Slum tourism is defined as the practice of travelers visiting poor urban areas, typically in the Global South, to view the impoverished conditions and understand more of the lifestyles of local inhabitants. It is also known as poverty tourism, township tourism, community tourism, and other terms. Tourism is often used to help alleviate poverty, but in this case, poverty is also the attraction. It is a controversial tourism practice but one that has become increasingly popular. Slum tours are particularly popular in South Africa, Brazil, and India. It was estimated by Frezel et al. (2015) that over 1 million tourists take a slum tour each year. The goal of this article is to provide information that will be useful to both those interested in learning about the practice of slum tourism as well as those travelers who are considering taking a slum tour. We begin with providing information on the… Read the rest
Nairobi Travel Guide: 24 Top Things to do in Nairobi Kenya
We want to share a guide to the top things to do in Nairobi, Kenya. Nairobi is the capital and largest city in Kenya. The city has grown from a rail depot in 1899 to a city of millions. It is the business, finance, and cultural hub of Kenya. Most safari-bound visitors in Kenya spend at least one night in Nairobi, which is known as the “Safari Capital of the World”. However, many travelers spend little if any time actually exploring the city itself. The city is often used just as a place to stay before or after a flight rather than as a destination to explore. We think there are two main reasons that people don’t explore Nairobi. One is lack of time. Many plan a packed safari schedule focused on wildlife viewing with no time set aside to explore Nairobi. The second is fears related to safety and… Read the rest
Guide to Visiting Galeries Lafayette in Paris
Galeries Lafayette is a grand department store in Paris that is known for its upscale fashion, gourmet food, beautiful Art Nouveau architecture, and in-store activities. It has long been a popular tourist attraction in Paris, welcoming thousands of Parisians and visitors each day. So we wanted to share our guide to visiting Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann. We’re going to cover all the things you can do at Galeries Lafayette in Paris. You may be wondering what else there is to do at a department store other than shop. There are actually a lot of other things you can do here including learning how to bake macarons, joining a guided history and architecture tour, having lunch, attending a fashion show, taking French cooking classes, and admiring sweeping views over Paris. My first visit to Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann was in 2012 and we’ve visited several times since then. We’ve shopped, ate,… Read the rest
Allbirds Review: The Best Shoes for Travel?
Finding comfortable, lightweight, and stylish travel shoes can be difficult, and last year Laurence and I were very pleased to discover Allbirds shoes. Allbirds is a New Zealand-American company that specializes in producing sustainable shoes and apparel for both men and women. Their goal is to make the world’s most comfortable shoes that are not only comfy but also sustainable and versatile. Allbirds is probably best known because of their commitment to environmental sustainability and their use of natural materials like wool and eucalyptus in their shoes. They are also known for their minimalist style and for having their wool shoes being dubbed as the world’s most comfortable shoe. Their wool sneakers soon become a popular shoe choice for many Californian tech entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley. But Allbirds shoes also make perfect travel shoes as we have come to find out. They are a great combination of being lightweight, comfortable,… Read the rest
Guide to Visiting the Titanic Belfast & Other Titanic Sites in Belfast
Belfast and the Titanic will forever be linked together in history. It was in Belfast that the RMS Titanic would be designed, built, tested, and launched out to sea. In 1912, she was the world’s largest and most luxurious ship. However, it would be the ship’s tragic sinking on her maiden voyage, rather than her construction, that would make the Titanic famous around the world. Although the world’s most famous ship may lie at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean, you can still find close links to the ship in Belfast today. You can visit the Titanic Belfast, which is a large visitor attraction that tells the story of the RMS Titanic from her design and construction to the sinking and its aftermath. It is located next to where the Titanic was built and is the largest attraction in the world dedicated to the story of the Titanic. It has… Read the rest
Historic Route 66 Motels & Hotels: Where to Stay along Route 66
Historic Route 66 runs from Chicago to Santa Monica and is a popular driving route for those wanting to explore a diverse stretch of America. The route is particularly known for its historic motels, neon signs, scenic vistas, and vintage diners. If you are planning to road trip across this fabled highway, you may be wanting to spend the night at some of the historic Route 66 motels and hotels. We know from our readers that it can be time-consuming and difficult to find and choose historic Route 66 motels along the route. So we’ve done it for you, providing a list of over 50 historic Route 66 motels and hotels along the route with information and booking details for each one. We’ve also created a Route 66 motels map with all the recommended lodging options to make it easier to plan your trip. We focus on historical lodging options… Read the rest
Gifts for Travelers – Travel Gifts Made in the USA
Wondering what gift to buy that traveler in your life? Today we wanted to highlight some great gift ideas for travelers in a gift guide that focus only on products made in the United States of America. Many people want to shop local and support local businesses. As an American, I wanted to do an article focused on travel products made in the USA. I love supporting and highlighting American businesses, particularly small businesses, that make their products in the U.S. In this post, we’ll highlight a number of American companies that make products that could be ideal gifts for travelers. These include a wide range of products, including travel accessories, luggage, clothing, National Parks passes, travel-inspired jewelry, pet travel products, water bottles, home decor, and travel journals. We include American made products that should suit just about any travel lover on your list, from the budget backpacker to the… Read the rest
Plum Guide Review: A New Alternative to Airbnb?
Plum Guide is a relatively new vacation rental website that offers a curated selection of vacation homes and apartments that can be booked online. The company launched in 2016 and is based in London. Plum Guide currently lists over 12,000 holiday homes on its website, with properties located in a number of popular destinations worldwide. We often stay in vacation rentals when we travel, especially if we’re staying for more than a couple of nights in the same place. There are lots of benefits to staying in a vacation rental versus a traditional hotel. A vacation rental can offer more privacy, more social distancing, the option to cook your own meals, laundry facilities, private outdoor space, and the ability to stay in a more local neighborhood. We’ve used a lot of websites to book vacation homes around the world, so we were excited to try a new one. We had… Read the rest
7 Travel Tips for Bath Lovers
If you prefer taking a bath rather than a shower, then you may enjoy these travel tips for bath lovers! I personally really love the experience of slipping into a bath while traveling. Soaking in a bath can be a fantastic experience after an exhausting day of sightseeing or hiking. It can also give you a chance to enjoy a pampering spa experience without the cost of a day at the spa. You may also be looking for accommodation with a bathtub for more practical reasons. For example, families may prefer hotels with bathtubs to be able to bathe young children. Others may seek a bathtub due to medical needs or mobility issues. I personally like to read books in the bath and find it really relaxing. But I also like baths because I find they are better for my dry skin and allow me to add eczema treatments to… Read the rest
Isle of Raasay Travel Guide: Top Things to do on Raasay
The Isle of Raasay is an island off the west coast of Scotland which is part of the Inner Hebrides. Although overshadowed by its much larger and more popular neighbor, the Isle of Skye, it is a great island to visit for hiking, cycling, kayaking, birdwatching, and getting away from the world. There are no big tourist attractions on the island, but the island offers a number of scenic walks, outdoor activities, and historical ruins. There is even a whisky distillery you can visit and tour on this little island! We’ve visited Raasay twice so far and have fallen in love with it. We first visited Raasay as a day trip from Skye in winter and really enjoyed our visit. So we had to come back in the Spring to spend more time on the island. We definitely recommend spending at least one night on the island to make the… Read the rest
Best Vacation Rental Websites: Where & How to Book Online
We’ve put together a list of some of the best vacation rental websites where you can book your dream holiday home, cabin, apartment, cottage, or villa. If you are looking for a self-catering stay for your next trip, we have you covered. Vacation rentals are a great option for travelers who want to have the conveniences of home at their travel destination. They offer more privacy than a hotel or bed-and-breakfast and can often be a less expensive lodging option, particularly for families and larger groups. Vacation rentals often offer travelers the option to cook their own food and do their own laundry, which can also help travelers save money. Vacation rentals come in all kinds of forms and can work for almost any budget and travel style, from budget backpackers looking for a bargain to family travelers looking for a good value stay to luxury travelers looking for 5-star… Read the rest
Guide to Attending the Château-d’Oex International Hot Air Balloon Festival in Switzerland
The Festival International de Ballons, or International Hot Air Balloon Festival, is the largest hot air ballooning event in Switzerland. It is held every year in the village of Château-d’Oex. The festival is known for its picturesque location in a valley of the Swiss Alps. The Festival International de Ballons is held each January over 9 days and features the daily launch of dozens of hot air balloons. The festival also includes air shows, flying competitions, mini balloon demonstrations, and a big night glow event. In addition to the balloon events, the festival also offers on-site family-friendly workshops, helicopter rides, balloon flights, exhibitors, and other entertainment. There are two unique features of this hot air ballooning festival. First, it is one of the few hot air balloon festivals that takes place during the winter. Second, it is one of the only festivals where you can see hot air balloons fly… Read the rest
Guide to the Best Travel Tripods 2022
Travel tripods are an essential tool for many travelers who want to improve their photography. A travel tripod can make it easier to capture better travel photos and allows for more creativity and advanced photography options. So we wanted to share our guide to the best travel tripods out there on the market today. As professional photographers, we travel nearly everywhere with a tripod for our photography, and we regard a travel tripod as a must-have item for any keen photographer—amateur or professional. Travel tripods come in a variety of sizes, materials, and shapes to fit just about any travel budget and style. From super compact mini tripods that can fit into a purse or day bag to heavy-duty professional travel tripods. We’ll help you find the best tripod for your next trip! Whether you are completely new to the idea of using a tripod or are a long-time tripod… Read the rest
2 Weeks in Turkey: The Perfect Turkey Itinerary
If you are planning a trip to Turkey, our 2 week Turkey itinerary will help you plan the perfect trip. Turkey is a large country, but if you have 14 days in Turkey you have time to explore many of the country’s most famous highlights. Our suggested 2 week Turkey itinerary includes visits to Istanbul, Cappadocia, Antalya, Fethiye, Pamukkale, Kuşadası, Ephesus, Troy, Çanakkale, Gallipoli, and Ankara. You’ll have time to explore Turkey’s most cosmopolitan cities, marvel at its ancient archaeological sites, relax on its beaches, shop at its traditional bazaars, visit several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and enjoy its scenic landscapes. The detailed day-by-day itinerary covers some of the most famous and iconic places in Turkey as well as some lesser known spots. Each day we provide a range of suggestions for what you might want to do to suit just about any person’s travel style, budget, and tastes. Activity… Read the rest
Coronavirus & Travel Resources
We don’t normally write about current events and had no intention of writing about COVID-19, or the coronavirus, on our blogs. But the coronavirus has taken over the news and is greatly impacting travel around the world. It is also causing a lot of fear, confusion, and chaos. Laurence and I are receiving daily emails and social media messages from readers about the coronavirus asking us for our advice. We are not experts about the coronavirus. We can’t tell you the risk of traveling to any specific destination or give you specific advice on your travel plans in regard to the coronavirus. Ultimately, all decisions about travel need to be made by you and your travel companions. Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation, scaremongering, and unreliable information out there about the coronavirus. This worries us as some people are making decisions based on inaccurate or unreliable information. So we… Read the rest