We're Chris and Lori — a couple from Virginia who travel for the food first and the scenery second. This is where to start if you just found us and want to know what we're about, where we've been, and where to go first.
We're Chris and Lori, based in Richmond, Virginia. We started Bites & Borders because we kept coming back from trips with the same complaint: the travel content we found online was either too generic ("Top 10 Things to Do in Istanbul!") or too aspirational (luxury hotels, private chefs, budgets that don't exist for most people).
We wanted something honest. Real prices, real food, real opinions. The kind of guide you'd get from a friend who'd actually been there.
Chris is a land developer, campground lot developer, and music business collaborator who travels for the food and the cultural contrast. Lori is the one who actually knows how to pack. Together we've covered 20+ destinations across the Mediterranean, the Americas, and the Caribbean — and we're still going.
We also travel with Split, our dog, which means we know which destinations are actually pet-friendly and which ones just claim to be. See Split's travel guide →
Deep-dive itineraries for 20+ destinations. Real prices, real food, real opinions — not the tourist brochure version.
The dishes you have to eat, where to find them, and what they cost. Food-first travel is the only kind we do.
We've done Caribbean and Mediterranean cruises and know exactly how to make the most of limited port time.
Honest packing lists built from real trips. What earns its space and what you'll regret bringing.
If you're new here, these are the posts that represent what Bites & Borders is about — real itineraries, honest food guides, and practical information you can actually use.
Topkapi Palace, the Basilica Cistern, a Bosphorus ferry, and the best baklava we've ever eaten. The real 3-day Istanbul itinerary.
Nā Pali Coast by boat, Waimea Canyon, North Shore poke, and lava coastlines at golden hour. Our full 5-day Kauai trip.
Cuban coffee, domino players, Wynwood murals, and a Bayside sunset. The Miami trip that made us book a return before we left.
Simit, balık ekmek, midye dolma, and 9 more dishes that define Istanbul's street food scene. Where to find them and what they cost.
After multiple Caribbean and Mediterranean cruises, here's what actually earns its space — and what the Pinterest lists get wrong.
Spanakopita, souvlaki at Kostas, the Central Market, and the neighborhoods locals actually eat in.
Ottoman spice markets, Bosphorus views, and the best street food in Europe.
Nā Pali Coast, Waimea Canyon, and poke bowls worth flying for.
Caldera sunsets, volcanic beaches, and Assyrtiko wine.
Little Havana, Wynwood murals, and Cuban coffee at a ventanita.
End-of-the-road island vibes, Key lime pie, and the best sunsets in Florida.
The Acropolis, loukoumades, and tavernas that don't have an English menu.
The exact packing list we use for Mediterranean trips — what to bring, what to leave, and the gear that's earned its place after 20+ destinations. Download it immediately, then get new guides in your inbox.
Questions? Want to work together? See our partnership page or reach out directly.
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