Essays

From personal narratives on the voyage of self-discovery to first-person accounts detailing a bucket list trip, these essays offer a deep dive into the great impact of travel. 

Most Recent

I'm a Travel Writer, but I Don't Fly — Here's Why
One writer shares how having aviophobia, an intense fear of flying, has changed her travel experience.
A Transformative Trek to West Africa's Highest Waterfall
At Ghana's Wli Waterfalls, one writer reflects on the weight of history — and wades into the bright unknown.
How My First Trip to Hawaii Pushed Me Out of My Comfort Zone — and Helped Me Conquer My Fear of Water Sports
I went surfing in Hawaii for the first time — here's why you should, too.
A Local Tulsa Writer Reflects on His City's Struggle to Responsibly Honor the Tragedy of the Tulsa Race Massacre
Writer Paul Theroux Reflects on His Time in Southeastern Africa — the Place That Sparked a Lifetime of Exploration
The early T+L contributor remembers a Peace Corps posting, a nation on the verge of independence, and a formative leap into the great wide world.
Seeing Cartagena Through the Eyes of Colombia's Most Famous Magical Realist
Following the footsteps of Gabriel García Márquez, one writer finds herself under a spell.
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More Essays

Visiting St. Barts During the Pandemic Changed How I Travel — Here's How
A COVID-era trip to the Caribbean island taught me the importance of taking it slow.
What It Means to Be an Asian Traveler Right Now — and Why It’s Important to Speak Out
“Ignorant anti-Asian, racist comments won’t stop me from traveling again, but I will prioritize safety with an added layer of precaution before going anywhere, something I always considered before, but not to this extent.”
This Year, My Tabanca for Trinidad Is Stronger Than Ever
As Italy Opens to International Travelers, One Local Reflects on the Return of Tourists
On a Winter Trip to Ottawa, I Rediscovered the Joy of Ice Skating Through My Daughter’s Eyes
For One Writer and His Son, The Thrill of Flying Never Gets Old — Even When It's Just Make Believe
The Pandemic, the City, and 7 P.M. — Reflections on New York in 2020

 “The particulars of this past season will always be novel, even by New York standards,” lifelong New Yorker Eliza Dumais writes of a year filled with masks, clanging pots and pans, “walktails,” openings, closings, reopenings, and reflection. 

All Essays

The Unexpected Lessons One Writer Learned From Returning to Her African Homeland
10 Travelers on What It Really Means to Be a Traveler of Color
One Interracial Gay Couple Tries to Travel Fearlessly — and Sometimes Finds Acceptance in Surprising Places
How Coronavirus Helped This Full-time Traveler Rediscover the Power in Staying Still
What It Means to Be a Black Traveler
A Grand Tour of Japan With Pulitzer Prize-winning Author Andrew Sean Greer
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