A luxury travel blog

With a twist of adventure

Traveling to Europe — **Explore Europe**

Welcome! We’re Janice and George

We’re award-winning travel writers, fortunate to have visited all 7 continents. From Mexico and Hawaii to British Columbia (our home), Europe and far-flung destinations, we share our travel secrets from around the globe. Join us as we uncover hidden gems, beautiful hotels, amazing cruises and more!

The latest travel inspiration!

How to Get to Matera, Italy: Private Transfers and Tours

Find out how to effortlessly get to Matera, Italy. Skip the hassle of renting a car or taking public transport. Private transfers, guided tours and our insider travel tips make reaching this stunning ancient cave city a breeze.

10 of the Hottest Caribbean Resorts With Private Pools

We’ve uncovered some seriously dreamy Caribbean resorts with private pools – from Jamaica and St. Lucia to the nature lover’s paradise of Dominica. Romance? Adventure? Or pure relaxation? Whatever you’re after, they’re sure to make your vacation special!

Food on Viking Ocean Cruises: Our Favorite Restaurants and Bites

What’s the food like on Viking Ocean Cruises? We dish on our favorite onboard bites and restaurants (hello Manfredi’s!) and share a few minor critiques too.

Popular guides

Viking Silver Spirits Package and Bar Prices

House wine and beer are free on Viking Cruises at lunch and dinner. Nice! So should you buy the upgraded drinks package for unlimited cocktails and premium wine?

The 23 Best Souvenirs From Mexico to Bring Home

Check out these top souvenirs from Mexico! From organic coffee beans and tequila to Day of the Dead figurines and Talavera pottery, these authentic Mexican gifts and souvenirs are great mementos to bring home.

Get Curry Happy! 23 Popular Indian Dishes to Try at an Indian Restaurant

What are the most popular Indian dishes to order? If you love Indian food, but don’t know your dal from your dosa, here’s a quick primer!

“You can shake the sand from your shoes, but not from your soul.”

~ Anonymous

Beach escapes

Cancun vs. Puerto Vallarta: Which Mexico Vacation is Best?

Cancun or Puerto Vallarta? Cancun has white-sand beaches, glam resorts and nightlife. PV has more culture, an authentic Mexican vibe and a tasty culinary scene. But they’re both great Mexican holiday hot spots.

35 Best Things to Do in Kauai (Besides Beaches)

Kauai has blossomed big time! So what are the best things to do in Kauai today? Paddle the Wailua River, take a hike, go tubing, visit the Kilohana Plantation, experience a thrilling helicopter tour and more!

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!

Perfect trip itineraries

How to Spend 3 Days in Mexico City: The Ultimate Guide

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.

The Perfect 14-Day Croatia Itinerary (Dalmatian Coast)

Our leisurely 14-day Croatia itinerary covers the beautiful Dalmatian Coast. Start in Dubrovnik, then island-hop by passenger ferry to Korcula, Hvar and Brac, before finishing your trip in Split.

Authentic Mallorca Itinerary: 5 to 14 Days in Mallorca

Embark on an unforgettable Mallorca itinerary, ideal for 5, 7, 10 or 14 days! Explore Soller, tiny Deia, Santanyi, Puerto Pollensa and vibrant Palma de Mallorca.

Dream hotels

19 Caribbean Overwater Bungalows For Your Bucket List

Dive into paradise at these top-rated overwater Caribbean bungalows! From reasonably affordable over-the-water huts in Bocas del Toro to private island utopias in Belize with luxurious overwater villas, these unique resorts offer the ultimate in relaxation.

17 Best Resorts in St. Martin and 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.

Beautiful Overwater Bungalows in Bora Bora: How to Choose?

There’s something deliciously sensual about Bora Bora’s overwater bungalows. The Four Seasons is a splurge. Le Bora Bora is new. The Conrad has cool hammock decks. See the pros and cons for the best resorts.

We love cruising!

Viking Ocean Cruises Review: Insights From Three Voyages

What makes Viking Ocean Cruises some of the world’s best? The all-balcony staterooms? The freebies? The spa’s snow grotto? We uncover it all in our honest review.

Dreamy Tahiti Cruises: Windstar vs. Paul Gauguin

Cruising French Polynesia is an ideal way to visit these luscious islands. The best Tahiti cruise lines are Windstar and Paul Gauguin. Which is better? We love both, but there are some key differences. (Spoiler alert: Windstar is less expensive, but PG has true balcony cabins.)

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.

Spotlight on Mexico

21 Beautiful Mexico Resorts With Private Pools (Pure Paradise!)

Nothing spells luxury in Mexico more than a beautiful hotel with private pools. From private pool suites in Tulum to resorts in Cabo where you can gaze at the sea while sipping champagne in your own plunge pool, these resorts will wow you.

Cabo vs. Cancun: Which Mexican Hot Spot is Better?

Cabo or Cancun? Cabo is desert-like. Cancun is tropical. Cabo’s beaches are colder for swimming. But seaweed on Cancun’s beaches can be icky. We dish on the differences between Cabo and Cancun, so you can decide which is right for you.

27 Epic Things to Do in Cabo San Lucas and Beyond (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.

Europe, here we come!

23 Most Beautiful Places in Italy (Not Big Cities!)

Check out the most gorgeous places to visit in Italy (that aren’t big cities). You have pretty Positano by the sea, non-touristy Matera and lovely small Baroque cities like Lecce. And let’s not forget Le March or the beautiful Italian lakes!

15 Hidden Gems and Unique Places to Visit in Greece

You’ll love these unique and special places in Greece! Hidden gems like Kefalonia, romantic islands like Skiathos, and Meteora, with its monasteries atop soaring rock pillars.

7 Best Hammams in Istanbul for Luxury Lovers

Steam, scrub, soap suds and a silky massage. Ahhhh… We checked out the best Turkish hammams in Istanbul to make you feel like a Sultan or princess.

Visit the USA

What You Must See at NYC’s Met Museum if Short on Time

NYC’s Metropolitan Museum of Art is fabulous – but huge! If short on time, must-see pieces include the Van Gogh self-portrait, “Madame X” and the Egyptian Temple of Dendur.

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, the pools are actually in the room too!

Northern California Road Trip? Discover 15 Utterly Charming Coastal Towns

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.

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