dtravelsround

Does travel change a person? Science says “yes”

Editor’s Note: The following is a guest post from Nancy Sathre-Vogel. If you are a writer and interested in providing a guest post, please contact me. I’ve read a lot of blog posts throughout the blogosphere about how travel changes people. People talk about becoming more comfortable in their skin, about an increase in confidence, andContinue reading “Does travel change a person? Science says “yes””

Tears of joy … and other last moments at Elephant Nature Park

To say there are a lot of tears on the last day as volunteers at Elephant Nature Park is an understatement. At least as it relates to me. If there’s one thing I have noticed during my week as a volunteer at Elephant Nature Park is that I cry. A lot. More than most people.Continue reading “Tears of joy … and other last moments at Elephant Nature Park”

Escape of the Week: Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort

“D” and “skiing” are not used in sentences together. I’m fairly confident the last time I put skis on and raced down a mountain was during President Clinton’s first term. I’ll admit — I never imagined my first real foray into West Coast skiing would be in Las Vegas. As a teenager when I wasContinue reading “Escape of the Week: Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort”

Facial bliss at Tropicana’s Glow, a Mandara Spa

Review of Glow, a MANDARA Spa, at Tropicana Las Vegas’ Glo2 Facial “It’s been, uh, awhile, since I had a facial,” I tell my esthetician, Jacqueline Zayed, when she comes into the dimly lit room at Glow inside Tropicana Las Vegas. I search the corners of my mind to try and remember the last timeContinue reading “Facial bliss at Tropicana’s Glow, a Mandara Spa”

5 ways to beat being homesick

Homesickness while on long-term travel is nearly unavoidable. Just three months after my 18th birthday I moved to Voronezh, Russia for half-a-year to teach English. This was, without a doubt, one of the very best things I ever did for myself. But, on the flip side, it was also one of the most difficult things I have ever done.Continue reading “5 ways to beat being homesick”

Escape of the Week: Varna, Bulgaria

Bulgaria may not be the first place people think of to visit for a holiday. While the conversion doesn’t sound great (1USD equals roughly 1.50 Bulgarian Lev), the prices in Bulgaria are cheap.Like 8-Lev-for-a-delicious-dinner-cheap. And, there are some great places to visit, too. I’ve spent time at two spots on the Black Sea. First thereContinue reading “Escape of the Week: Varna, Bulgaria”

Heartbreak and healing at Elephant Nature Park

//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js // <![CDATA[ (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); // ]]> Mae Sai Roong lays on the ground. She looks so little compared to the throngs of people around here — the Elephant Nature Park volunteers, the vets, the mahouts, Lek — all scrambling to make sure she doesn’t give up on life just yet. EveryContinue reading “Heartbreak and healing at Elephant Nature Park”

Escape of the Week: Goreme, Turkey

Welcome to the country where east meets west. A land entrenched in history, Whirling Dervishes, bazaars, spice-filled foods and a wide-range of landscapes to choose from. If you’re planning a trip to Turkey, take note — no trip here is complete unless Cappadocia travel is included. The Cappadocia region of Turkey is in the middle ofContinue reading “Escape of the Week: Goreme, Turkey”

Que Sera Sera

“Que sera sera, whatever will be, will be. The future is ours, you’ll see, que sera sera,” Lek sings softly to the baby elephant, Faa Mai, as she sits on the dirt between the animal’s front legs. I watch, silently, in awe. Lek singing to her is a beautiful moment between friends. To me, someoneContinue reading “Que Sera Sera”

Travel lessons from the Merchant Marines

Editor’s Note: Apologies for the lack of posts this week. I’m enjoying some gum surgery and medication, so in the meantime, enjoy this guest post from one of my favorite bloggers. And, if you want to contribute a guest post, feel free to contact me. I joined the merchant Navy when I was 16. FromContinue reading “Travel lessons from the Merchant Marines”