

Welcome! We’re Janice and George
We’re award-winning travel writers, fortunate to have traveled to all 7 continents. From Hawaii, Mexico and Canada to far-flung destinations, come and discover hidden gems, boutique hotels and the best travel tips from around the world! Meet us.
The latest travel inspiration!
Biking Stanley Park (Vancouver) + the 5 Best Stanley Park Bike Rentals
Nothing beats biking Stanley Park (and around False Creek) on a sunny Vancouver day! Discover beaches, historic totems and beautiful views (plus a public market and craft brewery at Granville Island).
Windstar Cruise Review (2023): Six Small Luxury Ships
Can affordable luxury cruising get any better? Windstar has six beautiful ships – three tall sailing-style yachts and three small power ships. We love them all.
The 15 Best Dubrovnik Beaches for Swimming + Sunning
So you’ve walked the wall. And now it’s hot. Not to worry, there’s some great swimming in Dubrovnik. Take Banje Beach. It’s just a few minutes’ walk from the Old Town. We also really like escaping to Lokrum Island for the day.
Cool hotels you’ll love
17 Best Resorts in St. Martin + St. Maarten: A Complete Guide
Where to stay on St. Martin (French side) and St. Maarten (Dutch side)? We review the best hotels, from the boutique L’Esplanade to the stylish all-inclusive Sonesta Ocean Point Resort.
23+ Best Resorts in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico (Boutique, 5-Star and All-Inclusive)
The resorts in Cabo, Mexico, are among the most deluxe in the world; the boutique hotels are cool too. (Pssst! Discover where the celebs like to bed down.)
25+ Romantic Hotels with Private In-Room Pools in the USA
For a luxury getaway, check out our list of the best hotels with private pool suites in the USA. In Chicago and the Poconos, the pools are actually in the room too!
“You can shake the sand from your shoes, but not from your soul.”
~ Anonymous
Beach escapes
St. Barts Travel Guide: Play, Stay, Eat on the Swankiest Caribbean Island
Our St. Barts travel guide shares the scoop on the best hotels and restaurants, secluded beaches and fun things to do on the swankiest Caribbean island!
Maui vs Kauai: Which Hawaiian Island is Best for You?
Maui vs Kauai: Which is better? Maui is more sophisticated, with better beaches. Kauai has Jurassic Park scenery and is perfect for adventure-loving travelers. But they’re both Hawaiian island paradises.
35 Charming Beach Towns in Mexico to Visit Now!
Discover the best Mexican beach towns, from quiet beach hamlets like Mazunte and Yelapa to luxurious coastal resorts like Cabo and Cancun.
Trip planning guides
Planning a Trip to Italy: Travel Tips + 2023 Guide
Here’s what you should know when planning a trip to Italy. Buy tickets to major attractions in advance. Balance big cities with chill time. Think train travel (not car rental). Find more Italy travel tips in this essential guide!
Planning a Trip to St. Maarten + St. Martin
Planning to visit the Caribbean island of St. Maarten and St. Martin? Lucky you! Here’s what to know to have the best vacation possible on this unique Dutch and French island.
Planning a Trip to Hawaii (2023): The Ultimate Guide!
Here’s what you need to know when planning a trip to Hawaii. Check Hawaii’s travel rules. Rent a car early! Avoid Golden Week. Save on flights with companion fares. Find more Hawaii travel tips in this essential guide.
Spotlight on Mexico
Cancun vs. Cozumel, Mexico: Which is Right for You?
Cancun and Cozumel are two very different creatures. Cancun is famous for its glitzy resorts, white sand beaches and nightlife, while Cozumel is catnip for scuba divers.
The Best 3-Day Mexico City Itinerary for First-Timers (2023)
Mexico City surprised us, pleasantly! For an awesome 3 days in Mexico City, this Mexico City itinerary takes you to the best cultural attractions, museums, cafés and restaurants.
27 Epic Things to Do in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Over the years, we’ve discovered amazing things to do in Cabo San Lucas. Whale watching. Hiking the Pedregal. Visiting Flora Farms. And so much more.
Cruises
Holland America Rotterdam Review: HAL’s Newest Cruise Ship
Check out our review of Holland America’s newest cruise ship, the ms Rotterdam, for our take on the cabins, dining, entertainment, pool decks and more.
Star Clippers Review: Sailing the Caribbean on the Star Flyer
What’s it like to cruise with Star Clippers? The sailing is magical! And on our Caribbean cruise, the unspoiled island ports were a treat to visit.
Seabourn Odyssey Review: What’s Luxury Like on Seabourn Cruises?
How much champagne can a girl drink? Lots on Seabourn Cruises! Get the scoop on the suites, service and food in this review of the ultra-luxe Seabourn Odyssey.
Europe, here we come!
33 Most Beautiful Places in Italy to Visit! (+ Italy Travel Tips)
Check out the most gorgeous places to visit in Italy. Rome, of course! We love Venice too (impossibly romantic). Then there’s Lecce. Packed with Baroque architecture, it’s sometimes referred to as the “Florence of the South.”
Why Visit Athens? 19 Great Reasons to Go
Is it worth visiting Athens? You bet! Trendy rooftop bars have sprouted. New hotels have been built. And the modern Acropolis Museum is splendid!
Porto vs. Lisbon: Which is Better?
Porto vs. Lisbon: Which is better? That’s like choosing between wine and chocolate. The better choice for you really depends on whether you’re a city lover, culture craver, wine devotee or beach bum!
Popular posts
Hawaii Bucket List! 75 Epic Things to Do in the Aloha State
Wondering what to do in Hawaii? Check out these fabulous attractions and activities – from snorkeling with sea turtles in Maui to visiting the serene Byodo-In Temple in Oahu.
A Local’s Guide to the 33 Best Things to Do in Victoria, BC (2023)
We have great restaurants, parks (can you say Butchart Gardens?) and awesome attractions. Check out our insider guide to the best things to do in Victoria, BC!
Discover 15 Utterly Charming Coastal Towns on this Northern California Road Trip
Discover the cutest seaside towns in Northern California on this Pacific Coast road trip! From Morro Bay to Mendocino and beyond, you’ll explore surfing beaches, redwood forests, wineries and more.
Published here
TravelAge West, USA Today, Canadian World Traveller, NUVO, Cruise & Travel Lifestyles, Travelweek, Magnifissance, Globe & Mail, Islands.com, AAA Carolinas GO, Vancouver Sun, Toronto Star, South China Post, Seattle Post-Intelligencer and EnRoute