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The World Tour of Oopsies: Chapter 2 – The Bucket Shower

The World Tour of Oopsies: Chapter 2 – The Bucket Shower

[The World Tour of Oopsies is an ongoing series of travel stories about my first decade of travel. During these adventures and misadventures, I unlearned many things I thought I knew about life. Welcome to my miseducation.]

Part I / Koh Pdao

While still staying on Koh Pdao with my host family, and sometime around the scorpion bite (see Chapter 1), I experienced a transformative moment.

A bucket shower.

It wasn’t actually the bucket shower that tripped me up. Though I was new to the setup in which you scoop water from a large basin and toss it over your body between scrubbing, it wasn’t overwhelming for me.

Did I miss warm water? Sure. But after days spent working in high temperatures, cold-water bucket showers were a refreshing treat.

I’m talking about the first communal bucket shower I took.

I wasn’t alone during this homestay on Koh Pdao; I was joined by another traveler from my group, a young woman nicknamed Sushi. For the first week of our stay on the island, we bathed separately.

That being said, we did just about everything else together. We slept, we ate, we washed our clothes, and we hung out with our host family. In those weeks, we became like host sisters. We relied on each other as confidantes, offering support when we got our periods, and that one time I got stung by a venomous scorpion. (Again, see Chapter 1.)

Sushi also helped me learn the ropes a bit faster because, though her nickname was Sushi, she had immigrated from China to California at a young age. Though we were both very American, she had a cultural key to Asia that I didn’t, having come from the more homogenous Midwest.

Still, I didn’t think much of our differences until Sushi insisted we take a bucket shower together.

Part II / The bucket shower

I fended off Sushi’s request to take a bucket shower together more than once. The idea of showering naked with a friend just didn’t make sense to me. I could shower on my own, and thanks to that handy little bucket, I could splash water any place I couldn’t reach.

Sushi eventually pointed out that nobody had washed my back since we’d gotten to Koh Pdao, at which point I got a little suspicious.

Wash my back? That had to be code for something, right?

I grew up in a Catholic family in Missouri. Even verbally, we didn’t show a lot of affection. Something like a hug was reserved for a graduation or a funeral. The idea of washing together with another person while fully naked (in a platonic sense, at least) had never drifted onto my radar.

But I was in a faraway place—a magical, safe place where everything I’d ever known was up for reinterpretation.

So, I took my towel and followed Sushi into the washing room. We disrobed and took turns using the bucket to rinse ourselves, then scrub. Sushi washed my back with soap, then rinsed me down with water. I did the same for her.

It was really that simple. And almost two decades later, I remember it well because, up until that point in time, that sort of care didn’t exist in my world.

I came from a place where nudity focused almost solely on sexual contexts. Women I had known my entire life wouldn’t have gotten naked with me, even in a utilitarian, platonic bucket-shower way. Or if they did, it would have been palpably tense.

Part III / Touch

Very quickly after the bucket shower, I realized travel would teach me more about myself than it would about the world.

Later on, when I studied culture academically, we explored this idea through Edward Said’s book Orientalism. Let me make a full-length academic book very short and generalized for travel purposes: when we travel, we situate the world according to our pre-held beliefs, rather than letting what we experience change how we understand the world.

We filter what we experience through our own pre-held beliefs, like a light through a prism. The light that enters is one and the same, but the prism’s conditions change how light is refracted through it. The prism is culture, geography, language, history, and all the other factors that generate a people; the light is consciousness.

If you want a less existential and more academic take on that concept, read Orientalism. Or take a bucket shower with a new travel companion on your next world tour.

TL;DR my world tour of travel stories: Fellow travelers will shape you just like your journey, if you let them. Also, don’t fear the group bucket shower.

10 Cheap Places to Stay in London: Hostels, Hotels, Boutiques, & More

London isn’t an easy place to visit on a budget. At least, not without doing some digging.

While you might normally focus your travel research on finding hidden gems and booking sneakily cool tours, you need to think about lodging first when you’re planning a budget trip.

Similar to transportation, room rates are likely to be your priciest item across the pond. And finding cheap places to stay in London without getting stranded in the boonies is even tougher.

Though modern by almost every metric, London is massive, ancient, and hard to navigate at times. In other words, finding a good lodging in a solid neighborhood for an affordable price is… well, almost impossible.

Looking for cheap places to stay in London? Start with these ten selections, many of which are recommended by London’s official tourism group, Visit London.

10 cheap places to stay in London at a glance

10 cheap places to stay in London for budget travelers

The Mad Hatter

Located less than 500 feet from the River Thames in London’s coveted Southwark neighborhood, The Mad Hatter is a fantastic BnB stay. In London, that means you’ll be sharing the grounds with a popular pub where you can enjoy home-cooked meals all day long. Nearby, you’ve got great spots like Convent Garden and the Tate Modern.

The Brook Green Hotel

Gorgeous, modern, and stately, the Brook Green Hotel is situated in a lovely Victorian building. Nearby are some of Sheperd’s Bush and Hammersmith’s most walkable streets, along with the famous Hammersmith Apollo venue.

CitizenM Southwark Bankside

Though slightly more expensive than the pub-centric BnBs listed above, citizenM Southwark Bankside offers a very stylish and contemporary flair. If you’ve stayed at a citizenM spot before, you likely know the setup. If not, expect bright colors, modern features, and tons of amenities, like Prime streaming. It’s also in a great location, only minutes from Tate Modern.

Good Hotel London

If you’re okay drifting a bit farther from the City of London in the center of this hub, then Good Hotel London can offer you a fantastic stay at a slashed price. The grounds are hyper-modern and trendy, while also feeling cozy. There’s also a larger charitable scheme at play; the hotel helps train unhoused locals and funds education projects as far away as Guatemala. There’s also a rooftop terrace that overlooks the Thames.

Hotel Indigo London Tower Hill by IHG

If location is big, it doesn’t get any better than this City of London stay. You’re smack in the center of the big city action. Despite those clean IHG design features and modern amenities, this IHG stay still offers a highly affordable standard room. As an added bonus, every room design is distinct, giving you a little boutique flair.

easyHotel London City Shoreditch

Looking to spend as little as humanly possible? Head to easyHotel, located in the Shoreditch neighborhood near the Old Street and Barbican tube stations. It’s one of East London’s coolest new affordable lodging spots. Though you need to pay for basic amenities like Wi-Fi, the baseline prices at easyHotel are absolutely unbeatable.

Astor Museum Hostel

If you can be wooed by a hostel stay, head to the Astor Museum Hotel. Its located across the street from the British Museum and a short walk from Convent Garden, offering a great location. You can book a mixed room or a private basic twin room. Just make sure to book your stay quickly—this affordable and popular hostel fills up fast.

The Z Hotel Soho

You can find cheap places to stay even in Soho, one of London’s most prestigious neighborhoods. The Z Hotel offers a basic and modern stay, letting you immerse yourself in one of London’s coolest neighborhoods—without breaking the bank. Just keep in mind that the rooms are small, but they come with thoughtful features, like under-bed storage.

Zedwell Underground Hotel Tottenham Court Rd

Wonderfully stylish and minimalistic, this hidden gem hotel (that’s located underground) takes you straight into central London’s Camden area. The hotel includes basic amenities like Wi-Fi and 24-hour concierge, too. Just know that the rooms are very small, as with Z Hotel. They’re literally called cocoons.

The Corner London City

Nearby all the fun in central London, The Corner offers large, comfortable rooms with plenty of light. There are also other unique features, like the rain showers with water-saving technology. There’s also a large restaurant on the grounds with the same name where you can grab a bite or even cocktails.

The Truth About Airplane Drinks: Is Drinking Airplane Coffee Bad?

Airplanes are magical in that they fly us around the world, shrinking journeys that would have taken months into a single day.

On the other hand, airplanes are also a prime spot to get magically sick as a dog.

If it’s not the airborne bacteria and viruses soaring through the cabin, it might be your own poor choice in food and beverage that tilts you into tummy-ache and headache territory.

Staying healthy on planes and in the days following a long plane journey is difficult, even when you take the right supplements and bring the right snacks with you. Above all, many travelers recommend avoiding airplane coffee, tea, and ice at all costs, citing poor cleaning practices and bacterial growth in the storage containers.

What’s actually going on with an airplane’s potable water supply? And do you actually need to avoid airplane coffee, tea, and ice like your life depends on it?

Follow the water

Airplanes use massive water tanks to store potable water that is used to make coffee, tea, and ice throughout the journey. Most vessels have a 200-liter tank or multiple tanks with a similar volume, but that depends on the airplane, passenger count, and route.

Some of this water is also diverted for lavatory usage, meaning the vast majority of planes have a single potable water supply. (Don’t worry, water supplies are transferred to separate vats away from the main tank before being diverted to the lavatories.)

So, what’s going on in that big, bad tank where all the potable water is stored?

Here’s the first good news. That water supply is usually kept chlorinated to ensure it’s safe to drink, just like our tap water.

According to pilots, attendants, and other flight staff, these tanks are also regularly cleaned. Usually, the cleaning process involves dumping a diluted bleach agent into the tank, then flushing it out multiple times. (No scrubby-scrubby, unfortunately.)

Let’s move on to the equipment used to serve you beverages. The water tank is the main concern for passengers who are concerned about bacteria, but don’t forget about the coffeemakers, kettles, and ice trays. If those aren’t cleaned, a sparkling water tank doesn’t mean much.

The arguments for drinking airplane coffee

It probably doesn’t come as much of a shock, but airplanes are subject to tight regulations—at least, when it comes to how they operate. (Those regulations are much more lax when it’s time to get compensated for a delayed flight, but I digress.)

Within operational regulations are cleaning practices.

Here’s the argument for drinking airplane coffee, tea, and drinking beverages over ice: airplane water tanks are regularly disinfected and cleaned in separate processes. There are also new types of treatments that are helping improve water quality, including ozone treatments.

On top of that, most coffeemakers, kettles, and ice trays don’t last long thanks to overuse, meaning contamination isn’t a huge issue there, either. I’ve also seen arguments that the high temperatures used to make coffee and tea can help kill any problematic bacteria and viruses.

The most sterling badge of approval seems to be the fact that pilots still drink airplane coffee regularly. If it was going to get you sick, it would have taken down leagues of pilots by now.

(In a highly meta moment, I’m actually publishing this article while on an international United flight, and I am drinking the coffee, my friends.)

The arguments against drinking airplane coffee

Based on the information above, you could make the argument that airplane coffee won’t make you sick—but that’s a far cry from it being actually good for you. Just because it won’t kill you doesn’t mean you should drink it, in other words.

Though an airplane’s potable water tank is subject to regulation, it’s also subject to human error.

Was the right amount of chlorine used to disinfect the water tank? And was the tank thoroughly cleaned with bleach, then flushed enough times? It’s a finely tuned process that’s easily thrown off by a single mistake.

If you’re suspicious of water quality on airplanes, it’s best to avoid drinking airplane coffee, tea, and ice. That being said, if you have faith in the process and don’t usually get sick on planes, I wouldn’t worry too much about enjoying a hot beverage.

14 New Travel Destinations That Took Off in 2024 & How to Visit

There’s always a new travel destination on the horizon—one that promises better experiences, cooler views, and fewer crowds.

And they tend to guide our next travel decision. After all, it’s easy to be wooed by an exciting Instagram reel or a colorful TikTok video. Sooner than we know it, we’re bookmarking restaurants and museums in a place we never thought we’d visit.

If you’re looking for a little inspiration, let the crowd favorites guide your travel shopping.

I’ve rounded up some of the most popular trending destinations from 2024 and 2025. My picks are based on reports from companies like American Express and search data from Google.

Ready for your world tour?

14 locations that took the world by storm in 2024

Quebec City, Canada

Canada. Quebec. Quebec City. Hotel Chateau Frontenac. (Getty)

Move over Montreal—Quebec has another European-esque gem that visitors can’t get enough of. Historical charm is dialed to the max in Quebec City thanks to its cobbled streets and centuries-old structures, without taking away modern amenities like great public transportation. Plus, locals are known for being very helpful and friendly.

When you’re in town, don’t miss:

  • Old Quebec, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with over 400 years of settler history
  • Changing of the guard at the Quebec Citadel, which is an active military site in a history fort
  • Montmorency Falls, a waterfall that’s higher than Niagara Falls and only a short drive from Quebec City’s downtown

Places to stay in Quebec City:

Curacao

Two wooden fishing boats on the crystal clear turquoise waters at Lagoon on Curacao. (Getty)

Billed as Google’s most-searched summer 2025 travel destination, Curacao is one of the most accessible Caribbean islands. It’s part of the Netherlands ABC territories, which also include Aruba and Bonaire. Expect top-notch tropical beaches, mindful resorts with well-thought-out amenities, and tons of water activities.

When you’re visiting the island, don’t miss:

  • Christoffel National Park, where you can climb to the peak of Mount Christoffel or take it easy with something like horseback riding
  • Check out Kura Hulanda Museum, which celebrates the island’s African heritage
  • Soak up the colorful Dutch colonial homes in Handelskade
  • Swim to the hidden sea cave off the shores, known as the Blue Room Cave

Places to stay on Curacao:

San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

San Miguel de Allende, Mexico – February 1, 2016: Two woman wearing traditional Mexican clothes sell souvenirs to the passersby in the town center. (Getty)

Americans have been flocking to San Miguel de Allende in Mexico thanks to its colonial architecture and fantastic historic sites. Like Quebec City, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and has structures that date back to the 1500s. Most importantly, however, San Miguel de Allende is a hotspot for artists from around North and South America, giving it a distinct feel.

When you’re in town, don’t miss:

  • The converted art center of Fabrica La Aurora where you can shop at galleries, studios, and boutiques
  • Soak up the lush atmosphere in El Charco del Ingenio, a park just outside the city center
  • Explore the Oratoria de San Felipe Neri, sometimes called Mexico’s Sistine Chapel

Places to stay in San Miguel de Allende:

Sao Paulo, Brazil

Sao Paulo, Brazil – February 09, 2022: An aerial shot of the Sao Paolo city, Brazil (Getty)

As one of the world’s most densely populated cities, Sao Paulo offers an endless list of adventures, museums, excursions, and beyond. I’d recommend scheduling a visit based on one of the city’s massive festivals, from Carnaval to Pride. And don’t miss out on its world-famous, jungle-esque park that spans close to 400 acres: Ibirapuera.

When you’re in town, don’t miss:

  • Get lost in Ibrapuera Park, one of the largest urban parks in the world
  • Admire the street art in Batman Alley, aka Beco do Batman
  • Dive into history at the Catacombs of Sao Paulo Cathedral

Places to stay in Sao Paulo:

Lucca, Italy

View from the top of Torre (tower) Guinigi (Getty)

In a bid to escape the swarming crowds that seem to keep growing in Rome, Venice, and Florence, many travelers are heading to smaller towns like Lucca. Located in Tuscany, Lucca offers a medieval village stay surrounded sprawling, stately hills. Its cozier and more authentic than other parts of Italy, in other words, and locals are bit more welcoming to outsiders.

When you’re in town, don’t miss:

  • Take an official tour of the City Walls, where you can even go underground to see the old soldier barracks
  • Feel royal in a historic palace at the Palazzo Pfanner
  • Come face-to-face with the ghost of Lucida, who haunts Lucca’s Clock Tower

Places to stay in Lucca:

Valencia, Spain

High Angle View over Skyline of Valencia Spain on Spring Day. (Getty)

As one of my favorite detour cities, I’m not surprised Valencia has become one of Europe’s trending travel destinations. It’s got great eats (it’s the birthplace of paella), gorgeous beaches (that aren’t nearly as crowded as in Barcelona), and unique museums like the City of Arts and Sciences museums. Plus, you’ll save compared to other Spanish cities.

When you’re in town, don’t miss:

  • The City of Arts and Sciences, which offers multiple museums on a sci-fi-esque grounds with grand, modern buildings
  • Explore La Lonja de la Seda, a historic silk exchange that’s not a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Get lost in the medieval streets of Barrio del Carmen

Places to stay in Valencia:

Sardinia, Italy

Cala Spinosa, cave on the sea bay in Gallura, Sardinia, Italy (Getty)

This stunning island has been a hub for Italian socialites and celebrities for decades… which should tell you enough about what to expect. With rugged and unspoiled coastlines, lazy villages with world-class restaurants, and plenty of cabanas up for rent, it’s one of the Mediterranean’s best-kept secrets. Start in big cities like Cagliari and Olbia before venturing further out.

When you’re visiting the island, don’t miss:

  • La Maddalena Archipelago National Park, home to crystal-clear waters that are entirely unmatched
  • Delve into history by exploring Sardinia’s ancient Nuragic culture at Su Nuraxi di Barumini, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Explore Castelsardo, a picturesque village where you can shop and learn about traditional Sardinian crafts

Places to stay in Sardinia:

Zanzibar, Tanzania

Traditional boat in Paje, Zanzibar, Tanzania (Getty)

This gorgeous island looks like something out of an exotic fairytale. From its architecture to its history to its the unspoiled beaches and their marine life, Zanzibar has everything you could want from a sunshine-y vacation… and then some. In short, this location is likely to be high on the bucket list of your favorite travel creators.

When you’re on the island, don’t miss:

  • Stone Town, an ancient town and UNESCO World Heritage Site where the spice trade was once focused
  • Say hello to the giant Aldabra tortoises on Prison Island
  • Take a Dhow Cruise to soak up the sunset and get a better view of the island (but beware unethical practices—some boats chase down marine life)

Places to stay on Zanzibar:

Cape Winelands in South Africa

Franschhoek (Getty)

Whether or not you enjoy wine, you’re in for a surprising and heavenly stay in the Cape Winelands region. Places like Franschhoek and Stellenbosch delight visitors with sprawling vineyards that abut dramatic, vertical mountains. But the main star are the vineyards and chateaus that dot the landscape, which are evolving with a new generation of Black-owned properties.

When you’re in the area, don’t miss:

  • Let the Franschhoek Wine Tram take you around to the region’s best tasting rooms
  • Relax at the Bablyonstoren Garden, a quaint garden located inside a large winery

Places to stay in Franschhoek:

Gili Islands, Indonesia

Gili Meno beach and island off Lombok on a sunny day in Indonesia (Getty)

If you’re turned off by a trip to Bali now that it’s gone ‘viral’, so to speak, head to the Gili Islands. The Gili Islands (which include three different land masses) offer the same stunning beaches and natural wonders as Bali, except you won’t be battling throngs of tourists to enjoy them. Though more expensive than Bali, the Gili Islands offer the same laidback resorts, with pools, restaurants, and beachside views.

When you’re visiting the Gili Islands, don’t miss:

  • Get up close and personal with marine life at Turtle Heaven and Shark Point on Gili Trawangan
  • Catch sunset on Gili Trawangan at Cheeky Monkey Beach Club
  • Explore the underwater sculpture museum at the Gili Meno Underwater Sculpture Park

Places to stay on the Gili Islands:

Seoul, South Korea

Photo taken in Seoul, South Korea (Getty)

Seoul stands out as a trending travel destination thanks to its blend of modern and ancient. Seoul is a techy city with a strong economy, but it also maintains its historic traditions and heritage. That’s a pretty rare balance to find. Toss in Buddhist temples and great spas, and it’s not hard to see why Seoul is top-of-mind for travelers this year.

When you’re in town, don’t miss:

  • Study up on K-Pop icons at K-Pop Square in COEX Mall
  • Soak up the culture at one of Seoul’s five grand palaces, Deoksugung Palace
  • Shop at Hongdae Free Market for the very best souvenirs in Seoul

Places to stay in Seoul:

Sri Lanka

(Getty)

This island nation has its natural beauty, distinct culture, and delicious eats to thank for its rise amongst tourists. Uniquely, it’s also one of the best places to go on a safari outside of Africa—a responsible safari, of course. Sri Lanka also has colonial architecture left over from the UK, along with other homegrown structures like the Sigiriya Rock Fortress.

When you’re visiting Sri Lanka, don’t miss:

  • Get to know local and historic architecture at Sigiriya Rock Fortress
  • See the elephants (responsibly) at Udawalawe National Park
  • Hike part (or all) of the Pekoe Trail, which stretches over 300km and passes through the country’s central highlands

Places to stay in Colombo, the capital city:

The big new travel destination in Australia

Brisbane, Australia

Unique buildings and landscapes of Brisbane City. These are unbranded commercial buildings in the Brisbane CBD looking across the Brisbane River from Southbank (Getty)

North of Melbourne and Sydney on Australia’s eastern coast is Brisbane, the capital of Queensland. Once a quiet city home to families and surfer types in the 1990s, Brisbane has since exploded into modern metropolis where culture reigns. From unforgettable museums to vibrant nightlife to famous foodie festivals like Night Feast, Brisbane just keeps getting cooler.

When you’re in town, don’t miss:

  • Get a bird’s eye view from the Wheel of Brisbane
  • Take a Brisbane River Cruise to get out on the water and explore the city from a new angle
  • Eat to your hearts content and dance all night at the Howard Smith Wharves, home to some of the city’s most popular restaurants and bars

Places to stay in Brisbane:

9 Affordable Seaside Resorts in Florida That Feel High-Class

Who isn’t dreaming of a sunny resort escape in Florida?

Unfortunately, resort dream vacations are hard to come by. Even if you’re not breaking the bank on a flight to your destination, it’s easy to overspend when booking resort rooms—even with all-inclusive packages on the table.

Because resorts give you the keys to an all-in-one style vacation, from outdoor pools to world-class bars to bookable activities, those boosted prices make sense. Still, it can be hard to narrow down which amenities you actually want to pay for, and which resorts can deliver on them.

Once again, Florida is a prime spot to find these resorts. They dot the state, from Jacksonville to the Keys to Panama City Beach to Lake City.

But how can you find the right resort without going over budget? Even more importantly, how can you find cheap resorts that feel high-class?

Don’t worry—Florida’s got it all, including budget resorts that feel opulent. Here’s where to find them. At the bottom, you can also find two bonus picks that are located in Orlando near major amusement parks, along with one ranch-style stay away from the ocean.

Affordable seaside resorts in Florida at a glance

Affordable seaside resorts in Florida that feel high class

Beachcomber Beach Resort and Hotel (St. Pete Beach)

Nestled on a 5.5-acre plot that’s layered with lush tropical landscapes, Beachcomber is a gateway to the Gulf of Mexico. Its white sand beaches are the perfect place to drift away under the sun for hours on end—or you can lounge at the outdoor pool, if you’d rather avoid the sand.

Beachcomber also has a large outdoor dining area that comes alive with live musical performances, making this great for anyone who likes live sets and boogying.

*Beachcomber Beach Resort is currently closed for renovations, but is expected to open its doors later on this summer.

Sandpiper Gulf Resort (Fort Myers)

Looking for an ultra-cheap stay? Sandpiper Gulf Resort offers beach views from its small balconies, along with a large outdoor pool for a standard resort experience—at a majorly slashed price. While Sandpiper Gulf Resort isn’t reinventing the wheel when it comes to décor and amenities, its direct beach access is pretty hard to beat.

South Seas Island Resort (Captiva Island)

Ready to explore over 330 acres of secluded coasts on Captiva Island? This Gulf Coast resort is all about giving you space to unwind. You can choose between traditional beachy villa rentals or more high-class homes of distinction. There are three tiers to choose from, letting you stay within budget… or drift up to the next level, if your wallet allows.

Capt Hirams Resort (Sebastian)

Welcome to the Florida resort you’ve probably never heard of—in an area you’ve never visited, too. Sebastian is a small town located on Florida’s Atlantic Coast, and it’s got a bit of a cult following.

The grounds are brightly decorated with fantastic hangout areas and four top-notch bars and restaurants. Expect plenty of live music, too. Because it’s a little off the beaten path, you’ll be paying a strikingly low price for this ultra-cool resort.

Shephard’s Beach Resort (Clearwater Beach)

Similar to Beachcomber, you get plenty of bang for your buck at Shephard’s Beach Resort—especially if you like live music. This resort offers live music seven days of the week at its gorgeous, kitschy tiki bar. During the day, you can lounge at the white-sand beach or by the pool. Despite the hotel’s popularity, it’s still highly affordable.

Winter the Dolphin’s Beach Club (Clearwater Beach)

This relatively new resort has one amazing twist: it’s hyper-focused on marine conservation, which you can feel in its overall aquatic, beachy design. There are even programs geared toward kids, helping educate them about the ocean and marine life.

There’s a small outdoor pool, along with direct beach access. Plus, it’s located in one of Clearwater’s best neighborhoods, letting you walk to nearby sites.

Perry’s Ocean Edge Resort (Daytona Beach)

With a large outdoor pool, indoor pool, atrium, and direct access to a private beach, Perry’s Ocean Edge Resort gives you the keys to Daytona Beach. Though the grounds are pretty casual, the rooms are clean with a Just watch out for spring break, as prices will rise and the area will fill up with partiers.

Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo (River Ranch)

I’m rounding off this list with two non-seaside options, just in case you’re a little burned out on all the Sunshine State’s coastline. And if you want a little yeehaw resort experience, head to Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo near Lake Kissimmee.

You’ve got a few choices on where to stay, including awesome glamping tents—but the cheap rooms are in the main villa. The Villa rooms are great, offering furnished balconies where you can soak up the forested view.

But the real appeal is the resort’s thrilling amenities, including a mini golf course, horseback riding, rock climbing wall, zip lining track, and—the holy grail—a mechanical bull.

Parkway International Resort (Orlando)

Once again, this isn’t a seaside resort, but I wanted to include an affordable resort-style option for any families heading inland to Orlando. If you’re looking for a top-notch resort while you have the time of your life at major resorts in Orlando, head to Parkway International.

This resort has a large outdoor pool and quirky safari-themed décor throughout the grounds. There’s also a small playground available in case the little ones aren’t tuckered out after a day of chasing Disney characters around.


What is Rooftopping? The Most Jaw-Dropping Form of Urban Exploration

Travel trends come and go.

Many sweep through social media channels before drifting back out of public view. I’ve covered a few of these types of fast-moving trends, from rawdogging flights to testing the limits of Airport Theory. But these are the lightning version of travel trends.

If you dig deeper, you can pull back quite a few layers in the travel world, and they’ll start getting dangerous faster than you think. Enter the realm of dark tourism.  

Dark tourism covers a huge gamut, from disaster tourism to visiting museums that cover tragedy. Then there’s danger tourism, a subsection that revolves around putting yourself in harm’s way for thrills.

If you let yourself drift even further down the rabbit hole, you’ll come across urban exploration. Urbex is exactly like it sounds: daredevils sneak into manmade structures (both abandoned and in use) to delve deeper and climb higher, bringing followers into the fold with riveting videos that cover their spine-tingling exploits. See The Proper People for a case study.

Whether you’d ever get into Urbex yourself, it’s not hard to see how these YouTube channels gain millions of followers. They let you follow the bravest people in the world as they sneak around larger-than-life structures, skyscrapers, bridges, tunnels, and more.

But let’s keep going—further and further to the most terrifying ledge in Urbex.

Rooftopping.

What is rooftopping? It’s a spine-tingling genre of urban exploration that revolves around traveling to the world’s grandest cities with massive skylines and climbing to the tippy top of its most beastly skyscrapers, bridges, and construction cranes.

Welcome to rooftopping

Urban exploration took off in the 1980s and 90s, as underground daredevils made their names in major cities by decalring their exploits. Some had photos, but most had street cred. Enter the reality television takeoff of the early 2000s. With the advent of handheld cameras and portable recording devices, urban exploration took to new heights—literally.

One of the first breakout stories on rooftopping was published by The Guardian back in 2017. It shed light on an already booming but still mostly underground world of rooftopping. YouTube channels took off, while the world’s most daring urban explorers took on even grander challenges. Russia, in particular, saw a massive rooftopping boom that piggybacked on the popularity of parkour.

Fast forward to 2024 and rooftoppers are still making major headlines around the world. While rooftoppers once did their thing solo, couples soon entered the fold. And one even nabbed a documentary flick from Netflix, in case you really want to experience the madness behind rooftopping.

The new rooftopping

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 12: (L-R) Ivan Beerkus and Angela Nikolau attend Netflix’s Skywalkers: A Love Story Tribeca Film Festival Premiere at AMC Lincoln Square Theater on June 12, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Jason Mendez/Getty Images for Netflix)

As outlined above, the rise of YouTube and other social media channels helped put rooftopping on the map. First, it gave rooftoppers a safe platform to post their most jaw-dropping photos. Second, it allowed them to network with one another more easily. Third, it allowed them to monetize their antics.

But the old guard did things differently. The Urbex world of the 1980s and 90s revolved around secrecy. The vast majority of rooftopping stunts were done illegally, and urban explorers often provided critical intel to help their fellow climbers gain access to skyscrapers, bridges, and other landmarks.

Today, rooftopping has become so popular that some stunts fully legal and hosted by marketing companies. In other words, the art of rooftopping has been partly commoditized—but many hardcore rooftoppers still do their thing as clandestinely as possible.

And yes, it’s still a very dangerous art, with a steadily rising death count. It’s also highly illegal. The couple linked in the Netflix film above have faced arrest and charges around the world for their stunts.

Where do people go rooftopping?

Rooftopping is a global phenomenon. Wherever there’s a skyline or a well-known building, there’s the possibility of a rooftopper stopping by.

  • Toronto, Canada
  • San Francisco, USA
  • New York, USA
  • Moscow, Russia
  • Dubai, UAE
  • Hong Kong, China