100+ Countries in a Lifetime. Interviewing Lisa Niver Rajna.

Lisa Niver Rajna has, to date, traveled to well over 100 countries. She has journeyed by land across vast portions of Asia covering Indonesia to Mongolia, toured Israel as a teen, taken the highest zipline on the planet while visiting Puerto Rico, and lived solely off vegetarian food while in India (a great way to avoid food poisoning she tells us!). She quotes the...

Tips For Traveling With Pets On Planes

Tips For Traveling With Pets On Planes The prospect of bringing your pet aboard a commercial flight may sound like a nightmare!  The idea of leaving your most vulnerable family member at home, however, is often unthinkable, and it is becoming more common for pets to travel in the passenger cabin on international and domestic flights! In fact, it is estimated that 2...

The Time I Became a Burn Victim in the Galapagos Islands.

Upon our arrival in the Galapagos Islands we instantly hit the beach. We packed our towels, wet-suits, snorkel gear, suntan lotion, umbrellas and hats, and headed straight for a day of responsible sun, sand and surf.

We snorkeled close enough to touch enormous sea turtles, were slapped around under water by playful sea lions, and swam through schools of sharks, rare coral, and colorful fish while blue footed boobies and frigatebirds circled overhead. At the end of the day we collapsed onto the beach next to an equally as exhausted sea lion, enjoying an afternoon nap under the warmth of the fierce Equatorial sun.

That day I made one tragic error in judgement which left me with severe burns.

An Ultimate Escape at Sanibel Harbour Marriott Resort & Spa.

An Ultimate Escape at Sanibel Harbour Marriott Resort & Spa We kicked off our shoes and put up our feet, letting the soothing sound of the waves and smell of fresh ocean air wash over us. The sun was setting in a spectacular fashion over Sanibel Harbour, and, with chocolate martini in hand, we had unlocked the perfect combination for an ultimate escape. The sky...

My New York TV & Movie Sites Tour

What do the films Vanilla Sky, Captain America, Glee, Friends with Benefits & New Years Eve all have in common? What about Sleepless in Seattle, King Kong, How I Met Your Mother, Elf, Independence Day & Gossip Girl?  The first all featured famous scenes in New York City’s Times Square. The second set shot scenes on location at the Empire State Building...

What it Takes to Leave Your Comfort Zone & Move to a Foreign Country

For those of us who grew up with the spoils and comforts of the Western world, there is often little or no reason to relocate our entire lives to a place thousands of miles from home; especially if we have limited understanding of the local culture, cannot speak the language, and may have only visited for a few weeks or months prior to the move.

But there is something about traveling to a foreign land, learning local customs and behaviors, meeting amazing people and leaving with a greater understanding of yourself that only those who have been through the same experience will understand.

In my opinion, it is something everyone must do in their life. Although, if you’re reading this blog, chances are you know this already!

Highlights From a Year of Traveling and Blogging

Highlights From a Year of Traveling and Blogging A year ago today, as the clock struck midnight, I excitedly raced home to hit the official launch button on a little site called Mapping Megan. My goal was, that if I could create something which would inspire others to travel the world; create something which would eventually help fund my travels, it would be a dream...

Italy: Where to Go, What to Eat & How to Fit In!

If anyone knows Italy it’s Gigi Griffis. A world traveling entrepreneur and writer with a special love for inspiring stories, Gigi has been traveling full time with her pint-sized pooch in tow since 2012.  For over two years now she has been snuggling her puppy against a backdrop of sandy Mexican beaches, cobbled Italian squares, pretty French bistros, and...

How We Found a Boutique Apartment in New York City.

“Congratulations”, he said as he threw over the keys to our new apartment. “You now have a home in New York City”. We didn’t care that we were only in the city for a total of 72 hours – we had 3 days to experience New York, and, come hell or high water, we were going to experience an authentic NYC lifestyle! This meant finding a...

10 More Photos Which Will Make You Jump on a Flight to the Faroe Islands

If you weren’t inspired enough last night by our selection of 10 photos which will make you jump on a flight to the Faroe Islands, here are 10 more!

Icelandair and Atlantic Airways are the main carriers who operate flights to and from the Faroes.

Cities with nonstop flights to the Faroe Islands include Aalborg, Denmark; Barcelona, Spain; Bergen, Norway; Billund, Denmark; Copenhagen, Denmark; London, UK; Milan, Italy; Reykjavik, Iceland; and Stavanger, Norway. You can also board a ferry from Iceland.

10 Photos Which Will Make You Jump on a Flight to the Faroe Islands

Recently voted the best islands in the world by National Geographic, the Faroe Islands are an unbelievable chain of islands which lie halfway between Iceland and Norway, in the North Atlantic Ocean.

Inspiring scenery, untamed nature, and dramatic landscapes; the Faroes are unspoiled, unexplored and absolutely unbelievable. One of the most unspoilt destinations left on earth, every scene is spectacular, and every view takes your breath away.

Here are 10 photos from our collection which I guarantee will make you jump to book a flight!

Our Icelandic Quad Bike Safari.

“My name is Thor”, he said. “Are you ready for some action?!” We nodded enthusiastically, and grabbed jumpsuits and helmets before jumping onto monster ATV’s. We were about to experience the Icelandic Outback. Quad biking with Safari Quads is the ultimate Icelandic adventure. Riding well off the beaten path, often through lakes, rivers...

Traveler Interview: Anna Karsten on Living Abroad

Having visited more than 45 countries and lived in 7, Anna Karsten truly has been almost everywhere! Though her passion for travel and experiencing new cultures goes further than that of your average backpacker, traveler or tourist. While many would travel and spend two days to a week in each new destination, Anna looks for excuses to settle in, and actually lives there!

To date she has found herself living abroad across 4 different continents, in cities which include Mexico City, Boston, London, Cape Town, Florence and Leiden.

By now she is truly an expert expat, and gives us the following advice on living abroad!

White Water Rafting in Iceland with Arctic Adventures.

If you were dared to jump from a cliff in the middle of a magnificent canyon in Iceland, and plunge into arctic waters for some glacial river swimming, would you do it? What if you were dared to jump into a raft and navigate your way through some of the most pumping waves and rapids South Iceland has to offer? Well, I’m daring you now! White Water Rafting is a...

3 Reasons to Pick Utah

Authored by Guest Blogger Will Tang. If you’re looking for a place to go to this summer, don’t forget about Utah. You’re probably thinking, “wait a second…isn’t that the place with all the Mormons?” Well, yes, though there is so much more to this incredible US state! What most people don’t know is that Utah is home to...

Postcards from Easter Island

Easter Island was a huge bucket list item for us. Traveling to one of the earth’s most remote islands and witnessing firsthand the famous monumental statues (called moai), created by the early Rapa Nui people.

And while there are many posts to come documenting our amazing week spent on the island, here are some “postcards” from our collection of photos in the meantime.

Biking in Bolivia: The Trout Trail

Starting in the Andes snowcapped mountains at 5,000 m (16,000 feet) above sea level, we began to dress for the ride of a lifetime. Elbow pads followed knee guards, gloves went on after our windproof pants and jacket, and lastly, our trusty full-face helmet…which came in incredibly handy when I took a face-first dive off my mountain bike into the ground.

Clouds flew past so close we could practically touch them as we sped through deserted paths and roads left abandoned since the 1950’s. Our adrenalin pumped as we shot through hidden valleys and over stunning high passes.

The setting was stunning, and while we passed sheep peacefully grazing, and llamas galore, there wasn’t another soul in sight.

Tourism has not yet touched the trout trail – it remains largely undiscovered and well off the beaten path.

Inspiring Traveler Interview: Where is Your Toothbrush?

As they continue to explore every inch of the world, having sold all of their possessions, Peter Korchnak and Lindsay Sauvé have completely redefined the meaning of “home”. Home is not where the heart is, and it’s not where you lie your head; rather, home is where your toothbrush is. And Peter and Lindsay’s toothbrushes have some...

The Bus Hostel Reykjavik. Iceland’s Best Hostel.

You’ll be hard pressed to find a hostel better than the Bus while traveling through Iceland. With incredibly friendly staff, cheap rooms, a spacious common area and fully decked out kitchen (self catering) to boot, the Bus Hostel is the best value for money Reykjavik currently has on offer. And the cleanliness is astounding! Ticking all of the boxes by...

Gifts I Would Have Bought You From Iceland

Once upon a time, on her first few trips abroad, there was a girl who would always return home with foreign gifts and goodies from exotic destinations and far off lands. For mum, a Guess handbag straight from the streets of Milan. For the grandparents, a handwoven recreation of the last supper. Weaponry from the tower of London, Pacific Island artifacts, plush toys,...

Salzburg: A Breathtaking (& Accessible) Adventure

Authored by Cory Lee You may remember Cory Lee from his inspiring traveler interview where he spoke about traveling the world from his wheelchair. An expert on accessible travel, today Cory writes about his experience in Salzburg, Austria.   After spending a week in Munich, I was itching to get out of the city and do a day trip. I had dreamed of visiting...

Our Lake Titicaca Kayak Adventure

When tourists travel to Lake Titicaca, most hit Copacabana and Isla del Sol. Breathtaking views, panoramic treks, transported in beautiful traditional reed boats; sounds like the perfect way to experience Bolivia. But Copacabana is now too overcrowded, and Isla del Sol similarly so.

Totora reed boats are a fascinating form of transportation, but lacks the adventure of experiencing the lake on your own by being rowed.

Our solution? Find a tour operator who would take us off the beaten path, away from mass tourism, and supply us with kayaks for a real Bolivian adventure. Our solution was Banjo Tours.

Sitting at the foothills of a spectacular volcano, Námafjall is a high-temperature geothermal area with fumaroles and mud pots which boil with relentless energy.

Colorful, vivid minerals and gigantic mud craters make this natural attraction a truly awe inspiring sight to behold. Stand back and watch as the mud bubbles to temperatures above 200 degrees celsius, marvel at the sulfur crystals of many different colors, and walk through the steam springs, noting the sulfur in the atmosphere.

5 Top Places Not to Miss in Vietnam

There are numerous reasons why you should make it to Vietnam one day. Breath-taking landscapes, friendly and hospitable Vietnamese, affordability (backpacking in Vietnam is popular and it’s a well known destination among budget travellers), and of course, coffee, coffee, coffee! Yes, there is nothing better than enjoying a cup of black (ca phe den) or iced coffee with condensed milk (cap he sua da) while watching as life goes by on a corner of the street!

When planning your Vietnam itinerary, there are certain places you can’t afford to miss. You may not know, but Vietnam has all the off-the-beaten-path experiences that you are all looking for, such as hiking the Northern mountain area of Sapa or taking photos over the beautiful sunrise in Hoi.

Setting Sail Around the World. Tasha Hacker on Sailing, Ocean Racing and Traveling by Sea.

Just like so many others, Tasha Hacker has a life-long obsession with traveling the world. Though unlike any other, this incredibly inspiring woman throws herself at the mercy of the unforgiving sea in order to do so. Her passion for sailing and ocean racing has seen her set sail to destinations like New York City, the Bahamas, Dominican Republic, South Africa,...