All Travel Stories

My favorite travel gifts (for yourself or your favorite traveler)

My favorite travel gifts (for yourself or your favorite traveler)

I travel a lot and have gone through so many products, but there are a few that stand out above the rest. I have narrowed down what I need for most trips, and I want to share them with you — whether they are travel gifts for you or travel gifts for your favorite...

TSA PreCheck vs. CLEAR: The pros & cons of both

TSA PreCheck vs. CLEAR: The pros & cons of both

If you are sick of standing in line at the airport, it's time to start thinking of jumping the line. But should you go with TSA PreCheck or CLEAR? Both have their benefits and limitations and I wanted to break down the differences between the two. TSA PreCheck CLEAR...

Hotel McCall – McCall, Idaho

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Adria Hotel – Prague, Czechia

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Hilton Stockholm Slussen

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JW Marriott Nashville, Tennessee

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Hilton LAX Airport

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Hilton Universal Studios Hollywood

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Hotel Fron – Reykjavik, Iceland

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Frost & Fire Hotel Iceland

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Century Hotel Tualatin, Oregon

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Tuscany Suites & Casino Las Vegas

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Venetian Hotel & Resort Las Vegas

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Millennium Downtown New York

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MoonPass Lookouts in Wallace, Idaho: Glamping at its finest

MoonPass Lookouts in Wallace, Idaho: Glamping at its finest

For those who were impressed by our stay at the Idaho Potato airbnb last year, the owner has launched a brand new property: MoonPass Lookouts in Wallace, Idaho. The property is made up of fire lookout towers near Wallace, Idaho and makes a perfect day trip from Boise....

What to wear to The Vatican: Dress Code rules [2023] you should know

What to wear to The Vatican: Dress Code rules [2023] you should know

When visiting the Vatican, it’s important to remember to show respect. Even if you are not Catholic, and even if you are not Christian, you are in a holy place and it’s important to follow the few amount of rules they have in the Vatican dress code. The Vatican’s...

Tips for your first time on a plane

Tips for your first time on a plane

If you have never been on an airplane before, the thought of flying might be scary. But flying is incredibly routine, and the more you do it the easier it will get. Here are some tips for your first time on a plane. Click the links below to skip to any of the...

Applying for a passport (for the very first time)

Applying for a passport (for the very first time)

If you have never left the country, applying for a passport for the very first time can be a very overwhelming experience. I first applied for my passport when I was 31 years old, so I can tell you that it is never too late. Here are some tips to apply for a new...

12 things to know before visiting Iceland

12 things to know before visiting Iceland

Visiting Iceland can be one of the most amazing trips of your life. I had never considered going there, but was invited by a friend and had heard so many amazing things about it. But there are some important things to know before visiting Iceland. Click the links...

I stayed at the Big Idaho Potato Hotel near Boise, Idaho [VIDEO]

I stayed at the Big Idaho Potato Hotel near Boise, Idaho [VIDEO]

Stay overnight in a potato? If you are visiting Idaho, you might as well, right? We decided to spend one night in the Big Idaho Potato Hotel, just outside of Boise, Idaho. Click the links below to skip to any of the following sections: History The Big Idaho Potato...

Map: What are travel restrictions & what countries are open?

Map: What are travel restrictions & what countries are open?

If you are looking into a trip, it can be a confusing time with every country having different rules for travel. Sherpa has put together an interactive map to help travelers and travel advisors stay up to date on the current requirements and restrictions. The...

TSA Precheck vs Global Entry: Which should I apply for?

TSA Precheck vs Global Entry: Which should I apply for?

Have you considered applying for TSA Precheck or Global Entry? What are they? Which is better? Which should you apply for? I want to talk you through both programs and the pros and cons of TSA Precheck vs. Global Entry. Click the links below to skip to any of the...

Visiting Roosevelt Island in New York City [VIDEO]

Visiting Roosevelt Island in New York City [VIDEO]

Roosevelt Island is a beautiful and sometimes missed location when people visit New York City, New York. However, Roosevelt is easy to get to from the city and a fun way to spend an afternoon. Here are some of the things we did while visiting Roosevelt Island in New...

6 things to do in Cancun, Mexico [VIDEO]

6 things to do in Cancun, Mexico [VIDEO]

There are so many places that you can equate to paradise in Mexico, and Cancun is one of the most popular. I just went on my very first trip to Mexico, and Cancun was just lovely. Here are my favorite things to do in Cancun, Mexico. Click the links below to skip to...

2-week China itinerary: Day-by-day plans for your trip to China

2-week China itinerary: Day-by-day plans for your trip to China

If you are planning a trip to China, the options can be overwhelming. The country is thousands of years old, and there are so many amazing things to see and places to visit. Unless you have a year to visit China, you will need to narrow down your visit to a few...

Visiting the Vatican, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica

Visiting the Vatican, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica

Visiting the Vatican can be an overwhelming experience — mostly because there is so much to do, and you don't want to miss anything. From the Sistine Chapel to the Vatican Museums to climbing St. Peter's Basilica Dome, you could spend days there soaking it all in....

8 Bend, Oregon waterfalls you can easily hike (or drive) to

8 Bend, Oregon waterfalls you can easily hike (or drive) to

Central Oregon is full of plenty of beautiful hikes, and a surprising amount of those hikes have a waterfall at the end (or at the beginning!) If you are in the area and wonder "what are the best waterfalls near me?" - here are our tips for our favorite Bend, Oregon...

VIDEO: 8 Historical places to visit in downtown Denver, Colorado

VIDEO: 8 Historical places to visit in downtown Denver, Colorado

Denver, Colorado has a rich history full of gold miners, lumber mills, and beer — and their downtown is a mix of that history and modern architecture. There are a few important historical places to visit in downtown Denver, Colorado to make sure you see while you are...

Visiting Pompeii, Italy and hiking Mount Vesuvius

Visiting Pompeii, Italy and hiking Mount Vesuvius

If you are traveling to Italy, visiting the city of Pompeii and hiking Mount Vesuvius are must-see locations. There are so many Italian cities with amazing history, but none have been preserved the way Pompeii has. We have some tips on how to get to Pompeii from Rome,...

Visiting the Parthenon in Nashville, Tennessee

Visiting the Parthenon in Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville is a fun place to go to party, for work, or if you're a fan of country music. But the city has so much more than just drinking and music, and the Parthenon in Nashville, Tennesse is one of our favorite things to visit. The building is actually a full-size...

Where to stay in Regensburg, Germany: Roter Hahn hotel review

Where to stay in Regensburg, Germany: Roter Hahn hotel review

When planning a trip to Europe, a travel agent suggested we spend one of our off days in Regensburg, Germany, because it would be like nothing we had ever seen. When looking at hotels in Regensburg, Roter Hahn came to the top of the list for many reason. Here are our...

The best weekender bags for women

The best weekender bags for women

I have to admit, I am a bit of a weekender bag hoarder. I bought my first one five years ago, which I loved. But after the zipper broke, I have been buying new overnight bags of all sizes (don't worry, I only have three - currently). It is so fun to go out of town for...

Visiting the Colosseum in Rome, Italy: Everything you need to know

Visiting the Colosseum in Rome, Italy: Everything you need to know

The Colosseum in Rome, Italy is perhaps one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world, and visiting is a life-changing experience. But to do so, you will want to make sure you plan in advance to have the best experience possible. Click the links below to skip to...

7 Reasons why offseason travel is the best way to travel

7 Reasons why offseason travel is the best way to travel

Offseason travel can be fun for many reasons — you can save money and avoid the crowds. While you may have to make some sacrifices, there are plenty of reasons to travel in the offseason. Click the links below to skip to any of the following sections: Prices Plummet...

Hiking Smith Rock State Park in Oregon [Video]

Hiking Smith Rock State Park in Oregon [Video]

Smith Rock State Park is unlike anything you have ever seen. Created out of thousands of years of volcanic eruptions, Smith Rock has numerous rock structures, which make it perfect for climbing, hiking, or horseback riding. Here are the things you need to know to...

9 Things to do in Green Bay, Wisconsin

9 Things to do in Green Bay, Wisconsin

Green Bay, Wisconsin is known mostly for the Green Bay Packers, but the city holds so much more. The history of the team resonates throughout the town, but there is also nature, food, and plenty of activities. It makes a great day trip from Milwaukee, Chicago, or even...

Where to stay in Venice, Italy: Locanda Leon Bianco

Where to stay in Venice, Italy: Locanda Leon Bianco

Whether you use a travel agent, booking website, or airbnb, you will soon find that there are so many hotels and apartments available in Venice, and it can soon become overwhelming. Because of this, we wanted to share with you the one we experienced ourselves, because...

6 Best places to stay in Boise, Idaho

6 Best places to stay in Boise, Idaho

Boise, Idaho may be an overlooked destination, but it is quickly becoming a sought-after vacation destination. Whether it's skiing, craft beer, floating the river, or catching a football game — you could easily spend weeks in the city and have plenty to do. Whether...

Booking my first trip as a travel agent: Things I learned

Booking my first trip as a travel agent: Things I learned

I have been a travel writer and marketer for years, but recently took the leap and joined a travel agency. The learning process has been interesting, and intense, but I have learned so much more about the travel industry than I ever expected. Here are some things I...

Oregon’s Tamolitch Blue Pool hike: How to get there

Oregon’s Tamolitch Blue Pool hike: How to get there

If you are looking for a great hike in the Western United States, a Tamolitch Blue Pool hike is an easy in-and-out trip with a beautiful destination. The Tamolitch Blue Pool is located on the McKenzie River Trail in Central Oregon, only about an hour outside of Bend....

Visiting the best breweries in Bend, Oregon

Visiting the best breweries in Bend, Oregon

Visiting Bend, Oregon is any nature lover's dream. With hundreds of hiking trails only miles from town (and some actually in town), it might be easy to overlook some of the other great things the town has to offer. However, in recent years, Bend's beer scene has been...

Visiting Castel Sant’Angelo in Rome, Italy

Visiting Castel Sant’Angelo in Rome, Italy

Castel Sant'Angelo is a must-see destination when visiting Rome, Italy — but it's not just about the history or beautiful architecture. The castle showcases one of the most amazing views in Rome. Here are the reasons you should include the Castel St. Angelo on your...

3 days in Beijing itinerary: Visiting Beijing, China [VIDEO]

3 days in Beijing itinerary: Visiting Beijing, China [VIDEO]

If you are planning on visiting China, Beijing is a must-see city, for so many reasons. Beijing, China is full of history, culture, and of course, the Great Wall of China. But even if you only have a few days to visit Beijing, you can still see a lot of it. Here is...

The best hotel in Florence, Italy near Duomo: Hotel Pendini review

The best hotel in Florence, Italy near Duomo: Hotel Pendini review

Florence is a beautiful and vibrant city in the Tuscan region of Italy, and because of its tourism industry, there are hundreds of hotels and other places to stay while in the city. So where should you stay in Florence, Italy? Here is our review of Hotel Pendini in...

How to avoid being pickpocketed, according to Rick Steves

How to avoid being pickpocketed, according to Rick Steves

Pickpocketing can be a real issue when traveling anywhere (even within your own country), and no one is immune. Even experienced travelers like Rick Steves, who have been traveling to Europe for decades, has been the target of a pickpocket scheme. Below are Rick...

Visiting the Titletown District in Green Bay, Wisconsin

Visiting the Titletown District in Green Bay, Wisconsin

Green Bay can be a fun city for both Packers fans and non-Packers fans alike. The history of the city, as well as the history of the team in a town of barely 100,000, can make a fun weekend to visit. However, in the last few years, the Green Bay Packers have gone...

7 Things to do in Hong Kong (in only 3 days)

7 Things to do in Hong Kong (in only 3 days)

Hong Kong is an amazing destination to visit, and there are so many things to do in such a small area. I had never considered visiting, but we decided to end our China trip in Hong Kong and then my family joined us for that section. We only had three days in the city,...

1 week in Italy itinerary: Planning your trip [maps and photos]

1 week in Italy itinerary: Planning your trip [maps and photos]

Italy is a large country full of thousands of years of history. If you are planning a visit, it would be hard to see everything in less than a week, but I would recommend a few weeks at least. On my first trip, we spent 8 days in Italy, and while it was a whirlwind,...

7 Best camera bags for travel

7 Best camera bags for travel

Traveling can be fun, and traveling with a camera can make it an amazing adventure. Whether you are a pro or a novice, finding the best camera bags for travel can actually be stressful. But if you do it the right way, you shouldn't have to worry about whether your...

Climb Il Duomo Florence, Italy: Reserve your tickets in advance

Climb Il Duomo Florence, Italy: Reserve your tickets in advance

The best advice I received before heading to Italy was from Rick Steves: he suggested reserving your time to climb the Duomo Florence far in advance of your trip to the city. And he was right: the Il Duomo di Firenze (the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore) was...

Visiting the Leaning Tower of Pisa and Marina di Pisa beach

Visiting the Leaning Tower of Pisa and Marina di Pisa beach

The Leaning Tower of Pisa in Pisa, Italy is truly one of the world's greatest wonders. But Pisa is so much more than the tower — so if you are in the area to visit the leaning tower, then you will want to make sure to see some of the other amazing things the area...

5 Things to do in Vienna in 1 day

5 Things to do in Vienna in 1 day

Vienna, Austria has been considered one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, and historically, one of the most significant (especially in the world of music). You could spend weeks there and still not see everything you want, but if you are limited on time, here...

Competing in the Pole Pedal Paddle in Bend, Oregon [2022]

Competing in the Pole Pedal Paddle in Bend, Oregon [2022]

The Pole Pedal Paddle in Bend, Oregon is an annual event, which includes plenty of locals, as well as people who travel to Central Oregon just to take part. Depending on your team, it can either be an easy jog or a strenuous workout! (that is mostly because you can do...

7 Best places to stay in Bend, Oregon

7 Best places to stay in Bend, Oregon

Bend, Oregon is an outdoor lover's dream, and the town is full of adventure (and adventurers) during all four seasons. But in order to really enjoy your experience, you need a great hotel — and there are plenty of hotels in Bend. Here are some of the best places to...

Viking Cruise Lines changes minimum age for all cruises to 18

Viking Cruise Lines changes minimum age for all cruises to 18

Viking Cruise Lines has become the latest brand to ban children on their cruises. When Viking Ocean Cruises launched in 2015, they only allowed passengers who were 18 and over. But now, according to their new Terms & Conditions, Viking River Cruises will also only...

Visiting the Basque Block in downtown Boise, Idaho

Visiting the Basque Block in downtown Boise, Idaho

Boise, Idaho is a growing city in the middle of a rural state. Craft beer, food, and culture are taking over, but the history of the city is just as interesting. Boise is home to the largest Basque population outside the Basque country, and if you look hard enough,...

Climb to the top of St. Peter’s Basilica Dome

Climb to the top of St. Peter’s Basilica Dome

Visiting Vatican City can be an exciting, but overwhelming, experience. When visiting the home of the pope, you will want to see The Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, and definitely St. Peter's Basilica. But it's not well known that you can actually climb to the...

9 Things to do in Bend, Oregon

9 Things to do in Bend, Oregon

Bend, Oregon is an outdoor lover's dream. With a population of just over 80,000, Bend is located in Central Oregon and is three hours from Portland, Oregon. The town has a lot to offer in both winter and summer, with a ski resort located just outside of town, as well...

Hawaii volcanic eruption could affect tours in the area

Hawaii volcanic eruption could affect tours in the area

UPDATE: The Kilauea volcano erupted on Thursday, May 3. Lava was seen running out of the ground on Friday, May 4, on the eastern side of the island, and residents were forced to evacuate. Authorities were telling both residents and guests to stay away from the area...

Taking the Vatican Scavi tour: Visiting St. Peter’s tomb

Taking the Vatican Scavi tour: Visiting St. Peter’s tomb

The Vatican Scavi Tour, or a tour of the Vatican Necropolis, is one of the most exclusive tours in Rome, Italy, and maybe even in Europe! This is because they only let around 250 people in each day (compared with the more than 30,000 who visit the Vatican each day)....

Why you won’t want to visit London for the royal wedding

Why you won’t want to visit London for the royal wedding

While it may seem tempting to visit Britain for the May 2018 wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, there are some reasons you why you won't want to visit London for the royal wedding — and why you should just stay home and watch it on TV. According to...

Your Wine Flies Free on Alaska Airlines from 29 cities

Your Wine Flies Free on Alaska Airlines from 29 cities

If you are wine-cationing, Alaska Airlines may be the best option for your next west coast trip. The airline is expanding their Wine Flies Free program, allowing Mileage Plan members departing from cities in California, Oregon, Washington and Idaho to check an entire...

Europe: Should I rent a car or take the train?

Europe: Should I rent a car or take the train?

So you're heading to Europe and have no idea how to get around? Transportation in a new country can be scary, especially knowing if you should rent a car or take the train. So which is better? Taking a car or renting a train is a very personal decision. There are pros...

How to visit all the Star Wars: The Last Jedi filming locations

How to visit all the Star Wars: The Last Jedi filming locations

If you have seen Star Wars: The Last Jedi, you may be wondering how you can travel to some of the locations seen in the movie. But where was Star Wars 8 filmed? Here is how to visit all the Star Wars: The Last Jedi filming locations (because it's not always easy):...

Useful travel gifts for any traveler

Useful travel gifts for any traveler

Useful travel gifts for the avid traveler in your life can be among the most difficult to find — mainly because travelers generally want fewer things. But if you can find something that will make their travel more useful, or that can remind them of their travels when...

Dutch courage? Alcohol can improve our foreign language skills

Dutch courage? Alcohol can improve our foreign language skills

Apparently the best thing you can do to integrate into a foreign culture is (shocking!) to drink. A new study found that alcohol can improve our foreign language skills. The study, published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, found that alcohol does more than...

JetBlue is pulling its flights from many online booking sites

JetBlue is pulling its flights from many online booking sites

JetBlue is following Southwest Airlines and is pulling its product from numerous online travel agencies. The airline said the move should lower costs and give them more control over offering "a full range of fares." The airline will no longer appear on more than 10...

This map tells you when take your next vacation

This map tells you when take your next vacation

Planning when to take a vacation can be the most difficult think about hitting the "book now" button. But a new map wants to take the guess work out of the "when" to travel — and let you get to the planning. The map, created by LastMinute.com, runs through each moth...

Things to do in Regensburg, Germany

Things to do in Regensburg, Germany

Although not as well known as other German cities, Regensburg has 140,000 residents, and is the fourth-largest Bavarian city in the State of Bavaria. It is only hours away from numerous metropolitan European cities, and can even make a good day trip. Whether you plan...

Best travel ballet flat? My Tieks review

Best travel ballet flat? My Tieks review

Tieks by Gavrieli require a lot of research because they are a big-ticket item. Starting at $175, it is a big investment for most people that buy them — including me. Because of this, I wanted to provide an honest Tieks review to help others on whether to make the...

Countries that require a Visa for U.S. citizens

Countries that require a Visa for U.S. citizens

Because not all countries require a Visa for United States citizens to visit, the concept is a difficult one — especially for first-time travelers. Many European countries only require a passport, and not a Visa, for U.S. citizens to visit. But if you plan a trip to...

Peru changes rules for Machu Picchu to control numbers

Peru changes rules for Machu Picchu to control numbers

Machu Picchu has become one of the most visited South American locations, and the country of Peru has decided to make some moves to protect the ancient site. According to The Guardian, the Peruvian government has made the changes after Unesco threatened to add Machu...

5 ways to avoid getting ripped off while traveling

5 ways to avoid getting ripped off while traveling

Travel is fun, and it's always a learning experience. But one thing not many people talk about is how you can easily be taken advantage of in a foreign country. Even if it ends up only costing you a few extra dollars, knowing someone was less than honest with you can...

Unique things to do in Prague

Unique things to do in Prague

Prague, Czech Republic is a beautiful and historical city in central Europe that is full of culture. Whether you are looking to be a tourist or to just set out to explore, the city offers a great trip for any traveler. Here are our top unique things to do in Prague....

Airlines most likely to offer compensation for overbooking

Airlines most likely to offer compensation for overbooking

Most travelers have been booked on an overbooked flights - whether or not they know it. When you are in an airport and hear that call for volunteers, it means there are too many passengers and not enough seats. But which airlines are more likely to offer compensation...

Take a tour of Iceland by drone

Take a tour of Iceland by drone

Iceland’s beauty includes volcanoes, geysers, waterfalls, and miles and miles of open land. Many who visit, even avid travelers, say there is nothing like it.

Which airline has the best frequent flyer program?

Which airline has the best frequent flyer program?

It's not always easy to tell the difference between the variety of frequent flyer or loyalty programs out there, but a new report by WalletHub looked at all the factors offered by different programs and ranked them. It may come as no surprise to many — Delta came out...

Vogue’s top 10 travel destinations

Vogue’s top 10 travel destinations

Vogue released their list of the hottest places to travel, and surprisingly, only one of them is in the United States. The list includes some obvious destinations, and some not-so-obvious ones. 1. Georgia (the country). Vogue chose Georgia as their number one...

The upside of United Airlines’ Basic Economy fares

The upside of United Airlines’ Basic Economy fares

United Airlines has introduced an initiative to generate earnings while lowering rates for some travelers — but not everyone is happy with it. According to the airline, the announcement of Basic Economy Fares "provides customers the option of paying the lowest fares...

Top 5 most Googled cities

Top 5 most Googled cities

When you think of dream vacations, destinations like London, New York, or Paris may come to mind. But it turns out that the top Googled travel destinations are not the most obvious.

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