When opting to vacation in an apartment instead of a hotel there are many advantages. Firstly, it makes it easier to immerse in the culture if you’re not returning to a sea of other tourists every evening, to a large, corporate-feeling hotel. Secondly, nothing can replace the warmth and welcoming environment an apartment can have…
Repeat after me: Keep left. Good. Now a few more words about driving on the left side of the road. Travelers to Ireland and the UK may dread the idea as they plan their vacations, but it doesn’t have to be as scary as it sounds. After all, the driver side of the car is…
Internet is like oxygen for many of us, it is that essential and taken for granted. But when you travel to Europe, a lot of things leave your control. Internet can be spotty. The tools we take for granted, like GPS and e-pay, can fail us. While new technology is an indispensable tool for today’s…
Your European vacation is almost here? Great! You’ve followed our tips to boost your Cultural IQ, and you’ve reached new understandings of the places you will visit on your trip? Fantastic! You are ready to connect with the locals, make new friends, and travel deeply and richly. Here are some tips to bring along with…
So, you’ve got your flights reserved and your vacation rental apartment booked. You might even be congratulating yourself for choosing an apartment over a hotel, and you are well on your way to having a bonafide like-a-local experience. Good for you! But don’t stop now! There are some easy things you can do before your…
A little advanced planning can make a big difference for your trip. We hope these travel tips will help you enjoy a stress-free European vacation. Start early, and follow our simple smart travel checklist. 1. Check your passport expiration date! All European countries require it be valid for at least 3 months beyond your…
Stuck at home this summer? Yearning for the rich life of Europe? A little of that joie de vivre you felt last year in Paris or the dolce vita of past vacations in Italy? Upgrade your staycation or day-to-day life with these simple life hacks. Shop small. Shop local. Buy fresh bread at the bakery. Visit…
It is never easy to return home from a vacation, at least not when you’ve had a good trip! Here’s a little wisdom to help you keep your post-travel blues at bay. Return to a clean house It may be hectic getting out the door, but if you can leave your home clean and orderly,…
Multigenerational travel is endlessly rewarding for kids and their travel companions. Rather than simply seeing a place, you are sharing an experience and making family memories that will outlive you. Sharing a special place with young ones not only enriches them, but it can help you discover new dimensions of a place you think you…
Here’s the fifth installment in an 8-week photoblog by Sonia Ratcliffe about her first trip to Andalusia. I’m just about halfway through my trip in these pics, taken in and aroud Ubeda and Baeza. The Plaza Vázquez de Molina featuring the parador and Chapel of the Savoir, examples of Ubeda’s Renaissance architecture Salmorejo, a…