Frequent readers will know that Western Africa is one of my favorite parts of the world, so my expectations were already high when I secured a lift to Bamako.

It’s not New York or Shanghai — it’s Cairo. Here are some tips and tricks for enjoying the cultural life of this great city without getting a headache or hearing loss.

A common mistake travelers make is packing things that can be easily (and cheaply) purchased once they arrive at their destination.

One of the most valuable things I’ve learned in my travels is that the best food is any destination is never at the fancy hotels. Follow the locals and you’ll eat well (and cheaply).

One of the biggest adjustments for me when I first started traveling was losing my innate suspicion of other people. I’d glad I did, because so much of my journey has been about the people I’ve met along the way.

You can’t have a typical relationship while you travel the world, but that doesn’t mean romance is always out of reach.

Morocco has four historical capitals: Fez, Marrakesh, Meknes and Rabat. I spent a week in each and emerged with a clear favorite.