The best way to explore an off-beat destination

I have a bit of an obsession with chasing after and checking off my bucketlist items…so much so that I recently decided to get my greatest bucketlist checks tattooed on my forearm! It’s probably the most meaningful thing I’ve ever done for myself other than sending “Future Alyssa” postcards from Antarctica and Kilimanjaro saying how proud I am of myself for chasing my dreams. That’s exactly what these all were initially by the way…dreams. Four years ago I never truly believed that I’d check off multiple bucketlists by the time I was 30, but I did, and I’m so damn proud about it! So I’ll start this post explaining my new tattoo, and then you’ll next find my “Top 30 Most Epic Adventures Before 30” series that I did earlier this year right after I turned 30! Oh! And if you’re curious about how I started my dream career as a full time travel blogger and social media influencer, please read my full story o...

Reading Time: 6 minutes Calling all freaks! Key West’s Fantasy Fest, a cross between Mardi Gras and Burning Man , welcomes 60,000 of the most liberal fun lovers every year. A ten day festival situated at the Southernmost Point of the Continental U.S.A., Fantasy Fest is famous for sunshine, body paint, and Halloween shenanigans. Here are some things to know for your next visit! I’m playing dead at Fantasy Fest. Matt Karsten @ExpertVagabond What is there to do at Fantasy Fest? “Everything” may be an appropriate answer. Parades March in or view the Halloween parades and bike rides. Each group of partygoers takes the Fest’s annual theme and twists it to individual tastes. The 2015 theme,  All Hallows InterGalactic Freak Show  inspired space-cowboys, “Star-Trek,” Space Mountain , and a mix of Martians all in various states of dress and undress.   1 of 7,000 costumed riders at Key West’s annual Fantasy Fest. Rob O’Neal...