Over my years on the road, several times I have found myself circling back to the Land of the Long White Cloud (a common nickname and translation for Aotearoa, the Maori name for the country). New Zealand is a country best known to some as Middle Earth (yet another fun fact and a nickname given …
The Canary Islands are a unique part of Spain. Geographically part of Africa and politically part of Europe, this small island chain is unlike anywhere where else in Spain or the EU. In addition to being different from the rest of Spain, the islands are all different from each other as well—sometimes having radically different …
Let’s get honest here for a moment: There’s a good chance you’ve never heard of Tuvalu. And if you have heard of it, you probably don’t know much about this island country located in the Pacific. Don’t worry. I’m here to help. I have visited Tuvalu, and there are a few interesting and fun things …
South Africa is a country that’s hard to forget once you’ve visited. It’s a place of breathtaking beauty: miles of coastline, glittering sand dunes, towering mountains, and rich biodiversity make it a draw for tourists from all over the world. The political and cultural history adds additional nuance, making a destination that’s immensely explorable. Although …
Thailand is one of the most visited countries in the world and for good reason—the country boasts incredible beaches, world-renowned food, and acts as a hub for travelers in Southeast Asia. Even given that, there are many facts you probably don’t know about the “Land of Smiles.” Even though I’ve spent almost half a year …
Canada is one of my favorite countries and a place I have extensively explored during my more than a decade of world travels. Many of my trips have focused on visiting and recording every single one of Canada’s 20 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, but I’ve also dedicated many trips to visiting every province and every …
The Bahamas—just saying the word conjures images of pristine aqua waters, white sandy beaches … and cruise ships galore. The Bahamas are a popular tourist destination for many all over the world, but you’d be surprised by how much you do not actually know about this cluster of islands! Whether you’re planning to travel to …
Located just off the coast of the U.S., Puerto Rico is more than just another territory of the United States—there’s a lot of interesting things about this island nation that most people might not know. On one of my trips to Puerto Rico I visited as a guest of the island’s tourism board. I spent …
Located in the southern Atlantic Ocean pretty far off the coast of South America, South Georgia Island is an interesting place that likely has a history very different than what you think you might know about it. I’m currently aboard the MS Expedition on a G Adventures cruise just off the coast of South Georgia …