If you are craving a slice of La Dolce Vita without the summer crowds Italy is calling your name. Trust me, you won't want to miss out on its off-peak charm. Join me as I uncover the hidden gems, cultural delights, and family-friendly fun that make Italy shine during the shoulder and low seasons.

The small city of Playa del Carmen on Mexico's Yucatan coast is the geographic and cultural center of the Riviera Maya, one of Mexico's fastest-growing destinations. It is enjoyable for what it is, but perhaps more for what it's not.

Alaska is one of the world's special places, full of exotic wildlife, magnificent mountains, glacier-carved valleys and steep, rocky coastlines.

Are you dreaming of the perfect vacation but bogged down by the daunting task of planning every detail? It's time to let the travel advisor myth-busting commence! Working with a travel advisor might just be the key to unlocking unforgettable travel experiences. Today, we're here to dispel some common misconceptions and reveal the real magic behind their services.

Set Sail into Luxury: Discover the Virgin Voyages Experience – All You Need to Know! Uncover the secrets of cruising with Virgin Voyages – an adults-only adventure filled with tantalizing cuisine, thrilling entertainment, and serene beach bonfires. Get insider tips on reservations, tech tools, and unforgettable excursions. Don't miss our candid review – embark on a voyage like never before!

ETIAS, the European Travel Information and Authorization System, is coming in 2024. The European Commission will roll out a U.S. style electronic travel authorization system for visitors from countries that are currently not part of the EU. These visitors have been granted visa-free access to the EU and Schengen member countries through virtue of their good track record on security issues and, thus, have not been deemed as a threat to EU security. However, the EU is wanting to strengthen its border security as well as digitally screen and track travelers entering and leaving EU countries. ETIAS is not a visa, and is more accurately referred to as a visa-waiver. The ETIAS will be mandatory for citizens of such countries as the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Canada.

With a small group of fellow Travel Advisors, I recently embarked on a remarkable adventure through off-the-beaten-path destinations in Greece and Cyprus. From the tranquil beauty of Halkidiki's Ekies Resort to the luxurious paradise of Limassol's Parklane Cyprus and the chic allure of Porto Heli's Nikki Beach, each stop on this journey offered unique experiences and unforgettable memories. Join me as I share the highlights of this extraordinary trip.

As a mom, I know it's essential to find a vacation destination that offers something for everyone in the family. And I recently discovered the Montage Healdsburg, a stunning property nestled in the vineyards of Sonoma County, California, that ticks all the boxes for a family-friendly getaway.

When planning a trip to Italy, it's important to consider timing. The travel year in Italy is three different seasons – Peak Season (mid-June through August), Off-Season (November through March), and Shoulder Season (April through mid-June and September through October). Traveling in the summer is beneficial because it is the driest time of the year and the longer days allow for maximum sightseeing. However, August is the most humid and hot month of the year, and many locals leave for two to four weeks, leaving some restaurants and services closed.

Traveling by train may feel restrictive to most North Americans. You’re limited in your destinations, you do not control the stops, and it’s not as private as a personal vehicle. But trains are also more liberating. While a car driver must multitask, everyone gets to relax and enjoy the beautiful views on the train. You also remove the main reasons for stops: restroom breaks, food stops, and getting out to stretch. On a train, you get to do all those things while staying in motion. In addition, train travel is about the journey rather than a race to the destination. If you’re looking for a unique way to travel on your next vacation, here are some handpicked train trips to consider.

In April of 2020, we had planned to take our son to Disneyland (Anaheim) for the first time but had to cancel that trip (you know, COVID-19). So, at the end of our year living abroad in Valencia, Spain, we thought it would be fun to cap the year off with a trip to Paris. Lucas had finished a year of school abroad, and we wanted to celebrate it and make up for the missed Disney trip. For us, it was a chance to revisit one of the world's best cities.

When planning our spring break vacation this year, we weighed many options. We had unique choices because we spent this year living in Valencia, Spain, rather than our home in San Francisco, CA. Our son has been asking us to take a cruise since he was four, and we were excited to be able to cruise again. We decided to take a Princess Cruise out of Barcelona, which had four ports of call in the Mediterranean. Because his spring break was extended here (11 days!), we tacked on two nights in Barcelona before the cruise, and two nights in Bologna, Italy, after the cruise.

Portugal's second city is a culturally rich destination that, unlike many other cities in its place, confidently seduces its visitors with all the charms you look for in Europe. While others beg for your attention, Porto quietly draws you down to the river and invites you to sit and marvel at her centuries of evolution. Stone buildings, colorful homes, and charming eateries nestle up to one another along the banks of the Douro.