Location
Providence, Rhode Island
School
University of Pittsburgh, Chatham University
Expertise
Bicycle Touring, Ecotourism, Backpacking
- Robert worked as a journalist for two years in Costa Rica, penning nearly 500 articles about local people and institutions for The Tico Times.
- He once rode buses through the former Yugoslavia in search of a Bosnian refugee he'd known in high school, a journey he documented in his first published book, "The Archipelago: A Balkan Passage."
- His first feature-length documentary, "The Trail," was about cycling the Great Allegheny Passage from Pittsburgh to Washington, D.C. It has aired several times on the public television station WQED.
Experience
Robert has worked as a freelance writer and multimedia producer for more than two decades. He grew up in rural Vermont and spent 16 years in Pittsburgh, where he served as a contributing editor for Pittsburgh Magazine and a regular art critic for City Paper. Robert honed his backpacking skills as a student on Semester at Sea, and he has since written about travel for a wide range of outlets, including BBC Travel, Longreads, Trivago, and Lonely Planet guidebooks. An avid bikepacker, Robert has written about bicycle journeys for Momentum Magazine and Adventure Cyclist. His films have been screened all over the world, and his proudest honor was an award for Best Documentary Director from the Block Island Film Festival. He now lives in Rhode Island, where he contributes lifestyle stories to Providence Monthly and community profiles for Jewish Rhode Island.
Education
Robert earned his B.A. in creative writing from the University of Pittsburgh and an MFA in nonfiction writing from Chatham University, where he served as Whitford Fellow, the program's highest honor.
Explore’s content is created by qualified and experienced writers and editors, bolstered by outside field experts. Our mission is to provide readers with well-rounded and accurate information by way of entertaining and engaging articles that deliver a diversity of content, including everything from detailed guides for exotic locales to easily accessible information on domestic travel.
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Travel Etiquette
By Robert Isenberg
Coffee is like a religion in Italy, which means drinking it comes with some rules. Make sure you know this etiquette rule before ordering coffee in Italy.
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Hiking
By Robert Isenberg
What are "bonus miles"? No, we're not talking about airlines! When you plan a hike, especially a long-distance hike, you better plan for additional bonus miles.
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Outdoor Adventures
By Robert Isenberg
An abandoned railroad may not sound like much of a draw for visitors by itself, but this place in Vermont has managed to turn one into a bike-riding treat.
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Beach Vacations
By Robert Isenberg
Sometimes, you just need a car. That's the reality when you visit this popular Caribbean island destination, which doesn't have any public transportation.
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Celebrity
By Robert Isenberg
Tipping in cash isn't always convenient or even respectful in some cultures. Instead of cash, take this advice from Samantha Brown and gift this item instead.
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Culinary Vacations
By Robert Isenberg
New England and clam chowder are synonymous in people's minds, but it turns out the best clam chowder state might be elsewhere in the country.
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Hiking
By Robert Isenberg
Hawaii is a U.S. state renowned for its natural beauty, and this picturesque hiking trail only adds to that reputation, heading through a bamboo forest.
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Travel Etiquette
By Robert Isenberg
There are many body gestures that might be acceptable in the U.S. but are not in other countries. In Asia, this common position is actually offensive.
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Travel Etiquette
By Robert Isenberg
Half the fun of international travel is learning and experiencing a new culture. But this common American courtesy can actually be considered rude elsewhere.
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International
By Robert Isenberg
Technology can be helpful when traveling abroad, from language translation to using public transit. But this one tech gadget isn't as useful as you think.
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Europe
By Robert Isenberg
There are many things that can make you stand out as an American tourist in France, but this behavior may be hard to shake. Here's what to be aware of.
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Beach Vacations
By Robert Isenberg
Escape to a coastal retreat in the Outer Banks in North Carolina. Of course, you'll get beautiful beaches and hospitality. But you'll also get peace and quiet.
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Hiking
By Robert Isenberg
Want to tackle the highest mountain in the continental U.S. but not sure you have what it takes? Here's everything you need from permits to hiking experience.
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United States
By Robert Isenberg
Ghost towns are creepy, fun, and educational. This one in Colorado is one of the most well-preserved ghost towns in the country, with 43 surviving buildings.
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Hiking
By Robert Isenberg
If you’re planning a hiking trip in the forest or mountains, remember to be careful of these kinds of trails — unless you want to get lost very quickly.
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Safety
By Robert Isenberg
It's scary to leave your home unattended when on vacation. That's why we asked a travel safety expert to learn the best ways to deter burglars while away.
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United States
By Robert Isenberg
Massachusetts has no shortage of charming college cities, so this creative town is often overlooked — even though it’s one of the best in America.
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This bizarre flight route connecting two islands proves you don’t need a Tardis to know that air travel can be timey wimey: It lands before it takes off.
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Hiking
By Robert Isenberg
If you're planning to hike the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) into Canada, that last stretch just became a little more complicated. Here's what hikers need to know.
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Beach Vacations
By Robert Isenberg
Beach vacations are great, but they are too crowded. Skip the Caribbean and other obvious destinations for this remote island in Scotland with the best beaches.
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Flying with your pet can be complicated in some cases, but fortunately, carrying this animal through security is actually easier than you might think.
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International
By Robert Isenberg
As a traveler, you want to connect with the local culture and people. But that's easier said than done. This is an easy tip to help you connect to the locals.
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Outdoor Adventures
By Robert Isenberg
You always want the best and most appropriate gear when you're hiking, camping, or both. This one particular item is arguably the most important to get right.
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Culinary Vacations
By Robert Isenberg
Ordering food in a foreign country can be stressful. With different languages and cultures, how do you get it right? Luckily, Rick Steves has some advice.
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Canada has its own stretch of the Rocky Mountains, and this acclaimed train journey enables passengers to view them up close in a comfortable way.
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International
By Robert Isenberg
A language translation app that's better than Google Translate? That's the word from a recent study. Here's what to know about the German app that beat Google.
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Cruises
By Robert Isenberg
Cruise ships are meant to be fun and rejuvenating. But if you don't prioritize this one thing, you could end up hurting your entire trip and your state of mind.
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