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!

Mexico’s 12 Best Beach Towns in Yucatan (Besides Cancun)

Tulum? Celestun? El Cuyo? They’re some of the best beach towns on the Yucatan Peninsula. Cancun? Not on this list. Here, we cover 12 smaller, more chill towns in Mexico’s Yucatan region.

The Glorious Kandy to Ella Train: A First Class Ride!

Sri Lanka’s Kandy to Ella train ride is insanely scenic! Go 1st class, and you can enjoy a heads-out-the-train experience (when you want), along with comfy seats in an A/C carriage (plus clean loos).

9 Cool Beach Towns in Baja California for a Chill Escape

Swim, surf, chill… From the barefoot vibe of Los Barriles to the artsy charm of Todos Santos, Baja California’s coolest beach towns should be on your radar for a laid-back Mexican escape.

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.

31 Totally Romantic Things to Do in Maui for Couples

Honeymooning in Maui? Or simply visiting as a couple? You’ll love these oh-so romantic things to do in Maui for couples! Like, snorkeling with sea turtles and learning to hula, for starters.

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!

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

~ Anonymous

Perfect trip itineraries

An Epic 2 Weeks in Sri Lanka! Itinerary and Luxury Trip Guide

Our ultimate 2-week Sri Lanka itinerary is made for luxury lovers! From Colombo and the Cultural Triangle to the beaches of Galle, here’s how enjoy the best of Sri Lanka in style.

The Best 3-Day Mexico City Itinerary for First-Timers (2024)

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.

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

20 Best Luxury Hotels in Mallorca, Spain (Beach to Boutique)

Discover the best hotels in Mallorca – from 5-star boutique hotels in Palma de Mallorca to charming fincas and beautiful beach hotels. We’ve stayed at many of them.

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!

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.)

Viking Silver Spirits Package and Viking Cruise Bar Menu

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

Is Porto Worth Visiting? And How to Avoid the Crowds

Yes, visit Porto! But plan wisely. Here’s how to enjoy the best things to do in Porto (hello bookshops!) – without the crowds.

Visit the USA

25 Unique Things to Do in San Francisco (2024)

Tops on our list of unique activities in San Francisco is bicycling across the Golden Gate Bridge. Climbing SF’s secret stairways? Listening to the Wave Organ? A love tour in a hippie van? Also very cool San Francisco experiences.

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.

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.

Explore BC (our home)

18 Magical Things to Do on Salt Spring Island, BC

Hiking past fairy houses, kayaking and bicycling oh-so-scenic country roads are just some of our favorite things to do on Salt Spring Island.

A Local’s Guide to the 33 Best Things to Do in Victoria, BC (2024)

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!

5 Best Stanley Park Bike Rentals for Bicycling Stanley Park

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).

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