Trip tips

I've spent the last 26 years traveling by train all along both US coasts, through the Midwest, and across the UK.

I have never been a party girl. When I was at university, you’d never find me out at student bars; instead, I’d be holed up in my accommodation, watching news analysis shows. 

When I picture a road trip, I see images of two carefree people in a convertible traversing Route 66. There are no kids in the picture, and I'm not even sure there is luggage. It feels so easy and inexpensive. A road trip with kids, however, is a different experience, especially when those kids are teenagers.

This year, it felt like everyone I knew was visiting Portugal — which makes sense, considering the country saw a record-breaking number of tourists between January and June.

My husband and I have been planning three-week vacations with our five children for over 15 years. Before we leave home, we usually have several destinations, campground reservations, and various activities in place.

River cruise line Uniworld is launching its first-ever women-only cruise next year, inviting female travelers to embark on an eight day journey through France.

Oct 2, 2024 • 13 min read

Hurricane Helene thrashed the Southeast U.S. with high winds and heavy rainfall this week, reminding travelers of the importance of protecting their travel investment with the right insurance plan.

When I started my new job, I was thrilled to discover the position would entail occasional travel.

Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida on Thursday and started her devastating path up through the southeastern United States.

Sep 30, 2024 • 4 min read

Lisa Logan had always dreamed of visiting Paris. So when her adult son, Bennett, recommended that his parents meet him in the City of Light this Christmas, she eagerly agreed. Bennett helped his mom and dad book round-trip business-class flights on JetBlue from Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) to Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) via Boston Logan International Airport (BOS). With that part of the trip confirmed, the family happily began planning how they would celebrate a "joyeux noel" in France.

Sep 27, 2024 • 6 min read

Low-cost Icelandic airline Play is making it easier to travel this fall and winter with $99 flights to popular cities across Europe.

Luxury hospitality company Four Seasons is wowing travelers with a brand-new around-the-world private jet trip from California back to Canada, touching on three different continents.

I’m not really much of a beach person, which may sound weird coming from someone who recently spent two weeks in French Polynesia. (Technically, the country is called “French Polynesia;” Tahiti is the name of the largest island, but often used to refer to the whole country).

If you told me years ago I’d be traveling to Iceland alone to meet a bunch of strangers for a group vacation, I would have called you crazy and laughed out loud.

Leaving the shores of Sicily, season three of HBO’s White Lotus is being filmed in Thailand. If you’re dreaming of a stylish beach vacation White Lotus style (minus the murder, scams, and sleeping around), you’re in luck because Unforgettable Travel, a premier luxury travel company, has just launched a White Lotus Thailand tour from Bangkok to the stunning island of Koh Samui.

Chris Christensen has run the travel blog and podcast Amateur Traveler since 2005. His podcast alone has more than 900 episodes. He’s clearly not an amateur in the sense that he’s new to travel or unpaid for his work, but he is an amateur when you consider the root of the word.

On a floating restaurant patio in Steveston Village, an enclave of Richmond, BC, the ocean views are almost as pleasant as the flaky, lightly battered cod on your plate. After a busy day cycling along the seashore and watching the catches come in at Fisherman’s Wharf, your reward is a generous helping of the city’s best fish and chips. Tomorrow, you’ll be heading out on the water to try and hook your own rockfish or spot whales along the coast.

For those of us who travel to hear stories, it’s hard to beat small Midwestern towns. Everyone, everywhere, has a story to tell, but Midwest folks take the time to tell you theirs.