Travel blog

Observing wildlife in national parks is a magical experience. Seeing how animals act and interact with each other in their own territory is an experience you will remember forever. The advantage of visiting a National Park is that you don’t need fancy equipment or gear to find wildlife. There are plenty of paths and guided tours where animals roam freely throughout the year.

Vancouver, British Columbia is consistently ranked as one of the most livable cities in the world. With an eclectic array of neighborhoods blessed with abundant outdoor activities and magnificent waterfront views, there’s a lot to love here -- not the least of which is Vancouver’s exciting culinary scene. One of our favorite foodie destinations is Granville Island Market, a bustling public market in a gentrified former industrial area right along the waterfront.

One of the greatest parts about traveling down Route 66 is the attractions you’ll find along the way. Nicknamed “America’s Main Street” and “The Mother Road,” the 2,448-mile-long highway snakes its way through eight states, from the heart of Chicago to the Santa Monica Pier, passing by countless interesting places along the way. It would be impossible to name our favorite stop along the whole of Route 66, but we would love to share what we look forward to most in each state. Travel West with us along The Mother Road, as we share some of the best attractions along Historic Route 66!

Despite its relatively small size, and reputation as little sister to glamorous Sydney, Melbourne is a robust, dynamic place to visit—especially when you’re hungry. Known as the most European of Australia’s major cities, Melbourne is a cultural melting pot with a wide variety of delicious restaurants to try. Whether you’re looking for glitzy fine dining, down-to-earth Aussie specialties, or the best ethnic food you can find outside of the motherland itself, you’re sure to have some of the most flavorful meals of your life in Marvelous Melbourne.

When we visit a museum or a national monument, we get a sense of a country's past and cultural traditions, but to truly grasp the heart and soul of a place, you need to enjoy a traditional meal. Nowhere is this truer than in Peru, where recipes are handed down as inheritances, and the cuisine is the result of a unique confluence of Incan and European influences. To truly get a taste of the Peruvian culture, be sure to come to Lima with an appetite!

Taking a phone on vacation makes it easy to keep in touch with loved ones, stay updated on the latest news, and take photos during your trip. But according to technology company Asurion, 1 in 5 travelers have:

• Lost their phone
• Experienced phone damage
• Had their phone stolen

With the right preparation and steps, you can protect yourself against and recover quickly from a setback with your phone.

Culturally robust, historically fascinating, generously dotted with lush green spaces, and surrounded by a ruggedly beautiful coastline, Sydney, Australia has earned its place at the very top of many travelers’ Bucket Lists.

Sydney is the capital of New South Wales, which was was originally established in 1788 by the English as a penal colony, providing a rough and tumble beginning to what is today one of the world’s most popular vacation destinations. Modern Sydney has everything that travelers want: great dining and entertainment, excellent public transportation (definitely the best way to get around), gorgeous architecture, ample public gardens, and over 100 beaches.

Millions of tourists visit California each year because the state has something for everyone.

• Beautiful National Parks
• Unique architecture
• Diverse cuisines
• The allure of Hollywood
• Top tier sports teams
• The iconic New Year’s Day Rose Parade

The diverse landscape brings with it varying climates, and travelers need to pack accordingly. Packing for a trip to California may not be as straightforward as you think. In some places, you can go from sunny beaches to snowy mountains in the course of a day! Temperatures across cities vary, and may even fluctuate in the same city from morning to night.

The Freedom Trail contains some of Boston’s richest history. It is a 2.5 mile walking path marked by a red line that snakes past 16 historically significant sites that typically takes about two hours to complete.

The American Revolution happened in large part because of the political powder keg that was Boston, the Freedom Trail in particular, in the late 1700s. Brilliant minds like Benjamin Franklin, Samuel Adams, and Paul Revere came together and united with their neighbors – simple farmers, bakers, and shopkeepers – against the tyranny of Britain. They created an unstoppable force; the concept of America, with all the independent ideals that would go on to unify 13 rural colonies into what would become one of the greatest countries in human history.

Traveling is a wonderful adventure. It gives us first-hand experience to learn about people and cultures around the world. Unfortunately, there are a lot of opportunities new travelers miss out on. Even if you are a frequent traveler, there are likely some travel mistakes you didn’t know you were making.

One of the best things to do before international travel is to learn the cultural norms of a destination. This will prevent a lot of mistakes, but it's not the only area that travelers drop the ball.