Travel Tips
I've been traveling more than half my life, and have visited nearly 30 countries.
Along the way, I've learned a few tips to help make the process of traveling more enjoyable.
Scroll down to see them all.
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How to Choose the Best Alaska Cruise Excursions in 2024
Alaska is a dream destination, and people are always surprised to learn that I grew up there. After that, they often ask me "What is it like to grow up in Alaska?" I love answering this, as it reveals that – for all its magic – Alaska is a pretty normal place with spectacular scenery. Then, people usually follow up by asking "Can you help me plan my Alaskan cruise/choose my Alaska cruise excursions?"...
The Complete Pacific Coast Highway Guide:
3 Itineraries & 27 Stops to MakeThe Pacific Coast Highway is arguably one of the most famous drives in the entire world. Stretching from Washington to California, the Pacific Coast is picturesque, with cliffs, sea stacks, gorgeous urban spaces, and the raging ocean. Making a Pacific Coast Highway road trip is a popular bucket list experience – for good reason...
The 17 Best Kenai Fjords National Park Cruises from Seward (2024)
The sky is clear and the sun creates a million sparkles of light on the face of the ocean. A humpback whale erupts from the shallow waves in a full breach. A glacier cracks loudly making the phrase "white thunder" make sense as a giant piece of ice falls into the water. An otter rides the wake of our boat, holding onto a rock it will use to crack open the clamshell in its other paw for lunch. These are some of the quintessential experiences you can have on a Kenai Fjords National Park cruise...
How to Make the Most of One Day in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Short on time while exploring the Big Island? Learn how to maximize one day in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park – or even a half-day!
What are the Newest National Parks?
5 Recently-Established Parks to VisitWhen it comes to America's national parks, there's something for everyone. With over 425 individual units (including National Parks, National Monuments, National Historic Sites, and more) and 63 National Parks specifically, you can get out and explore the wonders of this country whether you like the outdoors, our history, or something a bit quirkier (like me – I love old trees!)...
How to Spend One Day in Lava Beds National Monument
I knew it when I first spotted it on a map years ago: someday, I had to visit Lava Beds National Monument. I was standing in a visitor center near Mt. Shasta, one of the southernmost Cascade volcanoes, on a trip to explore the region. After learning about lava tube caves near Shasta, my eyes roved over the map to see it: a whole national monument dedicated to these same types of caves. Let's GO! I thought... before realizing just how remote this particular National Park Service unit is...
How to Spend One Day in Oregon Caves National Monument
Is there anything more impressive than stepping into a room of stone, carved away over millions of years by the forces of time, water, and wind? Caves are easily one of the coolest features of our incredible rocky mantled planet and are often a primary feature at my favorite national parks. It should come as no surprise then, that I jumped at the chance to spend a day in Oregon Caves National Monument as part of my big Oregon road trip in late 2023. A whole park just for caves? And a few big trees?! Sign me up!...
The Best Alaska Black Friday Deals for 2023
(& Cyber Monday too!)Visiting Alaska is expensive. I hate to start on that note, but it's just the truth. Every year when I update my guide to guessing out how much your Alaska trip might cost, I'm bummed to see prices just going up, up, up. That's why it's so important to highlight opportunities for you to save on your Alaska trip – and Black Friday/Cyber Monday weekend is one of the best chances for that...
Majestic Princess Review (2024): A Royal-Class Cruise Experience
From a distance, the ship blends into the landscape, almost like a large apartment block in any of the coast communities where she made port. But as we approached each time – first to embark, then to return from shore excursions in places like Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán, and Puerto Vallarta – the Majestic Princess showed her true size. Rising over 200 feet from the water level, this Princess Cruises ship is a city and community unto itself... and we called her home for a week on an escape from wintery Cleveland weather...
