Sharing local experiences from across the globe.
Here at Discover with Sam, we work to:
- Help you experience the world through travel;
- Empower you to learn about different peoples, places, and cultures, and approach that learning with eyes full of wonder;
- Promote and design travel experiences that are accessible and affordable for everyone.
Our Values
Experience the Local
Travel to experience the local culture. At Discover with Sam, we explore both on and off the beaten path to learn about the local language, food, history, and cultural pillars of the places we are in. We connect with local residents to learn about their lifestyles and communities. Every place has a story to tell, no matter how big or how small.
Social Impact Travel
Practice ethical, sustainable travel. Planes are unlikely to ever be environmentally friendly, so when we fly we like to spend extended time in a place, traveling slowly. We make sure we are supporting local communities and businesses with our tourism dollars, and reflecting the places and people we meet respectfully in our storytelling.
Wander Mindfully
Be fully present in the place you’re in. Whether it’s in your own city or across the globe, fully experience a place through all of your senses. Smell the smells, taste the flavors, see the colors, and be at peace with wherever you are at any point in time.
Accessible Travel
As someone with a mental health disability, accessible travel is important to me. Whether you have a physical, mental, emotional, or financial disability, we believe everyone deserves to experience the world and we work to provide the information you need to do so.
Resources
New on the Blog
- Tips for Traveling With A Mental Illness
Whether you experience travel-specific anxiety, or you have anxiety, depression, or other types of mental illness and want to travel, the tips in this blog post are for you. I hope they help reduce the barriers to you experiencing more of the world in all of the ways that you want to. - 54 Unique Things To Do in DC
There are so many more fun, funky, and unique things to do in DC that you won’t find in the travel guides. I’ve compiled a list, in no particular order, of 54 local experiences that will take you way beyond your high school class field trip to DC. - DC Day Trip: Things To Do in Montgomery County, MD
You may only be familiar with Montgomery County as a suburb of DC, but there are so many cool things to do in Montgomery County, MD, it is so worth exploring! Whether you’re visiting Washington, DC or live in the area, Montgomery County will serve up fun outdoor activities, amazing food, and super cute local shopping opportunities that you don’t want to miss. - Top Ten 2023 Budget-Friendly Travel Destinations
This is a guest post written by Bharti Rana. 2023 budget-friendly travel destinations offer an affordable way to explore new cultures, taste delicious food, and discover breathtaking scenery without compromising quality or comfort. Whether you’re… - Top 11 Reasons To Visit Israel (+1 Not To)
11 Reasons To Visit Israel When people think of their next vacation destination, Israel isn’t usually the first place to pop into their head. The geopolitical conflict between Israel and Palestine (and much of the… - 2024 Guide to DC Cherry Blossoms
Every year thousands of visitors and locals alike flock to the DMV to see the beautiful pink and white blooms at the Tidal Basin and the National Mall. However, some of my favorite spots to see these fickle trees are away from the crowds. Here is my guide for where and when to see DC’s cherry blossoms.
About the Author
Hi, I’m Sam!
I share local experiences from around the globe. At Discover with Sam, I practice social impact travel, exploring and supporting local communities, economies, and ecosystems in mindful and respectful ways. I’m a local government nerd, so I value local, cultural experiences over tourist attractions or luxury travel (but that’s not to say I don’t do those too 😉). I’m currently based in Washington, DC, soaking in some sunshine with my fiancé and three kitties after spending 8 years in-love with a very snowy Syracuse, NY.