Category: Travel Planning
-
What is the EES? What You Need to Know About the New Entry/Exit System (EES) Entry Process for Travel in Europe
The European Union has been working for some years to implement new entry initiatives for travelers visiting the Schengen Area, including the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) and the soon to be in effect Entry/Exit System (EES). What is the EES? Europe’s new digital border system, the Entry/Exit System or EES, will be gradually…
-
How to Visit the Colosseum in Rome: Everything You Need to Know to Visit Italy’s World Wonder
When you catch sight of the Colosseum in your peripheral vision as you are walking through Rome, it takes your breath away. It is a thrilling sight to see the ancient ruins rising up above the modern city of Rome. And it’s just right there, no big deal. You’re casually walking around and there it…
-
12 Day Classic Spain Itinerary: A Journey Through an Incredible Country
Spain and Italy are the two requests I receive the most for travelers wanting to visit Europe. I’ve done various iterations of Spain itineraries over the years, but this prospective client wanted the Classic Spain experience with a lot of free time to explore independently. They did Madrid to Seville to Barcelona, with a couple…
-
Welcome to Barcelona: The Quick List of Things To Do in Barcelona That I Include in Every Barcelona Itinerary
“Barcelona feels a bit surreal – appropriate, since Salvador Dali spent time here and Spanish Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí designed several of the city’s buildings. Stepping into Gaudí’s Church of the Sacred Family is a bit like falling through the looking glass – a journey that you can continue with a visit to Park Güell.…
-
A Family Trip to Chicago: Super Fun 5 Day Itinerary
I recently had a travel client reach out to me for help with a family trip to Chicago. They had their dates set and a hotel booked but were overwhelmed with planning the details. The client had a few absolute must do’s – a Cubs game, an architecture tour and an anniversary celebration dinner, but…
-
11 Pismo Beach Hotels You Should Consider For Your Next Beach Getaway
Whether you are planning a family vacation or romantic getaway, our list of Pismo Beach hotels has something for everyone. Pismo Beach is the classic California beach town. Nestled along the Central Coast, south of San Luis Obispo and North of Santa Maria, Pismo Beach is a popular vacation spot for Californians looking for white…
-
Shoulder Season Is the Number 1 Travel Industry Secret You Should Try
Shoulder season is the time of the year in between the high travel season and low travel season for any particular destination. For many destinations, shoulder season takes place in April and May and again in September and October. The idea is that you will be traveling after the kids have all gone back to…
-
Everything You Need to Know About the Electronic Travel Authorization Now Required to Visit the UK
On January 8th, 2025, the United Kingdom enacted a new policy requiring travelers from the United States, Canada and Mexico to have an Electronic Travel Authorization or ETA. The UK is made up of four countries: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. If you are entering the UK though any of these countries you will…
-
The 1st Rule of Good Travel Planning: Check Your Passport
When planning an international trip there are so many little details that need to be considered and acted upon. How to get there, where you’ll stay, is it okay to pack jeans, will you burn down your hotel if you bring your own blow dryer, should you visit the Louvre or the Musée d’Orsay, the…
-
Napa Travel: How to Organize Your Perfect 3 or 4 Day Napa Valley Trip
Napa travel planning can be overwhelming. If you’re coming out here and you only have a few short days to see and experience as much as possible, it can be hard to narrow down the wineries you want to visit, the restaurants you want to eat at and how to organize all of these activities…
-
Rome Three Day Itinerary: Spend 3 Incredible Days in the Eternal City of Rome
I read about Italy a lot in Facebook groups and travel forums and I often see comments that recommend skipping Rome completely or just flying in and out of Rome and not spending any time there. And while everyone is entitled to their own opinions, especially if you have been to Rome and didn’t enjoy…
-
How To Always Get an Early Hotel Check In: Book Your Hotel Room for the Day Before You Arrive in Your Destination
This is not a travel hack, or a booking where you use points or status to get an early hotel check in. Unfortunately, you will have to pay for this early hotel check in. But it’s guaranteed to work and it’s a game changer for international travel. I mean, I guess it could be considered…
-
Top 10 Fun Things To Do in Santa Barbara For Families
Santa Barbara is one of my favorite places to hang out in California. For one thing, there are a lot of things to do in Santa Barbara for families. It’s a great place to take kids because there is enough to do that they won’t get bored but you aren’t overwhelmed with choices and driving…
-
Avoid This Travel Planning Mistake
Travel planning mistakes can happen to the best of us, but with some planning and the right mindset this travel don’t can turn into a travel do. Introduction I was recently reading an article on Fodor’s about various difficulties someone might run into when planning a trip. Things like indecisive travel companions or figuring out…
-
Visit La Sagrada Familia: What You Should Know Before Planning Your Trip to Fascinating Barcelona
Heading to Spain and thinking about adding La Sagrada Familia to your Barcelona itinerary? Here’s what you should know before you visit La Sagrada Familia. La Sagrada Familia is one of the most visited sights in Spain and certainly the most popular tourist attraction in Barcelona. The basilica welcomes about 13,000 visitors a day and…
-
Yes, There is a Vatican Dress Code: What Should You Wear at Churches in Europe?
Yes, there is a Vatican dress code! There are dress codes or expectations of dress and decorum according to custom at other religious sites, like the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris and the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. It’s important to know ahead of time what the guidelines are when visiting churches in Europe. Introduction: Oh…
-
Mexico All Inclusive Resorts: 3 Stunning Favorites To Consider
There is no way to create an exhaustive list of the “best” Mexico All Inclusive resorts. There are simply too many, they are too varied, there are too many resort areas in Mexico to make a useful list. Additionally, every traveler approaches their trip with a unique set of factors that are important to them…
-
Welcome to Travel Stories: Planning, Itineraries and How To Travel Well
Welcome to Travel Stories, I’m Jen and I’m a travel professional who has sent clients all over the world. My approach to travel blogging is a little different than what you may find on some of the bigger blogs. I don’t have a nomadic lifestyle – I live in Northern California with my husband, my…