10-Day Vietnam Packing List in a Carry On!

If you've been dreaming about visiting the lantern-lit streets of Hoi An, navigating through the beautiful limestone rocks in Ha Long Bay, or taking in the bustling energy of Hanoi's Old Quarter, you might already know that Vietnam is a feast for the senses and the weather can be just as dynamic! From humid days to sudden downpours, knowing how to pack smart can make your adventure so much easier.
I recently took a 10-day Vietnam trip traveling from South to North and I fit everything into one checked bag with room to spare for souvenirs. Here's how you can do the same without feeling like you're backpacking, or worse, overpacking!

0

Best Area to Stay in Charleston, South Carolina

If you're planning a trip to Charleston, South Carolina, you're probably dreaming of cobblestone streets, historic buildings, trees dripping with Spanish moss, and food that feels like a warm hug. Charleston is a city that knows how to charm, and after nearly thirty years since my last visit, I was ready to book a few day stay but wasn't quite sure where the best place to stay would be. I did a lot of research and after our two night stay, I'm here to say that I think I found the best location to base your Charleston adventures.
Whether you're visiting for a romantic getaway, a little solo adventure, or a family trip filled with history and Lowcountry cuisine, this area is the best place to stay to make the most of your time in this picture-perfect Southern city.

0

Travel Things I No Longer Do Now That I'm Older: Lessons From a Seasoned Traveler

There's something about getting older that brings a bit of beautiful clarity to how you travel. Maybe it's the years of travel mistakes, or heck, getting lucky while traveling and realizing you accidently did something right. I've made the mistake of overpacking and having to lug heavy overstuffed suitcases around and I've even regretted wearing the wrong shoes for a day full of sightseeing. I mean, trading being comfy for being cute is a real thing! But travel looks different now. I feel like I'm starting to know how to travel best for me, or maybe it's just traveling smarter.
I used to pride myself on squeezing in the most for the least: the cheapest flights, the tightest itineraries, the "just in case" outfits stuffed into checked luggage. But with age has come wisdom {and to be honest, a little more disposable income!}, and now I travel in ways that feel more sustainable, enjoyable, and aligned with how I want to experience the world.
Here are a few things I no longer do when I travel now that I'm older, and what I've chosen instead.

0

Everything You Need to Know Before Your First Trip to Vietnam

Vietnam is a vibrant, culturally rich country that's becoming an increasingly popular destination for travelers seeking adventure, history, amazing food, and natural beauty. Oh, and did I mention how affordable it is? From the bustling streets of Saigon to the incredible landscapes of Ha Long Bay and the history in Hue, Vietnam has something for everyone.
But before you hop on that plane and start planning your banh mi and pho tour, there are a few important things you need to know to make your first trip to Vietnam smooth, enjoyable and stress free!
Here's everything you need to know before traveling to Vietnam, including visa requirements, fast-track immigration tips, the best time to visit, and more!

0

How to Spend a Day in Puerto Rico on a Cruise Port Stop

Cruising is a great way to sample new destinations. You unpack once and wake up somewhere new each morning getting a small taste of what different places have to offer. One of my favorite port stops recently was in San Juan, Puerto Rico. If your cruise is docking in San Juan you are in for a treat! Here's how I would suggest spending a day in port.

0

How I Scored a 10-Day Trip to Vietnam on a Budget (Hint: Flexibility is Key!)

My brain started spinning and I started thinking. Every day I get messages from people and I try to respond to all of them. One message slipped into my DM's after I shared a recent sale from the thrift shop. You see, I often thrift with one thing in mind...find one piece that I can flip that will cover all of my purchases. I often say I try to live frugally so that I can spend money on the things that matter to me. For me, what matters is travel! So why not combine both of those things and create a travel budget from nothing? And hence, the Trash to Travel Challenge was created! So many people tell me that they'd love to travel, but they don't have the extra money. Well friends, I feel like I showed you one way to overcome this issue! 
At the end of my challenge, where I traveled to was dependent on how much I made. You see, I would be ok with a staycation nearby, but in one month, I managed to make about $2500! I decided I'd see if I could maximize that travel budget and hit off one of those bucket list destinations. I wanted to show other people what was possible and honestly, I kind of surprised myself! But then after the trip was booked, I got a lot of questions about how I was able to get a trip "so cheap". Well friends, I'm going to tell you how I decided on my trip location {Vietnam} and how I was able to score a 10-day trip from the South to the North on what some people might feel like is a limited budget. 
Maybe you don't want to go to Vietnam, but you have another bucket list international destination in mind. This is how I managed to score a deal, and how you can too! 

0

How to Visit Giant's Causeway After Hours and Have it All to Yourself!

Popular tourist spots are popular for a reason. But can I make a confession? I hate crowds! There, I said it! I think that I unlocked the secret to visiting one of the most popular natural attractions in Northern Ireland, the Giant's Causeway, without all the crowds! For me, it makes my visit that much more enjoyable when I'm not fighting selfie sticks and groups trying to get that perfect Instagram shot. Want to know how you can get the Giant's Causeway virtually to yourself? Read on!

1

Trash to Travel Challenge: What I Learned in a Month of Reselling to Create a Travel Budget From Nothing

I started this trash to travel challenge on a whim. Any time I post about reselling {often in my Instagram stories}, I always get questions about how I do it. A quick response to someone who dropped into my DM's, had my mind spinning, and the challenge was created. You see, when I started reselling items about 25 years ago, there weren't many platforms out there. You were often limited to reselling by having a garage sale, and while I love going to them, I don't always like having them! Things have changed so much, and nearly everyone has access to reselling their items for a profit, they just need that little push. As I've shared my experience during my trash to travel challenge, I have heard from many people that I have given them the push that they needed to start listing. After 31 days challenging myself to resell items and create a travel budget from nothing, I learned a few things too. Yes, even with decades of experience, I took away a few nuggets. Are you ready to see what they were?

0

Doha Layover Guide to Getting Rest

When a couple travels together, you might have different travel styles. I'm less, how do I say this, precious, and my husband has a bit more dignity. I would happily save money during a long layover and stretch out on the airport floor using my backpack as a pillow, but he would much rather stick to his normal regularly scheduled programming with a warm bed and private room. We found ourselves with a long layover in Doha, Qatar, a major hub for international travel on both ends of our trip to Africa during the evening hours, not ideal for exploring the city. We {read he} was looking for a place to rest, and we tried two of the best options within the airport-the Oryx Airport Hotel and Sleep n' Fly pods. Here's a  little comparison of both as well as some other ideas for spending your layover in Doha.

0

The Perfect Weekend in Pasadena, California

I was recently cast in my very first commercial and naturally it was filming in Los Angeles. I say this like this is some every day occurrence, but friends, it is not. But it did take me to LA for a mini trip and I was left with more time on my hands to explore than I was anticipating. And explore I did! When people think of LA they often think of Hollywood, Santa Monica, or maybe even Disneyland. But I found that Pasadena is a destination in its own right. With its charming Old Pasadena district, world-class dining, cultural attractions and basic proximity to all the major LA hot spots, Pasadena makes a great home base for your Southern California adventures! I've got some tips to make the most of your visit.

1

Thinking Outside the Box to Save Money Abroad: Using Tesco Clubcards

Sometimes I stumble backwards into a new way to save money. If you're a savvy traveler like me, who knows that every penny you save is more money you can spend on more travel or experiences, then this tip is for you! It feels like one of my more genius ah ha moments that I learned while traveling abroad, and I'm happy to get to share it with you!

0

Save Money on Airfare! Step by Step Guide to Getting a Fare Adjustment

Booking airfare can be one of the most stressful parts of travel planning. Especially because it's often one of the most expensive parts of trip planning. There's always that nagging thought of "what if the price drops after I buy my ticket?" Thankfully, there have been some changes in recent years {thank you global pandemic for SOMETHING}, and you just might be able to get a fare adjustment for airline tickets you've already purchased. I'm going to walk you through step by step what I do so that you can set up price alerts easily and point out which airlines make the process the easiest!

0

How to Make the Most of Stopovers: Turn Layovers into Mini Vacations

Turning layovers into mini-vacations is a smart way to make the most of your travel experiences without incurring additional airfare costs. Many airlines offer free stopover programs, allowing travelers to explore an extra destination en route to their final stop. When I discovered this little trick, I thought it was so genius! I haven't stopped telling people about it and I highly encourage it so that you can make the most of your travel. You're already doing the travel, why not add in the option of exploring another country?!

0

6 Things That Surprised me on My First Visit to Ireland

Ireland was on my travel bucket list, but I'm not going to lie, it wasn't top of the list. I always have what seems like a zillion other places I want to go to, and really I thought of Ireland as a place where old people go and pile into a tour bus as they navigate the crowds while they stand on sidewalks and take photos. Oh, and maybe they go to a pub and drink a beer while wearing a cozy sweater. I was blindsided by the rich history, stunning landscapes, and legendary hospitality, and it turns out, the perfect destination for an unforgettable adventure! Nothing could have prepared me for the reality of what this enchanting country had to offer. From the food to the music, the pubs to the people, the scenery to the adventure, Ireland is a place that surprises and delights at every turn. These are the six things that surprised me so much about my first visit to the Emerald Isle that I'm currently on my second visit because I just couldn't stay away!

0

Practical Tips for Saving Big So You can Afford the Life You Really Want!

Saving money can often feel like a daunting task, especially when you are dreaming of big things like traveling the world and being financially free! One of my greatest skills is stretching a dollar and because of that, we've been able to pay off our home mortgage, send three kids out of state to college with no student loans, and have lived a Nordstrom life on a garage sale budget! I can't even say a Walmart budget because sometimes even that is more than I want to spend! I'm putting together a few practical strategies so that you can save more every day and make the dreams that you have a reality. Here are some actionable tips to help you save money without feeling deprived. 

0

How to See Whales in the Seattle Area Without Taking a Whale Watching Tour!

The Pacific Northwest, particularly around Seattle and Tacoma, offers some of the most breathtaking opportunities to witness whales in their natural habitat. While traditional whale watching tours are popular, there are numerous spots around the Puget Sound where you can catch a glimpse of these majestic creatures from the shore, or heck, even from a ferry boat on to your next destination! Whether you're interested in orcas, baleen whales, or humpbacks, this guide will help you plan your own whale watching adventure in hopes of spotting some of our favorite residents in and around the Seattle area!

0

The Complete Guide to Booking a Cruise From Port Canaveral: Tips, Transfers and Top Picks

Are you ready to set sail on an unforgettable adventure from Port Canaveral? Recently, when looking for a trip with our family, we started considering a cruise out of Port Canaveral, Florida. While I've been on several cruises, I've never set sail out of Port Canaveral and ran into a few unknowns. Port Canaveral, is located on Florida's Space Coast, and it's one of the busiest cruise ports in the world. It serves as a gateway to popular destinations in the Caribbean and the Bahamas. There are a few important things to know to help you have the best cruise yet if you are planning on leaving Port Canaveral, and I'm going to share everything that I learned during our planning and through our travel with you so that everything can be smooth sailing!

0

5 Things I'm Glad I Packed for a Caribbean Cruise

Ahoy mateys! If you are like me, the mere mention of a cruise to the Caribbean gets you excited for sun-soaked shores, crystal-clear waters, and the rhythmic sway of the ocean. I thrive on new experiences and exploring new places, plus the thrill of the open sea and the possibilities ahead always make cruise travel exciting for me. I recently embarked on a memorable spring break cruise with one of my college kiddos to the Caribbean that left me with a treasure trove of memories and a newfound appreciation for the art of packing just the right thing to make your life that much more enjoyable! It is essential to be well-prepared and I'm excited to share this top five list of items that made my cruise experience not only unforgettable but also seamlessly enjoyable. If a cruise is in your future, take note!

0

10 Packing Tips from a Recovered Overpacker

You guys remember the days when your checked suitcase was free and it could be up to 75 pounds? I used to pack just about darn near everything I could think I might need for a trip. I started traveling more and realized I needed less. Oh, and airlines started charging me to check my suitcase, and I'm cheap, so I learned quickly how to pack light! I'm not going to lie, it's a struggle every time I pack to not over pack, but it makes travel so much easier. I can pack for several weeks in just a carry on suitcase. Here are a few things I've started doing to help me be a reformed {recovered} overpacker.

0

Splurge or Save on Cruise Extras

If you are planning on taking a cruise, you might feel lost with all the extras you can book with your cruise. From fine dining to excursions, you can spend a lot of additional costs to make your cruise better, more relaxing, and so much more! Here are some of the best cruise extras to splurge on and a few you should skip.

0