While I've been lucky enough to avoid certain travel nightmares like being robbed and ending up in the hospital, I've had my fair share of travel mishaps. Something that happens to me on nearly every trip is some sort of illness. It ranges from a quick stomach bug to bizarre allergic reactions. … [Read more...] about My Oddest Travel Ailments
nightmares
My Solo Travel Promise
I have a secret that I am ashamed to share, but I feel like I have to. I hear the terrible news about female travelers getting murdered, beaten or raped abroad. Their names are seared into my memory. I think, and others vocalize, "How did they get themselves into that situation?" As if it is … [Read more...] about My Solo Travel Promise
From Disaster to Surprise in Siena
It started with the words you never want to hear: "I'm sorry but we seem to have overbooked. We don't have a room for you." I was traveling by train through Italy with my parents, sisters, and grandmother in the summer of 2006 for Sammi's Sweet 16 trip. So far we had good luck, in Venice and … [Read more...] about From Disaster to Surprise in Siena
Big Scam on the Big Island
We'd had such good luck with accommodations on our trip, ranging from the luxury of The Edition Waikiki to the rustic charm of Waimea Plantation Cottages. But something had to go wrong, right? After staying in bigger resorts on Oahu, we opted for smaller hotels on the Big Island. We … [Read more...] about Big Scam on the Big Island
The One Where I Get Dysentery
There is nothing worse than being sick in a foreign country, even if it's one where everyone speaks English. I don't care what age you are, all you want is your mommy to take care of you. Without getting into any of the icky details, I've been feeling terrible the last couple of days. … [Read more...] about The One Where I Get Dysentery