A couple of weeks ago, as I was in the midst of my trip planning for Spain, it occurred to me that, despite the many leaps forward in technology during recent years–smart phones, iPads, apps, travel planning websites–my personal method for organizing and planning my trips hasn’t changed in ten years. I still type up [...]

A couple of years ago, I decided to get serious about learning Spanish. Mostly, I wanted this skill for travel, whether to Spanish-speaking countries or areas of the US with a larger Spanish-speaking population than Vermont. But I didn’t want to take a class; I wanted to learn on my own time, when I could [...]

I’d like to think that those of you who have been reading my blog for some time have picked up some useful information about what it’s like to travel solo.  One area, though, where I know I have not been able to help you is in regards to long-term (round-the-world) solo travel–because my trips never [...]

Do you have this problem, too?  I love to travel, but have limited resources.  I’m not interested in staying at fleabag dumps just so I can travel, but if I pay $200+/night for hotel, then I can’t travel as much as I want to.  There’s got to be a happy medium, right?  My preferred lodging [...]

Raveable.com, the hotel review site named one of the top travel websites of 2009 by Travel & Leisure, continues to roll out new features its users have been asking for.  The latest is the ability to search for hotels by features, not just location or price. “Raveable is dedicated to helping everyday travelers find the [...]

Are you a fan of Disney World?  Are you a fan of freebies?  Well, then you’re going to love this freebie:  For those of you who didn’t know, Disney World offers free customized maps at its website.  You have to register to get them, but that’s free, too. You’re probably wondering why you would need [...]

The restaurant experience I most anticipated in New Orleans was Commander’s Palace ; because of their former Las Vegas location, I had heard about their food and $.25 martini specials for years.   Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 in the Garden District just so happens to be right across the street from Commander’s Palace.   So as [...]

If a bowl of Wheaties is the breakfast of Champions, I have no idea what a plate of beignets is.  The breakfast of people who want to die from a coronary?  Like Bourbon Street, Cafe du Monde is one of those legendary places in New Orleans that all tourists are told they must visit at [...]