Stories
Personal travel stories, interviews, and life lessons from the road.
5918 articles · Page 394 of 494
Reader Story: How Erin Readjusted to Life After Two Years of Global Volunteering
A candid reflection on reverse culture shock, identity shift, and rebuilding life after a transformative two-year sabbatical traveling and volunteering across 62 countries.
How Tourists Damage Destinations — And What Travelers Can Do About It
Explore how unsustainable tourist behavior fuels overtourism, environmental harm, and cultural erosion — plus practical ways travelers can vote with their dollars for responsible tourism.
Interview with Lee Abbamonte: Youngest American to Visit Every Country
An in-depth interview with Lee Abbamonte, the youngest American to visit all 195+ countries — covering his Wall Street exit, record-breaking journey, Libya during the Gaddafi uprising, and life after the ultimate travel goal.
How to Volunteer Abroad Ethically: A Practical Guide for Responsible Travelers
Learn how to choose ethical volunteer opportunities abroad—avoiding harm, supporting real community needs, and traveling with integrity.
What Happens When an Airplane Loses Cabin Pressure Mid-Flight
A firsthand account of sudden cabin decompression, oxygen mask deployment, and emergency descent — plus what you need to know about in-flight safety.
Solo Female Traveler Sold Everything to Explore Australia and Asia
Trish, a former UK teacher, sold her home and possessions to travel the world on £10,000. Discover her budget strategies, cultural insights, and life-changing journey across Australasia and Southeast Asia.
What 'Destroyed Argentina' Really Means: A Traveler’s Honest Account
How a trip labeled 'destroyed Argentina' revealed resilience, not ruin—what to expect, how to travel responsibly, and what locals wish visitors knew.
When Solo Travel Ends: A Journey from Wanderer to Settled Explorer
A reflective travel essay on transitioning from years of solo backpacking to embracing home, community, and shared adventures — without giving up travel.
How a 22-Year-Old Saved $18,000 for Solo Travel Around the World
Inspiring story of a young woman who saved $18k for long-term solo travel — proving age, gender, and budget aren’t barriers to global adventure.
The Day I Quit My Job to Travel the World
A reflective personal story about leaving corporate life behind to pursue long-term travel — the doubts, decisions, and emotional weight of choosing freedom over security.
Travel Is Personal: Why Your Journey Doesn’t Need Validation
Travel isn't about checking boxes or proving authenticity—it's about joy, choice, and meaning for you. Discover why your itinerary, pace, and preferences are perfectly valid.
Boxing in a Bar Ring on Ko Phi Phi: A Spontaneous Travel Memory
A lighthearted, personal story of impromptu boxing with a stranger on Thailand’s Ko Phi Phi — fueled by cheap buckets, backpacker camaraderie, and post-tsunami island energy.