Tucked away in the heart of the East Coast is a thriving lake region known for its food and wine. 

From tiny hole-in-the-wall spots, to three of the 50 best restaurants in the world, food is a big deal in Peru.

One of the greatest things about Peru is the diversity of the country, which extends to its cuisine. There are many specialty dishes in each region that you cannot find elsewhere in the country.

So, that photo you have seen all over the internet of hundreds of hot air balloons hovering over an alien landscape?  That's Cappadocia. This is your guide to making the most of your time in this mysterious place. 

Pack for a Purpose is a non-profit organization that provides travelers with the information they need to take supplies to local charities and projects. Using the extra space in their suitcase, travelers can bring supplies with them as a hostess gift to the community they are staying in!   

It is totally possible to see all of Harry Potter World in one day, and avoid long lines!

The parts of the town that travelers typically access are touristy. and expensive. and crowded. To truly appreciate the region, one must get out of town... literally.

Not many people give Ljubljana much time. Most people hop in for a quick night or two, and then train or bus to Zagreb, Pula, or Trieste.  No matter the length of time, you should enjoy all the wonderful things the city has to offer while you're there.

It is a town that completely caters to tourists. The shops sell tourist trinkets and there are several high-rise hotels. However, as soon as you have the town of Bled at your back and are facing the lake, none of that matters. The best parts of Bled have nothing to do with the town, and everything to do with the surrounding nature. 

Backpackers will tell you a trip to Southeast Asia isn't complete without driving a motorbike, and maybe that's true for them. Maybe it was the highlight of their trip. That's fine. That's GREAT. I'm glad you had nice trip!

If you stick to the classic Old Town Square -> Charles Bridge -> Prague Castle  -> Wenceslas Square route, you're basically visiting Disneyland. All of those attractions are beautiful, but infested with tourists. 

Although though it's undeniably magical, a "trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium" is easier said than done - the place is huge, crowded, and expensive. 

For the record, there is a huge difference between visiting a place and liking it, and actually imagining yourself living and working there. 

The days on my trip were numbered, so although I'd only spent three days Chiang Mai and loved it, it was already time to pack up to move on to my next destination. However, my new friend Charlie insisted I see the "Sticky Falls" before I left.

Portuguese wool was something I'd heard of before coming to the country, but not in the same way I'd heard about port, tiles, and little custard tarts. Wool wasn't at the top of my 'Things to Find While in Portugal' list. (Did you heard the part about custard tarts? I was busy.) That was until I discovered a tiny, beautiful wool shop in Porto. 

So, the question on top of everyone's minds - WHAT IS GOING ON WITH MY BOOK CLUB?

Don't worry folks! You'll sleep easy tonight. I have a book club update for you.

Hey, this may be a travel blog, but I am not Rick Steves.... and, for the record, I bet Rick Steves forgets his deodorant too. 

I am hitting the road in the name of exploration (for an exciting project come @ yinz soon)! 

However, after yesterday at the St. George Castle, I cannot be silent any longer. There are a few things I need to say to the people putting their lives at risk for the sake of pictures.

One of the things I grapple with when I think about my desires to travel and see the world, is the selfishness of it.  Chatting with Steve helped me reflect on the idea of doing more with your own dreams.