A stay at an onsen ryokan in Yuzawa, Japan
Despite having visited Japan a few times, there were a couple of quintessential Japanese experiences that I had not yet partaken in. The first was visiting an onsen, which …
Product Reviews
Earn airline miles with the Semler Heart app – is it a good idea?
Last updated: December 28, 2019 News, Tips, & Reviews, Product Reviews, Travel Tips & Secrets No Comments
On a recent flight from San Francisco to Portland I spotted an ad in the Alaska Beyond inflight magazine that got my attention. Earn airline miles on Alaska Airlines …
Staying & eating near the entrance of Seoraksan National Park in Sokcho, South Korea – Goodstay Smile Resort & Guesthouse
Last updated: March 18, 2023 Asia, Culture, Food, Food & Drink, Hiking & Outdoors, Product Reviews, Seoraksan National Park, South Korea, Travel Guides No Comments
I could have stayed in central Sokcho for my visit to go hiking in Seoraksan National Park, but instead I decided to stay as close as possible to the …
Busan to Sokcho, South Korea by bus
Last updated: March 18, 2023 Asia, Busan, Product Reviews, Seoraksan National Park, South Korea, Travel Guides 16 Comments
Sokcho, South Korea is the gateway to the beautiful Seoraksan National Park. Every fall, hundreds of thousands of people flock to Seoraksan to see the leaves changing colors. I …
My favorite travel app: Field Trip
Last updated: March 18, 2023 News, Tips, & Reviews, Product Reviews, Travel Tips & Secrets No Comments
If you’re someone who likes to wander like I do, there’s nothing like the thrill of stumbling upon some great random sight in a new city. However, I often …
Stora Hotellet Umeå, Sweden review
On the second night of our tour around the Vasterbotten region, we stayed in central Umeå at the historic Stora Hotellet. The Stora Hotellet was built in 1895, but …
Clarion Hotel Sign Stockholm, Sweden review
During my week in Stockholm, I stayed at the Clarion Hotel Sign, which is part of the Choice Hotels chain. Choice Hotels are fantastic options in Scandinavia, especially if …
Clarion Hotel Odin Gothenburg, Sweden review
In July, I spent five nights in Gothenburg at the Clarion Collection Hotel Odin. Thanks to booking with Choice Privileges Points from Choice Hotels, I ended up getting a fantastic …
Grand City Hotel Hong Kong review
For most of my stay in Hong Kong, I stayed at a hotel called the Grand City Hotel. Located just a couple of blocks from the Sai Ying Pun …
Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur review
Last updated: March 18, 2023 Asia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Product Reviews, Travel Guides No Comments
On my first overnight layover in Kuala Lumpur, I stayed at the Aloft Kuala Lumpur. While it was nice enough, I like checking out new hotels, so on my second …
Wellington to Auckland, New Zealand by bus
Last updated: March 18, 2023 Auckland, Australia & Oceania, New Zealand, Product Reviews, Travel Guides, Wellington No Comments
After a few days in Wellington, it was time for my final journey through New Zealand on the bus ride to Auckland. Thanks to booking early on Intercity, the …
Fellworth House – Nelson, New Zealand review
Last updated: March 18, 2023 Australia & Oceania, Nelson, Product Reviews, Travel Guides No Comments
After my long two day journey from Queenstown to Nelson, I stayed at the Fellworth House for two nights. The Fellworth House is a gorgeous historic house that sits …
Franz Josef to Nelson, New Zealand by bus
Last updated: March 18, 2023 Australia & Oceania, Culture, Franz Josef, Hiking & Outdoors, Nelson, New Zealand, Product Reviews, Travel Guides No Comments
After taking an 8 hour bus ride from Queenstown to Franz Josef on Christmas Day, then going for a hike to Franz Josef Glacier, it was time for a …
Queenstown to Franz Josef, New Zealand by bus
Last updated: March 18, 2023 Australia & Oceania, Culture, Franz Josef, Hiking & Outdoors, New Zealand, Product Reviews, Queenstown, Travel Guides No Comments
With my trip to New Zealand stretching through the holiday period, I figured that Christmas Day would be a great day to start the long, 2-day journey north to …
Queenstown Motel Apartments – Queenstown, New Zealand review
Last updated: March 18, 2023 Australia & Oceania, New Zealand, Product Reviews, Queenstown, Travel Guides No Comments
I stayed in Queenstown, New Zealand for four nights, and I knew as soon as I landed at the airport that it would not be nearly enough. It’s a …
Aloft Kuala Lumpur Sentral review
Last updated: March 18, 2023 Asia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Product Reviews, Travel Guides 2 Comments
As I said in my last post, Kuala Lumpur’s express train into the city does not run all the time. It’s disappointing that Kuala Lumpur has this amazing express train …
Holiday Inn Helsinki – West Ruoholahti review
Whenever I travel and only have a few days in the city, I usually try to stay as close to the city center as possible. For a couple of …
Eckero Finlandia ferry Tallinn, Estonia to Helsinki, Finland review
Last updated: March 18, 2023 Estonia, Europe, Finland, Helsinki, Product Reviews, Tallinn, Travel Guides No Comments
The easiest way to travel between Tallinn, Estonia & Helsinki, Finland is by ferry, at least for now. There are proposals to build a tunnel between the two nations, …
Hotel Bern Tallinn, Estonia review
Last updated: December 25, 2019 Estonia, Europe, Product Reviews, Tallinn, Travel Guides No Comments
During my visit to Tallinn, Estonia, I stayed at the Hotel Bern. The hotel is located right on the edge of the historic city center of the city, making …
Lux Express Riga, Latvia to Tallinn, Estonia review
Last updated: March 18, 2023 Estonia, Europe, Latvia, Product Reviews, Riga, Tallinn, Travel Guides 1 Comment
After Riga, Latvia, my next destination was Tallinn, Estonia. I could have flown or taken a train, but taking a Lux Express bus was actually both the cheapest and …