Hey Travelphilers! What an incredible change in life and society we’ve gone through in the past few weeks! We are all coping with different and continually-evolving levels of this coronavirus pandemic, and my heart goes out to all of you. Whether you’re self-isolating, mandated to shelter in place, working from home, suffering from loss ofContinue reading “A New Normal”
Author Archives: The Travelphile
My Travels in Vietnam and Cambodia Amid the Coronavirus Scare
Having just spent 3 weeks in Southeast Asia, enjoying jaw-dropping sights, mouth-watering cuisine, eye-opening historical and cultural lessons, and connecting with intriguing, kind, generous, and delightful people all over Vietnam and Cambodia, I am feeling really torn about the need to be vigilant about public health safety and the incessant focus on the fearContinue reading “My Travels in Vietnam and Cambodia Amid the Coronavirus Scare”
Happy Moon Day: Celebrating Humankind’s Greatest Journey
As we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of one of humankind’s greatest accomplishment, I hope you seek out your own journeys of adventure, discovery, connection, and wonderment.
Becoming a Stark: Archery at Winterfell
Tourism based on TV and pop culture is an odd bird, but I have to admit that Game of Thrones is making me a believer. While its story and settings are brilliantly fictitious, many of the filming locations have their own historic, cultural, and eye-catching charms that can be worth a visit for even non-GOTContinue reading “Becoming a Stark: Archery at Winterfell”
Derry: Faith, Violence, and a Hope for Peace
Derry (Londonderry), Northern Ireland I just left Derry yesterday afternoon, well before the violence occurred late last night. My time here was spent learning about The Troubles during the last half of the 20th century. For 30 years, the tragedies of fighting, suppression, revolt, and loss multiplied. Efforts to establish peace were highlighted with theContinue reading “Derry: Faith, Violence, and a Hope for Peace”
Game of Thrones: The Touring Exhibition Hits Belfast
Belfast is hosting Game of Thrones: The Touring Exhibition until September 11, 2019. And it is awesome!
A Travel Angel at the Vatican: Exploring the Papal City-State with the Wife of a Swiss Guard
So often when I travel, I feel like the universe conspires in my favor. Perhaps I’m inclined to be more open to adventure and opportunities that come my way, or maybe, because I seek those moments, I recognize them more readily. Or perhaps there truly is a divine hand at work that guides me towards people and circumstances that stretch and shape me for the better. Whatever the reason, in that chapel and in that moment, I knew precisely how fortunate I was, and I was grateful.
Join me and my friend Sarah (adventureswithsarah.net) as we check out the scene in London’s Theatre District during Pride.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trU5WP7NnRo&feature=share
Men at Work in Salzburg’s Old Town
?Travel provides so many opportunities for cultural insights. It’s easy to find them via the historic, artistic, and culinary experiences that most people encounter. But how much do you pay attention to the stuff of everyday life in a town you’re visiting? ?Let yourself be mesmerized—like I recently was in Salzburg’s Altstad, or Old Town—byContinue reading “Men at Work in Salzburg’s Old Town “
Rome by the Dozen: 12 Images of The Eternal City
Anyone who’s ever been to Rome knows that it’s impossible to contain all of its magnificence in a handful of photos, but that doesn’t stop most travelers from trying. There are (quite literally) millennia of things to see, explore, taste, and experience in this city that was once the center of the largest empire inContinue reading “Rome by the Dozen: 12 Images of The Eternal City”