CULTURE, EVENTS & EXPERIENCES What You Need to Know About Riding Deutsche Bahn: A Simple Guide to German Trains Posted on October 19, 2024December 20, 2025 Sure, there are a few budget airlines that offer safe and reliable travel. Train travel, however, survives when the journey is as important as the destination. And in Germany, the Deutsche Bahn (DB or GermanRail) is a trendy means of public transportation. It’s fast, has good value, and links all Europe’s cities, towns, and villages. Read more
DESTINATIONS & CITY GUIDES What is the best way to explore Fushimi Inari Temple and its iconic torii gates in Kyoto? Posted on October 18, 2024November 15, 2025 Asia is filled with temples and shrines, but after a while, they can blur together. However, my visit to Fushimi Inari was different. From the first steps under its towering torii gates, I realized this place was special. In this Fushimi Inari Temple Guide, I’ll share what makes it stand out, from the striking red gates to the peaceful paths that wind up Mount Inari. Every moment felt unforgettable, and now every torii gate I see reminds me of that serene, beautiful walk. Read more
DESTINATIONS & CITY GUIDES How to Plan a Kid-Friendly French Riviera Spring Break Road Trip Posted on October 16, 2024February 13, 2026 The hill was so steep, every time I took my foot off the clutch to give it some gas, it rolled back and stalled out. Me and the car were going in the wrong direction. I tried again and again with the same outcome. The nice people of Eze were getting a little impatient until one politely rapped on my window. Then he took off, up the hill with both my kids in the peering out the rearview window. Read more
FOOD AND DRINK What You Need to Know About the Top Wineries and Wines in Germany’s Pfalz Regio Posted on October 16, 2024April 27, 2026 Pfalz, located near the French border, is one of Germany’s most significant and warmest wine regions, making it perfect for producing a wide variety of wines. Known for its rich, full-bodied Rieslings, the region is also famous for its reds, especially Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) and Dornfelder. Pfalz Wine Region is… Read more
DESTINATIONS & CITY GUIDES What You Need to Know About Taking the Blue Star Ferry from Santorini to Kos Posted on October 14, 2024January 25, 2026 We caught the slow, overnight ferry to the island of Santorini to catch up with my daughter who is in the Navy. The ferry left Kos around 8pm and arrived in Santorini early in the morning. I called ahead and the owner of the hotel sent a taxi for us and had tea and biscuits waiting for us in our room. My daughter’s ship was anchored off the coast of Santorini for a week. We rode the cable car down to the jetty where we received a brief tour of her ship. Read more
DESTINATIONS & CITY GUIDES Why Fall Is the Perfect Time to Visit Lake Geneva Posted on October 14, 2024April 13, 2026 Spend a weekend in Lake Geneva, WI, and explore its scenic lake paths, dine at lakeside restaurants, enjoy charming cafes, and visit historic spots like Yerkes Observatory and Black Point Estate. Perfect for nature lovers, foodies, and history buffs alike. Read more
HOTELS Tokyo’s Armed Forces Resort: The New Sanno Hotel and Resort Posted on October 13, 2024November 16, 2025 This is one time when the hype is well-deserved. I highly recommend the New Sanno Hotel & Resort. It is available to active duty and retired U.S. military personnel eligible to use other Armed Forces Recreation Centers, as well as DoD civilian employees duty stationing in Japan, contractors on DoD orders to execute contracts for the U.S. Armed Forces stationed in Japan. Read more
CULTURE, EVENTS & EXPERIENCES What You Need to Know About Booking the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto Posted on October 11, 2024November 15, 2025 We’d heard it over and over—any visit to Japan would be incomplete without seeing Kyoto. But with only a week, and Tokyo already packed with plans, squeezing in Kyoto felt like a challenge. Determined to make the most of our time, we booked tickets on the Shinkansen from Tokyo to… Read more