Bhutan’s culture and environment are in a precarious situation. The country wants and needs to increase their tourism, yet they are desperately trying to hold on to their most valuable attractions – their culture and pristine environmental resources. My tour operator in the Kingdom provides some wonderful advice and insight on the country. I’ll be Read More…
ethical
Where Have all the Clunkers Gone?
I was almost sucked into the excitement of the Cash for Clunkers program. I test drove a Smart Car and briefly considered trading in my ’99 Jeep Wrangler for one. Turns out I didn’t like the way the Smart Car shifts gears and abandoned the whole idea. (Go test drive one if you don’t know Read More…
Are You an Ugly American? (or Swede, or Brit, or…)
I was interviewed for an article that ran on CNN.com last Friday about the sad behavior of some travelers resulting in them being labeled as Ugly Americans. I’ve seen obnoxious behavior the world over by tourists from North America to Israel and by backpackers and the well-heeled. No group of people are immune to it Read More…
Ethical Travel – Have You Sinned?
I’m not a perfect traveler. As a vegetarian, I’ve turned down chicken after the poor bird was ceremoniously killed in a remote Vietnamese village on my (and my traveling companion’s) behalf. I’ve hugged a male Indian friend and only realized afterward how incredibly uncomfortable he was with my display of (very innocent) affection. And I’ve Read More…