This week, the photo comes from Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica.

One of the highlights of my trip to Costa Rica was visiting the Sloth Sanctuary and the Jaguar Rescue Center on the Caribbean Coast — because I got to see adorable sloths at both! I LOVE these slow creatures, and would argue that this photo is, in fact, the cutest photo I have ever taken. This little guy is a young (6-8 months old) three-fingered sloth being cared for at the Jaguar Rescue Center.

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The post Photo of the Week: Baby Sloth appeared first on A Dangerous Business Travel Blog.

And it will likely remain there for quite a while, because going to Africa to do a proper safari just isn’t in the cards for me anytime in the immediate future.

But that doesn’t mean I can’t pretend.

Last weekend in Pittsburgh, my partner in crime and I decided that a Sunday afternoon at the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium sounded like the perfect way to cap off our trip to Steel City. We navigated our way over countless bridges (seriously, Pittsburgh has so many!) to Highland Park, where we spent the day “on safari” just above the city.

The Pittsburgh Zoo has a long history — it’s been open for over 100 years, in fact. And its evolution from a menagerie into an educational destination has been an interesting one. Today, the zoo and aquarium cover everything from the African Savannah to the Asian Forest to the Water’s Edge to the Tropical Forest. You’ll find the usual elephants and lions and monkeys and sea lions here. But you’ll also find some rarer animals like the orangutan, the polar bear, the black rhino, and the extremely endangered Amur leopard.

While I don’t know how I feel about zoos keeping animals in captivity just so people can look at them, I can’t deny that zoos like the Pittsburgh one are doing their part to try and save animals that are incredibly endangered due to poaching and loss of habitat. And, if it makes you feel any better (it does me), the Pittsburgh Zoo is entirely non-profit with a mission of conservation and education. I can definitely support that.

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Do YOU visit zoos when you travel? Which photo is your favorite?

*Note: My visit to Pittsburgh was partially sponsored by VisitPittsburgh and the Courtyard Pittsburgh West Homestead/Waterfront. As always, though, my opinions are my own.

The post Going on a Safari – In Pittsburgh appeared first on A Dangerous Business Travel Blog.

1. How do you define the word “traveler”, and why would you consider yourself one?

We’d say that the willingness to change location and expose oneself to new environments is a big part of what being a traveler is about. In some ways, it’s more of a mindset than the result of a physical act. Zab, for example, used to carry his passport with him at all times when he was a university student. He was always ready to jet off to visit some of his international family. Even if it didn’t happen with the frequency he might have liked, he was prepared!

2. What has been your favorite travel experience thus far?

On this, our current trip in South America, it would have to be the day we spent cycling the circuit chico in Bariloche, Argentina. The weather was perfect, with bright blue skies and just a little wind and the scenery just spectacular with gorgeous crystal blue lakes, stark grey mountains and green alpine forest. We even found a “hidden beach” by one of the lakes that could have almost been tropical, had the pine trees been replaced with palms!

3. How about your proudest travel moment?

Before we met, Zab bought his first house in England, but didn’t even end up moving in as he was offered a job in Munich, Germany where he ended up living for five years. Despite declarations from friends and family that this was crazy, he decided to do it and he has never regretted it.

4. Have you had any travel mishaps or bad experiences? If so, have these influenced how you view the place where they happened? Would you go back?

A couple of years ago, on our first day in Ukraine, we were pickpocketed on the metro in Kiev, and lost a big chunk of money. We didn’t let it spoil our experience of the country and still enjoyed Ukraine. While Ukraine is not at the top of our list at the moment, we would certainly go back as we think that with the travel experience we have gained since then, we wouldn’t be naive enough to let it happen again. Also just because we happened to have the bad fortune to be standing next to the one guy who decided we’d be easy targets, doesn’t mean it’s necessarily any more likely to happen again in Kiev than, in say our home city, London.

5. Name one thing you can’t travel without.

For Zab it is most definitely his iPhone. For Sam, probably earplugs. He really likes his sleep.

6. Name one thing you wish you COULD travel without.

Clothes. They’re just an inconvenient necessity that take up way too much space! (And no, we’re not nudists. It’s just hypothetical!)

7. What do you think has been the biggest thing you’ve learned while traveling?

Be yourself.

8. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

Well, part of the reason we made the decision to travel like this was because we don’t know exactly where we’d like to base ourselves from eventually. We know for sure that we don’t want to live in London again, and almost certainly not even in the UK. We are quite attracted by Berlin at the moment for its cosmopolitan multiculturalism. Also Germany is a sensible choice as we both speak German and have many German friends. But who knows. Maybe we’ll end up living in Mexico, Sri Lanka or Japan!

9. Name one place you’d like to see or one experience you’d like to have before you die.

We’d love to see the Earth from space. Hopefully this will be possible in our lifetime, without costing a fortune!

10. If there was one thing you wish somebody would have told you before you started traveling, what would it be?

Start earlier. There isn’t a perfect time to start traveling, and waiting “til you’re ready” could end up meaning waiting forever. Things will always go wrong and circumstances will always conspire to bring up situations just when you least want or expect them, but if you’ve been dreaming about traveling long-term, the most important step towards making that happen is just to go. Now.

Visit the site: Indefinite Adventure
Follow on Twitter: @IndefiniteAdven
“Like” on Facebook: Indefinite Adventure

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Are you a travel blogger who has something to say on these topics? Do you know of somebody really interesting in the travel universe that you’d like to see interviewed? Speak up! The Thursday Traveler needs some interview subjects.

The post Thursday Travelers: Sam and Zab appeared first on A Dangerous Business Travel Blog.

Chances are, you associate this city with one of two things — sports, or steel.

With well-known sports teams like the Steelers (football) and the Penguins (hockey) calling Pittsburgh home and a long history of steel manufacturing, it’s no wonder these are the two things most frequently associated with the city.

But Pittsburgh is so much more than sports and steel.

Read on to learn some fun facts about “Steel City” that you probably didn’t know!

Pittsburgh is the “City of Bridges.” Believe it or not, Pittsburgh has more bridges than Venice! The city boasts more than 445 of them, many of them crossing the three rivers (Ohio, Allegheny, and Monongahela) that meet in downtown Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh is the home of public TV. In 1954, WQED became the first community-sponsored educational TV station in America. And one of its most beloved shows – Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood – was based in the Pittsburgh neighborhood of Oakland. Fred Rogers himself even called the area home.

Pittsburgh also has hills. Move over San Francisco. Bike enthusiasts in the Midwest should look no further than Pittsburgh if they want to train on some steep terrain. Pittsburgh is made up of hills, rivers, and valleys — making for some interesting (and extremely hilly) roads. To properly appreciate these hills, be sure to ride the Duquesne Incline up Mount Washington. The views at the top are fantastic!

Pittsburgh could be the next Hollywood. Okay, so maybe not really. But the city has starred in a lot of blockbusters in recent years — the most famous of which probably being “The Dark Knight Rises.” This is actually fairly apropos, considering that the first movie theater in the world — the Nickelodeon — was opened in Pittsburgh in 1905.

Celebrities call Pittsburgh home. From Gene Kelly to Michael Keaton to Christina Aguilera, many famous people have ties to Pittsburgh. And we of course can’t forget Pittsburgh’s most famous artist, either — Andy Warhol. Along with the Carnegie museums, the Andy Warhol Museum is one of the best in city.

Pittsburgh has famous food. Plenty of foods that we all know and love started out right here in Pittsburgh. Like the Klondike bar. And Heinz ketchup. And even the Big Mac (which was “invented” near Pittsburgh in 1967). But if you want a real Pittsburgh classic? You have to head to Primanti Brothers‘ Strip District location — home of some of the biggest sandwiches you’ll ever find, with coleslaw and fries right on top.

Pittsburghers speak Pittsburghese. The Steelers become the “Stillers,” wash becomes “warsh,” and you’ll hear “yinz” substituted for “you guys.”

Pittsburgh is full of art. From the Carnegie Museum of Art to the Frick to the Warhol to the Mattress Factory, Pittsburgh is actually quite an artsy city. Even Phipps Conservatory has an artsy flair, with glassworks dotted throughout the gardens and exhibits.

Pittsburgh is very livable. For a long time, Pittsburgh had a reputation as a polluted industrial town. Forget about that, though. Today, Pittsburgh has dozens of LEED-certified buildings, lots of green spaces, and is currently sitting pretty as the 30th most livable city in the world (and the second most livable in the US), according to CNN.

Pittsburgh may not be New York or Las Vegas. It may not be Miami or San Francisco. But that doesn’t mean it’s not worth a weekend of your time. In fact, if you ask me, Pittsburgh is one of the most underrated cities in the U.S.

Hopefully I’ve convinced you to at least consider a visit!

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So how about it? Who wants to visit Pittsburgh?

*Note: My visit to Pittsburgh was partially sponsored by VisitPittsburgh and the Courtyard Pittsburgh West Homestead/Waterfront. As always, though, my opinions are my own.

The post Did You Know? 10 Fun Facts About Pittsburgh appeared first on A Dangerous Business Travel Blog.

This week, the photo comes from Washington, D.C.

The National Mall in Washington, D.C., has a lot of really cool monuments and memorials. From the Washington and Lincoln monuments to the WWII and Korean war memorials, the tributes range widely in size, scope, and shape. But no matter how many times I visit D.C., I think the most moving memorial of all remains the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. It’s simple as far as memorials go — just a shiny wall bearing 58,195 names. But that wall evokes some truly strong emotions. I thought this photo, with the American flag reflecting in the Wall, really captures what the memorial represents.

If you like this photo, please share it with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, StumbleUpon, or G+!

The post Photo of the Week: Vietnam Veterans Memorial appeared first on A Dangerous Business Travel Blog.

But now that I’m officially done with classes and have some of the major details of the next fews months ironed out, I’m ready to give you a preview of what you’ll be reading about soon!

May 10-12

Pittsburgh

Photo by Nick Foust, on Flickr

This evening (in fact, perhaps even as you’re reading this), I’ll be headed to what I consider one of the most underrated cities in the U.S. — Pittsburgh! I grew up fairly close to the Pennsylvania border, and have had many family members and friends who have called Pittsburgh home over the years. I’ve visited the city countless times, but this time I’m actually staying overnight (two nights, in fact) and taking someone along with me who HASN’T experienced Steel City before. We’ll be hitting up museums, eating some great food, riding the incline and maybe even a riverboat, and overall just enjoying a weekend getaway somewhere close to home. If you don’t know much about Pittsburgh, stay tuned! What you learn might surprise you.

May 17-20

Ottawa

Photo by jpctalbot, on Flickr

Next weekend, I’ll be heading over the northern border to a city I’ve visited only once before — Ottawa, the capital city of Canada. The last time I was in Ottawa was in the dead of winter; when there were inches of snow on the ground and my extremities frequently went numb after 15 minutes out in the cold. This time around, I’ll thankfully be able to enjoy some warmer weather. But the change in season isn’t the only reason I’m going back — I’m going next weekend to catch the tail end of the Canadian Tulip Festival. With any luck, along with fireworks shows, food trucks, and a visit to Parliament Hill when it’s not covered in snow, I’ll also get to see the city decked out in colorful tulips. Renting a bike to cycle the “Tulip Route” is high up on my list, and I’m also looking forward to staying at the Fairmont Château Laurier, which reminds me of Hogwarts castle whenever I see photos of it. Bonus.

May 30-June 4

Toronto for TBEX

Photo by Jamie McCaffrey, on Flickr

It’s already that time of year again — time for the annual Travel Bloggers Exchange conference. This year, TBEX is taking place in Canada (I sure am seeing a lot of it this year!), and I’ll be heading up to Toronto for about 5 days of conferencing, socializing, and exploring. Along with attending TBEX, I’m signed up for some local tours around Toronto — one focusing on the city as a film location, another highlighing the city’s pork history (yes, you read that correctly), and one more that will have me cycling around the Toronto Islands.

June 8-25

Mini road trip and family reunion

Photo by Rob Shenk, on Flickr

A few days after I return from TBEX, my sister and I will be hitting the road, much like we did two summers ago when we drove cross-country. This time, however, we’ll be going south instead of west. We have a family reunion in the Florida Panhandle to attend June 15-22 (helloooo beach time), so we’ve decided to set aside a week beforehand and a few days afterwards in order to roadtrip together again. On the way down, we’ll be stopping to soak up some history in Virginia at Jamestown and Williamsburg, experience the southern charms of both Charlotte (N.C.) and Charleston (S.C.), and explore the incredible city of Savannah for a few days. Roadtripping, in my opinion, is the best way to discover America, and I’m looking forward to seeing more of the South this way.

July 16-???

THE BIG ONE

I’m not going to give away all the details just yet (stay tuned for the full announcement post next week), but suffice it to say that I’ve been keeping a big secret from you.

I’m going to travel around the world for 6 months.

I officially have a one-way ticket to London booked on July 16, and am cooking up all sorts of adventures that include adventures on at least two continents. Like I said — stay tuned next week for all the awesome and exciting details!

Already 2013 has been an amazing, travel-filled year for me. From kicking off the year in Scotland to chilling out in Belize to spotting the northern lights in Manitoba to falling in love with sloths in Costa Rica, I’ve already done, seen, and experienced more in the first 4 months of this year than many people do in a decade. I am incredibly lucky to have even more epic things ahead!

I do hope you’ll follow along on the adventure(s).

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I know you want to know more about my RTW trip. But, other than that, what else are you looking forward to reading about?

The post My Spring/Summer Travel Plans appeared first on A Dangerous Business Travel Blog.