Earth To Editorial

This statistic is insane. This past year, I found out that 6 out of 10 apartments in Venice are short-term tourist rentals, aka, Airbnbs and VRBOs. That means 60% of housing... is unavailable to people who actually live there. If we continue at this rate, it has already been estimated that by 2030, there will be no full-time residents living in Venice. This is obviously a huge issue, especially when we zoom out and see all the other world destinations affected by overtourism. And not to...

Hey Reader, All I can say is: Wow. This past October, I gave a TEDx talk. It was crazy. Overwhelming. Fun. Scary. Amazing. I had so many mixed feelings about getting up in front of a crowd to talk about a topic I care about, and other people shared my curiosity about the experience as well. “What was it like giving a TEDx talk?” Let’s break it down: 1. The preparation When I was accepted to give a TEDx talk a few months ago, I was immediately assigned a speaking coach whom I then met with...

I'm guilty. I go on and on about the benefits of supporting small businesses when you travel. I harp about the authentic experience, and have made words like culture and sustainability part of my battle cry. Get off the main track and find a real adventure! Interact with locals and support the economy without contributing to tourism leakage! But what happens when that all backfires? What happens when we do all the right things, look for the local experience, get off the tourist track, and end...

This past year, I scored a deal that made me feel like I won the travel lottery. $200 (round-trip, after tax) flights from Boston to Europe. I was gassed. In no short part because, just 6 months earlier, I paid $1,000 for the same route! Travel is a spectacular privilege that I believe everyone should have access to. But let's be real, the cost of travel is a real barrier to entry. According to NerdWallet, Americans anticipated footing a $3,861 bill on a single vacation, and I believe a big...

My mom is planning a trip to Ireland this month, which means I have become her itinerary planner. It's funny because I grew up hearing about her wild travel stories. At a time when women were not able to get a credit card in their own name, she moved to England on her own. ... And hitchhiked across Europe. Now my mom is in her seventies, and times have certainly changed. As much as I love my mom, walking her through sending an email is a 10-minute ordeal. I'm a bit worried about her going...

Whether we realize it or not, every vacation, trip, and experience, we make a choice. Do we make a positive impact on the place we visit, or a negative one? Sadly, the average traveler doesn't realize the impact they have on the destinations they visit, and a major factor is where they choose to stay. Because: Tourism leakage. This is a phenomenon where the money you spend abroad is moved out of the local economy. Literally, leaking from the economy. This happens because major resorts or...

2025 Holiday Gift Guide Dear Santa: Give my travel bestie something they actually want We all have that one friend, the one who can't stop booking flights. The one who collects vacations like they fit inside a shoe box under their bed. We know them, we love them, and yes, they're on the nice list! Our editors rounded up our favorite travel items we're obsessing over this year, so you already know what's on your bestie's mind. Here's a sneak peek at our holiday gift guide, coming out this...

With the rise of overtourism, huge crowds crammed into small historic districts, and a surge in tourist-gouging prices, it’s no wonder that destination dupes are one of the biggest travel trends of this year. But what exactly is a destination dupe, and why should you consider this trend? If you spend any time on TikTok, you know that dupes are all the rage in a ton of different industries. Dupe is short for “duplicate” and means a thing that is usually less expensive than the original while...

The Holiday Gift Guide For your favorite travelers this season Amazon Finds < Travel Items You Need You can find all of these items and more in my holiday gift guide. Never unpack in the airport again. What's in your carry-on is none of our business; it shouldn't be anyone else's in the airport either. Weigh before check-in Not a wrinkle in sight. This portable steamer will keep your clothes looking fresh, even after they spent 8 hours between your toiletries and a shoe. Be wrinkle-free...