Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Wander.

Accessing International Business Travel Security Risks
The prudent traveler wisely researches the security and safety risks inherent in every trip. Recent news provokes panic as an alarming number of stories of terrorist activity and armed shooter scenarios dominate the Internet and the airwaves. This doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t visit foreign locations or that no parts of some countries are safe. Americans should not be deterred from exploring the world. But citizens traveling abroad should do so with knowledge of the country and extreme caution.
By Marlene Affeld9 years ago in Wander
21 Magazines That Pay for Travel Writing
If you like to travel, you are in luck, because lots of magazines want to hear about your trips. And, as a bonus, they are perfectly willing to pay to get your insights, print your photos, share your adventures.
By Erica Verrillo9 years ago in Wander
Maximize Your Personal Freedom
For many, freedom is the ultimate goal in life. The highest aim. The freedom to explore, to make our own choices, to push the boundaries. To be, who we know in our heart of hearts, we can be, if only the world would let us.
By Jordan Davies9 years ago in Wander
White Blank Page
I closed my eyes and absorbed the darkness, letting everything around me come alive. I had roamed the streets for hours, taking it all in: the smell of melted mozzarella on the world’s finest pizzas; the ghostly decadence of the city’s oldest buildings; a loud melody, Chopin perhaps, can be heard through an open window; the dazzling chaos of roses, daffodils and poppies sitting on sills, stealing each other’s colours; and the repetitive navy-and-white striped men, proudly parading visitors down Venice’s shimmering canals. As I reached San Marco, Venice’s personal hotbed of human stench and anarchic clatter, the sweltering summer air was hard to take in. The waves of flickering cameras and the howling chatter of the crowd engulfed the piazza. Revolted, I wriggled away from the daunting humanness. I moved away from the crowds seeking silence. The chatter faded away, as did the Sun and the unbearable trail of heat it left behind.
By Carlota Maura9 years ago in Wander
Just An Old Country Road
Unless you have lived in a city all your life, you probably have driven or walked down a country road. Sometimes it's a road home, a road to Grandma's house or to a favorite fishing or hunting spot.
By Walt Page9 years ago in Wander
Melbourne Gripped by Football Fever
Melbourne is a city that prides itself being totally and utterly obsessed with sport. Any sport or sporting event is greeted with enormous enthusiasm and excitement — this is the home of The Australian Open Tennis, this is the home of the Australian Formula One Grand Prix, this is the home of the Boxing Day Test (always one of the biggest cricket matches each year), the massive Spring Carnival horse racing series, and this is the home of Australian Rules Football.
By Gareth Johnson9 years ago in Wander
Against All Odds: Tandeka's Story
The Sun beamed and I could feel the hard heat on the back of my neck. The grass shuffled, and we all stood there, quite still, quite petrified, before a beast we knew could tear our heads off in a matter of seconds. It isn’t easy to explain how, as I stood there knowing how deadly her fangs piercing on my skin would be, I felt no impulse to run as fast as I could. All I wanted was to stand there, looking at her for as long as I could, and take in the beauty of her mere existence. As I knelt before her, I felt alone. In my head, the others disappeared, and I felt her gaze upon me.
By Carlota Maura9 years ago in Wander
Spa Break Destinations Down-Under
Modern life can often feel a bit stressful. You’re running flat-out, trying to juggle your career, your friends, your family — it’s not often that you get to take a few moments out for yourself, just to relax and unwind, to decompress and get ready to get back in the game and do it all again.
By Gareth Johnson9 years ago in Wander
Right on Red State: Florida Wildlife
Everything in Florida WILL try to kill you. Alligators, mosquitoes, Floridians, they all have the capacity to kill you. Alligators, Nature's Blenders
By Benjamin Hecker9 years ago in Wander
Traveling the Oregon Coast
Come closer. I need to share something. The Oregon Coast may be this country's best-kept secret for a summer trip. I know, Oregon is so renowned for rain its best football team is the “Ducks.” It is nearly rain free during the summer months. June-September is a magical time to see a magical place. In fact, the real rainfall doesn't even begin until after Halloween.
By Kim Hastings9 years ago in Wander
Right on Red State: Florida Weather
Florida is hot. It's an undeniable fact, yet tourists feel the need to point it out. Floridians, and people who live in Florida, but don't want to be labelled as Floridians, are well aware that it is hot outside. Don't feel the need to remind them for the sake of small talk. They all know the statewide high temperatures are caused by Florida's proximity to the equator, and the low elevation making Florida very close to Hell.
By Benjamin Hecker9 years ago in Wander
Traveling to Senegal Left Me With More Questions Than Answers
Here I am, sitting on the edge of a fishermen’s boat in the Senegal River in the Saint Louis Region, right outside the village of Mouit. Birds are flapping and squawking from every which way above me. Normally, birds scare me, and I usually run for cover, but I could not duck this time. I was in awe at the sheer number of them and their reaction as we got closer to their sanctuary. Here humans met animals at the nexus that is the Langue De Barbarie National Park in Senegal. I’ve seen lots of birds in my lifetime of course, and I’ve seen bird preservation sites, but here, I felt intrusive, which was a feeling I had more than once during my time here in Senegal. It was more often than not that I felt like an outsider that was invading the classroom, the town or the habitat of others that were native to this land. But I wanted to learn! About the culture, the land and the language so I tried not to stand out too much but alas, that was not possible. I was different and everyone knew it.
By Carli 9 years ago in Wander