I’ve been to a lot of bakeries—hundreds, in fact. From the historic, flour-dusted kitchens of France to the legendary patisseries of Vienna and Munich. I’ve seen it all, tasted it all. So, imagine my surprise when a tiny bakery in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, gets my top honor for pastry. But that’s the beauty of this…
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Surprise, Surprise Travel, at its best, is a series of surprises. The little ones—the perfect cup of coffee in some hole-in-the-wall café, the back alley neighborhood that somehow dodged the tourist mobs. Then there are the big ones—the moments when you step into an entirely different world, completely by accident. That’s how I found myself…
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If there’s one thing I’ve learned about myself, it’s that staying still ain’t in my DNA. Since I was a kid, I’ve been chasing movement like a dog after a scent. My first taste of real freedom came at 12, figuring out L.A.’s RTD bus lines. My bike only got me as far as the…
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(This delayed report is from my 2023 trip to The Philippines…) Top of the Charts People always ask me—after checking every box on the “countries of the world” list—where I’d go back to. Top of the pile? The Philippines. In my 20s, it was Brasil that stole my heart. In my 40s, it’s the Philippines…
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Keeps Pulling me Back The Philippines might just be my next Brasil. You know, that place that gets under your skin, sticks in your brain, and refuses to let go. For me, Brasil was that intoxicating first love—the kind that leaves you haunted when you’re apart. Back in my 20s, it hooked me good, reeled…
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Alone Again, Naturally Over the years, I’ve fallen hard for solo travel—so much so that it’s not just a preference; it’s a necessity. Honestly, I avoid traveling with others like the plague. Some people get it. Others think it’s weird. Maybe it’s a little selfish—I won’t argue that. But here’s the thing: when you’re on…
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The More Balls Than Brains Tour – Reunion! After I checked off “193,” everyone—friends, family, co-workers—figured my days of hitting up “risky” spots were behind me. Why would I ever go back to some of those sketchier corners of the world? Surely now I’d just stick to the safe, sun-soaked resorts. Cabo, Ibiza, Tahiti—sounds logical,…
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…How’s That for Initialism!? The red-eye out of San Diego seemed like a brilliant move. A 9PM departure, landing in New York at 5:26AM—plenty of time to connect to my flight to Casablanca. Simple, right? Only we landed early, and for once, that wasn’t a good thing. I staggered over to Terminal One, bleary-eyed at…
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