TRAVEL BLOG & INFO

My first full day in Cairo reminded me that seeing a place on television and experiencing it yourself are two very different things. The traffic, crowds, buildings, and pyramids appearing in the distance were a lot to take in. Egypt had my attention immediately. After arriving last evening and settling into the hotel, today was my opportunity to begin exploring. I opted into the optional excursion to the Old citiy. It was 100 a Ogreat value. Our route took us from the western

Cairo does not ease you into Egypt. It introduces itself all at once: traffic, people, buildings, and activity in seemingly every direction. After arriving last evening and settling into my hotel, today was my opportunity to start exploring. My first impression was simple: there are people everywhere, and this city operates at a pace that takes some getting used to. Driving toward Old Cairo, I noticed housing stretching alongside the highway and people waiting near the roadsi

That question crossed my mind at the airport as I watched the lines moving through security. The lane offering a faster experience appeared busier and slower than some of the regular lanes. People had paid for a service intended to save time, yet I wondered whether they would have been better off joining the shorter line without the special designation. TSA PreCheck comes at a cost, with the promise of a smoother security experience. But as more travelers enroll, could demand

Is United Polaris worth the cost for a roughly 14-hour flight from Houston to Japan? After experiencing it firsthand, my answer is yes—but the price you pay matters. My original round-trip economy ticket, including seat selection, cost approximately $1,700. Six months before departure, United offered me a place on the Polaris upgrade list for $600 and 20,000 miles each way. If the upgrade did not clear, the $600 would be refunded, and I would receive priority for Premium Plus

Have you ever dreamed of spending Christmas surrounded by twinkling lights, beautiful Christmas trees, your favorite Disney characters, and a little extra pixie dust? If so, Walt Disney World during the holidays needs to be on your bucket list! There is something truly special about Disney at Christmas. From the moment you walk down Main Street, U.S.A., and see the giant Christmas tree to the beautiful holiday decorations throughout the parks and resorts, you’ll feel like you

If you are dreaming about a Disney vacation, one of the first questions you may ask is: “When is the best time to go?” ✨ The truth is, there is no one perfect month for everyone. The best time to visit Disney World depends on what matters most to your family. Do you want lower crowds? Cooler weather? Holiday magic? Special events? Or maybe you have to work around a school calendar? The good news is that Disney is magical all year long! 🏰✨ Here is my month-by-month breakdown

This trip through Germany and Poland was different from almost any trip I have taken. Over two weeks, I visited places I had wanted to see for years, experienced places I felt I needed to see, and tested a style of independent travel that pushed me outside my comfort zone. By the end, I can confidently call the trip a 100% success. One of the things that made this experience so unique was traveling with a longtime friend who grew up in East Germany. He planned the itinerary,

My final day in Germany brought me to Munich, and I decided to focus on two things I particularly enjoy when traveling through Europe: bakeries and history. Fortunately, Munich delivered plenty of both. We arrived using public transportation, which continues to impress me. Navigating the vibrant subway system: even with local expertise, unexpected hurdles abound. The trains have been efficient, timely, and an excellent way to travel. Would I have attempted all of this public

Today was another travel day—but not quite a departure day. We moved hotels to be closer to the Berlin airport because tomorrow morning we have an early flight to Munich, the final stop of this trip. Before making that move, however, we had one more full day to experience Berlin, beginning with something I certainly do not do at home: taking a train into the city to have breakfast on top of the Reichstag. We boarded the fast train from the airport toward central Berlin, and e

The rental car has been returned, which means we are now 100% dependent on Berlin’s public transportation system: buses, trains, trams, subways, and apparently anything else that can get us from Point A to Point B. I joked that bicycles and unicycles might be next.