On the road in 2024

Hey everyone! It’s been a while since I’ve written a real blog. Sure, there have been plenty of how-to posts, itineraries, lodging suggestions, and updates to old posts to continue to help you travel on a budget. But it’s been over a year since I’ve written anything personal, and it’s been even longer since I’ve shared a story from the road.

At the beginning of 2022, I wrote that I felt like I didn’t have much left to say. Sure, there are always new destinations to write about, but in terms of thoughts and advice, after 14+ years of travel writing, I was exhausted. There are only so many posts you can write about “how to find a cheap flight” or how to make friends or how to overcome your fears.

That’s why in the last two and a half years I’ve only published three articles that weren’t about “the best hostels in London” or something like that.

But I always left the door open to come back if I wanted.

And finally the desire hit me.

A lot has happened in the past year. Business-wise, I’ve shut down our community and tour company, scaled back my other projects, and spent a lot of time working on some new books. In late May, I finished the next update to my book, How to Travel the World on $50 a DayThe new, inflation-adjusted, post-COVID edition will be released in March 2025.

This past year has also seen a lot of personal changes. I moved back to New York City and I love it. I’m a city person and I really enjoy being in a place where I don’t need a car. Plus, there’s a lot to see and do, more people to hang out with, and no food I can’t find. I have a great group of friends here, I’ve found a lot of hobbies I enjoy, and I’ve found a good work-life balance. This is truly home.

But it wasn’t all rainbows and unicorns.

Last summer I had tuberculosis, which, although diagnosed early and treatable with antibiotics, still forced me to quarantine and take medications for a long time. Then I had some muscle issues related to aging and some intestinal issues that I’m working on now.

But, with the book and most of my health worries behind me, I feel like I’m entering a new chapter in my life.

Now I’m in Europe for the rest of the summer. While I’ve been to the continent countless times, my goal here is to visit regions I’ve never been to before. I’m currently in Barcelona before heading to Provence and then Germany. After that, who knows! I won’t get my book edits until the end of the month, so I’m just enjoying the ride!

This is all my long-winded way of saying that I’ve decided to get back into blogging and will be posting again. I have some stories to share and new thoughts on the nature of travel, the creator economy, and artificial intelligence.

I still feel like my schedule is all messed up, and I definitely want to work on that when I get home to New York. I always take on more than I can handle, but that’s fall! Right now, the road is calling, and I’m answering its call.

Expect this blog to come back to life soon!