Author: Lauren Mulvey

Upstate New York is the perfect destination for people who love to hike. With its quaint towns, bucolic charm, and beautiful vistas, those looking for a day trip or weekend stay can find a natural oasis to enjoy in one of New York’s mountain regions, forest preserves, or state parks. To help you choose your new favorite place to hike, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best locations in upstate New York, from the Hudson Valley to the Finger Lakes. Hudson Valley  Just a 1-2 hour drive from NYC, the Hudson Valley is a treasure trove when…

The primary concerns people have when travel are the cost of flights, hotels, food, and activities that make a trip worthwhile. But the travel industry is always expanding and evolving, becoming more accessible to those looking to have an international or domestic travel experience without the high costs.  Luxury travel is spectacular if you can afford it, but you can have just as much fun exploring on a budget. There are plenty of options that can help lower what you spend for accommodations, flights, and the costs of living abroad. Here are 7 tips that can help you travel more…

Hostels can be the perfect way to save money on your next trip abroad. These accommodations are in nearly every major city, the countryside, or beach locales. So wherever you want to go on your next adventure, you’re sure to find a hostel to meet your needs. That said, hostels aren’t always the most luxurious or comfortable way of traveling. You can discover if hostels are for you as we break down the pros and cons of staying in these affordable accommodations. Booking a Hostel When looking for hostels for your next trip, you can find a comprehensive database of…

When it comes to luggage there are endless options for every type of traveler, whether you’re a nomad, a luxury traveler, or a weekend tripper, picking the right luggage will take some of the stress off your trip. We did a search to discover what luggage is getting the best reviews on social media. Here are some of the best rated luggage for different types of travelers. BACKPACKING & HIKING If you’re backpacking around various countries for a month or longer, your pack has got to be foolproof. It’s probably the most important essential when it comes to planning your…

From Airbnb and Vrbo stays to study abroad programs and group travel companies, new ways to travel are often emerging to provide those with wanderlust ample opportunities to explore new places.  One of the newer arrivals on the affordable travel front are work exchange programs through platforms like Workaway or Wwoof. These applications allow you to find work in foreign countries in exchange for free accommodation. With these programs you can work on a farm in Italy, nanny in France, work at a hostel in Costa Rica, and essentially find work anywhere in the world.  Users can sign up as…

When booking flights in recent years travelers may have noticed a new add-on fee to their purchase: a carbon offset fee which claims to lessen the environmental impact of flying. Airplanes remains one of the biggest contributors to carbon emissions that damage the environment. USA Today Reported, “Commercial airplanes and large business jets make up about 10% of US transportation emissions, accounting for 3% of the nation’s total greenhouse gas production, according to the latest numbers from the Environmental Protection Agency.”  In recent years, celebrities who use private jets have been called out for their incredible contributions to carbon emissions.…

From the bustling streets of London to the rhythmic samba of Sao Paulo, Pride showcases the voices, experiences, and continuing struggles of the LGBTQ+ community. It is also a chance to explore new destinations, learn about different cultures, and connect with people from all walks of life who share the same vision of a world where love knows no boundaries. As we celebrate together, we will also acknowledge the triumphs that have brought us this far, and the challenges we continue to face.  In a world where love is often met with hate, the vibrant and diverse LGBTQ+ community stands…

Will new technology allowing for quicker identification at airport security make getting through the airport and onto your flight a smoother experience? According to Travel + Leisure, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has been testing new Credential Authentication Technology (CAT) which would potentially allow travelers to move through security without flashing a boarding pass or passport. This new technology uses facial recognition to identify travelers, and according to the TSA’s official description it “improves the travel document checker’s ability to accurately authenticate passenger identification and pre-screening status, addressing the vulnerabilities associated with ID and boarding pass fraud.”  CAT-1 machines…

Travelers who like to vacation with their four-legged friends will find plenty of great accommodation in Massachusetts, which is home to many pet-friendly hotels and inns from the Berkshires to Boston and beautiful Cape Cod. Briarcliff Motel – Great Barrington This retro-modern motel is located just an hour from the New York border in the lovely town of Great Barrington in the Berkshire Mountains. This region has a wealth of outdoor activities perfect for exploring with your dog. Briarcliff also offers a list of doggy daycares, groomers and spa services, along with guides to hikes and outdoor fun.  Red Lion…

Many people who love to travel dream of spending their summers in Europe, but what’s not so dreamy are the summer crowds, intense heat, and sky high prices that plague even the most experienced travelers. Many would rather travel off-season to popular destinations like Italy, France, or Portugal, but there are a few places in Europe that haven’t yet gone viral. In these places, sure you’ll see other tourists, but not like the troves you’d find in Rome, Paris, Barcelona, or other major European cities this summer. Come with us as we explore some under the radar destinations in Europe. …

The U.S.A. is home to some of the world’s most famous culture and music festivals, which offer star-studded lineups and unique experiences. When planning you summer and fall travels, you may want to add one of these unique festivals to your must-see list for 2023. 1. Downtown Aspen Arts Festival (Aspen, CO. July 15-16) The Downtown Aspen Arts Festival is celebrating its 20th year this July, displaying a small number of works from national and local artists including paintings, sculpture, photography, ceramics and more.Throughout the year, Aspen hosts many cultural festivals in their downtown area, which is surrounded by gorgeous…

If you’re an experienced European traveler, you may have heard of a Schengen Visa, which allows visitors from outside the EU to remain in the Schengen Area for three months. But this doesn’t apply to everyone, so we’re breaking down what this visa means, and how to know if you need one.  What is a Schengen Visa? The word Schengen refers to all the countries in the EU that make up a free travel zone, meaning you can travel between these countries without a passport. This region got its name in 1985 when the Schengen Agreement was signed, eliminating border…

During the spring of this year, I spent some time in the enchanting city of Taormina on the east coast of Sicily, which you may have spotted in the new hit HBO series The White Lotus, where drama unfolds between families and friends staying at a luxurious resort. Tucked away just beneath an active volcano, Taormina gave me one of the best days of my three month long stint traveling around Italy. On a sunny Sunday, we hopped on a bus and traveled through Sicily’s rolling, green hills green up and up into Taormina. When we arrived, we parked our bus…

If you’re an avid traveler who is planning a European adventure, hoping to visit many cities during your trip, you may have heard of the Eurail Pass, which offers access to a majority of trains in Europe with just one ticket. So is this travel hack really all it’s cracked up to be?  The appeal of this pass is that you can go wherever you want whenever you want. Paris to Rome, Amsterdam to Prague, etc. You can board any train in the Eurail system, flash your pass and you’re good to go. The system connects over 40,000 destinations, but…

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…

St. Pete/Clearwater, Florida is a destination for anyone looking to get away this winter for some fun in the sun. With an array of exciting local culture, art, and cuisine, in St. Pete/Clearwater you’ll never run out of things to do or wonderful places eats. Here’s a list of some of the areas most indulgent and mouth watering spots for foodies.  Fo’Cheezy Twisted Meltz This spot lives up to its name with deleicious cheesy melts. Here you will find delectable ingredients to create the ultimate grilled sandwich. Located in St. Pete Beach, this is the perfect spot for lunch after…

Following months of civil unrest in Iran, it is reported that Iran plans to execute 15,000 protesters, many of them children, teens, and young adults. Various media sources have reported the mass death sentencing, claiming that a death sentence has been set for 15,000 protestors currently being held in prison as a harsh warning to the rest of the state. Protests across the country began after the detainment and death of Mahsa Amini for allegedly disobeying the Islamic Republic’s dress code for women. Many Iranian women have cut their hair or burned their hijabs in solidarity. Hundreds of civilians, including…

At the tail end of Costa Rica’s rainy season, myself and a few friends booked a last minute trip to the beachy west coast town of Tamarindo. We spent a week learning to surf, exploring the town, and falling asleep to the sounds of howling monkeys, but our best day involved a torrential rainstorm and a bumpy car ride. We booked a trip inland with a company called Native’s Way, and the next day we were up bright and early at 6:30 a.m. to be picked up by a small tour van with an enthusiastic tour guide named Jorge. Native’s Way…

Take camping, make it glam, and you’ve got glamping. If you’re used to the luxury of hotels with spas, spacious rooms, and gorgeous views, here’s the outdoorsy alternative.  Glamping sites have cropped up all over the world as a popular escape from the big city or the hassle of daily work life. And there’s no worry involved. Many sites include various amenities like full bathrooms, kitchen and dining areas, queen to king size beds and woodsy furnishings. And those ahead of the game include camping activities, and special offerings on site.  One of the first sites, The Resort at Paws…

Did you know that Vrbo, the seemingly new competitor to Airbnb’s efficient and business model, has been around since 1995? Maybe you just started seeing their tempting commercials where the perfect family vacations in the perfect mansion on the perfect beach, and you thought hm? Where did this come from? Or at least that’s what I thought.  Regardless of whether or not you’ve seen the commercial, Vrbo and Airbnb are quite different, so here’s what you might want to consider when you’re booking for your next trip.  Airbnb is the hub for one night stays, week long vacays and staycation…