About & Editorial Policy

About the author

I'm Scott Barlow, a channel executive, investor, and board member who currently serves as Chief Evangelist & Global Head of Community at Sophos. I have spent most of my career building partner ecosystems in cybersecurity, but the other constant in my life has been travel: 60 countries, 72 territories, and a long list of places still waiting to be seen.

This site is a personal journal, not a company publication. I write the posts, take the photographs, research the history, and own the opinions. It exists because I wanted a single place to keep the stories, objects, and lessons that accumulate when you move through the world with your eyes open.

My background is unusual: an MBA and an MS in Geology & Geophysics from Boston College. That combination explains both the business side of my day job and the stubborn fascination with rocks, landscapes, and how the planet is put together that shows up in the Curiosities section.

Content standards

Everything published here is original, first-person writing based on trips and experiences I have personally had. I do not publish aggregated "best of" lists, AI-generated filler, or rewritten content from other sources. If I did not see it, taste it, climb it, or talk to the person involved, I do not write about it as if I did.

• Original photography: Unless a historical image is clearly credited, every photo on this site was taken by me.
• Fact-checked context: I research dates, names, geology, history, and cultural details before publishing. When something is uncertain, I say so.
• Honest framing: I write about what worked, what surprised me, and what disappointed me. Not every destination is perfect, and I do not pretend otherwise.
• Local voices: Many of the best stories come from guides, drivers, restaurant owners, and strangers who shared their time. I credit them whenever possible and quote them accurately.

The goal is not to be a guidebook. It is to be a useful, specific account of what a place is like when you show up curious and pay attention.

Paid placements, sponsorships, and freebies

I do not accept payment in exchange for coverage on this site. I do not run sponsored posts, paid destination features, or paid reviews of hotels, restaurants, tours, or spirits. If a trip, meal, tasting, or experience was complimentary or arranged by a partner, I disclose it clearly in the post.

The site does display a small number of advertising units through Google AdSense to help cover hosting, photography, and travel costs. Advertisers do not influence what I write, where I go, or what I recommend. Ad placements are handled by the ad network; I do not sell ad space directly or write content around specific advertisers.

Affiliate links, if any, will be clearly labeled. I do not use affiliate links for destinations, hotels, or tours I have not personally used or researched.

Guest posts and pitches

I do not publish guest posts, contributed articles, or third-party pitches. This is a personal journal, and every word is written by me. If you are a brand, PR agency, or SEO link-building service, please do not send pitches for guest posts, sponsored placements, or backlink schemes. They will not be accepted.

If you want to suggest a place I should visit, a fact I should correct, or a story you think I would genuinely enjoy, you are welcome to reach out through the Contact page. I read every message and respond when I can.

Corrections and updates

Travel changes. Restaurants close, borders shift, prices go up, and guides retire. If you notice something outdated, incorrect, or missing, please let me know through the Contact page. I correct factual errors promptly and note significant changes when they affect the core advice of a post.