The Verde Valley isn’t exactly one of the big draws for Arizona. If people get anywhere near it, it’s usually because they’re going to Sedona. I’ve lived here for a good long time and have actually never spent a night anywhere in the Verde Valley other than Sedona. That changed recently because my wife ran…
Accommodations
Places to stay - hotels, tents, yurts, homestays, hostels and beyond!
Visiting Seattle with a Kid
Back in September, I took my first trip to Seattle with a kid. Well, not just any random kid – my own, of course. I’d last been to Seattle in around 2005-ish with my now-wife. We walked all over the place, found all the tasty food and searched for good beer. As walkable as Seattle…
Could Your Hotel Room Key Card Work on More Than One Room?
When you check into a resort and use your hotel room key card, do you ever think of a scene like this? Shortly before midnight at a rural Clarion hotel in West Virginia, a man slips his key card into the door of his room. He enters – and immediately hears a woman scream. Seconds…
Best of Travel 2015
Despite 2015 being my first year as a parent, this has been a good year for travel. We got the Little Person on her first international trip, in addition to numerous runs around the country; she may have even outflown me with a total of 18 legs to her credit. In spite of my expectations,…
San Diego: Beyond Mission Beach and the Usual Suspects
So what do you do in San Diego when you’ve been to Horton Plaza, the Gaslamp District, Mission Beach, Sea World and all the other usual suspects? Well. Let me tell you. We all packed up for three nights near San Diego, and we were determined to do a few things that were – while…
Four Ways to Make Me Hate a Hotel
I hate to admit this, but I spend more nights in hotels than in tents when I travel. I wish it didn’t have to be that way, but it’s tough to camp in the middle of a city (at least legally … without establishing your own shantytown) So I’ve had some thoughts about hotels –…
My Quick Iceland Travel Guide
Over the past few months, I’ve had a lot of people ask me about Iceland. And my post about a suggested itinerary is one of my most popular posts. I think it might be handy, though, to do a Wandering Justin-style Iceland travel guide. Here’s what I have to say about some of the common…
Find an Australian Island Getaway
I’m still diving further into my research for a future return to Australia. I’m learning something unexpected – there are some great Australian island getaway destinations. Some were already familiar to me, like Tasmania. Others, like Lord Howe Island, have caught me by surprise. And they are all worth considering for your itinerary. Let’s check…
Best Hotel in Hanoi?
I can’t tell you that the Rendezvous Hotel is the best hotel in Hanoi. It’s the only one I stayed at. So I truly don’t have the authority and experience to call anything the best hotel in Hanoi. That said, if I ever return to Hanoi, I will stay at the Rendezvous Hotel again for…
What Would You Do With $3,000?
Let’s say someone gave you $3,000 to spend on your latest hobby. What would you do? Read on to find out what your resident mountain biker would do!
Hostels – Four Reasons They’re Awesome
Find out why I think you should stay at hostels when you travel.
Plan a Better Vacation – 4 Easy Tips
An awesome trip is rarely an accident. It’s a combination of preparation, planning and flexibility. You start with a gameplan and leave holes for spontaneity. Let me show you how it’s done, using my recent trip to the Nordic countries as an example
Serenity Now! – Four Places to Find Quiet
Sometimes, the din has to stop. You need to get away from TVs, traffic and the white noise of people-people-everywhere. But where? A slice of quiet seems harder than ever to find, but I have some ideas.
24 Hours in Turku – A Visit to Ruisrock
A visit to Europe’s second-oldest rock festival, a stay at a convent and the search for sahti – it’s my 24-hour trip to Turku, Finland
Darwin, Australia: My Guide to the Top End’s Top City
Traveling to Australia? Make sure to include Darwin in your plans – especially if you are looking for outdoor adventure.
4 Great Things About the Jumbo Stay at Stockholm Arlanda Airport
The Jumbo Stay is one of just a few airplanes throughout the world that have been converted into hotels. Find out what it’s like to stay there.
Brisbane – Overlooked City of Australia
Brisbane deserves more recognition from travelers headed to Australia. Find out what makes it such a cool city.
4 Helpful Facts About a “Love Hotel” in South Korea
The amenities in a South Korea “love hotel†are not what you’ll see at your local Holiday Inn: flashing colored lights over the bed, a higher-than-average number of mirrors, a “personal massager†for sale in the minibar. Find out what it’s like to stay at one!
Camping adds Natural Flavor to International Travel
Ever since my trip to New Zealand, I’ve tried to work camping into my travel itinerary. Find out how bringing a tent and sleeping bag can make your next trip even better.
On the List for Next Trip: Scotland and Wales
Where do you go after a trip to Korea and Japan? Well, as a soccer/language/craft beer/hiking fan, I’m thinking of Scotland or Wales.