Author: Lauren Mulvey

If you’re a traveler looking to save on trips, points earned with travel credit cards can be redeemed toward travel-related expenses, including flights, hotels, and car rentals. Here are some of the best travel cards that will earn you the most savings on your travel adventures, according to Nerd Wallet and The Points Guy. As you peruse your options, be sure to compare each card’s annual fee and intro offer. Chase Sapphire Preferred Card With Chase Sapphire Preferred, making the list for both Nerd Wallet and The Points Guy, consumers get 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 within the first…

Liechtenstein, one of Europe’s smallest countries, has legalized same-sex marriage, becoming the EU’s 22nd country to do so in a nearly unanimous vote. Liechtenstein’s parliament, Landtag, voted in favor of this historic bill with 24 of 25 members in support, according to the Liechtensteiner Vaterland. The country, which only has a population of almost 40,000, is the last German speaking country to legalize marriage equality. The bill will go into effect starting in 2025 throughout the 62 square mile territory. Prior to achieving marriage equality, Liechtenstein offered registered partnerships for same-sex couples for over a decade. Now, a simple administrative…

Experienced travelers know that even though it may be tempting to take a vacation during the summer season, you can also have an incredible experience traveling in the off season, and it will save you time and money as well. Here are some great facts to keep in mind before booking your next trip. Lower Prices If you try and book a ticket to hotspots like Paris or Rome for July, you’ll find roundtrip airfares cost over a thousand US dollars, but push your dates further to September or pull back to March or April (or even January and February)…

We may be used to waking up with the sun and going about our days until nightfall, but there are places around the world where, during parts of the year, the sun never sets. Call it the midnight sun or the polar day, either way this happens in various countries in the the Northern Hemisphere that extend into or are close to the Arctic Circle during s summer months (June through September). What the midnight sun means for travelers is a lot more daytime hours to see the sights, losing track of time, and emerging from late nights at dinner…

All over the world unique biological systems and lands are home to fascinating wildlife, but there are some places where incredible, strange, and rare species thrive in larger numbers. While some countries harbor reputations for varied wildlife, others are often overlooked. Whether they are burrowing in cooler climes, hidden in tropical forests, or traversing desert and drylands, animals the average person may never see are living in these must-visit spots around the world.  Australia & Tasmania Residents of Oceania have heard time and time again about their crazy wildlife, and compared to the everyday animal life seen in places like…

People are getting creative with finding ways to travel affordably. This includes using work exchange platforms which offer travelers opportunities to find un-contracted gigs abroad for free housing, meals, and unforgettable experiences.  One of the first platforms to introduce this concept 50 years ago is WWOOF, or Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms. WWOOF began as a mission to connect volunteers with organic farmers around the world to promote education and cultural exchanges based on sustainable and ecological farming practices. Since  then, WWOOF has expanded to include 130 countries, 12,000 hosts and 100,000 volunteers.  Other platforms providing this type of exchange…

Before you depart on a trip, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the currency in your destination. If you’re a traveler hoping to budget and save money while globetrotting, consider traveling to a location where the U.S. dollar is strong, and your money will go further. The locations featured here are great vacation spots where the U.S dollar will buy you more.. Even if you’re traveling on budget, you can still visit these destinations and enjoy incredible food, sleep comfortably every night, and afford special experiences.  Thailand & Southeast Asia The U.S. dollar is typically strong in Thailand and other…

With 120 islands, 177 canals, and 391 bridges, Venice, Italy is one of the most unique sights to behold in the world, and it absolutely makes the list of must-see cities for travelers. However, those who want to enter the city for a day will now have to pay an entrance fee.  On April 25, Italy celebrated its Liberation day, and in Venice the feast day of St. Mark ensued. On top of that, Venice also began charging day-trippers entry fees on the same day starting at 8 A.M. In Venice, this city entry fee is called the “contributo di…

It is understandable that you may want to take a vacation to many of the popular European cities in Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Germany. These countries have beautiful and historical cities, incredible cuisine, and a lot of hype. But there are 27 countries in the European Union, and most are highly underrated. Though Europe has had no issue with drawing in tourists, the destinations featured here have flown under the radar for years. So swap out your annual trip to Paris or Rome, for one of these alternatives, and they might just surprise you. Albania You may want to check…

The world’s largest wildlife crossing is being built in Los Angeles, a city infamous for roads that encroach on natural surroundings.  A wildlife crossing is a bridge that seeks to help wildlife move between divided sects of land. This land is often divided by manmade features such as roads, but can also be intersected by rivers. In Los Angeles County, the new Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing will provide safe passage for wildlife across the 101 Freeway, which spans 10 highway lanes In this area the most common wildlife in need of crossing access are mountain lions, cougars, coyotes, bobcats, deer,…

Experienced travelers know the advantages of planning curated experiences, and they always utilize the help of a concierge at their accommodation. A concierge is typically a professional who works in a hotel, inn, or other lodging who acts as a point of contact between guests and organizations. They are available to call restaurants or transport companies to make arrangements or reservations for your trip, and a concierge’s personal knowledge of the town or city you are visiting will also make your visit unique and inspiring. Personalized Hospitality When staying in an accommodation with a professional concierge, you will experience unique…

A great hotel room, vacation rental, or B&B can make or break a trip, and though you’ll hopefully spend most of your time outside your accommodation while traveling, it’s important to make sure you’ve got all the essentials for when your head hits the pillow.  When booking accommodations, whether you’re using platforms like Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, Expedia, or even HostelWorld, you’ll want to make sure your lodging of choice checks all these boxes. Check the reviews! Before you even think about pulling out a credit card, check your accommodations reviews. These are honest accounts of previous stays from other…

A new law in Amsterdam is banning the establishment of new hotels, following crackdowns on short term rentals in some of the world’s most overcrowded cities for tourism. The new law imposed by the city’s government prevents the construction of any new hotels, unless a currently operating accommodation closes its doors. Any new hotels built in place of a closed one must now also meet certain modern standards of sustainability. And developers have also been encouraged to choose locations outside of the city.  The new law will also restrict the number of tourists who can stay overnight in a year…

Mobile phones have made navigation, transportation, communication with loved ones back home, and sharing your experiences with social circles easier than ever. When traveling, however, you may need a plan to use your device.  Luckily, cellular and e-data companies are keeping up with travelers’ needs, providing travel plans that allow long- and short-term travelers to purchase a plan that works for them. On the newer end of the spectrum are e-sim cards, which can be installed via a downloadable app to your device. Plans are priced depending on period of time, and breadth of data. So if you want unlimited…

You’ve traveled to beaches and mountains, but have you checked deserts off your travel bucket list? These arid landscapes provide some of the most beautiful and strange scenery in the world, and also have a lot to reveal about the history of the world. Some of the world’s most beautiful deserts used to be oceans or seas, or homes to prehistoric cultures, creatures, and peoples. Gobi, Mongolia Mongolia has received more attention in recent years for its beautiful landscapes that look other-worldly. Whether they be vast green fields merging into perfect skies, or the desert lands, Mongolia has much to…

New York City has long been one of the world’s top tourist destinations, and it is often a bucket list city for visitors from around the world. Smart travelers also know there’s plenty to do and see beyond the city, and one of the most up and coming New York State destinations is the Hudson Valley. For years, affluent city weekenders have flocked to the Hamptons along Long Island’s south shore to get some sun and sand, but recently many city dwellers have set their sights on the Hudson Valley. Here you will find quaint towns with unique shops, incredible…

Airbnb has updated its cancellation policy making it easier for guests to cancel bookings due to extenuating circumstances. The new platform-wide policy, entitled the Major Disruptive Events Policy, extends to “foreseeable weather events,” as well as unforeseen circumstances, such as government travel restrictions or public health emergencies (such as an epidemic). The policy overrides the cancellation policies set by individual hosts, and allows travelers to receive a refund on their booking, according to Travel and Leisure. These new rules apply not only to guests who haven’t yet departed on their trip, but guests who have already checked-in to their accommodations.…

Romania and Bulgaria have officially joined Europe’s ID-check-free travel zone, the Schengen Area, making journeys across eastern Europe easier for travelers.  The Schengen Area encompasses all the countries in the European Union that travelers can move between without showing their passport. The area was established in 1985 and includes Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, even though they are not EU member states. Currently, the list includes 27 countries and is the world’s largest border-free travel zone.  Many travelers from around the world may need a Schengen Visa before entering the designated zone, but others, like European, American, and Australian passport…

Traveling the world is a learning experience, an adventure, and a way to make memories that will last a lifetime, but it can oftentimes be harmful to the environment. As climate change worsens, it’s important to be conscious of the part we play in carbon emissions as individuals. For those who love to travel, ecotourism is a concept worth exploring and adopting.  As defined by The International Ecotourism Society, ecotourism is “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education.”  Traveling sustainably is not just about conserving the…

Traveling can be pricey when you add up all you spend on accommodations, transportation, meals, and everything in between. That’s why smart travelers are always looking to score some discounts and deals that make their trips more cost-effective. Various aspects of the travel industry have introduced “discount passes” which offer access to goods and services at a bundled price. These passes cover journeys between countries in Europe at a special rate, or offer discounts for certain accommodations and activities. Transportation Passes Transportation passes are one of the most common travel bundle passes. Interrail and Eurail Passes function by partnering with…