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25 Cool Things To Do In Edinburgh: Scotland's Quirky Capital

September 26, 2018 by Matthew Karsten

Edinburgh Scotland Things to Do

Discover the best things to do in Edinburgh Scotland to help plan your trip!

How I Became Irish: Citizenship By Descent (Getting An EU Passport!)

September 25, 2018 by Matthew Karsten

Irish Passport

Americans with Irish relatives are eligible for Irish Citizenship and an EU passport. Enabling visa-free living & working in Europe.

25 Fun Things To Do In Dublin, Ireland

September 5, 2018 by Matthew Karsten

Things To Do In Dublin

The city of Dublin is known for its charming streets, colorful doorways, live music and historic architecture. Here are some of the best things to do in Dublin that you won't want to miss!

Liked To Death: Is Instagram & Social Media Ruining Travel?

August 20, 2018 by Matthew Karsten

Instagram Tourism Impact

The massive growth of Instagram, social media, and travel blogs in recent years has had a profound impact on how we travel. Not all of it positive. Has travel changed forever?

17 Important Tips For Driving In Iceland On A Road Trip

August 3, 2018 by Matthew Karsten

Tips For Driving in Iceland

Ready for an epic road trip driving in Iceland? Renting a car is the best way to experience this beautiful country. But there are a few things you should know before you start your adventure.

Exploring Chefchaouen: Blue Pearl Of Morocco

July 4, 2018 by Matthew Karsten

Chefchaouen Morocco Travel Guide

Welcome to Chefchaouen, the blue city of Morocco. It's famous for all the houses and shops painted different shades of blue. A magical place to explore with your camera!

Best Lightweight Travel Tripods For Photographers (Complete Guide)

June 14, 2018 by Matthew Karsten

Tripods are a fixture of a good travel photographer’s tool kit. If you’re looking for the best travel tripod, here are the top lightweight tripods for capturing stunning landscapes around the world.

15 Photos That Will Make You Want To Visit Tanzania!

April 22, 2018 by Matthew Karsten

Check out this collection of my favorite photos from our safari trip in Tanzania. We managed to see all big five safari animals, hiked to a beautiful waterfall, and met with local tribes.

How To Survive Cold Weather Like A Polar Explorer

April 3, 2018 by Matthew Karsten

It's -16 degrees fahrenheit outside, and we're pitching tents on a thick layer of hardened ice, preparing for a night of extreme cold weather conditions. Welcome to polar expedition training!

10 Fun Things To Do On The Big Island Of Hawaii (Travel Itinerary)

February 18, 2018 by Matthew Karsten

Big Island Kealakekua Bay

Discover the best things to do on the Big Island of Hawaii to help plan your trip!

Boundary Waters Canoe Area: Paddling Into The Wild

January 20, 2018 by Matthew Karsten

If you're looking to get away, unwind, and reconnect with nature, you really can't beat a backcountry canoe trip into Minnesota's pristine Boundary Waters Canoe Area.

The Best Travel Cameras (And How To Choose One)

November 26, 2017 by Matthew Karsten

Best Travel Cameras

Looking for the best travel camera? After years of travel, here's my detailed guide to compact travel cameras - with options for any budget.

Travel Vaccination Guide: Which Shots Do You Need?

November 19, 2017 by Matthew Karsten

Travel Shots

Planning to travel overseas in the next few months? You may want to think about travel vaccinations. Learn which shots you may need for which countries, and how to save money on them.

15 Awesome Things To Do In Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula

October 25, 2017 by Matthew Karsten

Things to do in the Yucatan

Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula features tropical beaches, wildlife, ancient Mayan ruins, the famous Riviera Maya, and much more.

30 Best Travel Books To Fuel Your Wanderlust

October 15, 2017 by Matthew Karsten

Top Travel Books

These are some of the best travel books ever (in my opinion). If you're looking for travel inspiration, you can't go wrong with this wonderful collection of travel stories & helpful guides.

Ultimate Travel Guide To Cuba

September 4, 2017 by Matthew Karsten

Cuba Travel Guide and Tips

Plan your trip to Cuba with my ultimate travel guide — featuring Cuba travel tips, example costs, things to do, where to stay, when to go, and more.

Why Is Asheville North Carolina So Cool? (Plus Things To Do!)

August 11, 2017 by Matthew Karsten

Asheville Blue Ridge Parkway

Why is Asheville North Carolina so cool? With a relaxed bohemian vibe and adventurous spirit, there are all kinds of fun things to do there too! Great food, live music, and the Blue Ridge Parkway nearby.

Iceland's Amazing Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon (Travel Guide)

July 30, 2017 by Matthew Karsten

Jokulsarlon Lagoon in Iceland

Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon in Iceland is full of broken icebergs, streaked blue and black while floating with the tide. Here are my tips for visiting this incredible place!

How I Saved Money For Travel (You Don't Need To Be Rich)

May 28, 2017 by Matthew Karsten

Save Money For A Trip

Want to travel the world for a while? Or just take an epic vacation? Here's my guide on how to save money for traveling.

Trinidad Cuba Travel Guide: A Beautiful Colonial City

March 7, 2017 by Matthew Karsten

Trinidad Cuba Travel Tips

Trinidad is Cuba's best preserved colonial city, a unique mix of 1850's architecture & 1950's cars that feels frozen in time. Check out some of my favorite things to do in Trinidad.

How To Provide Proof Of Onward Travel (Weird Flying Rule)

January 23, 2017 by Matthew Karsten

Proof Of Onward Travel Tips

Planning to travel internationally on a one-way flight? Some countries require proof of onward travel first. Here's how to get it.

Swimming With Whale Sharks In Mexico (They're HUGE!)

January 15, 2017 by Matthew Karsten

holbox whale sharks

Swimming with whale sharks is an underwater adventure I've wanted to try for years. I finally took the plunge, and swam alongside these gentle giants in Mexico!

Rio Secreto: Exploring Mexico's Underground Rivers & Caves

January 1, 2017 by Matthew Karsten

Rio Secreto Cavern

Hiking in waist-deep water through dark caves at Rio Secreto, we turned a corner to discover a massive cavern decorated with incredible stalactites all over the ceiling.

How To Visit Afghanistan's Wakhan Corridor (Safety, Visas, Cost)

December 6, 2016 by Matthew Karsten

Wakham trakking matt

In August 2016 I traveled through Afghanistan for two weeks, an American backpacking across the beautiful Pamir mountains in the Wakhan Corridor. This is how I did it.

Practical Advice For Students Who Dream Of Traveling

October 31, 2016 by Matthew Karsten

classroom

World travel is possible at any age. However the best time to travel is when you're young. Here are some tips for students who want to start traveling as soon as possible.

The Unbelievable Pink Lakes Of Las Coloradas In Mexico

October 20, 2016 by Matthew Karsten

Las Coloradas Pink Lakes

Hidden away on the tip of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula is a magical place full of color. These stunning cotton-candy pink lakes filled with salt are called Las Coloradas.

Driving The Scottish Highlands: Mountains, Lochs, and Glens!

October 10, 2016 by Matthew Karsten

Scottish Highlands Travel Guide

My tips & example itinerary for exploring the best of the Scottish Highlands on a road trip.

20 Useful Travel Photography Tips For Improving Your Photos

September 25, 2016 by Matthew Karsten

Useful Travel Photography Tips

Want to improve your travel photography? I’ve spent 10-years shooting photos in exotic locations around the world. Here are my top tips!

The Isle Of Skye: Scotland's Land Of Fairies (Road Trip Guide)

August 14, 2016 by Matthew Karsten

Isle of Skye Travel Guide

The Isle of Skye’s dramatic landscapes are some of the most scenic in Scotland. The best way to experience its epic mountains, waterfalls, and sea cliffs is on a road trip.

An Epic Helicopter Flight Over Manhattan (New York City)

June 23, 2016 by Matthew Karsten

nyc Helicopter Feet XL

One of the best ways to see New York City is by air, and this scenic helicopter flight company lets you dangle your feet over famous Manhattan landmarks for amazing photos!

The Best Travel Shirt I’ve Ever Worn

June 18, 2016 by Matthew Karsten

hobox ably shirt

It’s not often I get excited about clothing. But this amazing new cotton shirt can repel liquid/stains, is quick drying, and super comfortable too! It's perfect for adventure travel.

Horseback Riding & Cuban Tobacco Farms In Viñales

May 29, 2016 by Matthew Karsten

Vinales Cuba Travel Guide

Riding through endless fields of green tobacco and fertile red soil in Viñales, we passed local farmers harvesting the leaves that would become Cuba's world famous cigars.

Lofoten Islands Road Trip: Winter Photography Guide

May 16, 2016 by Matthew Karsten

Lofoten Hamnoy Village XL

Norway's remote Lofoten Islands provide the perfect setting for incredible photography opportunities, with soft winter light and majestic mountain landscapes rising from the sea.

How To Travel To Cuba: The Ultimate Guide For Americans

April 25, 2016 by Matthew Karsten

Travel to Cuba for Americans

Thinking of traveling to Cuba? The new rules are confusing, but it's still possible. Learn how to travel to Cuba as an American with my free guide!

40 Best Travel Jobs To Make Money Traveling The World

March 29, 2016 by Matthew Karsten

Travel Jobs Featured

The best travel jobs allow you to earn income while exploring the world. Here are real-life examples of people living the dream - making money traveling abroad around the world.

Coba Mayan Ruins In Mexico (You Can Climb Them!)

March 10, 2016 by Matthew Karsten

From the top of Coba's ancient pyramid, the jungle looks like a living green carpet. The Mayan Ruins of Coba are one of my favorite archaeological sites in Mexico's Yucatan.

How To Use Your iPhone GPS For Hiking In The Wilderness

February 29, 2016 by Matthew Karsten

phone and mountain landscape

Would you be surprised if I told you my favorite piece of backpacking gear is my smartphone? I love using my iPhone's GPS for hiking in the wilderness. Here's why.

My Experience Studying Spanish In Guatemala

January 28, 2016 by Matthew Karsten

San Pedro Spanish School XL

While traveling through Guatemala I spent 3 weeks taking Spanish classes and staying with a local family on Lake Atitlan. Here's a rundown of my experience.

Visiting Ireland's Amazing Cliffs Of Moher

January 21, 2016 by Matthew Karsten

Cliffs of Moher in Ireland

A cold wind blows as I walk along the legendary Cliffs of Moher. Ireland's most famous landmark rises dramatically out of the ocean, waves crashing into rocks far below.

Packing & Planning For The Arctic Circle Trail

January 13, 2016 by Matthew Karsten

arctic circle trail packing

Preparing to hike Greenland's Arctic Circle Trail? Here are some useful tips for packing and planning your trek based on my Greenland adventure in August 2015.

Finding My Roots In Ireland: Family Genealogy Road Trip

December 15, 2015 by Matthew Karsten

Family Cliffs of Moher XL

It only took me 34 years to visit my family's ancestral homeland of Ireland. Joined by my parents & sister, we traveled to the Emerald Isle to research our history.

Fantasy Fest In Key West (Florida's Wild Street Festival!)

November 25, 2015 by Matthew Karsten

Fantasy Fest Key West

Fantasy Fest is a wild 10-day costume party in Key West, FL. Here's everything you wanted to know about this awesome celebration!

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HI! I'M MATT

Travel blogger, digital nomad, and American expat living abroad in France. Join me & my family as we share useful travel tips from 10 years traveling around the world.

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