Go Backpacking

Four months into a trip through South America, a long-term traveler can suddenly find their bank has flagged them as fraud. There may be no warning. The card is declined at the counter, the app refuses to open, and the only option is a phone number that does not accept calls from outside the account's country.

Backpacker on her phone at a hostel in Varanasi, India.

Venice can make budget travelers feel like they're doing something wrong. Follow the signs, and you'll end up where the crowds are thickest and prices highest. A quick visit can make the city feel like a beautiful obstacle course instead of a place worth slowing down for.

Vaporetto crossing the lagoon near San Giorgio Maggiore. Photo: f9photos/iStock

The...

Charleston lingered on my travel wish list for years. The city's historic architecture, tempting restaurants, and that breezy waterfront always called to me. Add in the convenience of a direct flight from Austin, and it seemed like the ideal place for a long weekend.

A pink historic home framed by palmetto trees and flowers near the Battery in Charleston.

When I ...

What's the difference between the dive centers in Koh Tao, Thailand? They all seem the same.

With over 80 dive centers on one small island, Koh Tao is one of the most competitive and confusing places in the world to get certified.

Divers receive a briefing aboard an LB Diving boat in Koh Tao.

In fact, every

A quick trip to Portugal can deliver postcard views, tiled streets, and remarkable meals. Staying for several weeks offers something different: time to notice the rhythm behind the attractions.

You can spot familiar faces at the market and take a day trip without rushing, and living like a local means traveling more slowly, following local routines, and leaving roo...