We don’t normally write about current events and had no intention of writing about COVID-19, or the coronavirus, on our blogs. But the coronavirus has taken over the news and is greatly impacting travel around the world. It is also causing a lot of fear, confusion, and chaos. Laurence and I are receiving daily emails and social media messages from readers about the coronavirus asking us for our advice. We are not experts about the coronavirus. We can’t tell you the risk of traveling to any specific destination or give you specific advice on your travel plans in regard to the coronavirus. Ultimately, all decisions about travel need to be made by you and your travel companions. Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation, scaremongering, and unreliable information out there about the coronavirus. This worries us as some people are making decisions based on inaccurate or unreliable information. So we… Read the rest
11 Ways to Get from London to Paris (& Vice Versa)
London and Paris are two of the most iconic cities in Europe, rich in history, culture, and attractions. Many visitors to Europe want to visit both capital cities and need to figure out how to travel from London to Paris. Did you realize that these two capital cities are only 214 miles (344 km) apart? And thanks to the creation of the Channel Tunnel (the Chunnel) it’s incredibly easy to get back and forth between them. It is easy to combine visits to London and Paris into the same trip, due to their proximity. If you would like to plan a visit to both cities, you might be wondering what is the best way to get from London, England to Paris France? To help answer that question, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide on how to get from London to Paris (or from Paris to London). We’re going to list… Read the rest
24 Best Travel Scarves for Women
A scarf is a perfect travel accessory because of its versatility. A scarf can be worn to keep you warm, protect you from the sun, or cover you for modesty. It can also make a fashion statement and help dress up an outfit. Scarves also travel well. Most scarves are lightweight enough to easily fit into your luggage, purse, or backpack without taking up too much room. I don’t wear a scarf every day, but I always have at least one in my suitcase when traveling. In the winter, I use them to keep warm and stay cozy. In warm climates, I use them for keeping sun off my neck and shoulders and for adding a bit of flair to my wardrobe. A travel scarf can also be used as a blanket on a long-haul flight, as a shawl on a chilly beach, or as a head covering at a… Read the rest
Importance of Visitor Donations to Free Entry Museums
I love museums and recently was saddened to hear about the closure of a local museum. I became interested in learning more about how museums operate and how they are funded. Today museums are an important part of many people’s travel experiences. They have become some of the most popular and most visited places in the world’s leading cities. Big museums like the Louvre in Paris, the British Museum in London, The Met in New York City, and the Uffizi in Rome receive millions of visitors a year. Museums are cultural institutions that preserve and promote culture through their collections, foster learning and research, and provide educational opportunities. Museums are also economic drivers (e.g., job creation, increasing tourism, taxes) and visiting them may even promote wellness and help us live longer! Museums, especially those that accept public money, are expected to make their collections as publically accessible to as many… Read the rest
Guide to Visiting Highclere Castle: The Real Downton Abbey
Highclere Castle is best known as the real-life Downton Abbey, as it was where Downton Abbey was filmed. Many people visit to see the fictional home of the Crawley family and their servants. However, Highclere Castle, the family seat of the Earls of Carnarvon, has a rich history of its own that rivals the fictional stories of the TV series. The current Earl’s family has been living on the estate since 1679. The Carnarvon family has been involved in the founding of Canada, the discovery of King Tutankhamun’s tomb in Egypt, scandalous affairs, and sordid court cases. Royalty, politicians, famous writers, and film stars have stayed at Highclere Castle. The great thing is that you can visit Highclere Castle to see it for yourself as it is open to the public during certain times of the year. The main three things to do at Highclere Castle are to tour the… Read the rest
The Best Travel Shoes for Women
It can be difficult to find the perfect pair of shoes for travel, so we’ve put together a comprehensive guide to the best travel shoes for women. We recommend shoes suitable for all budgets, travel styles, and trips so you can find the perfect shoes for traveling We believe that shoes are one of the most important investments you can make for your trip. A good choice in travel shoes can help you to do all the things you have planned on your trip in comfort, whereas a poor choice in footwear can mean pain, blisters, and misery. You want shoes that are comfortable for all-day wear, aren’t too bulky or heavy to pack, and are durable enough to withstand the rigors of travel. You also want shoes that fit your travel style, and ideally, a versatile pair of shoes that can be worn for both daytime sightseeing and classy… Read the rest
Grand Est Mondial Air Ballons Visitor Guide: Hot Air Balloon Festival in France
The Grand Est Mondial Air Ballons is the largest hot air ballooning event in Europe, and it is held every two years in northeastern France. The Grand Est Mondial Air Ballons is held every other summer over 10 days and features the daily mass ascension of hundreds of hot air balloons. The festival also includes nightglows, flying competitions, and model air balloon demonstrations. In addition to the balloon events, the free festival also offers on-site family-friendly rides and workshops, a museum, aircraft displays and rides, exhibitors, and musical entertainment. We love hot air balloon events, so we were excited that we were able to attend the Grand Est Mondial Air Ballons event in France in 2019. We’ll tell you all about our own experience and share everything you need to know to attend this balloon festival yourself! Information on Attending the Grand Est Mondial Air Ballons Below we’ll cover all… Read the rest
Detailed 7 Day North Coast 500 Road Trip Itinerary
The North Coast 500 is the most popular road trip in Scotland and we’ve put together a comprehensive 1 week North Coast 500 itinerary to help drivers navigate this driving route. This detailed day-by-day North Coast 500 itinerary covers all the basic details (mileage, general route) and sightseeing highlights along the approximately 500 mile route. We’ve driven the NC500 route several times ourselves so we’ve been to all the highlights and many of the lesser known spots. In this guide, we cover scenic viewpoints, beaches, castles, museums, golf courses, natural wonders, whisky distilleries, historical sites, suggested detours, and so much more. We also provide suggestions for where to eat and where to stay each day along the drive with options for almost any budget. Use this 7 day North Coast 500 itinerary to plan your travels around this beautiful part of the northern Scottish Highlands and get the most out… Read the rest
A Comprehensive Guide to Visiting the Blue Lagoon in Iceland
The Blue Lagoon is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Iceland. The steamy milky blue water against the black lava rock landscape creates an otherworldly setting like no other. Sitting in the hot waters of the geothermal spa can be a truly intoxicating and relaxing experience. Its proximity to both the Keflavik Airport and Reykjavik make it a perfect pit stop even if you are only in Iceland for a short layover. In fact, it is the mostly commonly visited paid attraction in Iceland. Of course, the Blue Lagoon is not for everyone and is an expensive spa considering that there are hundreds of less expensive spas and thermal pools in Iceland. If you are on the fence about visiting and wondering if the Blue Lagoon is worth it or not, hopefully this guide can help you decide if it is a good fit for you or not…. Read the rest
Ultimate Travel Gift Guide 2023: 75+ Gifts for Travelers
Buying gifts can be difficult, so we’ve put together a travel gift guide with over 75 different gifts for travelers. We have gift ideas suitable for all budgets, travel styles, and occasions. Laurence and I travel for a living and know a thing or two about what makes a good travel gift. We’ve also tried and tested so many travel products and services over the years that we wanted to share a list of what we think would make a good gift for a traveler. First, we’ll go over some tips for choosing the perfect gift for the traveler on your shopping list. Remember that thoughtfulness is key! Next we’ll share over 75 travel-related gift ideas that include everything from the typical travel pillows, luggage, and tents to things like automatic pet feeders, cocktail travel kits, and carbon offset gift cards. We have gift ideas that will suit just about… Read the rest
Noble County Travel Guide: 19 Things to do in Caldwell Ohio
Caldwell, Ohio might not be a top travel destination, but there are plenty of reasons to make a stop in Noble Country Ohio and the town of Caldwell. Noble County has a rich Appalachian history, beautiful countryside, and friendly people. It is a great place to experience a bit of small town America. Here you can learn about local history, see covered bridges, visit a state park, learn about the U.S.S. Shenandoah airship disaster, see North America’s first oil well, visit a glass museum, and much more! Outdoor activities include boating, hiking, fishing, and camping. Nearby, there is also a huge safari park where you can see zebras, rhinos, and giraffes roaming the Appalachian foothills! I am a bit of an expert on Caldwell as I was born here and grew up here. It wasn’t until returning to my hometown as an adult that I was able to appreciate the… Read the rest
Charleston Plantations Guide: 6 Plantations near Charleston South Carolina
Charleston’s plantations are a window into the area’s past. Here you will find tales of wealth and prosperity, of love and war, and of suffering and survival. Before the Civil War, there were hundreds of plantations located outside Charleston, growing indigo, cotton, rice, and other cash crops. Charleston became wealthy from these plantations, but these riches were of course made on the backs of the slaves who were forced to work the fields. Many of the plantations near Charleston were either destroyed during the Civil War or ceased operations soon after as many become unprofitable without the use of slave labor. Today, several plantations and plantations homes, ranging from farmhouses to mansions, have been restored and preserved as museums and tourist attractions. Each of the Charleston plantations offer different experiences. Whether you’re looking for an escape from city life, a walk in a beautiful garden, a glimpse of history, to… Read the rest
A Guide to Harry Potter Filming Locations in Scotland
Scotland is a magical destination for several reasons, one being that you can find many Harry Potter filming locations in Scotland. As any fan of the Harry Potter films will know, Hogwarts is located in Scotland and thus it is not surprising that a number of exterior scenes for the movies were shot in Scotland. Some of the most iconic are the Hogwarts Express train scenes and the location of Hagrid’s hut. Lots of scenes involving lakes were also filmed in Scotland with several Scottish lochs appearing across the eight movies. The dramatic Scottish scenery often provides a great backdrop for Hogwarts and the time the students spend at and around the school. The film crew often came to Scotland to shoot beautiful landscapes for the Harry Potter films as well as more wild and eerie locations. We provide a guide to all the top Harry Potter filming locations in… Read the rest
Complete Guide to Visiting the Eiffel Tower in Paris
The Eiffel Tower is one of the most iconic landmarks, not just in Paris, but in the world. The iron tower is both an amazing feat of engineering and an inspiring symbol of the City of Lights. It’s a must see for all visitors to Paris. The problem is, everyone else wants to visit the Eiffel Tower too! The Eiffel Tower is the most visited paid monument in the world and receives an average of 25,000 visitors a day! New security screenings can slow down the visiting process even more. If you value your time, you’ll want to do a bit of pre-planning before visiting the Eiffel Tower. We’ve visited the Eiffel Tower several times and our post has all the information you need to plan your visit to the Eiffel Tower, including how to get there, how to buy tickets, where to get the best views, how to book… Read the rest
Guide to Visiting The Alamo in San Antonio Texas
We’ve put together a guide to visiting The Alamo in San Antonio as well as the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. No visit to San Antonio Texas is complete without visiting The Alamo! We’ll give you a brief history of The Alamo and the Battle of the Alamo so you can better understand and appreciate this popular attraction. Then we’ll tell you everything you need to know in order to visit The Alamo in San Antonio, including how to get here, fees, tips for parking, what to see, and nearby attractions in San Antonio. We also give you an overview of the Spanish colonial missions in Texas and why these were constructed. In addition to The Alamo, there are four other Spanish missions that you can visit in San Antonio and these form the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. We share information on each of these missions and tips… Read the rest