• 10 Days in Alaska Itinerary Hero
    Itineraries

    10 Days in Alaska: How to Plan Your Epic Alaska Itinerary in 2023

    If there is one destination about which I receive more questions than any other, it's Alaska. At the core, everyone wants to know: how do you plan a trip to Alaska? What's the perfect Alaska itinerary? Since I started this blog, I've become a bit of an expert in Alaska trip planning and at times I publish so many stories that it seems like I'm running an Alaska travel blog! After all, I grew up in Alaska and I go back to explore my 'home' state at least once per year and twice in both 2021 and 2022...

  • 3 Days in San Jose - Hero
    Itineraries

    3 Days in San Jose, CA: Itinerary of the Best Things to Do in the South Bay

    When you think of visiting the Bay Area, where comes to mind? San Francisco, definitely. Probably Oakland and/or Berkeley. Maybe somewhere in the North Bay like Napa or Santa Rosa in Sonoma County. Does San Jose come to mind? There are far more things to do in San Jose than you might think. San Jose is the final piece of the puzzle – the South Bay’s great weekend destination...

  • One Day in Bandelier Hero
    Destination Guides,  Itineraries

    How to Make the Most of One Day in Bandelier National Monument

    If you're looking for a place that will never stop surprising you, New Mexico is the destination. While I only took my first trip to New Mexico in July 2021 (to see the Virgin Galactic launch!), I made a return trip in September 2022 to explore a different part of the state, and I am endlessly surprised by how different New Mexico is compared to what I expect. Land of Enchantment, indeed...

  • Great Basin National Park Itinerary Hero
    Destination Guides,  Itineraries

    A Perfect Great Basin National Park Itinerary for 2 or 3 Days Among the Pines

    I could say that Great Basin National Park is my favorite national park in Nevada... but it's also the only national park in Nevada! Instead, I'll say that it's one of my favorite in the country: Great Basin is home to unusual geology and history, fantastic hiking trails and scenery, and off-the-beaten-path enough that you aren't likely to end up waiting in line to snag a parking spot like you might at more popular parks like Arches and Yosemite...

  • 3 Days on the Big Island Hero
    Destination Guides,  Itineraries

    3 Days on Hawaii’s Big Island: Volcanoes, Lava & Stars, Oh My!

    If you ask most people, Hawaii is paradise on earth. Each of the islands is truly unique, from the Garden Island of Kauai to popular Oahu to the otherworldly volcanic landscape of the Big Island. And while I've been fortunate to visit all of the main Hawaiian islands at least a little, Hawaii holds a special place in my heart because it is so very different than the others – it's home to epic stargazing, wild waterfalls, and beautiful beaches alongside lava flows...

  • 12 Days in Alaska Hero
    Itineraries

    How to Spend 12 Days in Alaska:
    A Jam-Packed, Unforgettable Itinerary

    12 days is a long time. In America, most workers receive just two weeks – 10 business days – of paid vacation each year. Adding in weekends and one holiday, the longest single trip you could take in any given year is just 17 days long. If you choose to spend 12 of those precious vacation days in Alaska, you’re committing a big part of your vacation budget for the year to explore this bucket list destination. But don’t worry – it’s absolutely worth it...

  • One Day in Canyonlands National Park Hero
    Itineraries,  National Park Travel

    How to Make the Most of One Day in Canyonlands National Park

    One of the most important human emotions is wonder. You can find it through incredible meals, jaw-dropping art, or admiring epic views. No matter the means, wondrous experiences create an indelible mark in your memory. I had one such experience in Canyonlands National Park, where my breath was taken away by the stunning natural beauty that southwest Utah is so well known for...