Borneo is one of those places you probably recognize from endless Animal Planet shows, National Geographic documentaries, and iconic images of orangutans swinging through the jungle. But actually visiting Borneo, especially the Malaysian state of Sabah, is a very different experience than watching it on a screen. If you’re considering planning a trip (which I […]

This year, I boarded my first scuba diving liveaboard in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. I’ve been diving for 15 years, but the idea of being stuck in tight quarters at sea with no escape never appealed to me—until the temptations of a manta ray citizen science project at one of the most spectacular dive sites […]

When I got the itch to leave my 2-month stay in Bali to explore somewhere with a few less juice bars and volcano-screaming spiritual gurus, my curiosity nudged me toward Taiwan. It’s sometimes overlooked by tourists in Asia, and I didn’t have a plan—no Pinterest board, must eat, or must do list. But after a […]

When you visit Hakodate, Japan, there are so many things that you don’t want to miss: meandering through the red-brick warehouse district, taking a walking tour of the European-style churches, sipping your way through the surprisingly solid craft beer scene, visiting Fine Days Burger, and riding the gondola up to Mt. Hakodate for that famous […]

Osaka buzzes with energy at all hours, and if you’re anything like me, you want to stay close to the action, but not in the middle of a tourist stampede. So if you’re wondering where to stay in Osaka, you’re in the right place! These three neighborhoods are the best of both worlds: character, killer […]

Looking for unique places to visit in Japan for nature? Known as Japan’s “Lemon Island,” Setoda is a small, charming town on the island of Ikuchijima off of Hiroshima. It’s a refreshing escape from Japan’s crowded cities, with citrus-scented breezes, seaside cycling paths, lemon groves, mom-and-pop cafes, coastal hiking, and plenty of ryokans. It’s best […]

Is Japan expensive? It’s certainly trendy (which usually comes with a price tag), but it’s no wonder why– of all the countries that I’ve visited, my first visit to Japan in caught me off guard the most. I fell in love with what once seemed like a fishy (I’m not a fish eater), tacky, and […]

UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2025 Visiting Disney theme parks in the United States can be a headache- an expensive headache. So if you love Disney parks in the USA and are thinking about visiting Japan, you may be wondering, “how much does Tokyo DisneySea cost?” or if it’s simpler to plan than visiting a Disney park in […]