Machu Picchu is one of those bucket-list activities people dream about. While most people visit on a day trip, you can also visit via the Inca Trail, a challenging multi-day hike through the jungles of Peru. In this guest post, my friend Gillian divulges the details of her trek while sharing some tips and suggestions to help you plan your trip to Machu Picchu. Hiking to Machu Picchu along the Inca Trail in Peru remains the highlight of my year traveling. Looking out over the peaks of the Andes, and knowing that I hiked to get there filled me with joy and awe. I didn’t want to be anywhere else. I won’t lie, though — it took some work. A lot of work, in fact. But it was totally worth it. Sitting some 2,500 meters (8,200 feet) above sea level, Machu Picchu was an Inca citadel built in the 15th century. The citadel was built as a royal estate, though it was used for less than 100 years before being abandoned due to the arrival of the Spanish, who were set on conquest. It wasn’t until...
Posted : 2/24/2023 | February 24th, 2023 Located on a high Andean plateau at 2,640 meters (8,660 feet) above sea level, Bogotá is the third-highest capital city in the world (after Quito and La Paz). Most travelers usually bypass it in favor of the popular digital nomad hot spot of Medellín or the coastal city of Cartegena. Most travelers think that Bogotá is only worth spending a few days in. I think that’s a shame and does this vibrant destination a disservice. I loved my time in Bogotá and ended up extending my visit here! This city just feels more Colombian than some of the other bigger cities that have developed a larger expat and tourist population. There is a lot to do and see here from museums, parks, walking tours, amazing street art, great nightlife, and an incredible gastronomic scene. With that in mind, you’ll want to choose where to stay in Bogotá carefully. It’s a huge city, divided into different estratos , or zones, and there are a few “no-go” areas that you’l...