Explain Québec's complex history of French–English relations, sovereignty and identity in less than 125 words? Challenge accepted! (To be fair, I split them up in a few sidebars.)I crisscrossed Quebec from Montreal to Lac-Saint-Jean and Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine to write the 80-page chapter in the Lonely Planet Canada guidebook – my largest, and most personal, guidebook to … Continue reading Lonely Planet: Canada (Quebec Chapter)
Toronto Star: Trekking in Nepal to see one of the world’s highest mountains, I learned the meaning of pilgrimage — the hard way
A personal essay with my photos about a challenging experience that proved to be a turning point in my life path. Read at Toronto Star (it also appeared in print).
Podcast Interview: The Maverick Show
I rarely talk publicly about the nuts and bolts of my career, but I got that opportunity on The Maverick Show podcast with Matt Bowles. On the show, we go over some of my stories from Armenia, Kenya and Brazil, and discuss the ethics of journalism and travel writing. Listen to Part 1 and 2 (Episodes … Continue reading Podcast Interview: The Maverick Show
Lonely Planet: Southwest USA (New Mexico)
After a painful pandemic, I hit the road again for Lonely Planet in September 2022 and here’s my first published guidebook (USA Southwest, New Mexico chapter) in the NEW style. Yes, Lonely Planet has changed its style in its 50th year, and while I’m not paid to say this, I think it’s a game changer. … Continue reading Lonely Planet: Southwest USA (New Mexico)
Atlas Obscura: The Mysterious, Naked Night Runners of Western Kenya
While in Kenya, I kept hearing about these naked nuisances that spook their neighbors at night. Thrilled to see the story with such amazing illustrations by Rodolfo Reyes for Atlas Obscura. Read it here.
Lonely Planet: Morocco 13
After six weeks on the ground, 100s of tagines and 1000s of olives, stray cats and za3za3, blood, sweat and a busted ligament, the first Lonely Planet guidebook I researched was finally released today. Buy it at LonelyPlanet.com
BBC: A revival of Indigenous throat singing
Inuit throat singing was at risk of extinction after years of erasure by colonists and missionaries, but TikTok star Shina Novalinga is sharing the tradition for a new generation. Read the in-depth feature with beautiful photos by Stephanie Foden over at BBC Travel.
Beside: Sweet Survival For Quebec’s Sugar Shacks
The pandemic nearly killed Québec’s family-run sugar shacks, but the guardians of this centuries-old tradition wouldn’t let it die so easily. Read the story on Montreal's beautiful Beside Magazine, with photos by Stephanie Foden.
Eater: How Montreal Got Its Taste for Portuguese Chicken
Poutine, bagels, smoked meat, and Portuguese chicken. Look at any food round-up of Montreal dishes and you’ll see these four items listed as essential, signature foods. But how did piri piri chicken, a dish that wasn’t even a traditional component of Portuguese cuisine before the 1970s, end up here? Read my investigation in Eater Montreal.
Travel+Leisure: ‘Roma’ Is More Than Just a Movie — It’s One of Mexico City’s Most Vibrant Neighborhoods
I spent the beginning of 2019 living in Mexico City's Roma and wrote a story & guide to the neighborhood for Travel + Leisure on the weekend before the movie was nominated for 10 Oscars. Gorgeous black and white photos by Stephanie Foden!
Joel Balsam 