by Jaclyn Brandt | Jul 18, 2023
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...
by Jaclyn Brandt | Jul 14, 2023
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...
by Jaclyn Brandt | Apr 22, 2023
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...
by Jaclyn Brandt | Jan 26, 2023
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...
by Jaclyn Brandt | Nov 25, 2022
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...
by Jaclyn Brandt | Apr 11, 2022
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...
by Jaclyn Brandt | Jan 28, 2022
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...
by Jaclyn Brandt | Dec 8, 2021
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...
by Jaclyn Brandt | Oct 21, 2020
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...
by Jaclyn Brandt | Apr 28, 2020
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...
by Jaclyn Brandt | Jan 20, 2020
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...
by Jaclyn Brandt | Nov 24, 2019
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...
by Jaclyn Brandt | Oct 2, 2019
Starting Oct. 1, 2019, residents of the United States will either need a passport to board a plane, or they will have to update their state ID (driver’s license or ID) to a REAL ID. You may have been hearing about the REAL ID a lot lately because it is now less...
by Jaclyn Brandt | Aug 28, 2019
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...
by Jaclyn Brandt | Jun 3, 2019
If you are taking a flight and not planning to check a bag, packing makeup in carry-on luggage (as well as toiletries) can seem like a complicated task. But if you follow the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) 3-1-1 rule (or the 2023 TSA makeup...
by Jaclyn Brandt | Feb 5, 2019
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...
by Jaclyn Brandt | Mar 23, 2018
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...
by Jaclyn Brandt | Jan 25, 2018
Being in a new city can be scary enough, but Google Maps has made it easy to always find our way to where we need to be. However, not every country or every city has reliable data network. To assure you will never lose your map while out adventuring, it’s a good...
by Jaclyn Brandt | Jan 3, 2018
Whether traveling for business or just for fun, staying fit is one thing that seems to fall to the wayside when on the road. A new study by Expedia found that only 53 percent of Americans feel it’s important to exercise while traveling. Here are some tips fo...
by Jaclyn Brandt | Dec 16, 2017
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...
by Jaclyn Brandt | Oct 28, 2017
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...
by Jaclyn Brandt | Oct 19, 2017
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,...
by Jaclyn Brandt | Aug 4, 2017
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...
by Jaclyn Brandt | Jul 25, 2017
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...