Travel blog

Up close and intimate, European river cruises take you to the heart of the interior, giving you a bird’s eye view of the countryside. Whether it’s the Danube or the Rhine, these vessels afford you views and experiences you simply could not enjoy otherwise. From the tulip-kissed fields of the Netherlands to the soaring spires of Cologne’s Gothic Cathedral and the fairytale castles of Bohemia, your floating boutique accommodations make traveling easier than ever. However, before you set sail there are a few things to keep in mind. To help you make the most of your journey, here are our top tips for river cruising:

It’s hard to miss the Polynesian man in the sulu sarong. The grass skirt the tour guide wears has been passed down for generations from his grandmother who wove the coconut hind herself. It’s just one of the ways Walter Tonga stays connected to the islands and his own rich cultural heritage.

In ancient times, the Hawaiians used a bowl-shaped crater known as Puowaina for human sacrifices. Today, the site, which is shaped like a punchbowl, is sacred for another reason. It is home to the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific where 33,000 soldiers lie in rest under rows and rows of stone markers. Here are some tips for making the most of your time at this moving memorial to American sacrifice:

In 1972, an Albuquerque, NM radio station began making plans to celebrate its 50th anniversary. Amid a flurry of ideas, one soon began to take shape: hosting the world’s largest balloon race. Invitations went out to 21 balloons but, at the last minute, a fierce Midwestern storm whittled the participants down to 13. And so on April 8th, with 20,000 spectators watching, the pilots fired up the balloons and rose into the air above the parking lot of the Coronado Center Shopping Mall.

Politics and Religion: Nowhere is the need to avoid controversial topics more important than on the small island 90 miles to the south of Florida. While many citizens will engage readily in a conversation about Fidel Castro, the eyes and ears of the Party still consider it unpatriotic to be critical toward the regime. That being said, be sensitive if your tour guide is reticent to discuss sensitive issues.

Visit a Paladars: Havana's paladars are a great way to explore the culinary history of Cuba. Until the 1990s, restaurants not owned by the government were illegal and so these small dining rooms began operating out of homes. As the definition of a “restaurant” expands, you can now find paladars in old mansions and penthouses as well as family residences. Make sure to sample the staples, like Cuban Creole, but also be open to the many other flavors peppering the culinary landscape.

Don’t Expect to Connect: It’s no secret Cuba has some of the planet’s worst Internet service. With severe state restrictions and awful connection speeds, just plan to leave your phone, your laptop, and your digital devices at home.

Money Matters: In Cuba, the dual currency system makes foreigners ripe for scams. Here’s what you need to know. National pesos are banknotes printed with head-and-shoulder images of Cuban leaders and used to pay local citizens. On the other hand, convertible pesos depict national monuments and are worth twenty-four times what national pesos are worth. They are used to pay for goods and services. Make sure that when you pay in convertibles you are given change in kind and not in national pesos.

Being American Still Has its Drawbacks: Even after President Obama’s recent visit, there are difficulties in visiting Cuba if you’re a U.S. citizen. For one thing, you can only travel to Cuba under specific circumstances, like a People-to-People trip like the ones offered by YMT Vacations. There’s also a 10 percent fee for changing US dollars into Cuban currency and your U.S. debit or credit card is not accepted on the island.

Carry Cash: In many places in Cuba, cash is the only form of payment for goods and services. Since cash machines are sparse, make sure to get money whenever you can, and make note of the operating hours for banks.

Beware Before Lighting Up -- Cigars sold by jineteros, or street hustlers, are rarely the real deal. Instead, purchase cigars from official stores known as Casa del Habano, or directly from the factory. You should also expect to pay for a premium product.

Each fall, New England is set ablaze in an explosion of autumn foliage.

Throughout the Adirondacks and Vermont’s Green Mountains, the verdant leaves of summer begin to give way to brilliant reds, oranges, and yellows. The days linger a little while longer as the crisp air hints at the coming of winter. And all along the backcountry roads, “leaf-peepers” arrive to catch a glimpse of the spectacle.

You can capture this amazing techni-color landscape on film or create a digital record of the experience. To ensure you get the best shots, keep in mind these top 8 tips for photographing New England’s fall foliage:

Built by a Hawaiian Princess, the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum was created to preserve the Polynesian culture for local residents and the rest of the world who would arrive on these beautiful shores. It houses the largest collection of Polynesian cultural artifacts and natural history specimens -- much of it donated by Hawaiian royalty. As one of Oahu’s historic places, the museum began with a treasure trove of royal heirlooms collected by the princess herself, the last direct descendant of King Kamehameha I.

From windswept stretches of rugged coastline to rowdy pubs flowing with Guinness, towering old castles to a romantic countryside where ponies run free, this is Ireland -- the land of your dreams and the trip of your lifetime. So, now that you’ve made your travel plans here are some useful things you’ll need to know for your arrival. From WiFi to cell phones, electrical devices to hair dryers, here are our tips for what to pack, what to know, and what you can expect when you power up on the Emerald Isle.

With endless sunshine, miles of sandy beaches and a fascinating local culture, it’s no wonder Hawaii tops most everyone’s bucket list. But for many travelers, the allure of the Aloha State is at odds with the cost, and enjoying a getaway without breaking the bank can be a challenge.

Here are 10 tips on how to afford a Hawaii vacation on a budget:

There’s no denying the nostalgia of a grand ocean voyage but just what should you know about a Transatlantic Crossing? With days spent at sea and few ports of call, the focus of the trip is the onboard lifestyle where the joy is truly in the journey. To make the most of your sailing, here are the top tips for taking a Transatlantic Cruise: