If there’s one thing I’ve learned about myself, it’s that staying still ain’t in my DNA. Since I was a kid, I’ve been chasing movement like a dog after a scent. My first taste of real freedom came at 12, figuring out L.A.’s RTD bus lines. My bike only got me as far as the local 7-Eleven, but that bus? It had the power to take me to whole new worlds—or at least what felt like worlds back then.
Now that I’m older, travel isn’t just a pastime; it’s my fix. A habit I have no intention of quitting. Booking trips way out on the calendar? That’s my sweet spot—something to hang on to, a shiny brass ring in the distance. But here’s the rub: sometimes that next adventure is too damn far away, and I start jonesing for a hit.
I’ve found a few tricks to keep the withdrawals at bay. Let me tell you what they are…
1. Visit a micronation
Believe it or not, you don’t have to hop on a 12-hour flight to visit a foreign country. America’s got its own hidden little nations, right under your nose. They’re called micronations—tiny, self-declared “countries” that might be as small as some guy’s backyard but come decked out with flags, currencies, and eccentric leaders who take the whole thing pretty seriously.
Spend five minutes looking up “micronation,” and I promise you’ll be deep down a rabbit hole you won’t want to crawl out of. And here’s the kicker: visiting one can actually check “meet a president” off your bucket list.
In 2021, I made the pilgrimage to The Republic of Molossia, just outside Reno. I had such a damn good time that I thought, “Why not start my own?” And I did. Don’t click HERE unless you have at least 30 minutes.
So if your next international trip feels out of reach, find the nearest micronation, sprinkle in a little imagination, and get your passport stamped—figuratively or literally. Trust me, it’s worth it. Here’s a list of micronations.
2. Visit a Foreign Embassy…or 20
If you’re itching for a world tour but your bank account’s not on board, let me give you a pro tip: hit up Passport DC. It’s a wild cultural buffet that goes down every May in the nation’s capital. Think embassy open houses, street festivals, performances, and workshops—basically, an all-access pass to the world without leaving the 202.
You wander from building to building, each one a little slice of its home country. One minute you’re sipping tea in a Japanese garden; the next, you’re getting schooled on Chilean wine. Thousands of people show up for this thing, and it’s worth the hype.
I made the pilgrimage in 2016, and let me tell you—there’s something intoxicating about stepping into 20 countries in one weekend. It’s proof that D.C. is more than just suits and politics. Don’t sleep on it. More info on Passport DC HERE.
3. The Travel and Adventure Show
Picture this: over 1,500 of the world’s top destinations, tour operators, and cruise lines under one roof, with experts ready to craft your perfect trip and cut through the noise. We’re talking exclusive deals, insider tips, and advice you won’t find in some clickbait listicle. Welcome to the Travel & Adventure Show.
Planning your next adventure can feel like wading through quicksand—endless search engines, sketchy booking sites, and itineraries designed by robots who think a layover in Newark is “efficient.” But if you want the real deal, you need to go old school: face-to-face with people who actually know what they’re talking about.
They’ve got travel legends dropping knowledge bombs across four different stages, and the whole setup is a travel junkie’s playground. This year they’re rolling into nine cities across the U.S., including Los Angeles and Phoenix. I’ll be at the L.A. and Phoenix shows, plotting my next great escape—come find me, and let’s talk travel. Get more info HERE.
