Featuring gorgeous architecture and even better views, visiting the small but delightful Pienza, Italy is a fantastic addition to any trip to Tuscany. Located in the famous Val d’Orcia, Pienza is known as the “Ideal Renaissance Town” thanks to the vision of Enea Silvio Piccolomini (later Pope Pius II), who was able to influence the … Read more
From redwood forests in the north to vast deserts in the south, a stunning coastline in the west to the craggy mountain peaks and alpine lakes in the east, the sheer diversity of the most beautiful places to visit in California is mind-boggling. With more national parks than any other state in the USA and … Read more
From climbing pyramids to learning about life in Mexico hundreds (or even a thousand) years ago, visiting the many incredible ruins in Mexico–with the Mayan and Aztec ruins being the most famous–is a fascinating experience. Sure, there are world-famous Mexico ruins like Chichen Itza (and they’re certainly worth a visit), but dive off the beaten … Read more
Thundering waterfalls, soothing geothermal springs, glistening glaciers, and snowcapped peaks: these are just a few of the otherworldly things to see on a 10 day Iceland Ring Road trip itinerary! Iceland’s landscapes absolutely blew us away: this magnificent island is home to some truly awe-inspiring scenery and wildlife. Add in easily accessible adventure activities like … Read more
Soft white sand, glittering turquoise water, and picturesque palm trees: if you’re looking for a Caribbean paradise, the best beaches in the US Virgin Islands have you covered. Add in 12 months worth of sunshine, a relatively short flight from the mainland, and access to Virgin Islands National Park, and it’s easy to see why … Read more
From the dramatic coastline of the Algarve to the stunning terraces of the Duoro Valley, and from the quaint charms of Obidos to the otherworldly palaces of Sintra, there is no shortage of amazing places to visit on a Portugal road trip. Nestled in the southwest corner of mainland Europe, driving through Portugal offers a … Read more
There are so many things to love about visiting Jordan, from the majesty of Petra to the otherworldly landscape of Wadi Rum to the fact that with even 5 days in Jordan, you can craft a Jordan itinerary that you’ll never forget! Jordan’s small size and ease of travel make it a fantastic introduction to … Read more
From the peaks of the Great Smoky Mountains to the sandy beaches of the Lowcountry, and from the music of Nashville to the food scene of New Orleans, there is no shortage of wonderful options when looking for the best southern USA road trip itineraries. I’ve been taking road trips in the south for my … Read more
Magnificient, multi-colored, and imposing, the dramatic Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore deserves its status as one of the most iconic buildings in Italy–but in order to get the most out of visiting the Duomo in Florence, you’ll need to do more than simply step inside! Thanks to the many things to do there, visiting … Read more
Magical desert sunsets, the sensation of velvety sand slipping underneath your toes, and a night sky so packed with stars that you can’t stop marveling at it: if these experiences are on your Jordan bucket list, camping in Wadi Rum is a must during your trip! With its majestic rock formations, seemingly never-ending stretches of … Read more
Winding streets through whitewashed villages, the clink of tinto verano glasses scraping against tapas plates, sweeping views across gorges, endless sour orange trees, and 700-year-old palaces: these are just a few of the incredible things that you’ll find on an Andalucia road trip. As Spain’s southernmost region, there are a downright overwhelming number of places … Read more
Looking for the best restaurants in Atlantic Beach, NC to enjoy during your beach trip? We have you covered! My family has been visiting Atlantic Beach for generations, and our annual summer trips give us a chance to enjoy all the classic places to eat in Atlantic Beach. While restaurants do come and go on … Read more
From glacier hikes to black sand beaches and beyond, there is absolutely no shortage of unique things to do in Iceland! For a relatively small island country, the Land of Fire and Ice packs quite the punch when it comes to the number of incredible adventures it offers. While no single vacation can possibly cover … Read more
Wide, sandy beaches, beautiful state parks, and plenty of classic family beach vacation activities are just a few things you’ll find when looking for the best things to do in Emerald Isle, North Carolina! Though my family tends to vacation in nearby Atlantic Beach, the minuscule nature of the towns on and around the delightful … Read more
Glacier hikes, puffin sightings, thundering waterfalls, and geothermal wonders: there is so much to be excited about when planning a trip to Iceland! A trip to the Land of Fire and Ice is truly a vacation like no other. Iceland is an incredibly unique destination and offers a magnificent array of once-in-a-lifetime travel experiences, all … Read more
Visually stunning and packed with history, the best things to do in Lagos, Portugal are bound to captivate you both on and off the water. Located in the western part of Portugal’s famous Algarve region, Lagos is the perfect base for exploring the best things to do in southern Portugal. Let me put it like … Read more
Looking to escape the crowds, get off the beaten path, and enjoy some (relatively) unknown vacation spots in the US this year? You have plenty of options! While every destination is “known” to someone (a secret travel destination in an obscure corner of the US to you may be a common weekend getaway to someone … Read more
Set just 20 minutes east of Savannah, there are plenty of fun things to do on Tybee Island, Georgia! This beautiful barrier island offers classic coastal attractions including gorgeous beaches, a historic lighthouse, and a famous pier. It’s also a mere 18 miles away from the famous Savannah Historic District (hence Tybee’s nickname of “Savannah’s … Read more
With over 2,000 documented sandstone arches, exciting hikes, and a gorgeous scenic drive featuring views of the (frequently snowcapped) La Sal Mountains rising up over the desert, there are plenty of reasons to enjoy one day in Arches National Park! Arches is one of our favorite national parks in the country, thanks not only to … Read more
Oh, the glitz and glamour of spending a long weekend in Las Vegas, with its worldwide fame thanks to its neon signs, legendary casinos, luxury hotels, and fabulous entertainment. Often referred to as “Sin City,” escaping day-to-day life by running away to spend a few days in Las Vegas has been popular for decades. It … Read more
Looking for the best travel journal ideas to help you remember your next trip–plus some prompts to help you think of what to write? You’ve come to the right place! As a lifelong lover of both journaling and travel, I have experimented with all kinds of travel journals over the years, ranging from the time-consuming … Read more
Belgian Christmas markets, delicious food, beautiful decor, and magnificent cities are just a few of the many reasons to visit Belgium in winter! This small country in Western Europe may not get the winter tourism recognition that nearby destinations like Germany and France do, but visiting Belgium in winter–and especially visiting Belgium at Christmas–is bound … Read more
If there’s one thing that we have learned more than any other over the last 5+ years–more than how to adapt to foreign countries on the fly, more than how to haggle in markets, more than how to make the most of long haul flights–it’s how to work while traveling. From cramped private rooms in … Read more
The more we travel the world, the more we appreciate just how many amazing things to do in the US that there are. From world-class cities to a national park system that encompasses everything from tropical beaches to glaciers, to idyllic road trips and charming small towns, there are an endless amount of USA attractions … Read more
Foliage, festivals, and Thanksgiving: there are plenty of reasons to plan a vacation to one of the best places to visit in November in the USA! Planning a November vacation in the US can be a bit of a balancing act: sandwiched between the peak fall month of October and the festive month of December, … Read more
Crab cakes, water views, excellent museums, and a heavy dose of American history: these are just a few things you’ll find when spending a delightful weekend in Baltimore, Maryland! Less touristed than nearby cities like Washington DC or Philadelphia, but incredibly interesting in its own right, spending a couple of days in Baltimore makes for … Read more
Hoping to discover Greece in 7 days? With only a week in Greece, you have your work cut out to design the perfect Greece itinerary for you! Unlike many countries where there’s a fairly typical first-timers route to follow, Greece’s 227 islands and captivating mainland mean that there are truly infinite Greek itineraries at your … Read more
Planning a long weekend in Asheville itinerary? You’re in for a fantastic experience! Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina, the beautiful city of Asheville, NC is one of the best weekend getaways on the East Coast, packing everything from world-class cuisine to mountain views to waterfall hikes to nearly 40 breweries … Read more
Alpine lakes, hot springs, mining towns, mountain towns, sand dunes, and 14ers: the sheer variety of travel destinations that make up any list of the best places to visit in Colorado is magnificent. Known for its snowcapped peaks, national parks, hiking trails, skiing, and beyond, Colorado is, without a doubt, one of the coolest states … Read more
Laid-back, charming, and full of stunning desert scenery, the small town of Moab, Utah is one of the best bases for outdoor adventure in the Southwest. The sheer variety of fun things to do in Moab is enough to fill several vacation itineraries! Situated next door to both Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park, … Read more