Montenegro is one of those countries that completely exceeded my expectations. Before visiting, I knew about the Bay of Kotor, but I hadn’t realized how much variety was packed into such a small country. One day I was wandering medieval streets beside the Adriatic, and the next I was driving through dramatic mountain scenery that felt a … Read more

Croatia was one of those countries that was even more diverse than I expected.Before visiting, I knew about Dubrovnik, the Adriatic islands, and the beautiful coastline. What I didn’t realize was how quickly the scenery changes. One day I was wandering through centuries-old walled cities beside the sea, and the next I was standing beside turquoise … Read more

I lived in Romania for 5 years, and during that time, I grew to love this beautiful country. I first arrived with little knowledge and fewer expectations. All I knew was of castles and Dracula legends, but I discovered so much more. Romania consists of beautifully preserved medieval towns, painted monasteries that have survived for centuries, … Read more

After three trips to Australia, including living there for 6 years, I’ve explored everywhere from Sydney and tropical reefs and remote coastlines.I’ve found the places that rarely make it onto the typical tourist itinerary. Every region feels different, and that’s one of the things I love most about Australia.These are the 15 places that have … Read more

Australia’s coastline seems endless, and no matter how many beaches I visit, I always leave with a longer list of places I still want to see.Some of these beaches surprised me. Some completely lived up to the hype. Others were places I simply didn’t want to leave. After living in Australia for 6 years and exploring … Read more

Australia is one of the few countries where the journey often becomes more memorable than the destination. I lived here for six years and managed to travel around the entire country twice!Some of my favorite Australian travel experiences were pulling over at an unexpected lookout, watching landscapes slowly change through the windshield, or realizing I’ve … Read more

Malaysia is one of the biggest travel surprises I’ve experienced in Southeast Asia. I expected a convenient stop between Thailand and Singapore, but I found amazing food, lush rainforests, beautiful islands, historic towns, and a modern city that rivals any in Asia. It remains one of the region’s most underrated destinations, which is exactly why I … Read more

Before visiting Greece, I thought I knew exactly what the country would be like. Ancient ruins, blue-domed churches, and beautiful islands. While all of those things are certainly here, what surprised me most was how varied Greece actually is. I found mountain villages, dramatic coastlines, incredible food, and some of the most memorable landscapes I’ve experienced … Read more

New Zealand packs an incredible amount of scenery into a surprisingly small country. During my travels, I found glaciers, fjords, volcanic landscapes, ancient forests, and some of the most beautiful coastlines I’ve ever seen. What surprised me most was how dramatically the scenery changed from one region to the next. If you’re planning a trip, these are … Read more

Finland surprised me more than almost any country I’ve ever visited.Before I arrived, I pictured endless forests, quiet lakes, and long winters. I found all of those things, but I also discovered medieval castles, colorful wooden towns, unforgettable saunas, and one of my favorite capital cities in Northern Europe.The more I explored, the more Finland … Read more