The moment I began traveling in Asia, I knew there was a different vibe there than what I’d grown up with. There was a peace, a sense of community, and tranquility that I wanted to understand better.

For nearly a decade, I’ve been a humble student of Buddhism and Tantra, learning all I can about these ancient belief systems and applying them to my life. One of my favorite areas of exploration of late has been the chakras.

The concept of chakras — the name for which means, “wheel,” in Sanskrit — dates back to ancient India, around 1500 B.C., with their first mentioning in the Vedas (the first sacred texts of Hinduism). For the last several millennia, the chakra system has been an important concept in both Hinduism and Tantric Buddhism. So while chakra balancing is often labeled “New Age,” it really is anything but!

If you’re the type of traveler who enjoys good food, beautiful architecture, festivals and unique culture (and who doesn’t?) South Korea is incredible to explore. Rich with cultural history and merged perfectly with modern design, events and technology, the list of things to do in South Korea is practically endless.

Since you have so many choices in South Korea, I’ve narrowed it down to an ultimate bucket list. These are 30 of the best things to do in South Korea:

1. Karaoke is a MUST

Korean karaoke is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Get a group of friends together, rent a karaoke room, order food, order drinks, and grab the mic! Unlike karaoke in the U.S., you don’t have to sing in front of a bunch of strangers or wait your turn. Pass around a book of songs and take full control of the evening. 

2.

Samoa is one of the most underrated destinations of the South Pacific, but one we bet will make its way to the top of your bucket list by the end of this article. 

Samoa’s coast is lined with gorgeous sandy beaches, followed by volcanic cliffs. The crystal clear sea is teeming with colourful coral and an abundance of exotic reef fish and sea turtles. There are jungle-covered volcanoes and sometimes it feels like you’re in Jurassic Park and you wonder when T-rex will make an appearance. You’ll see palm trees everywhere filled with coconuts that are small but oh-so-sweet. And there’s the waterfalls, so many and some of the most beautiful waterfalls we’ve ever seen. Samoa is a true tropical paradise, but even if relaxing on the beach isn’t your thing, there are plenty of things to do and see to keep you entertained.

Top things to do

I admit it, I didn’t have the best impression of Nevada up until recent years.

Sure, it was my playground for Burning Man and in my 20s, Las Vegas, but otherwise I viewed it as a desolate desert state.

I’ve since made Nevada my home and learned that I was wrong.

It turns out that Nevada is the most mountainous state in the lower 48 and has the highest percentage of public land of any state in the US. That means a whole lot of adventures without many people.

Enter Great Basin National Park, one of the least-visited national parks but in my opinion, one of the most impressive for stargazing, tree hugging, glacier views, and challenging hikes.

Thinking of stopping by? These are the best things to do with 48 hours in Great Basin National Park:

Day One: The Alpine Lakes, Bristlecone Pine, and Glacier Loop

When I first discovered Housesitting, I felt like I had struck gold. Is it really possible to stay in a stranger’s beautiful home for free, cuddle with their pets, use their kitchen, sleep in a nice bed all the while continuing to travel and explore the world? As I would soon come to discover, yes, yes it is!

My first housesit was a hilltop home in Marin County, California with fantastic views from the balcony and acres of wooded trails to explore. My charges were two small energetic dogs – Red and Robin – and one very fluffy cat. I spent my days exploring nearby parks with the dogs, drinking local wine and eating my way through delicious California cuisine. A few months later I headed to another housesit on Whidbey Island outside of Seattle where I explored Ebey State Park and hung out with two miniature horses. 

Japan has long intrigued travelers with its unique culture, delicious and healthy food, beautiful countryside, and fascinating capital city, full of technological wonders. It’s easy to see why people adore it.

For the solo traveler, Japan may not immediately come to mind as a great choice. It’s true that the country’s language and cultural differences may take a little getting used to, but after traveling to Japan, I feel that it’s perfect for solo female travelers. Here’s why:

Solo Travel Safety

Japan is safe according to the Global Peace Index, which ranked Japan as the ninth most peaceful country in the world based on violent crime, safety and security, and other peace factors. You may even notice Japanese people saving seats at restaurants by placing their wallets on the table. Talk about trust!

That said, solo travelers should be aware of sexual harassment in Japan. While I haven’t