Cara Siera
Cara Siera is a freelance writer, editor, and photographer from Tennessee, USA with a background in psychology and sociology. Her work has appeared in Creative Nonfiction’s online journal Brevity, the Red Mud Review, Fearsome Critters: A Millennial Arts Journal, and countless websites. Cara also curates the work-from-anywhere lifestyle and travel blog Anatomy of Adventure. She is a foodie with a passion for international travel, recipe creation, understanding other cultures, and the great outdoors. Learn more about her work here.
Articles by Cara Siera
Meaningful Travel: When Your Trip Isn’t Just a Vacation
By Cara SieraOur trip could be labeled volunteering since the primary purpose of the trip was to serve. “Voluntourism” – tourist travel with a volunteering component – has become increasingly popular in recent years as a way to make travel more meaningful and give back to the places visited.
The World Volunteer Travel Social Responsibility
Grab a Field Guide: Birdwatching Enhances Your Connection to Place
By Cara Siera“Once you begin bird-watching, no street, sky, or forest ever looks the same: Birds are everywhere, and their comings and goings tell stories most humans aren’t attuned to.”
The World Nature & Outdoors
What Happens When You Revisit a Favorite Childhood Vacation
By Cara SieraWhen I was a kid, one family trip inspired my imagination like no other ever had. Recently, I went back to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama, hoping to experience some of that childhood excitement once again. What I found was a museum in disrepair – but … Read more
United States Adventure Family Travel
Meet the Manatees of Crystal River, Florida
By Cara SieraThe Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge shelters solitary manatees year-round, but their numbers increase to around 600 individuals from mid-November through March, when they retreat to the Three Sisters and other natural hot springs as ocean temperatures drop.
United States Experiences Social Responsibility
The Rare Wildlife and Exquisite Beauty of Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
By Cara SieraTo outsiders, New Guinea is most often known as the home of bird of paradise species, whose unique feathers and elaborate mating dances feature in many nature documentaries. But the capital city of Port Moresby has an unfortunate reputation for crime and unrest, and strong travel advisories have restricted many … Read more
Oceania
Best Travel Meals for Your Next Hotel Stay
By Cara SieraEating in new and exciting places — and experiencing unfamiliar flavors — has always been a highlight of my travels. But on long trips, dining out every meal can become taxing and expensive, and when you’re staying in a hotel, there isn’t always a way to prepare your own food … Read more
The World Health & Wellness Food & Drink
The Tiny Caribbean Museum That Inspired the Jurassic Park Franchise
By Cara SieraThe science fiction that binds Jurassic Park’s storyline together is that dinosaur DNA could be extracted from mosquitos and other biting insects preserved in amber.
Caribbean and Atlantic Off the Beaten Path
How to Enjoy Walt Disney World for Free
By Cara SieraDisney World and Disneyland parks and resorts have long been called, collectively, “the happiest place on earth.” But the joy of Disney parks comes with a large price tag — at the time of print, Disney World Orlando’s Standard Theme Park Ticket is priced at $109.00 per day.
United States Budget Travel Family Travel
The Perfect Introductory Activities to Solo Travel
By Cara SieraI never thought solo travel was for me. I spent my childhood adventuring with my parents and other family members. When I got married, I relished the thought of a lifetime travel companion. How often we have regaled with stories of road trips with friends.
The World Experiences
Somalia in the States: Finding Immersive Cultural Experiences Close to Home
By Cara SieraCulture can be explored in many ways — through conversation, clothing, dance, music, and more. As a recipe creator and food photographer, I’m a firm believer that food is one of the most intimate ways to connect with another culture.
United States Experiences Food & Drink
Confronting Cannibalism Stereotypes in Papua New Guinea
By Cara SieraI hate to admit it, but when we booked our trip, I didn’t even know where to find Papua New Guinea on the map. Our travel companions had selected the destination. But in the months leading up to our departure, I began to fall in love with a place that … Read more
Oceania Experiences History Indigenous
Like Peering into Human Eyes: Swimming with Humpback Whales
By Cara SieraWhales, it turns out, are a lot like us. They live in family groups whom they go to great lengths to protect and care for. They love to sing, and “chart-topping hits” spread quickly from group to group. They’ve even been known to stand up for other, weaker species — … Read more
Australia Adventure Experiences