Chasing the Unknown

59% of Americans don't have passports and many who travel choose the familiar over the unknown. What is it about American culture - a nation filled with descendants of immigrants - that causes a fear of travel and a willingness to forego the use of vacation days?

Take your traveling for granted? Meet the people who can’t. - The Boston Globe For some, venturing out is too much.

As this piece points out, flights are one incredibly annoying component of booking travel. But travel agents do so much more than that. We save you time in the planning stages, hassle on the ground during your vacation, and add in experiences and value at every step of the way. If you're planning a trip, email or call me, I can help!

Why are human travel agents still so much better than websites? Skyscanner and its ilk might have changed holiday planning, but they require a lot of admin. Call me old-fashioned, but I want agents to do my thinking for me

Some great new stopover options in here!

Airlines Step Up Stopover Options Longer stays, at no charge, are available in Finland, Hawaii, Iceland and Qatar.

How have I only been to six of these cities? Helsinki has been on my list for a while but I always figured it would be another place I'd wind up hungry - apparently not!

The 10 best cities in the world for vegan travellers For many vegans, travelling and eating out can be a frustrating and isolating experience. But as more chefs and restaurants are catching on to vegan food – even Mr Vegas Steve Wynn introduced plant-based options in his casino restaurants when he made the switch himself – things are changing. Gone ar...

Even a budget travel guru agrees that there's a time and place for the help of a travel agent. Yes, I can book a cruise or an all-inclusive but where I'm most useful is with complicated trips where you want it all to go smoothly. Get in touch if you need help with travel planning!

Are Travel Agents Still Useful? Back "in the day", everyone used travel agents. After a decline, they've seen a resurgence in usage in the last few years. Are they now worth using again?

It's been a long time since I've added a story to the blog. Click through for more photos from my climb up Borneo's Mount Kinabalu.

Climbing Mount Kinabalu: overcome with good fortune - Chasing the Unknown

Thinking of taking a vacation? Contact me, your friendly travel consultant!

As users tire of online, the humble travel agent makes a comeback Frustrated by the overload of information on travel sites, more than 9 million people will use a travel professional to help book a trip this year.

Looking for a distraction from talking heads and election insanity? Think about escaping to Italy and staying in a scattered hotel.

Italy's New 'Scattered Hotel' Trend May Save Its Historic Towns The albergo diffuso, or “scattered hotel,” is breathing new life into dwindling villages.

Want to see the complete solar eclipse next summer in the U.S.? Start thinking about where to head now!

Why You Should Plan a Trip Now to See the 2017 Solar Eclipse For starters? It will be the first total solar eclipse in the continental U.S. in 38 years.

Thinking of getting away this winter but not sure where to go? Here's some inspiration based on avoiding Zika

Where to Hide Out from Zika Sweater weather is upon us and there’s a definite (although definitely unscientific) correlation between the number of sweaters you’ve worn in the past week and times you’ve Googled “beach vacation.” That is, until a stray headline reminds you about the Zika virus’s reign of terror. Zika’s rapid ...

Thinking about a trip to the Caribbean this winter? Now's a great time to book. Email or call today!

Some great reasons to travel in here (including for professional growth)!

7 Reasons To Travel To 7 Continents | Huffington Post Traveling opens up your world in ways you could never imagine. It transforms you - helping you grow personally and professionally as you face people and ...

Victoria Falls is known as the Smoke That Thunders. In wet season, the name makes perfect sense. Interested in seeing it next year? Call or email me to start planning a trip!

A few of you have asked what it's like to be in Bangkok right now following the passing of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The answer is that it feels somewhat somber. Nearly everyone I see is wearing black, myself included. Business carries on as usual but parties do not. Music isn't played much and areas of social gathering are quiet and sparsely populated. This is a time of mourning and memorials like the one seen here in a shopping mall are set up throughout the city. It's as safe as ever to be here and, as long as people are willing to be respectful of local requests, there's no reason for tourists to stay away.

The ancient rock-carved shrines of Bali's Gunung Kawi sit in a lush valley with rivers and waterfalls throughout and rice fields surrounding.

The site of the Itsukushima Shrine in Miyajima was chosen more than 1400 years ago. Can't believe it was 2.5 years ago that I saw it and never posted photos of it!

The Balinese developed a rice paddy irrigation system in the 9th century. The wonders of this island are endless!

Chasing the Unknown was due for a change. I need your help as I transition from a wandering backpacker to a productive member of society. Please take a look and if you're so inclined, share this post or a link to this page!

Changes Afoot and a Request for Help - Chasing the Unknown Welcome to the new iteration of Chasing the Unknown! Please take a look at the changes and join me in the newest chapter of my journey. Your help would mean the world to me!

The Indonesian Throughflow brings a rich variety of marine life to the waters between Bali and Lombok. Amed on Bali's northeast coast was my gateway into this beautiful world.

Diving Amed and the USAT Liberty in Bali - Chasing the Unknown

Back in the water and happy again in Indonesia!

A quick jaunt to Gili Trawangan - Chasing the Unknown

Once upon a time, I was a theatre geek. A visit to Elsinore, Hamlet's home, should probably have been first on my list for Danish experiences.

Kronborg Castle, home to Hamlet and Holger the Dane - Chasing the Unknown Shakespeare referred to Kronborg castle as Elsinore, the setting of Hamlet. A walk around the Danish castle had me daydreaming about my own days in theatre.

Even with cloudy skies and a bit of rain, a ride on Norway's Flåmsbana (Flåm Railway) is a great way to see a beautiful part of the world.

Flåmsbana: The most beautiful train journey in the world? - Chasing the Unknown

More Norway coverage, this time of a glacier.

A Peek at the Nigardsbreen Glacier - Chasing the Unknown Glaciers like the Nigardsbreen, part of Norway's Jostedalsbreen National Park, are powerful, beautiful, and unlike anything else.

Although I still intend to write more about my time in Africa, it seemed a good idea to get some of my recent activity up on the blog. Posts in the coming weeks will be completely out of order. Starting with a hike up Preikestolen near Stavanger, Norway.

A Hike up Preikestolen - Chasing the Unknown Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock in English) is one of Norway's most visited natural tourist attractions for good reason. Incredible views, no safety railings.

A huge change from anywhere I've been in the last few years, I'm spending a a little bit of time in Scandinavia this summer. Here, a taste of what I've seen recently.

I promise I'm almost done with posts about Namibia.... http://www.chasingtheunknown.com/hiking-namibia/

Hiking in Namibia - Chasing the Unknown Hiking in Namibia is seasonal. Out of season, the Sperrgebiet Rand Park and Waterberg Plateau are your best options, the first one far better.

Yes, I'm still posting about my time in Namibia. What can I say, the place is amazing and I want to share more about it! http://www.chasingtheunknown.com/spitzkoppe-twyfelfontein/

Chasing the Unknown - Rock Art of Twyfelfontein and Spitzkoppe Twyfelfontein is home to San rock engravings, welwitschia plants, desert elephants, and more. Nearby Spitzkoppe has seemingly less to offer but I loved it.