Author: Lauren Mulvey

Each year, in small and big ways we see the effects of climate change on our lives. Whether that be the record breaking heat, wildfires, or glacial melting.  Some countries are taking action to work against the effects of climate change with the goal of reaching net-zero emissions around the world. In over 90 countries, these targets are a commitment to prevent climate change’s most harmful impacts.  “Net-zero” essentially means a country is working to offset its carbon emissions by using alternative energy sources or finding methods to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Reaching net-zero means the greenhouse gases…

It’s another sunny day on your budget trip through France. You want to travel from Paris to Nice, but the train tickets are way too expensive. Instead you book a BlaBlaCar and soon you hop into a car or bus and set off on the road.  BlaBlaCar offers a solution to a very real problem. Trains can be expensive, make a lot of stops, and are often crowded. Airports can be a hassle and cost a pretty penny, while rental cars can also eat up your travel budget. Established in 2006 and gaining traction in recent years, BlaBlaCar gives you…

One of the most wonderful ways to ring in the holiday season is at a Christmas market, where you can find unique gifts, holiday treats, and dive into a winter wonderland. Around the world Christmas is celebrated with unique traditions and events, and some of the most enchanting holiday markets might be in your own neighborhood. These are 7 markets that are sure to put you in a holiday mood according to research from StressFreeCarRental.com. 1. Union Square – New York, New York  New York is home to some of the most beautiful holiday displays, and many people come from…

Whether you want to surprise your partner with vacation tickets under the Christmas tree, or you’re getting a jump on a Valentine’s getaway, now’s the time to start planning; the winter months are among Palm Springs’ most popular. Book a stay at one of the Palm Springs Preferred Small Hotels: Over 75 boutique properties, each with a focus on guest service in an intimate setting with no more than 50 rooms. From clothing-optional men’s resorts to luxury accommodations stylishly designed to reflect the city’s Mid-Century Modern and Spanish architectural traditions, you’ll find an option that perfectly suits your tastes. Discover…

Coming off an expensive summer travel season, airlines are rapidly dropping their prices and are now offering some of the most affordable flights of 2023.  According to experts, prices are down 29% from the summer months, down 10% from pre-pandemic 2019 statistics, and have dropped 18.9% between January and June of 2023. These percentages translate to an $87 average decrease in airfares. Though it’s typical to see flight prices drop at the end of summer, according to ABC, September’s amazing deals are also the result of an international travel boom. As prices drop, experts are urging travelers to start looking…

Switzerland is one of our favorite places and it is also one of the most beautiful winter destinations in the world. With its Swiss Alps, bucolic towns, charming, culture-filled cities, and delectable culinary offerings, Switzerland has something for everyone. Winter Sports In the winter season, this welcoming country invites sports entusiasts to ski the slopes of the Swiss Alps and take in some once in a lifetime views from one of the most famous mountain regions in Europe. Ski fanatics cannot miss the slopes, but sledding, snow tubing, and ice skating are also very popular. And for those who are looking…

Miami Beach is officially asking spring breakers to back off their sand with a new advertisement claiming the vacation hotspot is breaking up with its college cronies by imposing new strict rules throughout the city.  For years, spring breakers from around the country have made a culture out of spending a week off from school on the sunny beaches of Florida. And for years, spots like Miami Beach have become inundated with intoxicated 20-somethings, partying, being loud, and overall, being irresponsible in public. Those who attend are infamous for making a sport out of who can be the most reckless…

Airbnb has moved to ban all indoor security cameras in its rental listings worldwide to take effect on April 30. The ban will include all cameras “inside listings, regardless of their location, purpose or prior disclosure.”  Because security cameras inside rental properties pose such a threat to privacy, it’s hard to believe that Airbnb has waited so long to implement this policy. Now, Airbnb says that rental hosts are “not allowed to have security cameras and recording devices that monitor any part of a listing’s interior, such as the listing’s hallway, bedroom, bathroom, living room, or guest house, even if…

New facial recognition technology is being tested at airports and airline headquarters around the world, and could be used when you board your next flight.  The New York Times reports facial recognition technology is being used in busy terminals at popular airports like New York City’s La Guardia. Kiosks fitted with iPads are taking photos of travelers’ faces and matching them to a photo from a government database.  Travelers who undergo this security check are not required to show a physical ID or a boarding pass to move through the airport, just their face.  Frequent travelers know that navigating an…

Discover some of our favorite restaurants in Toronto, Canada. From charming neighborhoods to downtown hotspots, these culinary wonders will tantalize your taste buds. A veteran travel writer once told me to never compare cities or destinations. “From San Francisco to Shanghai, it’s the Paris of this, the Paris of that,” she said. “There is only one Paris. Describe a place on its own merits.” Rules are meant to be broken, though, and in Toronto’s case, it carries its long-time association with New York City. “Like NYC, Toronto is this incredible weave of urban villages that form a connected, cohesive whole,”…

Visiting New York City can be one of the best experiences in someone’s life, but there are also some great places to visit close to NYC. If you’re looking for a weekend getaway, you might want to consider these small towns, all under a three hour drive from NYC. Stroudsburg, Poconos, Pennsylvania Just around two hours from NYC are the beautiful Poconos. For those seeking a mountainous outdoor escape, the Poconos boast some wonderful wildlife, nature preserves, and plenty of trails, including an arm of the Appalachian trail. Here, towns like Stroudsburg are home to decades old small businesses, great…

These new regulations follow a long-standing feud between home-sharing companies whose rental properties the city claims are taking away housing from New York City residents.  A previously implemented law that prevents properties from being rented out for less than 30 days without the host present has actually been in place for years. According to the New York Times, more than half of Airbnb’s 2022 city revenue, which amounted to $85 million, came from short-term rentals being used illegally.  For this reason, the new regulations will now require Airbnb hosts to register with the city of New York before renting out…

New information has come out on when the best time to book holiday travel is, and it might be closer than you think.  CBS reports that the sweet spot for buying plane tickets for the winter holidays is around October 14, about two months out from the bustling Christmas season. Booking for Thanksgiving hits the sweet spot at around the same time. Following a busy summer of extremely expensive travel, flight prices are finally falling as fall approaches. Even experts like Hayley Berg, lead economist at travel booking platform, Hopper, have suggested travelers consider booking their flights between mid-September up…

As inflation and greedflation drives prices up around the globe, the Worldwide Cost of Living Index has released its 2023 list of the most expensive places to live in the world. Can you guess the top spots? Every year the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) releases the cost of living index, and this year found that the average cost of living rose by 7.4% this year. Groceries increased in price faster than any other daily living cost. According to CNN, a steady increase in prices can be traced back to supply chain issues that began during the pandemic.   The cost of…

These days, pro-travelers, bloggers, and average tourists alike love to rattle off all the countries they’ve visited, flexing their travel muscles racking up 30, 40, maybe even 50 countries on their lists. Many people seem to be focused on visiting the most places possible rather than really experiencing the culture, history, natural beauty and cuisine one place has to offer. But have you ever thought of just taking the pace down a few notches? That’s where slow travel finds its place.  Slow travel isn’t just a relaxing vacation on a beach in Hawaii or the Bahamas, it’s a method used…

Record-breaking heat in major tourist destinations such as Greece, Italy and Spain have made travel to southern Europe almost unbearable during the summer months. However, there are plenty of alternatives in the northern regions of Europe for those wishing to travel more comfortably. These countries offer plenty of culture, history, art, and natural wonders to discover and enjoy. Norway Offering respite from the blazing heat of central and southern Europe are Norway’s cozy cities and gorgeous countryside. A traveler who knows what’s good for them will save their trip to Greece for the cooler months and book a ticket to…

There’s a recipe for an excellent trip abroad: combine friends, food, a bit of history, a taste of culture, and you’ll be cooking up a memorable visit in any part of the world. The internet is thoroughly saturated with travel recommendations and content, and it can be difficult to sort through the muck. Sure you can log into the old reliables, Expedia, Kayak or TripAdvisor to plan your trip, but don’t you want something a little more…personal? Something tailored to you and the experience you’re dying to have?  You’re in luck! There are plenty of emerging apps that can help…

Now more than ever, LGBTQ+ travelers want to feel safe. Whether these travelers are seeking a bit of escapism, a home away from home, or a relaxing place to spend their time with family and friends, feeling secure in these spaces makes a world of difference. LGBTQ+ travelers already have a lot on their mind when choosing a place to visit. Recent anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, local sentiments toward queer couples, and general physical safety are common themes. So looking over hotlists for safe travel is key in planning. There are many lists from different organizations around the world, boasting the world’s…

Where will your travels take you in 2025? Will you return to the same destinations you know and love, or perhaps dip your toes into some new cultures and explore unknown cities? The choice is yours, and there’s a perfect destination for every traveler in 2025. So pack your bags and start exploring! WINTER Chiang Mai, Thailand  For travelers from the northern hemisphere who would rather escape the cold than grin and bear it, Chiang Mai, Thailand is guaranteed to be balmy and beautiful. Thailand was in fact just named Travel and Leisure’s destination of the year for 2025. Chiang…

Travel trends come and go, but the whirling wormhole of social media is stirring with content on an increasingly popular trend: wellness tourism. Users on apps like Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube have grown increasingly obsessed with “self-care.” And nowadays you can find thousands of videos across the web telling you exactly what supplements to take, how to workout, what to eat, what skincare to use, and how to live your most “healthy” life. Realistically it can be overwhelming to try and balance all the unsolicited influencer advice and noise with what your body and mind really need. Some wellness trends…