What happens when you think about spending the holidays elsewhere? Do you wish you could escape to someplace warm…or different? Or do you feel guilty, because you “should” stay home, drink cheap eggnog, and find a new spot for...
Budget Travel Gifts: Spend Less, Thrill More

Budget travel gifts? Certainly! Budget travel is a thing. So is budget spending for holiday gifts. We want to surprise and delight others, but let’s face it, there is only so much money…and we’d like to emerge from the...
Favorite Travel Magazines to Give…or Get for Yourself!

“What are your favorite travel magazines?” When you write a travel blog, people are curious to know what you read for enjoyment and inspiration. Sometimes they ask for gift recommendations for the travelers in their lives…or what they should...
Why Off-Season Travel Is Best (Shhh…Don’t Tell!)

Why is off-season travel best? I’ll tell you, but don’t go spreading it around. Those of us who like it want to keep the secret to ourselves. First, what exactly IS off-season travel? Travel is split into three “seasons.”...
Madison Farmers Market: A “Capitol” Saturday
The Madison Farmers Market may be one of the prettiest in the country. With the Wisconsin State Capitol building at the center, farmers and vendors are on every side of the Capitol Square…and down State Street, behind the Capitol....
UNESCO: Why It Matters to Travelers

UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) maintains the World Heritage List—the places that are “meaningful to mankind” and have significant history. UNESCO sites can be natural or manmade. You probably know some of the most famous ones:...
How to Ruin Your Trip in 12 Easy Steps

“How to Ruin Your Trip”…what kind of a downer title is that?!?! After all, you’ve plotted, planned, packed and prepared. Dotted the i’s and crossed the t’s. What could possible go wrong? You’d be surprised. How to ruin your...
Government Travel Programs: Easy & Helpful

U.S. government travel programs are helpful? Really?? Yes, indeed! If you take more than one or two trips a year, government travel programs can make your life easier. And if you travel abroad even once a year, it’s worth...
Travel Insurance: Is It Necessary?

Travel insurance: Is it really necessary? Yes. Travel insurance does more than cover lost baggage or trip cancellations. Much, much more. If you’ve considered it an extra or unnecessary expense, it’s time to rethink the cost…and benefits. Of course,...
Solo Travel Safety-Part 4: Transportation

Solo Travel Safety: Transportation…the series continues. This time we’ll talk about transportation throughout the trip. For some people, this is the most nerve-wracking part of the journey. So many steps: flights, shuttles, taxis, metros… I’ll be honest: When you...