Top Stories
Stories in Wander that you’ll love, handpicked by our team.
Beginner's Travel Guide
One of the questions I get asked the most these days is "How do you travel so much?" Social media, in particular, paints a sometimes distorted picture of the reality of travel. It highlights all of the breathtaking views, bright smiles with foreigners and crystal clear ocean lagoons but rarely succeeds in opening up about the "how" to the "what."
By Savannah McKinley7 years ago in Wander
7 Things You Can't Miss in Iceland
Iceland is becoming increasingly popular for travelers to visit, boasting exciting things to do during every season of the year. With many options to see the wonders of Iceland, including stopover flights for shorter trips, you can easily enjoy the northern-most capital in the world. Here’s how to make the most of your trip to Iceland, no matter how many hours of daylight you have to accomplish it.
By Ashly Helfrich7 years ago in Wander
Parisian Vacation Fails
1. Pick one or two things you really want to explore. The only thing my family actually did was visit Versailles because we all love the history of it. However, be prepared for overcrowding and not really getting to see much of what you were hoping for. Most places in Paris are too busy for visitors to actually take time to enjoy what they’re seeing. Have your camera at the ready and snap as you are whisked past. Those blurry pictures are probably the only reminder you’ll have of your time at each location.
By Kristen Barenthaler7 years ago in Wander
10 Backpacking Tips from Experts
Backpacking can be exciting, meditative, beautiful, great exercise... a lot of wonderful things. If you're not properly prepared though, it can quickly turn into a disaster. Out in the wilderness, lack of preparation can be life-threatening. Here are some backpacking tips from experts, to make sure that your trip goes as smoothly and comfortably as possible. If you're ever in doubt, you can always find backpacking essentials on hiking forums, or just by stopping by an R.E.I. or other outdoor's store.
By Nicola P. Young7 years ago in Wander
Reverse Culture Shock
If you are unfamiliar with the term "culture shock," in brief it means the mental (and sometimes physical) reaction you feel against a new place unknown to you. For instance, you have never traveled to Thailand before and, like me, you decide to pack up all you own into one large bag and move there—selling one's car and using the proceeds to fund the unconventional decision. After arriving in the new place, seeing the new sights, sensing the incredible (and some rank) smells... the once lovely "newness" of the place begins to overwhelm you. Now, the sights irritate you, the smells make you sick, and the clamour of people speaking a language you don't know in environments which are completely foreign to you make you angry. Is this rational? Of course not. Is this avoidable? Well, probably not for most people; who knows, there could be a rare exception. Will the initial love and joy return? YES!
By Alexandra Mezeul7 years ago in Wander
How to Celebrate Michigan in the Fall
Michigan is possibly at her most beautiful in the Fall. Leaves change colors, the air cools, food is preserved for the winter. Time for sweaters, thick blankets, hot cider, and bonfires lighting up the night. If you're looking for ways to celebrate the season, keep reading.
By Crysta Coburn7 years ago in Wander
The First Backpacking Trip: What I Should Have Done
In May this year I embarked on my first ever backpacking adventure. In fact it was my first time leaving Europe at all. The destination was Vietnam, a journey beginning in the south with the sprawling city of Ho Chi Minh and ended in the north with the dazzling capital of Hanoi. So on one warm evening in May, my travel buddy and I began the two day ordeal of reaching South East Asia (it definitely paid off in the end). Here are some basic things I learnt along the way that may help you if like me, you're a first time traveller and are feeling a bit overwhelmed.
By Letitia Payne7 years ago in Wander
Soulstice's Kickstarter Campaign Gives You a New Way to Save the Rainforest, One Bracelet at a Time
Deforestation is destroying rainforests at a rate of more than 1.5 acres per second. If that rate remains steady, that means that 47.3 million acres of rainforest will disappear each year. The impact this destruction has on our planet is almost incomprehensible. Considering that the Amazon rainforest houses almost half of the world’s known species—many of them already endangered—as well as provides more than 20 percent of the Earth's oxygen, this level of destruction could very well wipe out thousands of species in just the next few years, and permanently alter our global ecosystem. With extinction rates rapidly expanding, and the forest rapidly disappearing, there will soon be no Amazon to visit.
By Nicola P. Young7 years ago in Wander
15 ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ Locations You Need Not Be Crazy, Rich, or Asian to Visit
Crazy Rich Asians, based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Singapore-born Kevin Kwan, officially became the most successful Hollywood studio rom-com in nine years after grossing $117.3 million on its third weekend at the US box office. Set in Singapore, the Jon M Chu-directed film is a delightfully funny romance that deftly covers universal themes of love, family, and friendship.
By Marguerita Tan7 years ago in Wander
Cursed Trees and Blessed Nature
The Summer draws to a close but the biking season is still in full flow. Last week I took a quick jaunt south again. The Scottish borders truly have some wonderful sights, perfect for navigating your machine through in the hope of uncovering the natural beauty. What more could one want than quiet roads that traverse nature? I took the long way down, past the Harperrig Resevoir, it has suffered from the hot, dry days we experienced through June and July, but will no doubt recover with the help of the August deluges! Funny to note that whatever road you travel in Scotland you will most likely see the yellow plates of our continental neighbours, most notably the kindly Dutch. The NL seems to stand for "Never Lost," as it appears to me that they have an uncanny ability to unearth Scottish Beauty spots. Overlooking the tranquillity of the deep waters I spotted just such a couple tucking into their sandwiches, they gave a nod of approval at my passing 1200CCs. The roar of the engine echoing through the glen failed to distract them from their lunch. It's not just the advent of the Edinburgh International Festival that brings in our Euro-mates, I believe the Dutch have an inherent sense of adventure when it come to all things bonny.
By Caledonian Cogs7 years ago in Wander
I Rode My Bike to the Black Sea
About a month ago now I was sat alone on a crowded beach in Bulgaria. With an aching arm from a tetanus shot, stitches all up my leg and bottle of wine in hand, I vacantly looked out at the black sea trying to comprehend the fact that I’d just managed to make it here alive. Alone. And on a bike.
By Julia Skinner7 years ago in Wander
