I have so many travelling friends, and I have been wondering if it is just a coincidence or if travellers are bonded together through wanderlust. Recently, my friend Molly was telling me about an adventure she was about to embark on with her family, a four-day trek around Lake Waikaremoana, which is one of New Zealand's Great Walks.
Why did I decide to walk nearly 500 miles in a foreign country where I knew no one and could not speak the language? I am still discovering the reasons, but this is what I know so far.

Traveling abroad can have many benefits, and educationally can be a million times more effective than opening a textbook. The perks of traveling abroad are not purely educational, of course. Martin Hodel, my father, is a professional musician and has had multiple international experiences because of concerts and tours with various programs.
So I realized there is one place that I have not written about yet, one of my most favorite cities in the world, Rome. Rome is where my love of travel first started and where I first studied abroad. Fast forward many years later, it still remains one of the biggest loves of my life.
Snowflakes and jack-o’-lanterns. Growing up in Colorado, the two went hand in hand. The first snowfall of the season usually rolled over the mountains to coat my neighborhood just in time for October 31st. Deciding on a costume was a matter of what looked good over a poofy jacket and paired with my purple and white striped moon boots.
Florida Culture for the Week of October 28: Halloween Edition, by Josh Garrick
Oct 29 – American Guild of Organists FREE SPOOKTACULAR Organ Concert
There is an expression my family uses: you can’t swing a dead cat without hitting……(Insert noun). In Marietta, Georgia, you can’t swing a dead cat without hitting history. History is everywhere. On every block, there is a historic house. There is a surprising amount of museums in this small town. History and modern culture blend together in harmony.
~Travel Writing:
My definition of travel writing is different than many other people's definition. I don't mean just blogging and sharing my experiences. But more like capturing the essence and culture of that place—and adding it to a story.
Have you heard of the English Riviera? It’s a great nickname for Torquay, a coastal town located in Devon, along the English Channel (and the surrounding area). Why the English Riviera?
My family and I were visiting the Pompeii Ruins in Italy. We had walked through cobblestone streets, ran among the ruins, lingered in the old gardens, and even played fetch with a few dogs we came across along the way. After an exhausting morning of discovering the history of this unique area, I was ready for a much needed nap.