Category: Travel Tips

After Cruising to Alaska Many Times, These are My Tips for Planning an Alaskan Cruise

After many cruises to Alaska, these are my Alaska cruise planning tips.

There is no doubt that Alaska is a beautiful state. With glacier studded mountain ranges, rugged coastlines, wildlife galore, and ancient native cultural traditions, it’s no surprise that it is a bucket list destination for many. Cruising southeast Alaska is an easy and (relatively) budget friendly way to see one of the most scenic parts of this huge state.

Continue reading “After Cruising to Alaska Many Times, These are My Tips for Planning an Alaskan Cruise”

2025 Princess Cruises Drinks Packages and Fare Packages – Which One is Best?

This guide has all the information needed to make an informed decision about which Princess cruises drinks package or Princess Fare package to choose. I keep this post updated with the latest Princess Cruises information.

The information in this post is applicable until the end of 2025. Princess has instituted new rules for their Plus and Premier packages that apply to sailings in 2026.

One of the most common questions I see about a Princess cruise is which of the Princess cruises drinks packages or fare packages is the best. I have put together this guide to help cruisers (especially first time Princess cruisers) make that decision. I keep this post updated with the most current information from Princess.

Continue reading “2025 Princess Cruises Drinks Packages and Fare Packages – Which One is Best?”

What to do in Burano – My 25 Colorful Photos and Tips for Visiting Burano, Italy

In some ways I love Burano more than Venice – it is so colorful and photogenic. Use these Burano photos as inspiration for visiting Burano. I am also sharing tips for what to do in Burano and tips for why an overnight Burano stay is even better.

I love the little island of Burano, Italy in the Venetian Lagoon. Visiting Burano for a day or half day is a common side trip from Venice, but spending the night was even better. Once the day trippers were gone, I had the island practically to myself – well, along with all the locals of course.

In this guide I share my favorite photos along with many tips on what to do in Burano from all my trips to inspire a day visit or an extended stay on this easy excursion from Venice.

Continue reading “What to do in Burano – My 25 Colorful Photos and Tips for Visiting Burano, Italy”

How to Visit Petra – My Petra Travel Tips For A Perfect First Time Visit

Are you planning to visit Petra? After two trips to Petra, I share this long list of tips to help make your visit to Petra memorable and easy.

There are many wonderful things to do and see in Jordan, but for most, a trip to the Hashemite Kingdom in the Middle East is not complete without a visit to the rose city of Petra.

Continue reading “How to Visit Petra – My Petra Travel Tips For A Perfect First Time Visit”

13 Petra Photography Tips For All Skill Levels

After visiting Petra twice, I am sharing my Petra photography tips so that you too can have memorable images of your once in a lifetime experience regardless of whether you are using a fancy camera or your smart phone.

Petra was at the top of my travel bucket list for a long time so I was thrilled when I finally had the chance to visit this world famous sight in Jordan.

Continue reading “13 Petra Photography Tips For All Skill Levels”

Photographing in Antarctica – 19 Antarctica Photography Tips for All Skill Levels

Photographing in Antarctica can be challenging. Whether you use a cell phone or a large digital camera, use these tips to help you get the best possible photos of your once-in-a-lifetime trip.

This story has received an Honorable Mention in the annual Society of American Travel Writers Lowell Thomas competion in the Service Oriented Consumer Work category. This is the premier awards recognition for American travel journalists.

You’ve just booked and paid for that top bucket list trip to Antarctica. It will be your dream trip come true and you want to make sure you come home with the best possible Antarctic photos along with all those special memories.

Continue reading “Photographing in Antarctica – 19 Antarctica Photography Tips for All Skill Levels”

My Halkidiki Road Trip Itinerary Lets You Discover This Wonderful Greek Jewel

Use this Greece Halkidiki road trip itinerary to help you discover the best things to see in the Sithonia, Kassandra and Mt. Athos peninsulas.

I was excited to experience the other side of Greece, the Greece beyond Athens and the Cycladic islands in the Aegean.

After a lovely Greek Island cruise followed by a few days in Athens, I was ready to explore Greece off the beaten path. I had read that Halkidiki had its share of Greek historic sights as well as an unlimited variety of beautiful beaches – my perfect combination for an ideal getaway.

Continue reading “My Halkidiki Road Trip Itinerary Lets You Discover This Wonderful Greek Jewel”

Tips for an Independent 10 Day Israel and Jordan Itinerary

I planned our 10 day Israel and Jordan itinerary around my most important criteria: spending two days in Petra. A visit to the Petra Archeological site was high on my travel bucket list and I wanted to have plenty of time to take in this ancient wonder.

A ten day trip to Jordan and Israel was definitely not going to be enough time to see all that these two history rich countries had to offer, but that was all the time we had. So I prioritized what I wanted to see and built my itinerary around this, adding in time to get from one place to another.

Continue reading “Tips for an Independent 10 Day Israel and Jordan Itinerary”

Tips For Visiting the Dome of the Rock and Temple Mount in Jerusalem

I am sharing my tips for visiting the Dome of the Rock on Temple Mount after my recent trip to Jerusalem so that your visit to this beautiful sight is as easy and memorable as mine was.

Seeing the UNESCO Heritage listed Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem is at the top of many visitor’s wish list, and it was on mine also. In fact, on my recent trip to Jerusalem, I visited the Dome of the Rock twice so that I could get all the photos I wanted.

Continue reading “Tips For Visiting the Dome of the Rock and Temple Mount in Jerusalem”

Oh My! There is So Much To Do On a Chicago 4 Day Itinerary

I grew up in Chicago and still visit frequently and after traveling the world, it still remains my favorite city. Here is a list of my 25 top things to do on a Chicago 4 day itinerary (though I suggest spending more time in my favorite city if you can).

Frank Sinatra said it best when he sang “My Kind of town Chicago is”. If you are planning a first trip to the “Windy City”, there are a wide range of sights and things to do in Chicago for all interests. Here is my list of top 25 Chicago attractions in my favorite city.

Continue reading “Oh My! There is So Much To Do On a Chicago 4 Day Itinerary”