A blog for the traveler who wants both luxury and a good deal.
Read our most recent posts about journeys…
From Avatar mountains to ancient China
Few westerners have ever heard the names Zhangjiajie or Fenghuang. Hallelujah Mountains? Sounds familiar. The Avatar mountains? Ok, the famous first Avatar movie, sure. But those mountains, floating in the air above Pandora, aren’t real. Or are they? The karst...
8 reasons to visit Copenhagen
31 countries will receive more visitors this year than Denmark. That’s crazy, but also an advantage for you. While hordes of tourists descend on other places, we give you 8 reasons to visit Copenhagen. Some people avoid this city because they think it could be too...
We compare Seabourn to Silversea (with a surprise winner)
If you Google “luxury cruise lines,” more than a dozen names will pop up, vying for your attention. I have cruised on many ships and believe that two of the standard-setters are Seabourn and Silversea. Who is better these days? We compare Seabourn to Silversea on 8...
Do you really need a car to explore Oahu?
Oahu, the most popular Hawaiian Island, is also one of the most manageable. We will show you how to enjoy your freedom as you explore Oahu by car. You can go anywhere on a day trip. The journey from Waikiki, on the southern tip, to Sunset Beach, on the North Shore is...
Sail on the Spirit of Dana Point
If you haven’t been to Dana Point, California in a while, you are in for a treat. The already beautiful harbor area is undergoing a $600 million revitalization. And now, for a true retro tall ship experience, you can sail on the Spirit of Dana Point. A replica of a...
Is seeing Waikiki from a private sailboat worth it?
Aloha! You are in Honolulu, looking for the perfect sunset cruise. There are so many options, from big boats to catamarans to charter sailboats. We research everything and can recommend you see Waikiki from a private sailboat from Captain Castaway. As a reminder, we...
Check out our latest travel tips and advice…
The many ways you can travel upscale on a budget
This blog is all about upscale travel on a budget. Yet, despite the tips I will provide here and in my other articles, what you choose for luxury and where you decide to save is a very personal thing. These tips are suggestions from my travels to some 70 countries....
Memorable meals from my journeys
Food plays an important role in everyone’s travel memories. In my travel to some 70 countries, I remember many classic meals that expressed the culture as much as any sights did. Paring down the list of memorable meals from my journeys to just 26 entries was as...
10 tips for great travel photos of people
It’s not difficult to take great travel photos of people, even using your phone’s camera. Years ago, I used to avoid having people in scenic pictures of foreign lands. Now, I have found that people can bring perspective to nature, a cultural angle, and most...
Destinations from A to Z to inspire your travel plans
When I am not traveling, I am usually planning my next trip. It may be a place I have never been. Or it may be revisiting places I love, like these travel destinations from A to Z. I curated this list of places I have visited to inspire future journeys. If you have an...
Road trip snack recipes
Making your own baked goods for a road trip allows you to eat healthier and saves time and money not having to stop for treats along the way. We offer several road trip snack recipes that are delicious and travel well. Do you have a craving for cookies, scones,...
Funny travel signs from around the world
Sometimes a sign is simply lost in translation, sometimes the graphics get out of hand. Translated signs can have bad spelling, with humorous consequences. Instructional signs can leave us baffled. Here are some of my favorite funny signs from around the world. No...
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