10 must-see destinations inspired by books or movies

Have you ever read a book that transported you to a new destination? Where the words infused the story’s setting and brought it to life so vividly that you were this close to booking a cheap ticket there?

I’ve had this happen many times. My must-visit list of destinations grows in leaps from watching movies or reading books.

Here’s a list of 10 must-see destinations inspired by books or movies to plot your next trip.

BOOKS

Florence, … Read more »

Posted by | Comments Off on 10 must-see destinations inspired by books or movies  | March 23, 2016
Category: Destinations, Europe, North America

5 places to vagabond this summer

Warm sunshine and the open road never fail to ignite wanderlust. Long days stretch ahead, beckoning to be filled with adventure and explorations. Distant points on the map are ripe with possibility.

Before you, the entire world opens up. And it’s waiting for you to find it — to “tramp a perpetual journey” as Walt Whitman says. The imagined prospects thrill your blood. You have to hit the road and, by vagabonding, find yourself. But … Read more »

Posted by | Comments Off on 5 places to vagabond this summer  | June 10, 2015
Category: Central America, Destinations, Europe, Oceania

New Years Eve vs. St. Stephen’s Day for fireworks in Budapest

If you’re like my husband and I, you can’t help but do a little bit of research or at least some Google-Image searching when you’re about to embark on a trip you’re particularly excited about.

For instance we spent New Years Eve in Budapest, Hungary this year and made sure to get a hotel right on the river (using our IHG rewards points for a free room with an incredible view.) This was, we believed, … Read more »

Posted by | Comments Off on New Years Eve vs. St. Stephen’s Day for fireworks in Budapest  | January 8, 2015
Category: Europe

Pros and cons of off-peak Europe travel

American Airlines has some great off-peak prices for award tickets to Europe. Rather than the usual price of 60,000 miles, during off-peak a roundtrip ticket would only cost 40,000 miles. And you can get that amount of miles simply by getting the AAdvantage credit card’s 50,000 mile bonus. (Learn more about these off-peak prices here.)

So when is “off-peak” for Europe?

According to American Airlines, off-peak for Europe is anytime between October 15 … Read more »

Posted by | Comments (4)  | December 18, 2014
Category: Europe, Images from the road

Traditional Christmas in Europe

Of the many things Europe does well, it’s the continent’s magnificent Christmas festivities that can charm this cynical traveler every time. From Scotland to Switzerland an extraordinary spirit of festivity, connecting this generations to others long since passed, can be felt in the wintertime air. The traditions of the season are still strong in this thoroughly modern part of the world, where bustling Christmas markets fill the main square of big cities and bucolic, half-timbered … Read more »

Posted by | Comments Off on Traditional Christmas in Europe  | December 14, 2014
Category: Europe, Notes from the collective travel mind, Travel Writing, Vagabonding Field Reports

Carpooling sites for travel in Europe

While frequent flyer miles can help alleviate the costs of flights to a destination in a game-changing way, the travel that happens once in a destination can really add up too. This is particularly true in an affluent place like Europe.

But, as a continent that has a fabulous infrastructure for public transit, it should come as no surprise that even those with their own personal cars find a way to contribute to the public’s transit needs.

Read more »

Posted by | Comments Off on Carpooling sites for travel in Europe  | December 4, 2014
Category: Backpacking, Europe, Travel Tech

Veterans Day and historic military sites

Veterans’ Day in the US and the UK is replete with ceremonies (concerts and parades in the US, red poppies in the UK) to commemorate those who served their country in uniform. Aside from a great opportunity to thank those that fought in foreign lands, it’s a great opportunity to remember some of the historic sites that can give testament to the events they witnessed.

While some sites are now little more than quiet fields … Read more »

Posted by | Comments (1)  | November 16, 2014
Category: Europe, Notes from the collective travel mind, On The Road, Travel Writing

Finding new perspectives on familiar places

It can be difficult to find new angles through which to view places you already know well. Human nature being what is, it takes a conscious effort to see anything through new eyes. We tend to see only what we’re familiar with, and what strikes our vision on the most surface levels: the old buildings, the people, the streets, the here-and-now bustle that is so easy to get caught up in. But shifting our approach … Read more »

Posted by | Comments (1)  | September 14, 2014
Category: Europe, Notes from the collective travel mind, Travel Writing