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.
-
Three Days in Barcelona: What to See and Do
With whimsical fabled architecture and some of the liveliest streets in Europe, Barcelona lures party-seekers, history enthusiasts, and everyone in between. The city houses a staggering wealth of architectural masterpieces and cultural highlights—weaving a tapestry of iconic buildings, resplendent plazas and winding alleyways. As the largest city in Catalonia, it represents the best of Spain’s breakaway region in a nutshell. It is boisterous yet classy, worldly yet idiosyncratic. THREE DAY BARCELONA ITINERARY Following a brief side-trip to Andorra, I met my mother-in-law in Barcelona for a three day visit…
-
Day Trip to France and Andorra from Barcelona
Renowned for its plethora of banks and high end shopping malls, the minuscule nation of Andorra seems an unlikely destination for lovers of nature and the outdoors. The country is a tax haven and a duty-free shopping mecca. In summer months, it lures hoards of day trippers from France and Spain with its favorable prices and luxurious escapes. But beyond its bustling capital, Andorra la Vella, the country’s idyllic landscapes reveal an astounding wealth of natural splendor. Situated at the heart of the Pyrenees Mountains and sandwiched between Spain and…
-
Alvord Desert and Steens Mountain: A Southeast Oregon Road Trip
Southeastern Oregon is a special place. And not just because it is where Dan proposed to me under a blanket of stars during our brief Oregon road trip in 2018. It is special because it is one of the last outposts of off-the-beaten-path wilderness in the continental United States. Driving through the lower-right corner of Oregon is like navigating the surface of the moon. It is desolate. It is stark. It is parched. It is often viewed as a wasteland; a barren stretch of flyover country that is defined by…
-
Travel Guide to Pohnpei: Micronesia’s Emerald Isle
Pohnpei is a tropical Micronesian paradise that lies far from the trodden tourist trail. One of the rainiest and most remote places on Earth, the jungle-clad speck of green is a Garden of Eden that tourism forgot. But for avid explorers and lovers of off-beat destinations, Pohnpei offers a diverse array of things to see and do—both above and below sea level. From ancient ruins to pristine mangrove forests and from gushing waterfalls to remote atolls, the Micronesian island is a wonderland of undiscovered gems. I visited Pohnpei with my…
-
The Marshall Islands: Guide to Majuro and Arno Atoll
The Marshall Islands are a group of Micronesian atolls strung out over the vast Pacific Ocean. They are remote, untouched and truly off the beaten path. Few people have heard of the Marshall Islands. Fewer still have set foot on their sandy shores. From above, the coral atolls of the Marshall Islands look like ribbons of iridescent blue dotting a cobalt ocean. Blink once and you see the them. Blink twice, and they’re gone. TRAVELING TO THE MARSHALL ISLANDS Due to the Marshall Islands’ extreme isolation, the country only…
-
Three Day Kyoto and Osaka Itinerary
Japan’s Kansai Region represents the country in a nutshell. Home to atmospheric temples and colorful flashing billboards, the beautiful region on Honshu Island contains both the modern comforts and culinary delights of urban Japan, as well as the nostalgic charm of the country’s hinterland. Kansai’s two largest cities—Osaka and Kyoto—offer the perfect introduction to Japan. Together, the cities reveal a country of quirks and contrasts, while showcasing the rich history and modern impulses that contribute to Japan’s layered and widespread appeal. Though I only had a short weekend to spend…
