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.

  • Hilltop Churches in Naxos Greece
    Greece

    Things to Do in Naxos: Largest Island in the Cyclades

    The Greek island of Naxos is an unassuming gem. Boasting traditional Cycladic whitewashed villages and dramatic scenery, it is both understated and well-endowed. Naxos welcomes visitors with its laidback charm and sparkling Aegean waters. It may not be as renowned as nearby Santorini or Mykonos, but the island exudes a different vibe: one that is less commercialized, less Insta-famous, and equally beautiful.    TOP NAXOS ATTRACTIONS AND ITINERARY SUGGESTIONS Naxos is the largest and greenest island in the Cyclades. It contains a wonderful balance of charming towns, photogenic scenery, ancient…

  • Santorini White Village and Blue Domes
    Greece

    Two Days in Santorini: Gem of the Cyclades

    Santorini is a destination that needs no introduction. One of the most renowned islands in the world, it is quite simply a breathtaking place—with whitewashed villages tumbling toward the sea and cobalt waters scintillating under the Aegean sun. Considering its beauty, it comes as no surprise that the Greek island is a magnet for Instagrammers and honeymooners. Millions of tourists flock to its shores every year in search of the perfect white and blue backdrop. Although I often pride myself in straying away from the crowds, I could’t resist adding…

  • Pink Sand Beach from above
    The Bahamas

    Guide to Harbour Island in the Bahamas

    Harbour Island measures three miles in length and about half a mile in width. A mere dot on the map, it lies just off the coast of untamed Eleuthera, in the remote Out Islands of the Bahamas. Despite its relative isolation and easygoing vibe, the wee Caribbean gem packs a lot of glitz and glamour into its five-square-mile footprint. The sliver of land—fondly known as “Briland” by locals—has ended up in the luxury travel spotlight. With its impossibly clear waters and delicate pink sand, Harbour Island is a tiny coral…

  • Things to Do on Eleuthera
    The Bahamas

    Things to Do in Eleuthera: A Comprehensive Guide

    Eleuthera fans out over the Caribbean’s waters like a loose ribbon on a blue and turquoise quilt. A long skinny island, it measures over 100 miles in length, while never reaching more than a few miles in width. The scenic island is one of over 700 land masses that make up the Bahamas Archipelago. Its serpentine shape conceals coves and windswept beaches that boast some of the most scenic attractions in all of the Caribbean.   ELEUTHERA ISLAND ATTRACTIONS Though Eleuthera’s beaches are marvelous, the island contains a variety of…

  • Spanish Wells from Above
    The Bahamas

    Guide to Spanish Wells in the Bahamas

    Soft powdery sands. Pristine pool-like waters. Idyllic shores that consistently rank among the best in the world.   Welcome to the Bahamas: an unparalleled destination for beach-lovers. The jewel-like Bahamas caters to honeymooners, cruise-ship tourists, and sailing-enthusiasts. The country consists of over 700 islands—many of them uninhabited—that lie scattered about the Caribbean Sea.  Each of these islands has its own flavor, its own history, and its own reasons for visiting.  And yet few have as interesting a history as St George’s Cay—a fleck of sand off Eleuthera that is home to…

  • United States of America

    Discovering the Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuges

    The Klamath Basin covers a large swath of northern California and southern Oregon. A relatively undiscovered area, it is among the best birding destinations in the United States. Or so I’m told.  I’m not a birder. Nor do I pretend to be. In fact, during our ‘birding’ trip to the Klamath Basin, Dan and I mostly referred to species with vague descriptive names. We pointed out ‘spindly white birds’ and ‘scoop-beaked birds’ and ‘yellow-headed birds.’ In other words, we had no idea what we were talking about. But still, as…