Travel Resources
Traveling with Older Parents
Our trip to Yellowstone with our parents was recently featured in Nextavenue, a nonprofit digital journalism platform for older adults produced by Twin Cities PBS. Click on the photograph to check out this well-written article by Rosie Williams!
Books
When preparing for a trip, I like to read and listen to not only guidebooks, but also to historical fiction and nonfiction books related to my destination. When I am not traveling, I like to live vicariously through the travels of others. Use the link below to purchase books in kindle form! I only recommend services and product I have used and love! Be aware that I may receive commission if you click my links to these services or products!
General/Multi-Continent
Cracking the Code on Travel
by David Adler
An invaluable resource with tons of websites, tips, and tricks on budget travel.
The No Excuse Travel Guide
by Philipp Gloeckl &
Kathy Tosolt
An inspirational book to get you started.
Travel as a Political Act
by Rick Steves
-One of my favorite books. It is hard not to like this guy as he reads his book in an elementary schoolteacher tone and cadence. He provides sophisticated, researched, and well thought out analyses of political climates in historical context. I learned so much from this book and have read it three times so far.
Don't Go There
by Adam Fletcher
Learn about strange and interesting places such as North Korea, Chernobyl, and Liberland while laughing your butt off.
Don't Come Back
by Adam Fletcher
The author is a hilarious storyteller and regales us with stories from South Africa, Cuba, and Indonesia.
Braver Than You Think: Around the World on the Trip of my (Mother's) Lifetime
by Maggie Downs
All Over the Place: Adventures in Travel, True Love, and Petty Theft
by Geraldine DeRuiter
World Travel: An Irreverent Guide
by Anthony Bourdain
I have read and love all of his books.
Ten Years a Nomad: A Traveler's Journey Home
by Matthew Kepnes
Travel guru and famous travel blogger Nomadic Matt shares travel stories and more.
Don't Need the Whole Dog
by Tony James Slater
Another installment in this hilarious guy’s travel series
Africa
The Daughters and Spirit of Harriet
Mirthell Bayliss Bazemore
You can read a brief summary of my first trip to Africa with my dad here.
Asia
Shave my Spider: A Six-Month Adventure Around Borneo, Vietnam, Mongolia, China, Laos, and Cambodia
by Tony James Slater
Take Off Your Shoes
by Ben Feder
A businessman takes his family on sabbatical to Bali and shares his travels as a transformational experience.
Snowing in Bali
by Kathryn Bonella
An exploration of the drug trade and seedy underbelly of Bali.
Additional Reviews and Resources
Here are some websites, podcasts, and apps that I use when researching potential destinations and planning my travel.
This is a comprehensive guide to developing your points strategy. It teaches you how to maximize your value to travel in luxury for less money. Provides excellent, in depth reviews of all things travel-related.
I always use tripadvisor when planning, to read real user reviews and find accommodations not available on the major websites, as well as tours and destination overviews.
I always read about ships and ports of call on this website, and also use it to keep abreast of cruise news.
Similar to The Points Guy in being an excellent resource; slightly different tones.
To help you choose the perfect seat on your flights and read reviews about select seats and flights. I always check out my seat before selecting it, and I always select it!
I use the app to plan my time in airports.
One of the better search engines for flights
Great site for finding affordable small group tours at great prices
Private tours can be a more expensive option, but it is awesome to have a local “friend” to take you around and personalize your experience.
YouTube
Best Ever Food Review Show
Bottom Line Up Front
Drew Binsky
TV Shows
Anthony Bourdain- Parts Unknown, No Reservations
An Idiot Abroad
International Living magazine and website for inspiration and information about retiring early overseas
Podcasts
What About Vietnam
History of Portugal
Practical Wanderlust
Cruise Tips TV
Outfitters I Have Used In The Past:
John Barbian
Favorite cruise travel agent. John has a website called “Physician Travel Guide.” [email protected]
Omar
Licensed tour guide and mountaineer in Morocco, Omar took great care of us during and after our trek: https://www.facebook.com/omar.arawi
Tuscany Experience Tours
Andrea Natali. www.tuscanyexperiencetours.com
Naipenda Safaris
I used them for my first safari in Tanzania with my Dad
The Longest Way Home
Awesome site for travel planning and excellent travel photography. www.thelongestwayhome.com
Scenic River Cruises
We took a cruise down the Danube on this elegant cruise line
PK Travel
We used them for a tour in Athens, Greece www.pktravelgreece.com
Royal Caribbean
is our cruise line of choice www.royalcaribbean.com
Mountain Gurus
www.mountaingurus.com for our trek through the High Atlas Mountains
Culinary Backstreets
www.culinarybackstreets.com for insider food tours in several countries
Journey Smiths
journeysmiths.co.uk has prepared several bespoke, high end tours for us in Vietnam, Thailand, Botswana, and Peru
Tours in Istanbul
www.toursinistanbul.com is a wonderful, personalized agency that provides private tours in Turkey at excellent prices.