Travel blog

Do you consider yourself an expert on travel trivia? Put your know-how to the test with our fun quiz about destinations across the globe! These interesting facts might even inspire your next vacation.

With the new year comes new opportunity for adventure. There are places you’ve never been, experiences you’ve never had, mysteries you’ve never uncovered. The world is so vast and varied that it's impossible to see everything. And isn’t that the magic of travel? That there is always more out there to discover and fall in love with?

2023 promises to be a great year to travel. Most countries have removed nearly all COVID restrictions, and the American dollar is unusually strong. The world is open, and many bucket list destinations are holding special events, celebrating milestones, or otherwise welcoming visitors. We have put together a very handy guide to help you decide where to travel in 2023.

If you’ve tasted delicious snacks and beverages abroad, you may wonder if you can bring them on your international flight back home. As always, that depends. US Customs and Border Protection, a department of Homeland Security, has an ever-changing list of US customs food restrictions.

Consult the US Customs food list before purchasing food or beverage items overseas to bring home, and follow the rules on your immigration card about declaring foods as you go through customs. Failing to declare foods may result in a hefty fine. Here's a list of foods you can and can’t bring into the US.

Since ancient times, rituals and merrymaking help us warm the chill of the holiday season with our closest family and friends. But have you ever wondered how the holidays are celebrated in tropical climates? Most of us associate Christmas and Hanukkah with a roaring fire and a thick blanket of snow. In places like Hawaii, people find the Christmas spirit as easily on the beach as mainlanders do gathered around the hearth. Here are some of the unique traditions celebrated during the holidays in the Hawaiian Islands.

One of the greatest gifts of travel is that it allows us to connect with people. Strangers from around the world become friends. Experiences we never imagined become cherished memories. We are exposed to different ways of life, expanding our minds and wandering exuberantly outside our comfort zones.

Supporting locals is a big part of authentic travel. That can mean choosing a hole in the wall restaurant instead of your favorite chain, shopping at small stores, or educating yourself on a region’s cultures and traditions before you arrive. 

Supporting locals is as positive for you as it is the people you’re visiting. It’s an important part of travel and helps you to connect with the region you're visiting.

Los Angeles is a city where dreams come true and the lights shine bright. Whether from the stars in Hollywood, the streetlights of its vibrant neighborhoods, or the sunshine that bathes the city year-round.

LA is as magical as any of the fictional worlds it’s brought to life, with a wonderfully eclectic mix of people to meet and experiences to enjoy. Many YMT employees are based in the City of Angels and are able to offer you insider tips on how go enjoy the perfect day in LA. Here are our “must-sees” in Los Angeles in one day.

Many people in Spain speak English, but that doesn’t mean visitors couldn’t benefit from speaking a little Español themselves. Learning Spanish, and practicing it on your vacation, is a great way to stretch your mind and build special memories. Not to mention, these basic Spanish words and Spanish travel phrases are great to know in case you need help from someone who doesn’t speak English.

You can have as much fun traveling as a senior as you did when you were young. The joy of experiencing different scenery and cultures doesn’t dull as you age. If anything, the older you get the more you can enjoy travelling. You’ve lived more, learned more, and might finally have the time and patience to really treasure journeys away from home. Historical sites, welcoming locals, and glorious natural beauty are somehow easier to appreciate than when you were younger. Travel is magical, no matter your age.

There are also considerations to take into account for mature travelers. You need to be aware of what to expect, honest about your needs, and diligent about how you manage medications and other essential items.

We’ve been leading mature travelers on guided tours for decades, and here are 8 of our top senior travel tips.

If you’re one of the lucky revelers to descend on Pasadena for the 134th annual Tournament of Roses Parade—which features a spectacular procession of flower-covered floats, spirited marching bands, and high-stepping equestrian units—you will want to come prepared.

Whether you’re going to sit in the grandstands, camp out for free curbside spots, view the floats up close at a pre- or post-parade event, or simply watch all the fun from home, this handy guide will help you plan and enjoy America’s New Year Celebration!

Paying respects to those who have passed away is one of our strongest natural human instincts. It is said that if we remember someone they are never really gone.

There are some incredible memorials to see across the world. They honor both fighters and civilians that have been impacted by war and conflict. These memorials are painful yet important reminders for us to be grateful for every moment, and to truly cherish those we love.

Here are ten of the most powerful memorials found in the Unites States, Europe, and Vietnam.