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...
From the Desk of Denise Koranek
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...
Travel makes you richer: Here are 5 reasons to travel when ready
Well 2020 was a wild ride! Now that we’re into the New Year, it’s time to consider one of the best purchases you can make for you and your loved ones – the investment of travel. With the vaccine rolling out, we’re confident that travel will make a big...
Relive cherished travel memories right from your armchair
It’s surreal to think how quickly the world of travel has changed from a few months ago. For us explorers, seeing the quiet streets and shuttered ships is a struggle! At the same time, we have a unique opportunity during this travel intermission to reengage with...
Stay-cation ideas once the quarantine is lifted
We’re all dreaming of the day we can go explore as before, and while we can’t wait to travel the world again, simply leaving the house seems exciting at this point! Taking a “stay-cation” in your own town can bring about similar feelings of adventure and rejuvenation...
Travel like an expert: Knowing the ideal time to book
One question we often hear is, “When is the best time to book my trip to get the best price?” The answer to that question varies according to the circumstances of what you’re booking, how flexible you are, and whether you’re content or not with leftover...
Don’t give money to your boss. Take a vacation instead.
With the arrival of a new year (and decade!) comes a brand-new set of vacation days. As Americans, we’re accustomed to long hours at the office plus staying connected in our fast, 24/7 culture. With this level of hard work and dedication,...
How to Take More Vacations Even with a Hectic Life
There’s no doubt that travel is fun, relaxing, memorable and life-changing yet it’s a disturbing fact that many don’t do it. I get it! It’s not your cup of tea. Many “WISH” they could travel and offer me every reason as to why they can’t because of their job (swamped...
What you see isn’t always what you get: Here’s what you need to know about traveling on discount airlines
Choosing a flight can be overwhelming. Even with the recent airline mergers, you’re still going to be confronted with a ton of options on who to fly with and when. Further muddying the water is the arrival of discount, ultra-low cost carriers, abbreviated...
Follow the Leader…. What’s it like to visit Mexico right now?
Last week, Tom, I and friends took a fun getaway to relax and unwind on the Rivera Maya. Mexico has been open to visitors since June without having to shut down since. And it was one of the first destinations to adopt the World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC)...
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
A Successful Plan to Beat Jet Lag
As someone who loves to travel, I’ve experienced my fair share of jet lag. The fatigue, insomnia, and general feeling of being out of sync can really put a damper on a trip. So when my son and I planned a trip from Toronto to Perth, involving three different flights,...
What’s the best cruise cabin for you?
Cruise lines offer a dizzying array of cabins for you to choose from. Fortunately, your travel expert can help vet all the options for you. Do you tend to get seasick? Want to be close to all the action? Whatever your travel style, there is a location best suited for...
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...