Erika Bisbocci
Erika is an avid traveler and explorer of over ninety countries on six different continents. Since 2011, she has spent time studying Arabic in the Middle East, teaching English in Namibia and working as a flight attendant for a major US airline. When not traveling overseas, she loves exploring her own backyard in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
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Two Days in Baku and its Surroundings
With one foot toeing the Middle East and the other set firmly in Europe, Baku Azerbaijan is a fascinating city of contrasts. Our trusty Lonely Planet guide described Baku as “the architectural love child of Paris and Dubai…with plenty of Soviet genes floating half-hidden in the background.” And, after two days of soaking in Baku’s flashy skyscrapers, its cobbled streets and its drab concrete high-rises, we found the description to be perfectly apt. Baku is a true crossroads—culturally, geographically and architecturally—between East and West. The city’s historic core…
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Visiting Galle Sri Lanka: A UNESCO Gem
Galle Sri Lanka is a gem. A Unesco World Heritage Site, the historic colonial city is a visual feast of twisting alleyways and crumbling mansions and seaside views. In Galle, fortified walls encircle photogenic buildings and car-free streets. The town’s time-warped alleyways overflow with character. Its Dutch-style villas—many of which are adorned with street-facing verandas and red-tiled roofs—burst with color and charm. THINGS TO SEE IN GALLE SRI LANKA Architecturally, Galle feels very unique compared to other Sri Lankan cities due to its history of occupation by the Portuguese,…
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Udawalawe Elephant Safari in Sri Lanka
There’s something so raw and primal about going on safari. About traveling down a dusty roads and coming face to face with animals in the wild. It’s a thrilling sensation that never abates, no matter how many safari parks I visit. Prior to traveling to Sri Lanka, I knew of the country’s architectural gems, its idyllic countryside, and its pristine beaches. But—until I was deep in the planning process—I didn’t know that its wildlife-spotting opportunities were some of the best on Earth. Among its most renowned safari destinations is Udawalawe…
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Ella: The Heart of Sri Lanka’s Hill Country
Sri Lanka is known for many things: beautiful scenery, hospitable people, diverse wildlife, ancient civilizations, and a brutal civil war that ravaged the country until 2009. But most of all, the small island nation is known for its production of high-quality tea. In the lush Hill Country near Ella, tea plantations carpet mist-wrapped hillsides, while waterfalls tumble through thickets of dense vegetation. It is a stunning region, where hiking trails abound and neatly-pruned tea plants drape over the area’s peaks and valleys like a patchwork quilt. THINGS TO DO…
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Visiting the Cultural Triangle in Sri Lanka
At the heels of a drawn-out civil war that effectively erased Sri Lanka from the trodden tourist trail, the small tear-shaped country has emerged as a rewarding travel destination. Despite its tiny size, the island country is replete with things to see—from ancient cities to verdant tea plantations and from gold-sand beaches to wildlife-rich parks. For travelers looking to delve into the country’s history, the Cultural Triangle is an absolute must-see area. The triangle’s three points mark the island’s three historic capitals: the hill country’s capital of Kandy, the medieval city of…
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Sintra Day Trip: Visiting Portugal’s Fairytale City
With its sea of rolling green hills, its whimsical palaces, and its its pastel houses, UNESCO-recognized Sintra is one of Portugal’s most enchanting gems. The photogenic city entices visitors with its verdant setting and dreamy charm. Once referred to as a “glorious Eden” by Lord Byron, Sintra has become a popular day trip destination from Lisbon. Home to some of the most beautiful castles and palaces in Europe, Sintra is chock-a-block full of places to visit. These colorful estates and crumbling fortifications lie hidden within the city’s forested hills—resembling the…
