The Daily Beast: Inside Ipanema

Much more than the famous "girl" from that bossa nova classic, Ipanema is a complex ecosystem of sports players, bikini models, bisexuals, tweens, and drug dealers.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/06/23/the-girl-from-ipanema-is-not-alone-rio-s-famous-beach-is-a-rich-cultural-kaleidoscope.html

Big Think: Is There Value In Hosting the World Cup?

Everyone's eyes are on Brazil as the World Cup kicks into high gear. In this piece I discuss whether or not hosting a major sports event is really worth the dime and time for a destination.

http://bigthink.com/traveliq/is-there-value-in-hosting-the-world-cup

The Daily Beast: Rio's Real-Life Slumdog Millionaires

During a recent trip to Rio I had the opportunity to explore Vidigal, one of the city's notorious favelas. New crime-fighting projects have made the neighborhood a much safer place to visit, and as a result the price of real estate has suddenly risen through the roof.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/06/18/rio-s-real-life-slumdog-millionaires.html

Big Think: The Airbnb of Food

For my column at the Big Think, I explored the evolution of the peer-to-peer marketplace, and how Airbnb is about to usher in a new era in which travelers can pay locals to eat meals in their home. But does paying someone for a local experience somehow dilute the experience and make it less authentic? Check out my thoughts here:

http://bigthink.com/traveliq/the-airbnb-of-food

Fest300: Play & Stay

Check out this handy round-up of the best parties across North America, and the top spots to relax nearby after the fun is done.

http://www.fest300.com/magazine/party-hard-relax-harder

The Daily Beast: KGB Headquarters Revealed

Latvia's long history is scarred with countless slashes of war -- the Soviet occupation, which ended in 1991, marked its darkest period during which thousands of individuals were tortured, deported and sent to camps in Siberia for being an "enemy of the people". Today, the KGB headquarters in Riga is now open as a museum that depicts the horrors of the police system during the USSR.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/06/04/secret-kgb-torture-house-opens-its-doors-in-riga.html

Lonely Planet: Secret Europe E-Book

This exclusive e-book, compiled by several authors at Lonely Planet, explores some of Europe's best kept secrets from the hidden hot pools of Iceland and the lonely beaches of Portugal to the tucked-away bars of Poland and unexplored villages of the Czech Republic.

Check out one of my sample pages here: 

For a limited time, you can download the book here: 

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/secret-europe/

The Daily Beast: Top Travel Hacks

Check out these tried-and-true tips and tricks for getting the most out of your travel experiences.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/06/04/how-to-get-cheaper-tickets-live-like-a-local-and-other-great-travel-hacks.html