On May 15, politicians in Greece announced that they failed to reach the compromise needed to form a government. Greece will go back to the polls in June, perhaps finding a resolution to its inconclusive May 5 elections. Lower livings standards, high unemployment, hefty taxes and general desperation continue to...

I left Myanmar will a camera full of images from the golden hued temples of Bagan, the tranquil floating villages of Inle Lake and the expansive Irrawaddy River. However, what is etched in my memory is Myanmar's people.

Despite all that has happened in Myanmar's history, its people generally...

It's a rainy day in Istanbul and we don't mind spending it in our apartment. The kids are sitting on the living room floor drawing, the stereo is humming Turkish music and the view of the Bosphorus keeps diverting my attention away from typing.

By renting a vacation home...

When I was a child, my parents sent me to India every summer to spend time with family and learn about my motherland. These trips took me to several Indian states and I discovered a lot about this complex nation. Still, it wasn't until I married into a Kerala family...

While the mechanics of an airplane are the same around the world, the mechanics of flying aren't. India has it's own airport systems, which were an adjustment even to a family that has been traveling around the world for a few months. There may not be chickens and cows aboard...

Even as a native Indian, I can't help but associate India with chaotic hoards and clogged roads. Determined to see another face of this massive country, we made a trip to Munnar. The area was a British summer resort during colonial days and now attracts visitors with scenic valleys full...

After having kids, I looked forward to business travel. I loved the anonymity of being a business traveler, and it provided my only opportunity to have large blocks of time to myself. I appreciate those trips all the more during our around the world journey with two toddlers. Whether it's...

We found ourselves in Penang six weeks into our year of around the world travel with two toddlers. Penang lured us with its cultural diversity, the result of centuries of war, trade and immigration. The island is a tapestry of Malay, Chinese, Indian and expatriate cultures. Portuguese spice traders used...

Hill tribe trekking is an activity of much contention in Northern Thailand. Hill tribes migrated to Thailand from conflict areas such as Myanmar and Laos, but have largely maintained the same customs and agrarian lifestyles for generations. They offer outsiders a glimpse into a bygone way of life. However, many...

One of the potential challenges of extended travel with a one year old and a three year old is nourishment. This has not been a problem in Chiang Mai, where the culinary choices are infinite. Thai establishments alone are available for every budget and taste, from beautiful water view restaurants...

Cultures around the world celebrate festivals to let go of misfortunes and start anew, kind of like a 'reload' button.

In the U.S. we make New Year's resolutions. The South Indians celebrate Pongal, "boiling over", by boiling over milk in a clay pot to signify abundance. It is a time...

Most international flights invite travelers with small children to board ahead of the masses, which begs a question: Why would I want to subject myself to an extra minute of whining and restlessness in cramped quarters?

We were the last to board our flight to Hong Kong, after allowing...

"Are you excited?" is the most common question when people hear about my travel plans.

Yes. But there is a caveat.

On Halloween night my husband and I will board a 16-hour direct flight to Hong Kong with two sugared-up toddlers. Our checklist between then and August 2012 looks...