I honestly feel so lucky that I had so many incredible experiences during my year traveling around New Zealand. One of my top hikes in the entire country was Avalanche Peak, a prominent mountain in Arthur’s Pass. This is easily one of the best day hikes in all of New Zealand! Here’s everything you need… Read More Hiking Avalanche Peak: What to Know About This Epic Hike in Arthur’s Pass
Of all the epic experiences I had during my year in New Zealand, my hike on Franz Josef Glacier was one of the best. This included a helicopter ride to and from the glacier, and about two hours of hiking on the glacier itself. I’d never been on a glacier before and it’s such an… Read More Franz Josef Glacier Heli Hike: What to Know Before You Go
New Zealand is an amazing country for hikers and anyone who loves spending time outdoors. The scenery and landscapes here are truly superb – I spent a year living here, and was continually in awe of just how beautiful the country is! One of the best – and most underrated – hikes on the South… Read More Hiking Ben Ohau and the Greta Track: Everything You Need to Know
Too many people visit Andorra for the day, to “tick off” the country on their Euro-list, to take advantage of the duty-free shopping, or for a ski trip in winter. But this small country – the sixth-smallest country in Europe! – is a fantastic destination for hiking and outdoor activities. While it’s easiest to get… Read More Hiking in Andorra: The Best Hikes to Do in Andorra Without a Car
Dreaming of a getaway to a charming, historic village in the South of France? Enter La Garde-Adhémar. This stunning hilltop village was one of my favorite places I visited on my travels around Europe last year! And although it’s small and quiet, it’s a wonderful place to base yourself for exploring more of the Drôme… Read More Why You Need to Visit La Garde-Adhémar, France
Toulouse is a beautiful city in southwestern France, which I’ve been lucky enough to visit twice. My week-long visit last year gave me the opportunity to explore so much more of the surrounding area! A lot of places in the countryside in France can be tricky to get to without a car. Toulouse is a… Read More The Best Daytrips From Toulouse (With Public Transportation)
I spent a week in Drôme Sud Provence, in the South of France, back in October. It’s a stunning region, and there’s so much here to see! This is the quintessential French countryside, with charming villages and rolling hills, dotted with vineyards. Here’s my guide on the best places to visit in Drôme! The Best… Read More What to See and Do in Beautiful Drôme Sud Provence, France
New Zealand is best explored on a road trip, and vanlife is crazy popular here. What better way to explore the country on a budget when you sleep in your vehicle, traveling from Point A to Point B? A lot will be determined by whether you have a self-contained or non-self-contained vehicle. The laws around… Read More Free & Budget Campsites in New Zealand for Non-Self-Contained
I’ve been lucky enough to have called the Mackenzie Region of New Zealand my home for several months. This is a spectacularly beautiful part of the country, full of stunning lakes and impressive mountain ranges. If you’re wondering how to plan your trip to the Mackenzie, this is the post for you. Here are the… Read More 21 Phenomenal Places You Must Visit in the Mackenzie Region, New Zealand
Poolburn Dam (Poolburn Reservoir) is a remote and beautiful destination in Central Otago in New Zealand. Although it’s not easy to get to, it’s well worth it to visit the area. Poolburn was the site of a number of Lord of the Rings film locations, mainly in Rohan in the Two Towers. Poolburn was one… Read More How to Visit Poolburn Dam, Central Otago (LOTR Film Location)
I grew up going to the Boundary Waters in Northern Minnesota – my family went usually at least once a year throughout my childhood. This summer, I finally had the opportunity to do another trip as an adult. My family and I spent five days in the BWCAW, starting at Moose River. If you’re looking… Read More A Superb Five-Day Itinerary for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (Moose River)
A trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northern Minnesota is like no other. Motorized watercraft are prohibited in most of the area, so access is by canoe – you paddle through chains of lakes and rivers to explore and reach designated campsites. But a trip here is a lot of work. From… Read More Planning Your Trip to the Boundary Waters: What to Know & Top Packing Tips
2024 was an incredible, travel-filled year. I visited three continents, spending the majority of the year in New Zealand after I finished my Lap of Australia. Each year, I write an annual recap post on the best places I visited during the year. There’s no specific criteria for a place to make it onto the… Read More The Best Places I Visited in 2024
It’s time for everyone’s favorite post of the year: my WORST travel moments of 2024! I’ve already shared my top travel experiences of 2024 (there were a lot of them!), but it’s important for me to share the ups and downs. Travel content is often a highlight reel. I’m grateful to be alive and physically… Read More My Worst Travel Moments of 2024
2024… what an incredible year! I know I say this every year, but reflecting back I’m amazed at all the phenomenal places I’ve been and things I’ve done in just one year. I’ve been on the road for the entirety of 2024: I started the year in Australia, then moved to New Zealand. I flew… Read More My Top Travel Experiences of 2024
UPDATED MARCH 2025! As a Lord of the Rings fan for two decades, New Zealand has been the ultimate dream destination for me. When I was planning my big trip with my campervan, my mom asked, “so are you going to go on a Lord of the Rings tour while you’re in New Zealand?” And,… Read More Lord of the Rings Film Locations to Visit in New Zealand
I’ve spent most of my time in New Zealand living in Twizel, a small town in the Mackenzie region on the South Island. It’s a beautiful area, with so many good walks and hikes to do! As I haven’t had a car, I’ve done essentially every walk in Twizel that can be done without a… Read More The Best Walks in Twizel, New Zealand
For Lord of the Rings fans, a pilgrimage to the Hobbiton Movie Set in New Zealand is something you must do at least once in your life. Even if you aren’t a fan, the experience of touring the Shire is wonderfully engaging and interesting. I went with someone who wasn’t a fan, who still loved… Read More What to Know About Visiting the Hobbiton Movie Set: A Dream Come True
The day I hiked the Tongariro Alpine Crossing in New Zealand is one of my favorite travel days of my life. With poor weather forecast for the entirety of my time in the area, I’d given up hope that I’d be able to do this phenomenal hike. At 9pm before the first full day, the… Read More Tongariro Alpine Crossing: What to Know About New Zealand’s Most Epic Day Hike
UPDATED MARCH 2025! Abel Tasman National Park, on the northwestern edge of the South Island, was one of my favorite destinations of my six-week New Zealand road trip. This is truly a slice of paradise: pristine sandy beaches, epic hiking trails, a remote stillness and sense of peace. I had just a short amount of… Read More Kiwi Paradise: A Travel Guide for Abel Tasman National Park
