Author: Lauren Mulvey

It’s almost time for the leaves to start changing color in the Northern Hemisphere, and while not every location north of the equator sees a vast change in season, there are some places in the world who have a particularly magical turn of tide between September and November. Here are some of the most beautiful places for leaf peepers to visit in the fall.  Featured Image: Toji Pagoda in Kyoto Japan (Photo by Sean Pavone) Kyoto, Japan  Because of Japan’s incredible architecture, bright blue lakes, and vast forests, autumn just outside of cities like Kyoto and Tokyo is visually striking.…

From big cities to small towns, finding the perfect restaurant that will satiate your appetite and provide a great dining experience is no easy task. With so many options, it’s difficult to know what is worth your time and money and what you should avoid. Fortunately, apps and websites are here to help you find the right restaurant for you and your family and friends. Unlike generations past, we have access to all the best cafes, restaurants, and eateries at our fingertips. Modern day apps allow you to view photos of restaurants, read reviews from previous customers, and search for…

Google Flights unveiled a new feature on Monday that allows users to compare flights and airline schedules to find the cheapest time to book a flight. Google guidance on the cheapest time to book a flight, which works in tandem with price tracking alerts and price guarantee features that already exist on the application creates a suite of features to help users find the best deals. Google Flights is used by travelers around the world and already offers plenty of features that allow users to see if prices are low or high for the time and place they are booking.…

The most frustrating part of booking flights is undoubtedly the inconsistency of flight pricing. Prices can increase from one minute to the next, so it’s always tempting to just enter your card details and get it booked. But there are a few tricks of the trade that can help you find cheaper flights. Booking on Tuesdays? You’ve probably heard the rumor that booking flights on Tuesdays at 3 P.M. will get you the cheapest flights. Though there are occasionally sales and flight deals on Tuesdays, this rule does not apply to every flight. So don’t be surprised if you check…

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…

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…

In order to have the most breezy travel experience, you’ll have to pack functionally. Frequent world explorers have all the tips, tricks, and products for efficient packing. Here is our list of 10 convenient, compact ,and affordable travel essentials to bring on your next adventure.  Microfiber Towel Those who stay at luxury accommodations probably won’t need a portable towel, but for those backpacking or frequently moving from place to place, a towel is a necessity that you can’t always rely on hostels or rentals to provide. Microfiber towels are small and absorbent so you can store them easily in your…

On a recent trip to celebrate my mother’s birthday we discovered the charm and allure of Porto, Portugal. We arrived on a humid Sunday afternoon and quickly found ourselves dragging luggage up sloping cobblestone streets to our Airbnb. Wasting no time, we headed out for the day to explore the city and grab some food.  After wandering through the city streets, we found that Porto is not only home to many active street musicians (we heard multiple renditions of “Pretty Woman” within the span of 10 minutes), but it’s also known as “the city of bridges.” Down by the Douro…

Have you ever dreamed of moving to a foreign country? Maybe you’ve dreamt of moving to a quiet town in Greece, Italy, or Switzerland. Lucky for you it’s possible.  Many countries have special programs that invite you to live in their country for a given stipend, which essential means you’ll get paid to live in your dream destination. These programs are often put into place when a particular town or location has a dwindling population. Local governments are desperate to repopulate these locations or attract workers, and they invite foreigners to inhabit them to rebuild the community and economy. Oftentimes,…

Lufthansa takes the undercover boss challenge to the next level with CEO, Jens Ritter, spending a day working as a flight attendant. On a journey between the Middle East and Germany, Ritter attended to guests in business class during the day and took the overnight shift on the way to Frankfurt helping with guests in economy. Ritter wrote about his experience on LinkedIn: “I was amazed by how much there is to organize, especially, if something doesn’t go as planned—for example the meals offered on the menu cards were not exactly the meals loaded on board. It was so interesting…

Travel writers and remote workers alike can often work from anywhere, allowing them to pick up their lives and move across the country or even across the world.  This has long been a popular lifestyle amongst the digital nomad community, and as it becomes a more popular form of employment, many countries are developing so-called “digital nomad” visas for those wishing to be nomads in their territory. The phrase “digital nomad” was first popularized by Tsugio Makimoto and David Manners, who together authored the book Digital Nomad in 1997. This book foresaw the concept that computers could eventually take office…

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…

As one of Italy’s most touristic regions, Tuscany and its beautiful cities have a reputation to uphold. Made famous by sunny villas sitting amongst rolling green hills covered in healthy grapevines, a dusting of delicate flowers along old narrow roads, and a crown of medieval cities with stone buildings nestled into one another, no one who has visited can argue that the region’s beauty is overrated. There are many famous cities in Tuscany which often compete with one another, each offering its own vast history and cultural specialties. After many visits to the region, and conversations with real Tuscan residents,…

While visiting Croatia this summer, dividing my time between the cities of Split and Hvar, I decided to explore at least one of Croatia’s beautiful national parks. After some research, I chose Krka National Park, famous for a wonderful waterfall, and a must-see.  I booked a guided tour through Get Your Guide with a company called Splitalicious Experiences for just 20 euro. My online reservation instructed me to meet the rest of the group at the statue of Gregory Nin, a Croatian bishop, just outside Split’s ancient palace walls. The statue of Gregory had an almost cartoonish look that made…

After a month of traveling in northern Europe, I decided to spend some time in the sunny Andalusia region of Spain. I had heard bits and pieces from other travelers that Granada was everyone’s favorite city in Spain for one reason or another. They all told me “you’re going to love it,” and I was curious to see if it was worth all the hype. When I arrived in Granada by bus it was late afternoon, the sun was beating down on the city center. Off the bus, I lugged my increasingly heavy carry-on suitcase (bursting with souvenirs and bottles…

On trips to Italy, you may have spend one euro to enter a bathroom in the train station, a bottle of water is typically more than one euro, a good gelato can be anywhere from two to five, and a classic Aperol Spritz is typically five on a good day. So what’s this we hear about being able to buy a whole house for one euro? It’s true, houses in Italy are being sold and auctioned for incredibly low prices. You may be wondering why one of the most beautiful countries in the world is asking foreigners to come in…

Sunny afternoons visiting little cities along the French Riviera, coastal paradises along Italy’s Amalfi Coast, or Ireland’s gorgeous country backroads can be best accessed by car. Renting a car in another country can offer you some of the best adventures in your desired destination, but it can also be a big headache for those who aren’t prepared.  Rental car companies offer travelers vehicles all over the world, but before you swipe your credit card and head into unknown territory, it’s important to consider whether or not renting a car during your travels is the best call. Pros of Renting…

The city of Stockholm is a sprawling landscape of interwoven islands at the inlet of a larger archipelago. This makes the city somewhat fragmented, but allows each island to play a larger role in the layout of the city. A favorite island of many tourists and locals alike is Djurgården. Sitting southeast of the city’s shopping and historical center, it acts as an oasis, an escape from the city’s crowded streets.  Hills shrouded in dark green trees, speckled with castles, beautiful museums, bright riverside homes, and even an amusement park, Djurgården has something for visitors seeking tranquility, history, thrills, or…

Any traveler’s worst nightmare is losing their passport. Not only is it your primary form of identification, but it’s essential to have when returning home. We hope this doesn’t happen to you, but if it does here’s what to do to get a new or temporary passport so you can continue your travels until you return to your country of residence.  It’s not uncommon for passports to be lost or stolen as you travel, but it’s important that you report your missing passport to local authorities or the embassy for your country as soon as possible. If not, your passport…

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…