Whenever I’m stuck in the States for too long, I start dreaming of the Caribbean. But after years in the travel industry, I have realized that not all islands are created equal. Some are essentially just giant, flat sandbars designed for mega-resorts, while others possess a deep, layered culture that makes you want to explore …
Your favorite expat is back. Having been to over 40 European countries, with only Belarus and a couple of tiny micro-nations left to tick off, I can safely attest that there’s no greater, more diverse, downright beautiful country than my beloved France. No, I’m not originally from here—Brazilian-Italian via Britain and Ireland—but there’s a reason …
I don’t like having to look over my shoulder on vacation. You? After traveling the world for 20 years, if there is one thing I always check before I even start planning a trip, it is travel advisories. Seriously, they can make or break if I’m even going to go. The US State Department just …
If you have ever stood on a pier in the Caribbean, you’ve probably witnessed the ultimate vacation nightmare: a massive cruise ship slowly pulling away from the dock while a frantic passenger waves their arms from the shore. It’s brutal to watch. When Liz and I plan our trips, we usually just try to fly …
Say goodbye to strict Ryanair baggage rules and navigating those confusing low-cost flights flying within Europe: Starting this upcoming winter, you’ll be able to travel between two of the Old Continent’s most iconic cities on a low-cost train with tickets starting from only $22, when historically, Eurostar fares have ranged between around $50 and $150. …
“Do I have my passport?” That question rings through my head a dozen times before I even reach the gate. Now, it is more like: do I have my passport, my digital declaration form, and my return ticket? Times have changed, and if there is anything to be learned from visiting over 100 countries, it …
Stop wasting the first three days of your hard-earned PTO fighting jet lag and massive international customs lines. As someone deeply embedded in the travel industry, I constantly watch travelers make the exact same logistical mistake. They book brutal, multi-leg flights across the Atlantic to Europe or across the Pacific to Asia, only to spend …
Over the last 20 years, I’ve traveled to Mexico more than 50 times. I’ve learned that the dreamy, filtered Instagram photos don’t always match the reality on the ground. However, the truth is that Mexico actually holds some of the best stretches of sand in the world. Some are incredibly easy to get to, and …
When you think of Portugal, chances are it’s the steep hills of Lisbon or the picturesque riverside in Porto that come to mind. They’re the country’s top two destinations, and the most obvious pick for first-time visitors craving a taste of Lusophone culture. However, they may not be the best pick if you’re averse to …
Remember the good ol’ days? It wasn’t that long ago that you could snag a seven-day, five-star, all-inclusive getaway south of the border for a couple of grand. Fast forward to 2026, and that exact same week-long luxury beach holiday is now routinely tipping the scales at $5,000 or more. Between the surging Mexican ‘super …
It seems Dubrovnik’s Golden Age of Tourism has run its course. Well, Game of Thrones—and now House of the Dragon—enthusiasts will still flock to the real-life ‘King’s Landing’ to retrace Cersei’s steps down the Walk of Shame and walk the ‘Red Keep’ ramparts, but we have a feeling the novelty has started to wear off. …
Every single year, millions of travelers head south of the border looking for a sun-drenched escape, and almost all of them end up funneled into the exact same high-energy resort strips. They book all-inclusive packages in Cancun or fight the spring break crowds in Cabo, spending their entire vacation trapped inside commercialized tourist bubbles. On …