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.
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Serbia’s Cities: Two Days in Belgrade and Novi Sad
Serbia isn’t known for its monuments or its historical attractions. Thanks to a long history of conquests and the NATO bombings of the late 1990s, much of the country’s architectural heritage has been destroyed. But what Serbia lacks in must-see attractions, it more than makes up for with its youthful exuberance, its lively atmosphere and its pleasant green spaces. Belgrade is Serbia’s capital and beating heart. It is a city that dates back 7,000 years, yet also one that is looking toward the future with optimism. After a tumultuous decade…
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Day Trip to the Plitvice Lakes from Zagreb
While Europe may be best known for its historical monuments and architectural achievements, the continent’s natural wonders should not be missed. From soaring mountain peaks to white sand beaches and from thundering waterfalls to idyllic farmlands, this small continent of over forty individual countries takes years–if not decades–to discover. I’ve been to Europe more times than I can count. And each time–whether I’m visiting the same country for the thirtieth time, or setting foot in a completely new place–I’m left awestruck by the continent’s spellbinding beauty, its rich history and its…
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Volunteering with All Hands and Hearts in the USVI
Though the media has long stopped paying attention to the damages that hurricanes Irma and Maria inflicted on the people of the Caribbean, rebuilding efforts in the region are far from over. On many islands, power lines are still down, houses are still uninhabitable and businesses are still closed. Puerto Rico received much of the media attention in the months following the deadly storms. And rightly so; the island suffered over 3,000 casualties. But the twin hurricanes also devastated the nearby United States Virgin Islands (USVI)–flattening shops and hotels and…
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7 Unforgettable Days in Cuba: A One Week Itinerary
Seductive and secretive, Cuba has captured the imagination of American travelers for decades—not least because it has been shrouded in mystery for so long. The birthplace of salsa and producer of coveted Cuban cigars, it is a small country that has made a large splash around the globe both culturally and politically. For years, Cuba was closed off to American tourists. And though people still found ways to visit the country illegally via Mexico or Canada, Cuba managed to avoid the levels of mass tourism found elsewhere in the Caribbean.…
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Seoul in Winter: Two Chilly Days in South Korea’s Capital
After a week in Cambodia’s sweltering tropical heat, Seoul’s winter weather hit me like a slap in the face. I had bundled in layers from head to toe and braced myself for freezing temperatures, but nothing quite prepared me for the rush of cold air that met me as I stepped off the plane at the Incheon International Airport. Temperatures hovered around ten degrees Farenheit and the fierce wind sliced at my bones. It was a stark reminder that we were no longer in the tropics. And that winter in…
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Visiting Angkor Wat: Travel Guide and Itinerary
Angkor Wat is an enduring example of humanity’s devotion to its deities. A sprawling temple complex of crumbling palaces, ruined sculptures and holy places of worship, it is the largest religious structure on Earth. There are few places on the planet that rival the staggering and mysterious beauty of Angkor Wat. The glorious temple is the heart and soul of Cambodia: it is the country’s premier tourist attraction, its national symbol, and the epicenter of Khmer civilization. THE TEMPLES OF ANGKOR Angkor Wat is the undeniable highlight of travel…
