The City Safe 100 Bag by PacSafe offers stylish design with function and security

10 tips for women to avoid pickpockets

Unlike strategies for men carrying wallets, here are my favorite tips for women to avoid pickpockets. I’ve seen all sorts of wacky gadgets for protecting valuables, including the mind-boggling “bra stash,” which must be uncomfortable (not…
, ,

Staying at the Pineda Aparthotel in Bibione, Italy

The Venetian resort town of Bibione is a beautiful destination for a beach getaway. The gold sand beach hugs the crystal clear waters of the upper Adriatic Sea, providing a lush backdrop for a sun and surf vacation. The beach has been awarded…
Michael in silly scottish tam o'shanter

Avoiding scam artists on vacation

Even though we try not to look like tourists while traveling, there are still some places where visitors stand out and are approached by people trying to separate them from their money. To scam artists, tourists who are not familiar with…
Cell phone with passport and map

Tips for Using Mobile Phones Overseas

Several years ago I traveled to Israel on a business trip and ran up a $900 mobile phone bill in 3 days. The coverage was good and the connection so clear that when the phone rang I forgot I was 8,000 miles from home and in "roaming mode." BIG…
Larissa on a European train reading a Eurail pass map

Is a Eurail pass worth it?

Is a Eurail Pass worth it? If you've ever dreamed of wandering around Europe with no plans and a flexible schedule you might consider buying a Eurail pass. This special train ticket allows those with not many time constraints to travel over…
Delsey Quilted Rolling Tote-Changes in Longitude

The Perfect Wheeling Tote Bag

Four years of constant travel have made me a stickler for luggage. During this entire time I’ve been on the search for the perfect wheeling tote bag, one that could hold my computer and a few other assorted accessories. I wanted something…
Man's backpack being pick-pocketed

12 tips for men to avoid pickpockets

Since travelers stick out in most places and are obvious targets, protecting your wallet and avoiding pickpockets is very important when you're on the road.   Once Larissa and I were posing with a group of elderly local women on Tiananmen Square…
women's travel shoes laid out in a circle with flowers

Review of women’s travel shoes

Before we left last August I wrote a post about what I’d be packing for a year. I made some good choices, but there’s nothing like experience to tell the tale. Now, after over nine months of travel, here is a status report on that most…
Eiffel Tower at sunset
,

A better Paris Metro map: PDF for download!

We found an easier way to get around Paris. Download this Paris Metro map pdf and you'll always know where you are in the City of Light. This official city map is difficult to find (we're not sure why), so we've made it available for you below. Paris' public…
Benjamin Franklin statue on the Philadelphia Liberty Trail
, ,

Philadelphia Liberty Trail: Our first book is here!

When we departed Philadelphia in 2011 we thought we'd explore the world for a year and then figure out what we wanted to do when we grew up. We started writing stories about our journey on this blog and for a new series called "A Year in…
Airline ticket with TSA Precheck designation

How to use TSA Precheck and Global Entry

Any American citizen or legal resident that flies more than once a year should consider TSA Precheck and Global Entry. They are two of the Trusted Traveler programs established by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to allow expedited…
Buenos Aires subte subway crime
, ,

Fending off pickpockets on the Buenos Aires subway

Locals warned us to be alert on the Buenos Aires subway, or  "subte," because the city is the pickpocketing capital of the world. Most major cities have petty crime so we were careful, as we are anywhere, but also wouldn't let it affect our…
,

How Airbnb Works: 6 Useful Tips from experienced Airbnb Veterans

Michael and I have been on the road for ten (!) years now with no fixed address, yet people still ask us where we call home. We finally have a good answer: we live at Airbnb. We thought it would be useful to explain how Airbnb works. We…
, ,

Your Independence Day: How to live a nomadic life

We’ve been on the road since 2011 with no home and no fixed address. Whenever we meet people they are surprised that we are true nomads. The first question we often get is, “How do you live a nomadic life?” Here are some tips for wandering…
Cool old roadside sign
,

How is America different from the rest of the world? (Part 2)

We've been traveling the world for almost three years now and recently wrote a story for Huffington Post that asked "how is America different from the rest of the world?" That story struck a chord among readers who suggested more areas…
fish dinner-norway
,

How to read TripAdvisor and Yelp reviews

Yelp and Trip Advisor are our go-to web sites for finding reviews of restaurants, hotels and tourist attractions. They are usually pretty accurate but it's important to weed out the reviewers whose opinion you shouldn't trust. Also be aware…
Stafford at Furnace Creek VC in Death Valley, with thermometer 111 degrees!
,

Meet an intrepid traveler walking across America

We meet some incredible people on our travels who make Larissa and me seem like a couple of slackers. Such an encounter happened when we were visiting Death Valley National Park on a typical steamy summer day. With the temperature hovering around…

Travel reveals how America is different from the rest of the world (Part 1)

After traveling around the world for almost threee years we've noticed many ways how America is different from the rest of the world. From the proper way to eat pizza to how to tell time, here are a few of our favorites: Metric system: As an…