Everything I Got Wrong About Mezcal Until I Drank My Way Across Oaxaca
No, it’s not just smoky tequila. A first-hand journey through Oaxaca’s mezcal country: the city bars, the World Capital of Mezcal, and what nobody tells you.
It’s impossible to put this sprawling continent into a tidy box. That’s a good thing.
Choose from the dramatic rocky shores and rolling waves of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Or maybe you’re more into high deserts, sweeping canyons, and ancient pyramids? Check, check, and check.
Keen to discover more about the culture and pace of life? The USA, Mexico, and Canada all offer cosmopolitan metropolises, amazing cocktail bars and restaurants, and boutique hotels with style and character.
Ready to learn about the best places to travel in North America? Let’s go.

North America is a massive continent with every possible topography and climate you can dream up. But here’s a look at the best times for a few favourite locations.
Ready to book your North America Travel? Don’t forget to check out some of these helpful resources before planning your holiday.
Congratulations, you’re visiting one of the greatest cities on earth. Bring your appetite and wallet for street food, shopping, and nightlife.
Stay at The Wallace Hotel in Manhattan for luxury rooms with convenient access to Central Park.
The American West has a laid-back feel, incredible cuisine, and enough outdoor adventures to keep you wanting more.
The Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi sets you up with luxury accommodation in the heart of Santa Fe.
Merida low key has all the amazing food, culture, and history of more popular destinations in Mexico.
Sercotel Casona 61 boasts stylish rooms in a chic setting close to all the action of Plaza Grande.
Banff is an outdoor adventurer’s paradise. But it also offers breathtaking mountain sunsets and luxury hotels built for snuggling by a fireplace sipping cocoa (or whiskey).
Stay at Fairmont Banff Springs for one of the most jaw-droppingly scenic hotels in Banff with a haunted history.
Packing for your North America trip? Don’t forget…
Having travel insurance isn’t always a top priority for travellers. It should be. Health insurance in the USA is wildly expensive, not to mention the uncertainty of cancelled flights or lost luggage.
Do yourself a favour and make a small investment to help curb potential losses. I like AXA Travel Insurance for its reasonable rates and great benefits.
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NYC has everything you can ask for, including world-class museums like the Guggenheim, historical landmarks like the Statue of Liberty, and much-needed green spaces like the Highline and Central Park.
Best way to take it all in? Book a bike tour across the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges or see it all from above at the Empire State Building.
Visiting Santa Fe is a must for any traveller wanting to learn more about Native American culture, eat delicious food (try Radish & Rye), and check out some of the coolest art in the USA.Â
Meow Wolf fully delivers on the immersive art trend, while galleries like the Museum of Contemporary Native Arts offer a more traditional museum experience.Â
If you haven’t read my travel guide about Merida, trust me – read it. The capital of the Yucatan Peninsula hasn’t received the attention of Tulum or Cancun; that’s changing now.
Take a free tour of Plaza Grande, dive into the best chilaquiles at Chilakillaz, and learn about Mayan history at Palacio Canton.
Planning a visit to the magical villages, or Pueblos Magicos is a must when visiting Mexico (read about one of my favourites here).
On my last visit, I fell in love with the colonial architecture of San Cristobal de las Casas and the silver market in Taxco. You will too.
Discover the Jewel of the Rockies and stay in Banff, the national park near Alberta, Canada, that delivers idyllic mountain scenery perfect for a holiday any time of year.
Skiing and hiking are musts, but driving down the Icefields Parkway, surrounded by massive glaciers is an experience you’ll never forget.
If you’re visiting North America and haven’t planned a visit to the Grand Canyon… what are you waiting for?.
Booking a guided tour by helicopter and hummer allows you to experience the canyon from the South Rim up to the North and see gems like the Dragon Corridor. Magical.
North America has so many amazing cities to explore, but Montreal is likely one of the most slept-on. Big mistake.
The bagels at St-Viateur Bagel are on par with NYC, Haitian cuisine is top-notch here, and cocktail havens like The Cold Room are a vibe.
Add a national parks road trip (more on that here) to your North America travel map.
Driving from Yellowstone to Yosemite gives you an idea of the vast and varying landscape with incredible hiking and photography opportunities. Add Utah’s Mighty Five to see the hoodoos, canyons, arches, and stargazing sites.
You can schedule a tour of the Mighty Five or choose your own adventure.
10 – 14 Days
San Francisco – Point Lobos State Natural Reserve – Big Sur – Pismo Beach – Los Angeles – San Diego
There’s nothing like hitting the road for this quintessential road trip. Want to learn more? Read all about my West Coast road trip!
7 Days
Cancun – Tulum – Coba – Chichén Itzá – Uxmal – Merida
Delve into the mysteries of Mexico’s Mayan era – expect jungle-covered ruins and lots of adventure.
10-14 Days
New York City – Hudson Valley, New York – Boston, Massachusetts – Portland, Maine
Get beyond New York and delve into the beauties of the North on an East Coast getaway.
1 Week
Old Quebec – Montreal – Toronto – Niagara Falls
Go from some of Canada’s best-known cities to stunning natural landmarks on this adventure. Ready to learn all about Canada before your trip?
Driving, hiking, and photographing the insane White Sands National Park is truly a hidden gem with options like the Alkali Flat Trail and Dunes Drive boasting some of the coolest landscapes you’ll find anywhere.
Ready to go? Check out my guide on the top things to do in White Sands National Park.
Check out a petrified waterfall and incredible natural hot springs at this hidden gem about an hour’s drive from Oaxaca.
Hike around the enchanting landscape and celebrate after with a mezcal tasting on this guided tour.
Whale watching in Saguenay-St-Lawrence Marine Park on a guided tour allows you to see belugas, blue whales, and plenty of other marine life along the fjords in Northeastern Canada.
Located between Carmel and Big Sur, Point Lobos allows visitors to see some of California’s most scenic coastline.
Keep your eyes peeled for whales, sea otters, and harbour seals while you hike along the Pacific Coast.
Plaza Grande is one of my favourite places in Merida, and the local tourism board offers free tours in English and Spanish.
Free Tours by Foot boasts donation-optional guided tours of major cities like NYC, San Francisco, and Washington DC and has options like Pride History and the Lower East Side food tour.
And of course, visit the beaches. Coronado Beach in San Diego is my favourite choice for a free beach in North America, but you’ll find many all over Canada, Mexico, and the USA.
Clam Chowder –Seafood soup with clams, vegetables, herbs, and cream.
Tacos al Pastor – Marinated pork on corn tortillas with pineapple.
Poutine – French fries with cheese curds in brown gravy.
Buffalo Wings – Fried or baked chicken wings with a spicy vinegar-based sauce.
Caesar – Think Bloody Mary but with clam broth and tomato juice.
No, it’s not just smoky tequila. A first-hand journey through Oaxaca’s mezcal country: the city bars, the World Capital of Mezcal, and what nobody tells you.
If you want to get to the actual heart of Oaxacan food culture, Tlacaloula is where you do it.
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The best things to do in New York. From big sights to hidden gems most tourists miss, here are the must-sees, food finds and offbeat spots.
Looking for the best day trips from Washington DC? This guide is packed with 17 brilliant ideas to help you escape the city for the day.
From towering skyscrapers to cultural attractions, few urban landscapes teem with the promise of discovery as the Big Apple. Step in and discover these famous landmarks in New York.Â
As a former local, I’ve written this guide to Washington D.C.’s best non-touristy things to do: from a neon-soaked art house in a former church to underground drag shows in an old streetcar tunnel. Here’s how to experience DC like you actually live there.
Looking for a stylish, design-led boutique stay in the heart of Mérida that won’t break the bank? Read our full review of Sercotel Casona 61.
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