I think my wife is on to me. This was supposed to be a European vacation, and based up her selection of footwear and the number of dresses she brought, she was expecting museums, operas, cultural events and sidewalk cafes.
Is Symi the Most Beautiful Small Town in the World?
Is Symi, Greece, the most beautiful small town in the world?
12 Photos of Cappadocia – A Magical Land with some Naughty Rock Formations
Here is a recipe for an incredible travel destination: Start with a whimsical, fairy-tale landscape of hoodoos, ravines, valleys, and crazy rock formations. Add in a series of 2000-year-old underground cities, places where Christians took refuge during times of war with the Arabs, Persians and […]
A Photo Tour of Istanbul, or Expect More Negative Posts in the Future
I was on the rooftop lounge of our guesthouse, looking out over a rain-soaked Istanbul, when I put the final touches on a post called On Not Falling in Love With Istanbul. Shortly thereafter, the rain subsided, the sun came out, and the wind changed […]
On Not Falling in Love with Istanbul
In order to fall in love, the timing must be right. Conditions must be perfect. Love is a fickle, volatile thing.
9 Pre-Trip Expectations of Turkey, Greece and Italy
When this post goes live, I will be somewhere in the air on the way to Istanbul. At least I hope to be. If the Bells get on the wrong airplane like this couple, we could end up on the wrong continent. We have about […]
How I’ve Changed as a Traveler, or The Cognitive Dissonance of a Flashpacker
I remember checking into a hostel in Copenhagen in 2001 and thinking I might have accidentally checked into a homeless shelter.
Top 20 Photos of Alaska from the Fall of 2013
It never gets old. This is my ninth autumn in Alaska, and this place still blows my mind.
Why Do People Behave So Stupidly Around Wild Animals?
Avoid horny, 800-pound girls. This is one personal rule that has always served me well in life. Evidently, some people don’t think like I do.
Staying Up All Night for 6 Minutes of Awesomeness
On August 25th the night skies over Denali National Park were ablaze with the Aurora Borealis. I know this because the next day at work everyone said, “Did you see the AMAZING northern lights show last night? It was AWESOME!”
The Elusive, Ever-Present Moose (Updated)
I see moose all the time. I run into them seemingly every time I drive anywhere. I am frequently delayed by tourists who have pulled half off the road and are clicking away furiously (usually with a totally inadequate point and shoot camera) at a […]
What it is Like to Stay in a Hostel – An Illustrated Account
Before I got married, I used to stay in the cheapest dorms possible. Cleanliness, safety, and character took a backseat to price.
Planet Bell 