When you’ve got a wad of K83,000 Lao kip jammed into your wallet (because it won’t possibly fit into your moneybelt), it can be easy to lose sight of the fact you’re only carrying around about US$10. When dealing with different currencies, it’s hard to know how much you’re actually spending, particularly because exchange rates can change on a dime these days — the Canadian loonie is practically bipolar. So whether you’re debating over that Buddhist thangka in Kathmandu or those half-price Prada shoes in Paris, there are tools that can help you stick to your budget. To read the full story, click here.
Photo Credit: OANDA
Whether you’re looking for a gift to help the traveler in your life protect their electronic equipment, document their travels or just figure out where the heck they are, there are plenty of ideas to suit either the techno-geek or the techno-phobe. To read the full story, 
There’s something to be said about detaching from technology when we travel — I like to drop off the radar to truly get away from it all. But I also realize that’s not always practical, and there are a lot of cool gadgets out there designed to make life easier and more comfortable on the road less traveled. Here are a few gift ideas for the traveler in your life, most for under $100. To read the full story, 
If you’re shopping around for a new backpack, you might feel overwhelmed by the vast array of choices in every size, shape, colour and price range. Whether you’re looking for a purpose-built pack or something more generic, it can be challenging to choose between dozens of models or know how much to spend. Here are a few things to keep in mind when looking for the right pack. To read the full story, 
You don’t have to be a religious zealot or history buff to appreciate the significance of Davit Gareja in the former Soviet republic of Georgia. The ancient cave monasteries, which date back to the 6th century, literally lie on the border between Georgia and Azerbaijan — at the crossroads of Europe, the Middle East and Asia. To read the full story, 
The Kiwis call it tramping — but whether you refer to it as tramping, trekking or hiking, New Zealand is one of the best places to do it in the world, particularly as we head into the Southern Hemisphere’s summer season. If you’re a fan of the Lord of the Rings movies and want a chance to experience Mordor for yourself, check out the Tongariro Crossing — considered New Zealand’s best day walk — or continue on to do the Northern Circuit over four to five days. To read the full story, 
If you’re traveling to northern China, you probably want to check out the Great Wall — you, along with hordes of other tourists. In Beijing, most tourists head to Badaling, the most accessible (and crowded) section of the Great Wall, which has also been extensively renovated — if you’re looking for authentic charm, this isn’t it. But if you plan to trek the Great Wall, you may get to experience it in relative isolation (particularly during the off-season) if you organize a day trip to trek along a 12-km section of the wall from Jinshanling to Simatai. To read the full story, 
Years ago when I first visited Ton Sai Beach in Thailand’s Krabi province, it was considered off the radar. Now, tourism has increased dramatically, and Ao Nang — once a quaint fishing village — is like a mini Ko San Road in Bangkok. The tsunami that wiped away beach bungalows at nearby Railay Beach in 2004 has led to the development of sprawling high-end resorts, but fortunately, Ton Sai Beach has retained much of its budget backpacker charm. To read the full story, 
People often ask me why I travel. It’s a simple question, but one I find almost impossible to answer. The answers sound lame: I like to meet new people, step outside my comfort zone. All true, of course, but there’s a lot more to it than that. I can think of a lot of reasons why one shouldn’t travel — if you’re trying to run from your demons, they’ll find you, even at the height of the Himalayas or the depths of the Amazon Basin. Funny thing about demons, they’re even worse when you have to face them alone in remote, foreign lands. 