Scary Foreign Languages and Travel
The Fear of Foreign Languages The idea of trying to communicate with someone in a language different than your own is one of the most terrifying aspects of traveling abroad for many...
travel psychology
The IKEA Effect and Travel
There is a psychological phenomenon called the "IKEA Effect" that probably should be called the "Betty Crocker Effect" given that researchers began to first pay attention to it when instant cake mixes...
Foreign Currency: It’s Not Monopoly Money
How to Handle Money I used to not be able to manage money. No, I'm not talking about budgeting. I'm talking about dealing with unfamiliar currency in another country. During my first...
Are You a Maximizer or a Satisficer?
Decisions, Decisions, Decisions Everyday we are faced with a multitude of choices, starting with what we are going to wear and what we want to eat for breakfast and ending with what...
Are You Scared to Commit?
Sometimes the hardest step in a journey is the first one, and entering your credit card information is the first step of turning your dreams into something real. It isn't surprising then...
How to Plan Your Travel Days
You've figured out when you want to travel, but now it's time to create a plan to actually structure your travel adventure. How do you want to spend your days? Priorities and...
Sleeping in a Cardboard Box and Conversations with Strangers
What do you talk about when you meet a stranger? If you're an American, you probably ask the other person what they do for a living, but this isn't always the first...
Check and Recheck Your Dates!
What Holidays Do You Celebrate? Do you live in a country that celebrates Boxing Day? If not, you might be surprised by the fact that many businesses are closed the day after...
Why Do We Travel?
Let's take a break from planning, shall we? Let's talk about why we travel because it is the why that makes all of the effort of planning worthwhile. My Travel Background From...
A Word of Warning About Reviews
Reviews of tourist locations and activities, restaurants, and lodging are all extremely useful when planning a trip, but it is important to know how to read reviews in a helpful manner. Negativity...