One of the joys of travel is stepping outside your comfort zone and experiencing all the sights and sounds of a new culture. Anytime you leave the U.S., though, you’re likely to encounter different laws, some of which may seem trivial to you but are taken seriously....
Tips
Stay safe when traveling with these expert tips and gadgets
Travel creates rich and rewarding experiences with memories that can last a lifetime. For the most part, the world is a pretty safe place for travelers, but bad actors exist, and this can turn a stress-free trip into a real spoiler. Being aware of your surroundings,...
Is seeing the Northern Lights on your bucket list? Top tips and ideas for 2024
Nothing quite prepares you for seeing the northern lights in person. The colors and movements are hypnotizing, graceful, and mysterious, and they have captivated people for millennia. If seeing the northern lights is a bucket list item, know that 2024 is an especially...
The latest on tipping: Where and how much to tip in 2024
One expense that is commonly overlooked when traveling is tipping. We all know to tip at a restaurant in the U.S., but there are other situations that aren’t always so clear, both in the U.S. and especially abroad. Tipping customs and guidance change all the time it...
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,...
Why take a tour for your next getaway? Here are our top reasons
As tempting as setting out on your own adventure may be, we’re big fans of going with a tour group. Even for seasoned travelers, taking a tour relieves the stress of going-it-alone planning and provides peace of mind knowing all the details are being taken care of....
Protect your cybersecurity when traveling: Our top tips
Did you know that approximately 1 in 4 international travelers have been victims of hacked devices when using public Wi-Fi? This is a surprising statistic for many, but unfortunately it’s a fact of life in our increasingly connected world. Whether abroad or in the...
New DOT Dashboard Explains Air Passengers’ Rights
On 9/1/2022, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) unveiled a new dashboard that explains the services each airline provides to passengers in the event of a controllable cancellation or delay. This provides one location where travelers can quickly and easily...
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
Questions about airport security rules? Now you can text the TSA
Preparing for your flight takes careful planning, and it’s easy to be caught off guard with all the rules on what you can and cannot bring on the flight, or what type of ID is accepted. Fortunately, TSA recently implemented a way to text your questions before you fly....
Traveling with Young Children: A Joy or a Chore?
You may be tempted to put vacations on hold when you have a baby or a toddler, thinking it’s more effort than it’s worth. From personal experience, we’re here to say a vacation with young kiddos can be relaxing, rewarding, and fun with the right planning. Young...
REAL ID required for airport screenings beginning in May: What you need to know
The REAL ID Act has been around for nearly 20 years, with the goal of standardizing driver’s licenses and ID cards across all U.S. states. If you recall seeing REAL ID signs near TSA checkpoints a few years ago, it’s because full enforcement was previously scheduled...
How to have an enjoyable river cruise: A first timer’s guide
River cruises offer a boutique way to immerse yourself in a variety of countries and experiences. Unlike ocean cruises, the smaller ships allow you to disembark close to walkable, inland city centers, giving you more time to take an excursion or explore on your own....
Choosing an All-Inclusive Resort: Our Top Tips
If you’re looking for a stress-free getaway that your whole group will enjoy, an all-inclusive resort may be a perfect fit. With beautifully manicured properties and a set rate for meals, drinks, and activities, you can relinquish the worry of planning to truly relax...