Trip Prep

Ways to Personalize Your Travel Itinerary for a Truly Unique Experience

Ever wonder what it’s like to plan an adventure that feels totally your own? For years, I was hopping in and out of my RV across the U.S. and Europe, waking up to new places, new faces, and new adventures almost every morning. Along the way, I learned the magic of crafting a travel plan that felt personalized—less cookie-cutter and more “Miles." Sure, I’d glance at must-see spots, but the heart of my journeys always leaned toward those unpolished gems and moments nobody could have predicted.

Trip Prep

The Little App Shortlist That Changed the Way I Travel Forever

Traveling is magical. It’s where we gather stories to tell at dinner parties, explore destinations that feel like dreams, and occasionally, lose all sense of direction in unfamiliar cities. But here’s the thing: no matter how much of a free spirit you think you are, traveling without a plan (or at least the right tools to help you stay semi-organized) can become mildly disastrous at best and outright chaotic at worst. Enter travel apps.

Trip Prep

12 Smart Ways to Beat Jet Lag and Maximize Your Adventure

Jet lag. Oh, the joy. It’s like that one pesky friend who tags along uninvited, just as you’re ready to kick off your dream vacation. I’ll never forget the time I landed in Rome, beyond thrilled to start my food tour of a lifetime, only to find myself wide awake at 2 a.m., Googling “is gelato for breakfast a thing?” Spoiler alert: it absolutely is, but that’s a story for another time.

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Trip Prep

The Itinerary Style That Keeps My Solo Adventures Relaxed but Full

Planning the perfect itinerary for a solo adventure can be a delicate balance between excitement and anxiety. Trust me, I've been there—scrolling through travel blogs, obsessing over maps, and second-guessing every decision about where to go, what to do, and how to maximize my time. But let me tell you, once you crack the code, it’s an empowering process that transforms your solo trip into a journey that's entirely yours.

Trip Prep

How I Learned to Stay Online Abroad Without Racking Up a Huge Bill

The first time I came home from an overseas trip with a mobile bill that could have paid for another flight, I told myself, “Never again.” I was young, dazzled by cobblestone streets and café culture, and far too quick to refresh Instagram every time I found myself in a queue. One blissful week in Paris cost me $468 in roaming fees—which, in hindsight, was a very expensive lesson in the fine print of mobile plans.

Trip Prep

What to Know Before You Book That Economy Fare You Found on Google Flights

Booking a flight can feel like opening Pandora's box. One moment, you're browsing Google Flights with dreams of distant lands, and the next, you're knee-deep in a labyrinth of fare classes, baggage fees, and blackout dates. As someone who spends more time in airports than in their own apartment, I’ve learned a thing or two about navigating the treacherous terrain of economy fares. Trust me, behind those too-good-to-ignore prices are layers of complexities that, if overlooked, could dampen the joy of your adventure.

Trip Prep

What to Love (and Watch Out For) If You’re Traveling Solo in 2025

There’s a moment that hits you just after checking into your solo Airbnb or dropping your backpack in a hostel locker. It’s quiet. Not eerily so—just new. The kind of silence that reminds you: it’s just you now. No dinner plans to coordinate, no consensus-building over which museum to hit next. No one else to consult about splitting dessert (or skipping it in favor of a second glass of wine).

Trip Prep

I Plan My Trips Around Cafés Now—And Honestly? No Regrets

There was a time when I used to plan my trips around historical sites, museums, maybe a few “must-see” Instagrammed beaches. Now? I map out third-wave espresso bars, tiny bistros with handwritten menus, and locals-only cafés with a playlist that makes you want to Shazam every third song.

Trip Prep

Stay Energized While Traveling: Snacks and Meals to Pack

There’s a special kind of fatigue that hits you somewhere between security lines and gate changes, and it has nothing to do with jet lag. It's the subtle drain that creeps in when you're over-caffeinated, under-fed, and running on crumpled receipts and two bites of a stale muffin. Traveling is thrilling, yes. But it’s also an endurance game—and if you're not feeding yourself right, your energy tanks before you even board.

Trip Prep

The Friday-to-Sunday Itinerary That Felt Like a Week Off

Here’s something that rarely gets said out loud: most weekend getaways leave you more tired than you were before you left.

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The Grown-Up Traveler’s Guide to Choosing the Right Travel Insurance

When planning an adventure, few people get excited about travel insurance. It’s way more fun to dream about sun-soaked beaches, vibrant cities, or adrenaline-fueled activities than to worry about lost luggage, flight cancellations, or unexpected medical emergencies. But here’s the thing: travel insurance is like that quiet friend who always has your back when things go sideways.

Trip Prep

Slow Travel Sounds Nice—But What Is It, Really?

Somewhere between racing through three cities in five days and realizing I couldn’t remember what country I was in without checking my camera roll, it hit me: I wasn’t traveling anymore. I was collecting passport stamps like they were coffee shop loyalty points.