DESTINATION - Compass Roam

The Ultimate Guide to Turkey: Istanbul and Cappadocia

Our vacation to Istanbul and Cappadocia was an intentional stretch into something more exotic. Istanbul has often been referred to as, “the crossroads of civilizations” for good reason – the culture is a blend of both European and Islamic influences, drawing from its rich history of Ottoman, Byzantine and Roman influences. This union is apparent…

The Best Istanbul Tours Led by Locals

Certain locations have that special ability to transport visitors back in time and Istanbul is one of those spots. Having spent 7 years as a high school Global history teacher, my husband is used to including a history tour or 2…or 5…on our trips. Since the Byzantine Empire was part of my curriculum, he prepared…

What to Know About Dining in Turkey

A Note About Food: Typically on vacation, I prefer to hold the reins, do copious amounts of research, and plan our foodie experiences well ahead of time. However, since our days in Turkey centered so much around historical sight-seeing, and action packed adventures (some way up high in hot air balloons, and others way down…

Luxury Hotel Review: Cappadocia Estates

A cave hotel should be on everyone’s travel bucket list! Not only does it make for a unique travel experience, but cave hotels incorporate the surrounding geography into the architecture, and create comfort in what was once a more…let’s call it “primitive accommodation offering” for mankind. A close friend put us in touch with Lale,…

The Best African Safari Packing Guide

Packing for a safari is unlike any other packing experience. Why so? A safari destination has drastically varying temperatures throughout the day, but you won’t be allowed to take much with you! In Tanzania, the weather forecast in August generally went like this: very chilly in the morning, scorching hot in the afternoon, chilly at…

Luxury Hotel Review: Singita Grumeti Faru Faru

Singita Grumeti Faru Faru was a 12/10 hotel experience. No matter how long you stay, you’ll always wish you had one more day. What can you expect on your safari? A trip to Faru Faru begins at the airstrip, where your guide will greet you in a small, but beautifully polished hut next to the…

Luxury Hotel Review: Lamai Serengeti

If you don’t like camping, but you’re all in for glamping, put Lamai Serengeti on your bucket-list and be prepared to be wow-ed. A safari hotel write-up is unique compared to a regular review, because it’s a review of both the accommodations and the safari experience (the two go hand-in-hand). So let’s talk animals first,…

Tanzania Safari Honeymoon Guide

During the midst of wedding planning, my husband pitched the idea of a safari for our honeymoon. I will admit — I was a little apprehensive, but I quickly got on board after doing some research. Everyone says you have to conquer your fears, right? Well, an open air, window-less, door-less jeep — sitting adjacent…

Community Village Experience

Beyond the Safari Experience I recommend taking a break from safari rides one day in order to spend time with the locals, who live amongst both the challenges and the beauty of the landscape. Singita Grumeti Faru Faru works in conjunction with the Grumeti Fund Community Outreach Program, arranging for hotel guests to visit communities…

Safari Cuisine: What can a foodie expect to experience?

When on safari, you will enjoy all meals from the comfort of your lodge, or a picnic out on the plains. As you may have guessed, there are no other restaurants nearby, and unless you want to “be” dinner, it’s best not go exploring to another hotel. Safari camps each have their own…