Mardi Gras in New Orleans is more than a party — it’s a cultural experience filled with parades, traditions, music, food, and unforgettable energy. This ultimate Mardi Gras travel guide shares insider tips on when to go, where to watch parades, what to eat, and how to experience the Big Easy like a local. Perfect for first-time visitors and returning revelers planning an unforgettable Carnival adventure.

2025 was a year of unforgettable travel — from Miami’s vibrant streets and New Zealand’s cinematic landscapes to Australia’s reefs, African safaris, and Patagonia’s towering peaks. Explore my adventures, wildlife encounters, and cultural discoveries across five continents in this travel retrospective.

Torres del Paine National Park in Chilean Patagonia is defined by dramatic granite peaks, turquoise lakes, glaciers, and vast open landscapes. Exploring the park through hikes, scenic viewpoints, and fjord crossings reveals why it is considered one of the world’s top destinations for hiking and photography, highlighted by iconic trails like Base Torres and panoramic views from Condor Viewpoint.

When I awoke from my hotel in Nairobi then morning after my final safari within the Maasai Mara reservation in Kenya; it was time to pack my bags and head towards the next phase my adventure: the country of Tanzania where I would go on safari within 3 additional national parks: Lake Maynara, Serengeti, and the Ngorongoro Crater. To make this trip, I used a local bus that would bring me from Nairobi to the city of Arusha in Tanzania.

This summer, I was able to have my first adventure within the continent of Africa. This marked the final of the 6 primary continents that I have personally traveled to which in of itself was a bucket list accomplishment. My primary goal for attempting to visit during this time of year was to see the Great Migration in person.

My first foray into the reefs was with a snorkel. Within a few minutes, I swam to the edge of the reefs and was awestruck with the variety of shapes and colors I could see of the reefs. The sheer scope needs to be seen in person to truly grasp. I began to swim within the channels that were flowing between the reefs and within a short time; I was surrounded by both reefs and fish in every direction that I looked.

Once I reached Milford Sound within the park, I boarded a boat and spent several hours cruising through the sound, passing breathtaking scenery, towering mountains, and many waterfalls. Milford Sound is best viewed from the water, as the park offers multiple cruise options daily that take visitors out into the sound en route to the open sea, passing by towering mountains along the way that are filled with waterfalls.

My latest adventure finds me exploring my 5th continent as I landed in the New Zealand where I was able to have the privilege of exploring this beautiful country for the next two weeks. My plan was to see as much of this country as I could during my short time here, so I created an itinerary where I was consistently on the move, traveling from city to city on both the North and South Islands.

New Orleans is often regarded as one of the top culinary cities in the world with millions of visitors flocking to the city and its infamous French Quarter on an annual basis. While the local cajun and creole dishes tend to be what gets the most recognition, the French Quarter has increasingly become a more and more diverse tapestry of cuisines to experience with new culinary stylings appearing within the area yearly.

Miami provides travelers with an excellent mix of unique activities, an active nightlife, and plenty of fun in the sun. Whether it’s strolling through Little Havana for some of the country’s top Cuban cuisine or riding a jet ski through the harbor; past multi-million-dollar mansions; you can find a plethora of options within this southern Florida city to fill any vacation with endless travel activities.

On one of these days, I decided to cross off a nearby bucket list item and took a trip to nearby Mt. Fuji to view this iconic landmark.

Possibly the most popular and magical place in the United States to spend Christmas each year is New York City.

I spent some time exploring the history and culture of this region as well, primarily within the city of Kathmandu.

I recently had the privilege of completing a bucket list item that I had been dreaming of for the previous 15 years, the Annapurna Trail.

The French Quarter is overflowing with some of the best regarded restaurants within a city that is known for its cooking.

French Quarter of New Orleans will always be known as the central location that attracts visitors to the city, New Orleans has much more...

Exploring cities while traveling is a fun way to really immerse in a different culture and way of life through their art, food, and events.

The culinary scene in Peru has been among the highlights of my Peruvian Adventure.

The main highlight of my trip to Peru as well as the primary reason I wanted to visit that area was to see Machu Picchu.

This spring, I boarded a plane and traveled to South America for the first time. I decided to spend a week exploring the country of Peru.