Six Degrees of Vietnam

Julia Ross went to Vietnam seeking relaxation and a place to recover from a breakup. She found a whole lot more.

Another Tet Offensive

At a cafe in Nha Trang, Vietnam, in the midst of Chinese New Year celebrations, Joel Carillet worked up the courage to ask out his waitress

The Perils of Traveling by Private Jet

Smoke-Free Hotels On the Rise

Los Angeles Native Jonny Olsen: Huge in Laos

Saving Chekhov’s Yalta ‘White Dacha’ Home

How Can I Save on Transportation During a Round-the-World Trip?

Vagabonding traveler Rolf Potts answers your questions about travel

13 Great Travel Horror Movies

The Hollywood horror archives are filled with tales of bad trips. To celebrate Halloween, Eva Holland and Eli Ellison sift through the carnage to pick their favorites—and lose a little sleep doing so.

Matt Weiland: Through 50 States With 50 Writers

The coeditor of “State by State: A Panoramic Portrait of America” talks to Frank Bures about the book, the WPA and how the United States hasn’t been “bulldozed for speed”

Love Herring in Sweden

From artery-clogging casseroles to a fermented concoction that smells alarmingly like vinegary flatulence, Lola Akinmade digs in to a smörgåsbord of herring and explains how to best appreciate Scandinavia’s favorite fish. 

The Water Is Wide

Bronwen Dickey considers Tim Butcher’s “Blood River: A Journey to Africa’s Broken Heart,” which takes readers deep into the Congo

Vagrant Ruminations of a Compulsive Traveler

Where does the urge to hunt for that “fleeting fix of elsewhere” come from? Peter Wortsman recalls a life of travel inspiration. 

Notes From an Unofficial Tourist Greeter

Summer is over, and so is Julia Ross‘ season as an ambassador to travelers in Washington, D.C.’s Woodley Park neighborhood. She’s happy to be off duty.

Russia: ‘Cold, Dark, Drowning in Vodka, and Ruled by the KGB’

First, I should say that I have travelled to Russia, speak some Russian, and consider myself a Russophile. It is an interesting country, if nothing else.  There are many aspects of Russian culture that I admire. Their government and the Russian people’s response (and incredible lack thereof) to it are not among them.

Americans images of Russia ARE somewhat mistaken, but mostly because they just don’t visit there and don’t have easy access. It has nothing to do with journalism.  The language is intimidating and the visa and registration process is just complicated enough to keep away travellers who can pursue less bureaucratic destinations.  My top 10 list of thoughts regarding Russia probably would not coincide with the average Americans.  However, I can promise you, the Kremlin still would not consider my 10 items very flattering.

So rather than change the reality of Russia, which is difficult ... the Russian government has decided to launch a propa .. err .. marketing campaign! Brilliant!  Certainly much more cost effective.  And it is sure to counter you nasty ole journalists reporting any item of truth regarding life in Russia.  Yes, all news and all potential political activities (read: NGOs) should be under Mother Russia’s enormous, round, plump ... thumb.  And as a result, the next time Russia sells billions of dollars worth of military hardware to Iran, I am CERTAIN the western public will be MUCH more sympathetic and understanding.

Perhaps I should be more careful.  Comments like these might make it more difficult for me to get a visa to Russia next time. Obviously, I am some subversive agent of the US government.  ;-)