14 things only Alaskan locals know (but you should too)

Alaska is bigger, colder and more remote than any other state in the US.  Pure, raw, unforgiving and humongous in scale, it is a place that arouses basic instincts. There are thrilling adventures to be had here, but also pitfalls to be avoided. Take precautions, but don’t let the wilderness spook you.  Few other places in…

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You’ll see this everywhere: greenstone pendants in New Zealand

As soon as you arrive in New Zealand, you’ll notice the greenstone (pounamu in Māori) pendants, often attached to a leather necklace, around the necks of many locals and tourists. They’re among the most popular souvenirs for sale here, and it’s almost de rigueur for visitors to buy one as soon as possible and wear…

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13 things to know before going to Italy

With an unmatched abundance of Unesco World Heritage sites, diverse scenery ranging from some of Europe’s highest peaks to the turquoise waters of the southern coasts, and an endless list of regional cuisines to taste, planning an Italian adventure can easily get overwhelming. Add a variety of dialects – both spoken and hand-gestured – and…

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When should I visit Alaska?

Twenty-four-hour darkness and sun at midnight. Ice-worm festivals and sweltering outdoor salmon bakes. Sun-dappled rainforest and freezing-cold arctic tundra. Your visit to Alaska will be very much impacted by when and where you choose to go. In a state that practically invented social distancing, you’ll rarely encounter crowds, but costs can be high, and the weather…

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11 best things to do in Scotland from festivals to puffins and peaks

Scotland often feels bigger than it is. That’s in part because of its impact on the world – think Edinburgh’s cultural clout and or Speyside’s famous whiskies – but it’s also because of the sheer range of things to do here. Two fascinating but very different cities dominate Scotland’s central belt, the expansive Highlands feature…

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Top Considerations When Choosing a Vacation Rental

Heads up: some of the links on this site are affiliate links. If you click and make a booking or purchase, I’ll make a commission (at no extra cost to you). I partner with companies I personally use and the $$ goes towards creating more awesome, free travel content.  Finding the right vacation rental is…

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7 unmissable experiences in Alaska: see the best of its epic landscapes

With vast swaths of undeveloped land, communities that are only accessible by boat or plane, and plenty of wild characters who’ve chosen to live in one of the most rural and dramatic landscapes in the United States, it’s no surprise that Alaska is called the Last Frontier.  The hardest part of planning a trip to…

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