Welcome to my new guest post series, WHV Australia Interview, on real travelers from around the globe who have decided to come to Australia on their working holiday visa (WHV). I just finished up my year in Australia and it had a huge impact on my life and future life choices. As an American, taking a gap year, or career …
Great Escape Monthly Review: March 2017
They say March is “in like a lion and out like a lamb.” While that might be true back home in Maine, my March was a little different in Australia. You could say it went a little something like “in like my 20s and out like my 30s.” On March 8th, I turned the ripe old age of 30. My …
On the Beer Trail From Charlotte to Asheville
From Maine to Washington, craft beer is all the rage. I’m lucky that Portland, Maine, has some of the best breweries in the world, but Maine isn’t the only state with awesome beers. North Carolina is the hub for craft breweries in the South. With over 132 craft breweries across the Tar Heel State, North Carolina is the perfect state …
Should You Hold a Koala Bear in Australia?
Next to the kangaroo, koala bears are probably the most recognized animal in Australia. They are cute, furry little animals that spend most of their days sleeping in trees. I mean, how cute is the little guy above?! There are plenty of souvenirs that you can bring home from Australia, but the most iconic seem to be a picture of …
Great Escape Monthly Review: February 2017
My year in Australia is quickly coming to an end. During February, I finished up my 15 weeks working on the horse farm and began my travels up the East Coast of Australia. It was a bittersweet month as I was truly sad to leave the horse farm but excited to return to my nomadic life on the road. Even …
My Secret Goal: 30 Countries By 30 Conquered
Today is my birthday. I’m now officially 30 years old. I still can’t believe it. I swear I just graduated high school yesterday. As a child, I remember the summer school holidays lasting for months. But, now as an adult, I blink and a month is gone. My 20s were filled with lots of up and downs, but I can’t …
Hostel Review: Bounce Hostel – Sydney, Australia
As Australia’s largest city, Sydney offers a wide variety of hostel options. Whether you prefer a party hostel, a quiet hostel, or one in between, you’ll find a hostel for you. I’ve stayed at several hostels in Sydney and my favorite so far as been Bounce Hostel. With a modern and fun design, great location near Central Station, and a …
Great Escape Monthly Review: January 2017
As a child, I remember summer vacation lasting forever, but as an adult, a month is gone with just the snap of my fingers. 2016 came and went in a flash of passport stamps, currencies, and sleepless nights. I welcomed 2017 in with a few strangers I met at my hostel at some cheap club in Newcastle, Australia. Personally, I …
All-American Fun in Arlington, Texas
It doesn’t get more all-American than the city of Arlington, Texas. Home to General Motors, Six Flags, the Texas Rangers, and the Dallas Cowboys, Arlington is known as the American Dream City. This small city of nearly 400,000 residents is home to diverse neighborhoods with world-class educational institutions, iconic sports venues, and heaps of fun stuff to do only 20 …
How to Survive Hostels in 10 Easy Steps
For many people, the word “hostel” instills fear. Visions of the movie Taken flash across people’s eyes, especially Americans since we don’t have a strong hostel culture in our country. But, hostels are a great place for people of all ages. When you’re traveling on a tight budget, hostels are where you’re going to spend most of your sleeping hours. …
Exploring the Best of Sunny Anaheim, California
Image via Flickr by Andy When I think of Anaheim, California, I think back to “D2: The Mighty Ducks.” In this 1994 movie, the Ducks go to Anaheim to play in the Goodwill Games, and after much difficulty, they beat out Team Iceland in a sudden death shoot-out. What a great movie! In all seriousness, Anaheim is a popular travel destination …
Top 10 Things to Do in Alice Springs, Australia
People often come to Alice Springs as a starting point to their Uluru trip and then quickly leave just as fast as they came. That’s a big mistake. Alice Springs has lots to offer travelers regarding history, food, and activities. Alice Springs is one of Australia’s most popular Outback towns. With deep pioneer roots, this historic red center town is …