Travel blog

Escorted tours make visiting new countries easy and convenient. Your tour company will take care of booking everything from transportation, hotels, and meals. But there will likely be occasions where you go out with your new travel friends to have dinner or plan an excursion independently. During those times, tipping is a great way to show appreciation for the various services you experience abroad, but expectations differ across continents and may even differ among countries in the same region. We’ve compiled general guidelines on how to tip when traveling to various destinations:

Whether you’re chasing the sun, searching for fall foliage, or looking for your own winter wonderland, seasonal travel opens up a world of vacation possibilities… literally! Not only can you enjoy the best climate for your desired activities, you can also avoid crowds and make the most of your budget. Here’s a guide to the best places to visit in 2019 by season:

It’s hard to predict the best time to visit Olympic National Park. With more than a million acres, this vast wilderness in Washington State stretches from the sandy beaches of the Pacific to the peaks of Mount Olympus, across a wide range of distinct ecosystems. Each area features its own weather patterns, with temperatures that vary from season to season and day to day. Imagine temperate rainforests, glacier-capped mountains, and 70 miles of rugged coastline. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Olympic National Park is an adventure no matter the season you visit.

Portland, Oregon is a city that offers plenty of things for travelers to see and do. In a perfect world you’d have a week to explore and uncover all the secrets of this Pacific Northwest gem, but what if you’re just passing through? What can you discover in a single day in Portland?

When readers of Travel + Leisure ranked the World’s Best Awards for 2018, several YMT Vacations destinations topped the list. From culinary hot spots to old-world villages and cosmopolitan cities, there’s plenty to choose from. Take a look at these winning destinations sure to make your bucket list, and inspire some serious wanderlust:

In the 19th century, more than half a million settlers hitched their wagons and made the long journey from Missouri to the Pacific Ocean on the Oregon Trail. During what would become the country’s most famous migration, nearly 10 percent of the pioneers died of hardships ranging from starvation to dysentery. Over a rough landscape that stretched more than 2,000 miles they pushed on through cities like Independence and Kansas City. For roughly 5 months they walked, making the brutal journey toward their new homes.

History comes alive when you walk in the steps of the past. From our nation’s capital to the battlefields of Gettysburg, there are plenty of sites to explore. Learn the facts behind America’s storied past, or visit its iconic monuments. Here are just a few of the great historic destinations you’ll want to explore on your upcoming travels:

There are places around the world where you want to hit the ground running, soaking up the culture and visiting all the must-see sights as quickly as you can. Cartagena, Colombia is not like that. This is the type of place where the most memorable sights are not the ones you read about in a guide book, but the ones you stumble across unknowingly. Take in Old Town’s vibrant buildings on an afternoon stroll, fall asleep on the warm Caribbean sand, or see what’s on the menu at a tiny mom-and-pop restaurant. Here are five things we love about Cartagena and why you should visit now:

When westward expansion threatened America’s wildlife and wilderness, a “nation’s park, containing man and beast in all the wild and freshness of their nature’s beauty” was proposed. A century later, the National Parks System now encompasses nearly 400 parks and monuments. These natural wonders, which were set aside for the benefit and enjoyment of the people, are among America’s greatest treasures—bucket list travel destinations you won’t want to miss.

When the air turns crisp and the trees come alive with color it’s a sure sign fall has arrived. Head outdoors with the leaf peepers looking for brilliant foliage, or visit a harvest festival for cider donuts and pumpkin pie. Stop by a you-pick-it-farm or get lost in a corn maze. Now that school’s back in session, you can avoid crowds and pay less, as well. So what are you waiting for? It’s time to get out and experience the season. Here are a few of our favorite fall destinations: