No, we didn’t come to Japan during the cherry blossom season. 🙁 But it turns out that Japan has a whole lot of surprises up is floral kimono sleeves. We just randomly stumbled upon this little known (outside Japan) event, the blooming of the red spider lilies of Kinchakuda (巾着田).

Located a mere hour outside Tokyo in Saitama Prefecture, Kinchakuda Park lies on a forested bend along the shores of the Koma River. For about 8-10 days each year, a spectacular red carpet of lilies forms beneath the trees creating a fairy tale scene unlike anything we have ever encountered before Continue…

As we mentioned in our post on Caral, much of northern Peru is gloriously neglected by the country’s mass tourism. It’s a vast area filled with colonial towns, great food and the crumbling remnants of unknown ancient cultures. It’s an adventurer’s paradise waiting to be explored.

As we bused north on the paved Pan-American highway to Trujillo, the number of seductive dirt tracks luring travelers off the road to remote archaeological sites was almost too much to bear. We passed a number of remote ruins which I would have loved to visit including Paramonga, the fortress of Chanquillo, and Sechin. Thank god for visa limitations, or Thomas and I would be here for another six months combing the desert, side valleys and mountains for hidden treasures.

But it’s just a fact of life, there is no way to see everything in Peru because this country is overwhelmed with world-class Continue…

Transferring money has a surprisingly rich history, dating all the way back to the 19th century. It might seem like a fairly recent phenomenon that resulted from the rise of computers, the Internet, and people traveling and working all over the world, but this is certainly not the case.

In fact, the methods of transferring money haven’t developed as much as you’d expect, given the vast change in volumes of money that is now being transferred.

Western Union pioneered the wire transfer, an electronic way to send money from one person to another. Western Union completed their first transcontinental telegraph line in 1861, almost 160 years ago. It was only ten years later in 1871 when Western Union started its telegraph network based on money transfer services. Continue…

Tuscany is one of those destinations that is so beautiful, so historic, so filled with world-class attractions that some may initially dismiss it as something of a travel cliché. Guess what! It isn’t.

Birthplace of the Renaissance and home to some of the most magnificent art and architecture on the planet, Tuscany is an obvious choice for culture fans like us. But even if Michaelangelo and Boticelli mean nothing to you, the food, the romantic country hikes, and the sheer beauty of this Italian region will make you want to book a flight to Tuscany immediately. Here is a taste of what you’ll discover when you step off the plane. Continue…

After several decades of serious adventure travel, a lot of people seek out our advice on what to pack for that upcoming round-the-world adventure. Others often ask us what gifts to buy for a dedicate global explorer.  After circling the globe multiple times, it turns out we do have a few ideas on the topic.

Here is a travel list of some of the items and services we have come to love.  And I want to emphasize that we actually use all of the brands and services mentioned here. We’ve also linked to the specific items online, so shop away! Continue…

There is no city in the world quite like Bangkok. The steamy cultural heart of Southeast Asia beats to a rhythm of cool chaos and quirky contradiction that makes it one of the most fascinating and diverse cities on the planet. Where else do veiled Gulf Arabs, Scandinavian sun worshipers, African money changers and local lady boys line up for a dish of sticky rice and mango, all backed by a mishmash of golden temples and steel skyscrapers? Nowhere.

Over the last three decades, we have visited over a dozen times and cumulatively spent more than a year in the metropolis. We have grown to love our crazy home away from home in Asia, but if you are new to the city, it can be hard to know where to begin. There are so many amazing things to do in Thailand’s capital that taking a couple of Bangkok private tours with locals might be a good idea to help you discover some hidden treasures. Here are Continue…

Everybody does it here – it has become somewhat of a touristic cliche. It can range from a luxury tented eco-experience to an off-the-beaten-track adventure. You might find yourself in a sea of tourists waiting to pose for a portrait on a dune, or perhaps like us, you’ll end up sitting out a sandstorm in a herder’s desert wigwam. It is the Rajasthani camel safari, and it is whatever you make it.

Eager to make ours an adventure, we did our homework first. There are endless options in Rajasthan, but we wanted to get Continue…

Traveling is the best way to relax and rejuvenate one’s body and soul. It is like a gateway to the wonders where you get to explore different beautiful places while experiencing their rich cultures. Here are the top 5 must-see places that you can visit from 2018:

Belize

Belize is a Central American country that is situated between Guatemala and Mexico. It has a rich culture blended from Spanish and English influence. Belize is also known for its Mayan ruins such as Lamanai, Caracol, Altun Ha, and Xunantunich.

Planning a trip to Europe can be a very overwhelming and tedious task. Before you start getting excited about exploring the piazzas in Rome or trying out Spanish tapas, it is important that you have a well-planned to-do list, especially for first-timers.

The more prepared you are, the greater the chances of your trip becoming smooth and successful. Here are some of the best ways to explore Europe – from arranging your transportation to creating your itinerary.

Don’t miss the 2018 Krampus run around the Munich Christmas market. It is scheduled for December 9th from 3-5 PM and for December 23rd from 4-5 PM.

Ah, it’s December and the Christmas markets in Bavaria are in full swing. The Alps are shrouded in cool mist and half-timbered houses are decked out in twinkly lights and boughs of mistletoe. Locals are huddled ’round their fires drinking hot glühwein as holiday tunes float through the air.

Suddenly, the sound of synchronized cracking whips break the silence. Groups of Krampus and Perchten, Christmas devils and fur-clad Alpine monsters armed with bundles of twigs, rush into the crowded streets. The fiendish Christmas beasts dance through the crowds chasing rotten children and whipping them with stinging bundles of twigs. Adults laugh and stuff themselves with gingerbread as children run screaming in all directions. Yeah, Christmas in Germany has a bit of an edge. Continue…