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About Us

About Travellious

How do we define travel?

Travel to us is a host of things: feeling foreign, experiencing the world anew, or enjoying a place's natural and cultural resources. We see the traveler as an archaeologist, who's goal is to uncover the zeitgeist (or spirit) of a place. Peruse some of our thoughts on finding the essence of a place below:
Travel Like A Human Being: See A Neighborhood Through Its Eyes
prenzlauer berg
Image: CDrewing.
Think about how you visit cities for a moment. You might find yourself drawn towards the big attractions: the monuments, the museums, what you're "supposed to see." Rinse, wash, repeat. The world becomes a homogeneous place filled with McDonalds, Starbucks, and the Gap. But what about the parts that aren't in the guidebooks, that doesn't get the attention it deserves? On your next trip, take a moment, or heck, take a whole day, and get to know the heart and soul of a neighborhood through its own eyes. All that sightseeing gets tiring, doesn't it? Why not take a day off, spend it like a local, and really appreciate where it is that you are visiting. We like to spend the morning in a cafe in New York and watch the world walk by with their dogs, or spend a late summer's afternoon in a biergarten in Berlin watching friends and families come together for a snack. So, on your next trip, plan some downtime. Hit up a bar at happy hour. Head to a coffee shop in the morning and see how people get to work. Grab a newspaper, a park bench, and enjoy a lazy afternoon watching everyone else. The possibilities are endless. We think you'll come away with a sense of the soul of a place and a lot of good memories. What's your favorite neighborhood to visit? Some of our top favorites are the East Village in NYC, Prenzlaeur berg in Berlin, the Alphabet District in Portland, just to name a few.
Ask An Italian: Where's the Line?
Francesco Serra, our good friend and resident expert on all things Italian, provides us with valuable insights on Italian culture. Residing in the northern city of Padova, but being a fiercely proud native Calabrian, he brings a unique perspective on all things Italian.
italians in line
Image: sshingler.
Our question today for Francesco....why is it that Italians never seem to get in an orderly line, say like the British or Americans do? When I'm in Italy I never know what to do, and feel intimidated to tell someone, hey, I was here first. Can you give me some insight and some advice on how to survive waiting my turn around a bunch of Italians?
Have a question about Italy? Send us an e-mail and we'll have him answer your question here.

We Italians look strange outside of our country, that's for sure, and sometimes its not only in the ways you would expect. There are many things which are typical of Italians, like never getting in an orderly line, or, better yet, never keeping the line ordered. ;) The fact is that we often start standing in a line one after another, but if the line grows over three people, then the line has some trouble... So, if you're in a crowded place, you will often find someone who has astutely exploited your momentary disregard for your place in line. I think this behavior stems from our "Latin" roots, which in my opinion causes most crazy behaviors in countries with Latin descendants. The best advice I can give you is to always pay attention to who is around you, so you can understand who's more likely to try to be slick. If you notice that someone tries to steal your turn, put yourself in a place where you can control the potential stealer by subtly blocking him with your shoulder :) Enjoy your next line in Italy!
No one knows a place better than a local, so we're asking our circle of friends to be our experts and answer our questions. If you'd like to become our resident expert on a city or country, drop us an e-mail
Travel Like A Human Being: Get Out Of The Car
Dog on a road trip
Image: MicheKerr.
Long road trips can take a lot out of you. As a kid, every year, twice a year, we'd book it for 7 hours straight to visit our grandparents in Pennsylvania. Highway after highway passed by without a single thing to do. Sure, we'd stop at road-side rest stops and fast-food joints, but otherwise we were glued to our seat. This "the trip doesn't matter" attitude, meant that, for the longest time, West Virginia, Maryland and south-central PA were nothing more to me than the highway. Pennsylvania, to me, was an odd mixture of Amish people and adult book stores. (If you've ever driven on 11/15 in PA you'll know what I mean.) I never got to stop and eat at Dodie's Restaurant in Chambersburg, or see downtown Martinsburg, or eat some great food at one of the numerous Amish markets. Instead, I was stuck with my misconceptions and a sore butt. So, the next time you're going to visit parents, friends, or anyone else within a day's drive (especially if you have kids with you) plan a few side trips. Find that cool farm, a weird restaurant, or just stop in a downtown of somewhere new. You'll find you'll have more to remember from that trip than just your destination. Who knows, that side trip could turn out to be your next real trip.
Art Outside the Box: Sir John Soane's Museum
Museums aren't the only place where you can check out the masterpieces. Here's our series guide to seeing the arts...for free.
Sir John Soane Museum facade
Image: OZinOH.
One of my favorite ways to view art is in a house museum, a collection of art that is in the home of it's original owner instead of a museum. The home itself can often be a treat with original furnishings and period decor. More importantly, you get the privilege of seeing art on a real scale, as it was meant to be displayed. Instead of seeing art in a sterile white box, you get a unique and highly personal display of a collector's treasures. The next time you're heading to a new city, don't overlook a house museum.
This week's freebie...the Sir John Soane's Museum in London.
red room at Sir John Soane Museum
Image: Luke Robinson.
Sir John Soane (1753-1837) was an English architect who built in the Neo-Classical style, his most famous work being the Bank of England. He also was an avid art collector and amassed a huge collection of art and antiquities, which he displayed in his home in Lincoln's Inn Fields, London.
Sir John Soane Museum ceiling
Image: Barbara Rich.
He filled his home with prints, paintings and sculpture, all of which you can see, as he displayed it while you wander through the rooms of his home.
stairway Sir John Soane Museum
Image: hello.vickibrown.
A true collector, he left not one spot on his walls uncovered. You could spend hours taking in all of the sculpture and get a peek into the life of a quirky 19th century collector. Check out the virtual tour to get a feel for the sheer volume for yourself.
stone head Sir John Soane Museum
Image: Barbara Rich.
His collection also contains thousands of architectural drawings, prints, and paintings, including William Hogarth's series A Rake's Progress, as well as a few vedute paintings (translated loosely as vistas) by the Venetian Canaletto. How To Visit: Open Tuesday through Saturday from 10am-5pm and is completely free. If you'd like a guided tour it will set you back a few pounds, but this is a fun place to wander around and discover on your own. They even have free audio tours you can download before you go. Related Posts: Art Outside the Box: Library of Congress Art Outside the Box: Public Art in Seattle

What we believe.

Travel is possible. Instead of making excuses for why you can't travel, start thinking of how you can. Regardless of your life's circumstances, you can make it happen. This may mean you won't follow the crowd, but you don't have to or need to travel like everyone else. Above all, we believe travel should be a personalized experience on this earth. If you're looking for ways to plan your own adventure, check out some of our ideas below:
Using Travel To Fight Your Fears
Image: LunaDiRimmel.
What are you afraid of? What don't you like about yourself? Whatever it is, I'm suggesting that on your next trip, you give yourself a goal to try to overcome whatever fear/neurosis/etc that's bothering you. Whether it's something as "simple" as going up in a tall building if you're afraid of heights to trying to overcome a fear of commitment, travel gives you an opportunity to see yourself in a new light. New situations and environments force your brain into a different mode, providing you with a virtual "reset" that can allow you to step out of your normal life, and try something new to overcome your problems. Sooo...about that fear of commitment I was talking about earlier? Yeahhh. That's me. The fear of heights is, too, but I'll save that for another time. How does one try to attack a fear of making decisions? By forcing yourself to be the decision maker on a trip, over and over. Where are we going to eat? It's your decision to make. On our most recent trip to Italy I put myself in this role, to try to force myself out of a constant state of indecisiveness. While I won't say I'm completely cured, it definitely changed my mindset, even when I had returned home. So, for a free dose of therapy on your next trip, I suggest you pick a problem, set a goal or two, and get out there and stick to it. I'll bet you come home a little happier, and a little saner.
Year In Review: Photo Inspiration
We've shared a lot of great travel photos with you this past year. If you're in need of a little inspiration, click around the map above or check out some of our favorites below.
Cheap: New York City
new york skyline
Image: mudpig.
Last week we took our budget-friendly tips to the streets of New York. If you missed any of our posts, check out our thoughts on how to sleep, eat, and see New York without breaking the bank.
Do you have a city that you think desperately needs some budget-friendly tips for or have your own strategy or suggestion? Let us know!
Six Tips for Getting the Best Airfare for You
airport terminal
Image: kagey b.
The first major expense you'll make when planning a trip is getting there, usually in terms of an airline ticket. It's not always about getting the cheapest ticket, but finding the best deal for you. Instead of blindly buying a ticket, do some soul searching first. Think about what you want, then do your research, and merge the two into the best possible solution. Airfare is easily the largest expense on your budget, so negotiating the best deal will allow you more flexibility when planning money to be spent on the road.
Know Your Price Ranges. Going in cold when looking for an airline ticket can quickly overwhelm you and cause incredible anxiety. Here it pays to be observant, and Kayak's Buzz feature is a great way to keep up with pricing trends. I keep several of my top destinations in queue and emailed to me on a weekly (or even daily) basis. That way, I know what months I can get a ticket for less than $200 home to see my parents and I also notice when tickets to Europe fall below $700. Keeping an eye on prices better prepares you for what to expect and ready to scoop up a deal when you see one.
Don't Rely On One Site. The conglomerate airline search engines are great, but they don't always offer the best prices. After I've found a flight I like, I always compare the prices between a few of the larger sites (like Kayak, Orbitz or Expedia) and the airlines themselves. The winner varies and this comparison may only save you a few dollars, but why spend money if you don't have to?
Mid-Week Travel Doesn't Always Save. I always trusted the commonly held belief that mid-week prices are always lower. It can certainly be the case, but I've started to not overlook the weekend flight. In the past year, I've booked a few weekend to weekend flights that were only $10-20 more than flying during the week.
Try Multiple Airports. This doesn't just apply to the airports closest to you, but also where you're planning on going. Every continent has budget airlines nowadays. Ryan Air and Easy Jet can get you around Europe for the cost of a meal and can let you adjust your itinerary to find the best deal.
What Will A Longer Trip Cost You? Sure, it's tempting to save some money on airfare by staying a few extra days. But don't forget that cost savings will quickly get eaten up by extra hotel stays, meals, or even a pet sitter back home.
Know Your Itinerary. Don't always think in terms of a round trip ticket, as sometimes a multi-city trip may save you cash. If you know you're going to want to cover a lot of ground on your trip, it may make sense to depart from a different airport than you arrive. It may cost more, but could save you time and money in ground transportation costs.

What is travellious?

We're travel addicts with a slightly rebellious nature, and we're throwing the guidebook away. Well, that is after we read it first. Too often we've seen (and experienced )what we call "passive travel." You've seen those people, the ones with their eyes glued to the guidebook and running through the checklists of "must-sees." We're here to help you resist the urge to blindly follow the "travel guide" by educating and empowering you to create your own travel adventure. We share our own experiences, point you to the best resources, and inspire you to travel outside the book.

About Us


We don't consider ourselves experts, but merely advocates for the art of travel. We believe that anything worth doing will scare the hell out of you, and with this in mind we keep ourselves open to all of life's experiences. Some buy a ready-made, comfortable vacation. We, instead, search out our own, relying on our wits, resourcefulness and the kindness of strangers.

Kelly Goodman, Editor and Co-Founder

Kelly is a travel addict, and will find any excuse to get on a plane and get out of town. Her Masters in art history is a result of this addiction, and she dragged herself around most of Europe "washing her eyeballs in the stuff." She wants to see the world, that is if she can stop herself from going to Italy every chance she gets.

Austin Hill, Developer and Co-Founder

Austin treats every outing like its the grand tour and he has the photographs to prove it. He also likes to eat and a pro at finding cheap, good, local flavor and the place with the best beer in town.

  • FAQs

  • How do you pronounce Travellious?
  • (trah-vell-ee-us) Our name, like our philosophy, is one part travel and one part rebellious. Don't make us have to correct you when you call us travelicious.
  • Can I subscribe to a full RSS feed?
  • Yes, we have one. It's right here. You're welcome.
  • How can I advertise on Travellious?
  • Head over here and if you like what you see, send us an e-mail. We don't sell text links.
  • I want to write for you. Are you hiring?
  • We'd love to have more writers, but we don't have the budget for it at the moment. Want to guest post or partner in some way? We'd love to work with you.
  • Where do you find the photos you use on your site?
  • We love spotlighting the talented pool of photographers on Flickr. Every photo we use is Creative Commons and credited in every post. We also highlight photos from our Travellious Flickr Group regularly on the site. Head over there and share your best shots and you just might be featured on the blog.
  • Do you ever use guidebooks?
  • Sure, we do. But we've been slowly weaning ourselves off them in the internet age. We love smaller, locally-written books (like Roma nel Piato, for instance) and we love blogs written by locals even more. For maps, we're developing tools for ourselves (and you!) to be able to create your own personal wondermap for your travels. And, if all else fails we just pick up a map when we get there.
  • Why is Austin obsessed with BBQ?
  • If you're asking this question, then you've probably never had BBQ before. Go watch this. In all seriousness, it's good, it's made by real people, and the recipe varies by region. The definition of local cuisine.
  • What camera equipment do you use?
  • We shoot with a Canon Digital Rebel XT and a shiny new Canon T1i. We shuffle between Canon EFS 17-85 and 50mm 1.8 lenses. We've also just started shooting video with a Kodak Zi6 (no, it's not a flip.)
  • What blogging platform do you use?
  • Drupal. We like it because it allows us to build a website exactly the way that WE want it and we like to torture ourselves.
  • I like your site's template, where did you get it?
  • We made it, from scratch. If you'd like us to design something for your website, drop us a line.
  • Will you link to my site?
  • We've dropped our links page because it's a beast to keep up with. If you want to send us the link to your blog, by all means do so. If it's a good fit for our readers, we'll add it to our blogroll. If you're a service or travel-related business, send us your pitch. We're constantly reviewing and featuring travel products and services on the site.
  • pc magazine
  • usairways magazine
  • guardianblogroll
  • Travel Insights 100 – Travel Guru
  • Alltop. We're kind of a big deal.

Drop us a note here or in our inbox ( or .) We'd love to hear from you!