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Carnivals from around the world - Venice and Rio de Janeiro

10 unique Carnival traditions around the world

10 unique carnival / masquerade traditions around the world Lent is coming up quickly, and with it the colorful Carnival celebrations around the world. Also known as Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, masquerades, and bacchanals, Carnival is traditionally an indulgent and hedonistic holiday...

Best Travel Blogs for WordPress 2018 edition

Best WordPress Themes for Travel Bloggers (2018 edition)

Did you make a resolution to start a blog this year? Or maybe give your website a much-needed update? Check out these travel blog themes! I’ve been obsessed with blog themes for over 11 years (since WordPress came out!) I remember looking through the theme store with my mom when I was 17...

Bulgarian Troyan Pottery for sale outside Bachkovo Monastery

History of a craft: traditional Bulgarian Troyan Pottery

Bulgaria is a country full of surprises. I wasn’t expecting to find much of an art scene there, but I was pleasantly surprised, particularly by Bulgarian pottery. I was enchanted by the tradition Troyan pottery. Dazzling patterns in soothing colors dance across solid oven-ready ceramics...

Best Travel Books of 2017

The 10 best travel books I read in 2017

It’s the end of the year, and time to reflect on the year past and plan for the year ahead. I am very pleased to report I knocked my Goodreads goal of 30 books for 2017 out of the park (I read 40!). Should I stretch myself in 2018 and aim for a book a week? Anyhow, it’s time to share some...

Rila Monastery, Bulgaria

How to get to the Rila Monastery in Bulgaria

During my summer visit to Bulgaria this year, I knew I had to make my way to the stunning Rila Monastery. I had seen images circling all around social media of the beautiful Eastern Orthodox monastery colorful frescoes. I was worried it might be a tourist trap, but it was stunningly...

Rockefeller Center Christmas

NYC Guide to the Holiday Season (on a budget)

New York during the holidays is magical. New York during the holidays is crowded. New York during the holidays can be miserable if you’re not careful. Avoid a New York Christmas nightmare with the right gameplan. There’s nothing in the world like seeing the first snow of the...

Lucha Libre Masks

How to see a Lucha Libre show in Mexico City

Introduction to lucha libre Lucha libre, or free fights, started in Mexico in the mid 1800s, derived from Greco-Roman wrestling. The first masked luchador stepped into the ring in 1942 (El Santo), and his mystique captivated the public interest so much that the masked form we know today...

Tenango embroidery Otomi design

History of a trend: Otomi embroidery and patterns

I’m putting together a series on design trends! I love learning about the history of trends and exploring the folk art that often serves as the inspiration. This week I’ve been reading about Otomi embroidery. As someone in the US, I often see trends come and go without any...