Best Blogs for Cultured Travelers

Here are a few of our favorite travel blogs. Like this one, they cover subjects such as educational travel, luxury journeys, and unique experiences around the world.

GENERAL:

A Little Adrift

Shannon O’Donnell left her home to travel the world in 2008. Today, O’Donnell’s blog documents her journeys in destinations from to Australia to Zanzibar. Core themes include connecting to cultures through food, planning long-term travel, and motivating others to explore the world. O’Donnell is also the author of The Volunteer Traveler’s Handbook

Carry On (Travel + Leisure)

Want to know about the latest flight restrictions to Israel? Curious about a new partnership between Seabourn cruises and UNESCO? Check out Travel + Leisure’s blog. In addition to newsworthy items, “Carry On” also has travel quizzes and posts on topics such as the world’s tallest water slide.

Intelligent Travel

National Geographic’s travel blog tries to “heighten awareness about what’s really important about travel: finding great places, experiencing them fully, and leaving them no worse for your visit.” Recent posts include everything from American National Parks to Hong Kong hotels.

LUXURY:

A Luxury Travel Blog

This travel blog “for those who enjoy the finer things in life” covers high-end hotels, but it also has posts on topics such as baguettes in Paris, horseback adventures in the UK, the top bars in Bali, and the best golf and spa resorts in South Africa. It is run by Paul Johnson, a member of the Professional Travel Bloggers Association, with a team of more than 300 writers and guest bloggers.

SPECIAL INTEREST:

A Wandering Botanist 

A widely traveled plant expert, Kathy Keeler “searches the globe for stories of the plant wonders of the world.” Keeler traveled with Academic Arrangements Abroad  last month on our “In the Wake of the Vikings” cruise and blogged about the interesting plants and wildflowers she encountered on the Faroe Islands.

FAMILY:

Ciaobambino 

This blog offers curated lists of the best hotels, cruise ships, and resorts for families around the world. Reviews, based on real experiences, are written by parents. Recent posts have included topics such as “Family-Friendly Apartments in Biarritz.” In addition, the blog has useful articles such as “How to Keep Your Kid Entertained on a Plane.”

CULTURAL TRAVEL:

The Cultureur 

This blog “on the cusp of local culture and luxury travel” serves up posts on subjects such as “Dos and Don’ts in Paris” and “Top 5 Indian Food Musts in New Delhi.” In addition to travel topics, the blog also covers food, health, social media, books and more, and it has photo essays and “Sunday Snapshots” of locations around the world.

Hole in the Donut Cultural Travel

After years of working in jobs she didn’t love, Barbara Weibel decided to pursue her true passions: travel, writing, and photography. She’s now the owner/editor of Hole in the Donut, which covers subjects such as seeing the Northern Lights in Norway and visiting small shops in Sorrento. The blog also has travel tips and a section on volunteering.

 

Nerd’s Eye View

Writer Pam Mandel travels the world with her camera, husband, and ukulele. Her blog covers everything from hummingbirds in Arizona to undersea critters at the Seattle Aquarium. There’s also a “Ukulele FAQ” and a gear guide section on the blog.

The Suitcase Scholar

Former teacher and self-described “travel geek” Tracy Antonioli writes about topics such as “How to Visit Monticello,” Montreal dining, and cruising on the Columbia River. The Laudable Lodging section reviews places to stay.