About Shannon
Shanon Osztonits is a gypsy soul at heart. Her penchant for delicious words is just as strong as her desire for uncovering hidden gems across the globe. A true creative at heart, new cultures, landscapes and people inspires her daily being.
Shanon loves translating the beauty and magnificence of our world onto paper just as much as she loves painting a new canvas. Cities like Renaissance-rich Florence, or parts of the world where living in a sarong and bikini all day sets her heart ablaze.
Shanon called Southeast Asia home for six years, and the region's spirituality is something she carries close to her heart. She is also a qualified reiki practitioner; so you best believe her casa is lined in crystals. Apart from traveling, Shanon is a true foodie through and through — some say the two go hand-in-hand!
When not gallivanting around the world, you’ll find Shannon in her kitchen cooking up recipes inspired by the places she's been to, or from the latest episode of Top Chef.
How did you get into travel
With an educational background in Journalism, writing has always been my first love. It’s a career path I, undoubtedly, knew I would follow. Back then when magazines were all the rage, I had my heart set on entering the realms of Conde Nast and the likes. But that was 2011, and although #magazinesarenotdead, the digital era took over.
I've had a desire to travel and explore the world as much as I love to write, and my travel writing career began when living abroad in Hanoi, Vietnam in 2018 — which I called home for six years. I had the opportunity to write for a major publication in the Southeast Asian scene (TripCanvas), which jolted my travel writing career. I’ve been crafting travel love stories ever since.
Shannon's unique travel experience
Sri Lanka remains one of the most magical destinations I've been lucky enough to explore. Spending one month in this tropical piece of paradise, every part of a new day led to something spectacular… Exploring exotic spice gardens; the train journey between Colombo and Ella; eating meals as gorgeous elephants roamed the streets (I’m a HUGE animal advocate); watching shooting stars and cooking home meals in treehouses; hopping from one beach town to the next to snorkel; motorbiking along the open roads; catching crazy tuktuks (which should have been a bus to get from A to B); and of course, moving and grooving under the sunshine in my dear Arugum Bay. One of my best memories was when a local fisherman invited us back to his home in the jungle for dinner with his family. It’s etched in my heart as as one of the most special places in the world.
Latest travel articles and insights by Shannon Osztonits
Bordered by three oceans and comprising 12 absolutely unique countries, South America is a vibrant dreamscape filled with countless natural wonders, immersive cultures, colorful towns, lively cities and a history that extends way back to the Incas. The options for outdoor activities impress just as much, with opportunities such as skiing in Valparaiso in Chile, riding the waves in Peru or Ecuador, diving with sharks around Malpelo Island in Colombia, and glacier trekking within the Los Glaciares National Park in Argentina. In South America, you will also find some of the world’s most wondrous sites, including the Amazon, Machu Picchu, the Galapagos Islands, the Atacama Desert, and Iguazu Falls. With so much to see and do, planning a South America itinerary can be as much fun as traveling through it, if you know how long to stay in South America.
Five days isn’t enough to explore all of the Mediterranean that spans Europe, Asia and Africa. However, you could take a short cruise to explore a bunch of coastal towns and islands such as Ibiza, Malaga, Palermo, Marseille, Genoa etc. Beach lovers will be enthralled with visits to Malta, Sicily, Corsica, Sardinia and Mallorca to name a few. Meanwhile, city slickers will enjoy the destinations like Barcelona, Istanbul, Marseille or Monte Carlo. Whatever your interests, the Mediterranean has something for everyone. We recommend not cramming too much in those five days. Keep it slow, take it easy, and stick to just one region or two countries at max to enjoy 5 days in the Mediterranean.
From the “City of Music” to the “City of a Hundred Spires”, walk in the footsteps of Mozart, Dracula, Harry Houdini, Charles IV, Sigmund Freud, Chopin and Einstein during 2 weeks in Eastern Europe. Visit globally-recognized cities, such as Budapest, Prague, Berlin, Vienna, Warsaw and the Transylvania region, or head in the direction of lesser-known areas like Alba Iulia, Sighișoara, Viscri, Veliko Tarnovo and picturesque Český Krumlov circled by the Vltava River, considered one of the most beautiful medieval towns in Europe. In 14 days, you can explore up to eight new countries and up to 14 cities, or focus the entire time exploring one destination.
For a country as compact as Albania (covering just 28,748 sq. km), a 10-day long trip provides ample time and opportunities for deep exploration. Whether you want to hike along the 476 kilometers of coastline along the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, nerd out amongst the centuries-old ruins and remains in Butrint, Durrës, Finiq and Antigonea or take in the museums, small towns and villages in between cities, you can experience all of it during 10 days in Albania, or choose a holiday that focuses on just one attribute.
Did you know you can traverse Albania north to south in just five hours? Yet, despite its small size, you can easily spend two weeks in Albania, uncovering all that this Balkan gem has to offer. There is the Albanian Alps to hike, wine regions like Berat to savor wine in, relax on Adriatic beaches, explore cities and villages, museums to visit, and indulge in mouthwatering cuisine. Uncover ancient Greek ruins in Butrint, find spiritual solace in Sarajevo, marvel at the Blue Eye Lake, or soak in Përmet's thermal springs after invigorating hikes. A 2-week Albania tour lets you explore nearly 20 new destinations, even venturing into a neighboring country.