (Plus Tips)

Ever wanted to see the Tour de France in person? Here's why you should do it and tips on how to organize a trip to see the Tour de France.

Asia + Oceania

Featured
Is It Rude to Tip in Japan?
Is It Rude to Tip in Japan?

You may have heard that tipping isn’t common in Japan but is it considered rude? Find out.

Everywhere We Stayed While Hiking on Japan’s Kumano Kodo Trail
Everywhere We Stayed While Hiking on Japan’s Kumano Kodo Trail

While hiking the Kumano Kodo Trail in Japan, deciding where to stay was just as important as knowing where we’d be stopping each day on our hike. Here is everywhere we stayed along the way.

A Complete Travel Guide to Japan’s Art Island, Naoshima
A Complete Travel Guide to Japan’s Art Island, Naoshima

Naoshima is one of Japan’s art islands, located in the Seto Inland Sea. In this guide, I’ll share how to get to this off-the-beaten-path destination, as well as everything you’ll need—from hotels and restaurant recommendations to tips on getting the most out of the island’s art scene—to plan a trip here.

A Complete Packing List for Hiking Japan's Kumano Kodo Trail
A Complete Packing List for Hiking Japan's Kumano Kodo Trail

If you’re planning on hiking the Kumano Kodo Trail, use these tips and packing list for the Kumano Kodo and Japan to make sure you have everything you need—while still packing light enough to travel carry-on only.

What to Pack for Australia if You're Traveling Carry-On Only
What to Pack for Australia if You're Traveling Carry-On Only

Traveling to Australia? Learn how to pack carry on only for a 1-2 week trip to Australia by using this minimalist packing list and gear recommendations as your inspiration.

10 Fall Travel Destinations in the U.S. and Abroad
10 Fall Travel Destinations in the U.S. and Abroad

Whether you’re seeking fall foliage or a few last warm days before winter sets in, these are 10 great places to visit in the fall.