Tracing your family tree is a great reason to explore the world. Most of us have a general sense of our heritage, and there are DNA testing kits to really pinpoint it, oftentimes with great sales such as 2-for-1. Why not turn your next vacation into something a little...
From the Desk of Denise Koranek
Babymoon On a Budget
This week we discuss taking a “babymoon” – that is, a vacation to celebrate your life now in this moment. More and more couples are opting to take a pre-baby vacation prior to the baby-proofing and stockpiling of diapers; however, financially planning for such...
Group Travel – Always Better Together!
There’s nothing better than traveling with people you care about, creating shared experiences that soon won’t be forgotten. The more the merrier – that’s what group travel is all about! During these times it’s a great idea to form your own safe travel pod of...
7 Reasons to Go Guided
Dreaming of your next vacation? There’s no need spending weeks researching online how to experience a destination. Instead, let someone else take on all the details that come with having “The Perfect Trip”. See why more and more travelers choose a guided tour— and why...
Airlines are making it more difficult for groups and families to sit together. Here’s where we step in.
Can you imagine giving an airline thousands of dollars for your family’s flight, only to find out last-minute that you can’t even sit together? Unfortunately, this scenario is becoming increasingly common with fuller flights and less freely available reserved seats....
Dreaming of a Destination Wedding? Make Sure to Avoid these Pitfalls
There’s nothing more memorable, exciting, and romantic than a destination wedding. Just think, you and all your favorite people get to be part of your special day at one of the most beautiful settings in the world. It’s truly the time of romance, joy,...
This place is like Alaska on steroids: Here’s why Norwegians are some of the happiest people on Earth
sk a person from Norway about the weather and they’ll tell you: there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing! There’s no doubt about it – Norway is wild and beautiful. It’s easy to see why a country with scenery that makes even Alaska look...
Top 5 Things to See and Do on the Hawaiian Island of Kauai
Kauai is the fourth largest of the islands in the archipelago that makes up the state of Hawaii, and the northernmost. Known as the Garden Island, Kauai is the least commercially developed, offering a pristine and relaxing paradise. Although relatively small—just 550...
Say Aloha to 10 Healthy and Rejuvenating Experiences in Hawaii
Everyone knows Hawaii is a tropical paradise, but it’s also becoming a popular destination for health and wellness vacations. In fact, Hawaii has been named the nation’s healthiest state for five years in a row! Think about all the stressors you have; now imagine...
Hawaii is Fully Re-opening: Which Hawaiian Island is Perfect for You
Effective March 26th, U.S. travelers heading to Hawaii will no longer need proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test before their departure to avoid a mandatory 14-day quarantine. This is great news for travelers as we continue to move forward in our new...
5 Short Hikes on the Big Island, Hawaii: Stunning Vistas and Gentle Climbs
When visitors think “Hawaii,” their mental images are generally centered on sun, surf, and sand. Yet Hawaii—especially the Big Island—is also an excellent place to hike. The Big Island boasts beautiful waterfalls, complex and changeable ecosystems, high mountain...
Can taking a vacation cause more stress than staying home?
You’d think it would be straightforward – we love taking vacations, we’re stressed, therefore taking a vacation results in lower stress upon return. Unfortunately, research doesn’t always support this claim. In fact, one study in the Netherlands found that most people...
Give the gift of travel with your frequent flier miles
Can you relate to this? You work hard accumulating airline miles, but with all the recent chaos they’ve mostly remained stacked up. If you don’t use them fast enough, they might expire or devalue with the airlines’ ever-changing redemption rules. This year, why not...
A patchwork of rules: The latest on airline mask policies
Face masks have become the norm on airplanes and likely will be required for the foreseeable future. While airlines are following CDC guidance around mask policies on flights, each carrier has their own rules and interpretations they abide by. This includes especially...
Peak Versus Off-Season Travel – Choosing Your Perfect Getaway
If you’re like us, the past year has provided plenty of time to update our travel bucket list. It seems to grow longer by the day! As we think about all the places we want to visit in 2021 and beyond, one important question to consider is the pros and cons of peak...
About Denise
My goal is to simplify travel-planning through an equal exchange process where I acquire your ideas and expectations for your trip relieving you of the worry, hassle, stress and time that accompanies Do-It-Yourself planning. Recent Posts
It’s hot outside! How to travel safely during a heat wave
There has been a lot of news coverage recently about the extreme temperatures in much of the northern hemisphere. Traveling in the summer has its perks – generally it’s peak time for tourism so everything is open and running, but you do need to be weather-aware....
Experiencing the Northern Lights in Alaska and Beyond
If you want the chance to “catch the Lights”, contact us and we will design an adventure for you that is as exciting, memorable, and brilliant as the Lights themselves.
Hidden fees for DIY travelers – Buyer beware
Since the pandemic it’s become increasingly difficult for travelers to compare hotel and airline prices apples-to-apples. This is due to hidden fees that don’t show up in a search engine until the purchase is completed. Booking with a travel expert gives you peace of...
Checking a bag on your next flight? Keep these items with you on the plane
Summer travel season is upon us, and with that comes high demand for flights and a surge in checked bags going through airports. While rare, every time you check a bag there is the risk it won’t end up on your plane which can cause a stressful start to any vacation....
Unwritten rules for flying: Travel etiquette to make everyone’s experience better (Part 2)
With summer travel just around the corner and air travel demand expected to come back in a big way, a few small steps can make the experience better for everyone. We’ve all heard of folks making some really bad decisions while flying which can result in jail time and...