What do you get when you cross 500,000 pounds of meat, surgical gloves, and some “testosterone-fueled bro hugs?” The world’s largest, American Royal BBQ competition in Kansas City. Duh. BBQ in the states isn’t just slapping some meat on a grill; “real” BBQ is an art, complete with a history of its own. This Guardian [...]

As a follow-up to Monday’s article about proper hostel etiquette — a must-read for first-time travelers — BootsnAll has this list of the “7 Deadly Sins of Travel,” which, I guarantee, even the most seasoned travelers have partaken in the past. (Given to any beggars during your trips?) Regarding #1, “Taking budget travel too seriously” [...]

Despite being voted the best city in Britain by the Observer Travel Awards, Edinburgh seems to be a mysteriously intriguing place. What better way to coax a city out from behind its walls is to, as Ian Rankin discovers, take a walk and get lost, or better yet, go get some drinks. This pleasant saunter of [...]

Bánh xèo means either “sizzling cake” or “sound crepe,” depending on what your Google search turns up, but either way, the name refers to this southern Vietnamese crepe made of rice flour, water, coconut milk, pork, shrimp, and bean sprouts that’s pan fried, then “rolled up in a leaf of lettuce and dipped in a [...]

L.A. to Bangkok for $777: Korea’s Asiana Airlines is luring west coast travelers to Asia with a ton of flights under $800, including Seattle to Beijing for $717 and San Francisco to Hong Kong for $717. NYC to Lima for $486: This is a final price, with taxes and fees. South America in the fall, [...]

In the never-ending quest to discover the “Phuket of the ’80′s,” could it be that the Vietnamese island of Phu Quoc, just off the Cambodian border in the Gulf of Thailand, is the real thing? Years away from overdevelopment, Phu Quock is known for its peaceful white-sand beaches, laid-back atmosphere, and as the world’s premier [...]

So, I’ve recently figured out a lot about myself. For starters, I’m a sucker for rice terraces, any kind of non-English pop music always sounds better to me for whatever reason, traditional dancing of any kind will mesmerize me, and my newest personal factoid: I dig weird landscapes. I recently found some amazing pictures of Chile’s Atacama [...]

Some travelers head to Salem, Massachusetts for the month-long Halloween events, others head to Madison, Wisconsin’s Freakfest or New York City’s Village Halloween Parade for two of the country’s largest celebrations. (And, if you were wondering, I am planning to be Paul Kinsey from “Mad Men” this year.) But, as a true traveler, you want [...]

By Jon Wick To see more shots of my recent adventures through Japan, Vietnam (and once I have some free time, Korea), please visit my Flickr photostream.

Looking for ways to avoid making enemies out of your fellow travelers? Here are 13 sure-fire ways to make your hostel hostile. Follow or risk deportation from your dorm. By Carrie Thompson 1) Adult Relations When people use the phrase “get a room” when you’re busy making out with the stranger you just met at [...]