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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Safety
By Robert Isenberg
Climbing the world's highest mountain is no easy task, but you might be surprised to learn about the most dangerous part of conquering Mount Everest.
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Camping
By Robert Isenberg
Tired on the trail? The secret to a comfortable night's sleep isn’t a fancy piece of gear — it’s something you may already have hiding in your home.
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Tips And Hacks
By Robert Isenberg
It is always good to plan for every eventuality on the road, but explorers headed to Japan can save themselves some hassle by leaving this common item behind.
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Camping
By Robert Isenberg
Stay warm while camping, even if you get wet, with this genius tip that will save you from frigid temperatures and ever life-threatening conditions.
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Tips And Hacks
By Robert Isenberg
You can never be too prepared when you are out exploring the great outdoors, and one particular item will ensure that you are never caught short on the trail.
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Camping
By Robert Isenberg
This form of outdoor travel lets adventurers combine serene waterways with peaceful overnight stays in nature, offering a refreshing twist on classic camping.
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Travel Etiquette
By Robert Isenberg
Tourists visiting Japan should consider that the cultural norms may be very different than what they’re used to back home, especially when riding the metro.
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If you cherish your tobacco products and are visiting the Maldives, you'll want to know about new generational ban that even tourists there have to comply with.
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Hiking
By Robert Isenberg
They don't call it the Green Mountain State without reason, and Vermont is home to a beautiful trail that is particularly popular with solo female hikers.
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Safety
By Robert Isenberg
Professionals have a way of making difficult things look easy, and tourists shouldn't be fooled into thinking this high-octane outdoor sport is for everyone.
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All aboard, because this historic ride through the Californian capital has been brought back to life. Train lovers, get yourselves to Sacramento, pronto.
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America's cities might not have the best reputation when it comes to public transport, but one thriving Californian metropolis has a surprise in store.
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United States
By Robert Isenberg
The people of this island would just as soon outsiders steered clear. However, its pristine public beaches make the unusual journey worth it.
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A recently launched Amtrak route is proving highly popular with travelers, as it provides a pretty great way to navigate the gulf coast area.
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Inspiration
By Robert Isenberg
A skillcation can broaden your horizons, up your game with existing hobbies, and help you organize a trip to another country around an educational activity.
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Outdoor Adventures
By Robert Isenberg
Hidden away in the northern wilderness, this peaceful area offers fiery fall colors, tranquil lakes, and solitude that's hard to find in national parks.
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Outdoor Adventures
By Robert Isenberg
Snow camping poses challenges for even the hardiest outdoorperson without having to worry about food freezing overnight. Luckily, there's a hack to prevent it.
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Outdoor Adventures
By Robert Isenberg
This Utah national monument may not be one of the state's most popular, but perhaps it should be, as it's truly a breathtaking sight to see.
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Hotels
By Robert Isenberg
If you’ve ridden a high-rise elevator recently, you may have noticed there’s no button for the number 13. Here’s why some hotels don’t have a 13th floor.
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United States
By Robert Isenberg
Massachusetts features many well-known places to visit, but this highly underrated state park deserves to be added to more visitors' itineraries.
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United States
By Robert Isenberg
Wyoming is packed full of great outdoor recreation opportunities, and this overlooked national monument is truly beautiful during the fall season.
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Amtrak may soon offer an easier way to travel between these major cities in the Midwestern U.S., creating a rail connection that's arguably long overdue.
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Leaf-peepers have plenty to look forward during a fall trip to Europe, perhaps best exemplified by this gorgeous train trip between Italy and Switzerland.
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Family Friendly
By Robert Isenberg
Explore Toronto’s reinvented stretch of urban space that transformed a previously concrete and useless area into a creative, community-driven park.
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Europe
By Robert Isenberg
Ever dreamed of venturing off to a faraway land featuring castles right out of a fairy tale? This destination in Germany is perhaps the closest you'll get.
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Road Trips
By Robert Isenberg
New Mexico probably isn't a state most think of traveling to for fall foliage views, but this scenic driving route is sure to capture leaf-peepers' attention.
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This viral photo shows an Amtrak employee ignoring an important bit of train etiquette, igniting online debate among passengers over the behavior.
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