Interview With the Iceland Design Centre

For Christmas this year, the Iceland Design Centre created a veritable advent calendar of quintessential Icelandic items on their popular blog. For each day leading up to Christmas the staff at the institute asked one of their favorite friends from all over the world to select their must-have item from the island nation. Here's my selection and story for Day 22:

http://blog.icelanddesign.is/christmas-calendar-22-brandon-presser/

ABC Fusion: How To Book Your Flights

I sat down with ABC Fusion's Alicia Menendez to discuss some quick tips for booking flights - especially during the busy holiday months. Find out more about my favorite trick to score discounted domestic airfare.

http://fusion.net/Alicia_Menendez_Tonight/video/travel-cheaply-walk-333178

An Essential Guide to Tokyo

Got Japan on the brain? Check out this short guide to Tokyo's must-sees, including the city's best neighborhoods, temples, hotels, restaurants and daytrips.

http://www.lifestylemirror.com/life/travel/2013/12/13/1270123588/tokyo-travel-guide/

A Jetsetter's Guide to Machu Picchu

Everything you need to know about traveling to Machu Picchu in style, from five-star hotels to elegant train rides fit for royalty.

http://www.lifestylemirror.com/life/travel/2013/11/20/610802290/machu-picchu-style/

A Getaway Guide to China

Vast, uncompromising and headed straight for domination, China proffers its own spin on modernization, like an alternate reality unfussed by Western machinations. Check out this getaway guide for Lifestyle Mirror, which breaks down some of the country's essential must-sees. Think of it as China 101. 

http://www.lifestylemirror.com/life/travel/2013/11/15/2035739057/what-to-see-in-china/

Weather Channel: Kolmanskop

For this week's installment of interesting abandoned sites around the world, my coverage focuses on the fascinating remains of a small town lost in the dunes of Namibia called Kolmanskop, near the city of Luderitz.

http://www.weather.com/video/abandoned-cities-kolmanskop-namibia-41132

Weather Channel: Ephesus

In my recent reporting work for the Weather Channel, I discuss the many places around the world that have been abandoned over time. One of my favorites is Ephesus in Turkey, which once had a population of over 250,000 people and was the Roman capital of Asia.

Check it out:

http://www.weather.com/video/abandoned-cities-ephesus-turkey-41124

Best in Travel 2014

My contribution to Lonely Planet's yearly roundup of the best things around the world comes out today. For 2014 you'll find lists for everything from the best cities to visit to the top money-saver destinations.

Check out a digital preview here: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/travel-tips-and-articles/best-in-travel-2014

HuffPost Live: A Stress-Free Vacation

My latest for HuffPost Live takes the form of a roundtable discussion about ways to take the stress out of those potentially stressful moments while on holiday. Check it out:

http://live.huffingtonpost.com/r/segment/third-metric-stress-free-vacation/52617546fe344453ec00039e

Ultratravel: Secret Season in the Serengeti

For the fall issue of Ultratravel magazine, I've written about the quieter months in the Serengeti when the wildlife's still roaring but with a fraction of the tourist crowds.

http://www.ultratravelusdigital.com/t/18783

Lonely Planet: Eastern Europe

My Eastern Europe travel guide for Lonely Planet was released to the American market today. This is one of my favourite books to work on - I wrote about Latvia, Europe's most promising up-and-comer. There's no better guide out there if you're hoping to uncover this post-Soviet wonderland.

http://shop.lonelyplanet.com/europe/eastern-europe-travel-guide-12/

Lonely Planet: Europe on a Shoestring

Lonely Planet's coveted Europe on a Shoestring guide was released to the American market today. Great for the backpacker, this book covers the entirety of Europe and focuses on the best places to stay if you're focused on a value-for-money vacation. I penned the Latvia coverage.

http://shop.lonelyplanet.com/europe/europe-on-a-shoestring-travel-guide-8/

Escape to East Africa

Check out the best that Tanzania has to offer - from safaris to a beach holiday - in this article for Lifestyle Mirror's travel section.

http://www.lifestylemirror.com/life/travel/2013/09/26/1054531601/east-african-safaris/

Birchbox: Planning The Perfect Vacation

It's adventure month at Birchbox, the buzz-worthy lifestyle brand, and together we created this short video detailing my six top tips for planning the perfect holiday, whether its a long-weekend getaway or a round-the-world journey. Check it out!

http://on.aol.com/video/6-travel-tips-to-plan-the-perfect-vacation-517921892

http://www.birchbox.com/guide/video/6-travel-tips-to-plan-the-perfect-vacation

Newsweek: My Non-Adventures in a Non-Nation

In May of this year I had the chance to visit Transnistria, a breakaway nation between Moldova and Ukraine not recognized by the United Nations. In this article for Newsweek, I recount the foibles of my brief visit to this strange territory locked away in time like a veritable Soviet museum.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2013/08/30/travels-in-transnistria-a-living-soviet-museum.html

A Getaway Guide to Korea

Check out my latest feature for Lifestyle Mirror's travel section - a luxury guide to the best that South Korea has to offer, including world-class hotels, an elegant palace and a $200 hamburger...

http://www.lifestylemirror.com/life/travel/2013/08/21/1153706033/what-to-see-in-korea/

CBS The Couch: How To Pack Perfectly For Your Next Trip

Check out my segment on CBS' morning show where I chat with Carolina and John about the best items to bring on your next trip. My favorite products include a versatile suitcase, extra-comfy shoes, and a neat waterproof blazer that rolls up into nothing. 

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/video/9222124-how-to-pack-perfectly-for-your-next-trip-travel-friendly-items/

Weather Channel: Destination Uncharted - Iceland

In the Weather Channel's beautiful new series Destination Uncharted, I help explore Iceland's mystical kingdom of "fire and ice" alongside other experts, including a noted volcanologist and a meteorologist. Pure eye candy! Check it out:

http://www.weather.com/weather-films/shows/destination-uncharted/ep01.html 

Weather Channel: Destination Uncharted - Japan

Proud to a part of the family of talking heads on the Weather Channel's beautiful new series Destination Uncharted, which explores some of the world's most fascinating natural phenomena. Episode 3 is about the heaping amounts of snow that tumble down on the Japanese Alps every year.

http://www.weather.com/weather-films/shows/destination-uncharted/ep03.html

A Handy Mini-Guide to Reykjavík

In the August issue of Lonely Planet's award-winning Traveller magazine (published in the UK), the editors compiled a handy mini-guide to the best excursions from Reykjavík using my research from Lonely Planet's Iceland guide. Check it out! 

African Adventures Underwater

My cover-page article for TravelAge West's new magazine, Explorer, visits some of the top spots in southeastern Africa to have the perfect underwater adventure. Consider it a brief guide to the region's islands, seaside cities, and best bits of coastline.

Check it out: http://www.travelagewest.com/Travel/Africa/Info/Under-the-Sea/?a=travel/africa-mideast#.UffRiGTXhuU

The Brandon Effect: Katie Couric Goes To Iceland

During my segment on Katie Couric's show, she and I discussed the latest travel trends, money saving trips, and my favorite destinations for the summer. I sang Iceland's praises to Katie and her studio audience (we even gave away a free trip to Reykjavik!), and sure enough she decided to visit Iceland on her summer vacation this year!

Looks like she had a great time!

An Interview With Budget Travel

Budget Travel interviewed me about some of the biggest mistakes that travelers make.
Check out a few of my top tips here:

http://www.budgettravel.com/feature/top-10-travel-mistakes-and-how-not-to-make-them,12997/?page=1

Jetsetting Through The Virgin Islands

Check out my latest feature for Lifestyle Mirror about visiting the US Virgin Islands:

http://www.lifestylemirror.com/life/travel/10230534/us-virgin-islands-island-getaway-travel-slideshow/

The Best Kind of Fan Mail

Over the years I've been fortunate enough to hear from many travelers who have enjoyed using my Lonely Planet guides and other destination content. I've been on quite the Instragram kick as of late (you can follow me here), so I thought I'd share one of my recent favorites, sent by @corapac after she used my guidebook to the Baltic:

Thanks @corapac! This made my day!

Road Trip Tips & Last Minute Pointers: HuffPost Live

Escape the big smoke and check out my segment for HuffPost Live about tips for planning a last minute getaway:

http://live.huffingtonpost.com/r/segment/travel-tips-for-hitting-the-road-for-the-4th-/51c318a878c90a4754000341

Africa's Best Beaches

Check out my feature on Africa's best beaches in Ultratravel's spring issue. Top picks include the exclusive Mnemba Island and the dazzling Mozambican coast.

Text after the jump, on pages 58-61:
http://www.ultratravelusdigital.com/t/18783

Back-To-Nature Travel: HuffPost Live

My segment about the hottest spots in the world - from Nicaragua to Moldova - for eco travel on HuffPost Live: 

The abridged version...

http://live.huffingtonpost.com/r/archive/segment/escape-the-city-and-get-back-to-nature/51a8c4a302a7606de2000519

And the full version...

http://live.huffingtonpost.com/r/segment/travel-adventure-eco-tourism-nature-/51a7a70302a7606dce0003c0

A Brief Brunching Guide to NYC

Summer's officially here, so I've put together a brief brunching guide to the Big Apple for Lonely Planet's website. Check it out!

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/usa/new-york-city/travel-tips-and-articles/77742

Talking Travel With Katie Couric

I had a great time as a guest on Katie Couric's show talking about the best money savers for summer travel. We talk about the secrets to booking cheap flights - there was even an awesome trip giveaway! 

Check it out here: 

http://www.katiecouric.com/tag/travel/

Affordable Paradise: Huff Post Live

Follow the link to learn about the hottest spots around the planet that don't completely drain your wallet. From the US Virgin Islands to the Baltic Riviera.
Shot on May 6th, for Huff Post Live:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/06/cheap-travel-destinations-2013_n_3224359.html?utm_hp_ref=travel

Shoppable Slideshow: Design Goods in Reykjavik

After a week at Reykjavik's Fashion Week and Iceland's DesignMarch (the nation's biggest design and culture event), I scouted the following must-have items for Lifestyle Mirror:

http://www.lifestylemirror.com/life/art-culture/best-design-march-reykjavik-shopping-tips/

DesignMarch in Reykjavik

In mid-March I had the opportunity to head back to Iceland to check out DesignMarch, Iceland's foremost artist event. Check out my Instagram Diary here:

http://www.lifestylemirror.com/life/travel/reykjavik-travel-iceland-trips

Unlucky Destinations

For Lonely Planet's annual Best in Travel series, I penned a few fun entries including the Unluckiest Places in the World. Check out a few of them here:

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/themes/best-in-travel/the-unluckiest-places-in-the-world/

A Handy Mini-Guide To Thailand

In a recent edition of Lonely Planet's award-winning Traveller magazine (published in the UK), the editors compiled a handy mini-guide to the islands of Thailand using my research from Lonely Planet's Thailand's Islands & Beaches guide. Check it out!