Latest from Kaitlin Murray
20 Articles
Visiting Te Puia and the Geothermal Landscape of Rotorua in New Zealand
Located in Rotorua's Whakarewarewa Valley, Te Puia cultural center sits on one of New Zealand's most active geothermal landscapes. Home to erupting geysers, inc

Ancient Pyramids and Mysterious History: Visiting Teotihuacan From Mexico City
Rising into the warm light of the Mexican sunrise, the ancient city of Teotihuacan slowly came into view below. From the hot air balloon, the pyramids appeared

Inside the Korean DMZ: Experiencing One of the World's Most Tense Borders
Sitting on the bus in downtown Seoul, heading north toward the DMZ, I felt that familiar mix of curiosity and hesitation as I entered an unstable conflict zone.

I Traveled to Nepal for the Mountains and Ended Up on Safari Instead
Our guide slammed on the gas as the open-air jeep bounced backward at full speed, the giant Asian elephant staring directly back at us on the dirt path. Stuck i

I Drove a Rental Car on a Self-Drive Safari in South Africa. This Is How It Went.
"Step on the gas. Right. Now!” I yelled as the angry African elephant stared right back at our car, standing almost double its size. The car backed up in a fury

6 Ancient Sites in the Middle East & North Africa That Completely Changed My Understanding of History
Traveling throughout the Middle East and North Africa is often described as a journey through the origins of civilizations. Long before modern borders were draw

What It’s Really Like To Experience Day of the Dead in Mexico City
For one week a year, Mexico City transforms into a place of celebration and remembrance, honoring those who have come before and appreciating the beauty of life

I Explored Luanda, Angola Without Knowing Anything About the City. This Is What I Saw.
Angola was one of those places that had slipped through the cracks of everything I knew about the world. Before arriving, I couldn't have told you much about it

I Live in Mexico City – These Are 5 Cultural Experiences Most Travelers Miss
Mexico City is having its moment in the limelight, with an increase in visitors drawn to its energy, history, and reputation as one of the world’s premier food

Exploring Issy-Kul and Osh: Understanding Kyrgyz Culture Through Food Tours
Kyrgyzstan is often described as the land of mountains and yurts, an untouched landscape of dramatic mountain ranges and open pastures for horseback riding adve

Pink Dolphins, Indigenous Tribes, and Giant Fish – Exploring the Amazon River in Manaus
Bouncing along the river, the murky waters of the Amazon River tributary extended in each direction. In the distance, a line of vibrant green trees looked out o

If You're Going To Mexico City, Don't Miss Trying These 4 Foods
If you don't like trying new foods, don't come to Mexico City. On every street corner and tucked into every alleyway is a new food experience waiting to be had.

If You’re Headed to San Miguel De Allende, Consider Exploring These Towns Too
Rated the "Best City in the World" by Travel and Leisure in 2025, San Miguel de Allende is gaining international fame for its charming, colorful streets, artisa

Top 6 Experiences For History Lovers in Luxor, Egypt
For many of us who grew up watching the Indiana Jones or The Mummy films, we dreamed of a day when we could set foot in the deserts of Egypt and feel its mystic

What To Do in Rio de Janeiro: Exploring Brazil's Most Iconic City
Rio de Janeiro is one of the world's most recognizable landscapes. The granite mountains rise suddenly out of the ocean, golden beaches stretch along the coastl

Tunisia Road Trip: Ancient Cities, Sahara Dunes, and Mediterranean Beaches
Often overlooked as a Mediterranean destination, Tunisia is a country with one of the most diverse landscapes in North Africa, featuring Roman amphitheaters, Is

I Sailed the Nile Twice. Here Is What the Journey Taught Me.
Sailing down the Nile had always been on my bucket list since I was a child. If there was one thing no one could separate me from, it was the Egyptology encyclo

Where to Explore in Cairo Beyond the Pyramids of Giza
Throughout history, Cairo has been known as the home of the Pyramids, the enduring legacy of the pharaohs who immortalized themselves in stone tombs. Over time,

Cappadocia Beyond the Hot Air Balloons: Cultural Experiences in Turkey's Most Magical Region
As the sun rises over the fairy chimneys in the early hours of the morning, hundreds of hot air balloons take to the skies, soaring above the valleys and hills

72 Hours in Istanbul: What To Do and How To Experience The City
Istanbul used to feel like the center of the world. As the meeting point between East and West and the only capital city in the world straddling two continents,

