DESTINATIONS & CITY GUIDES What You Need to Know About Taking the Blue Star Ferry from Santorini to Kos Posted on October 14, 2024August 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, 2024September 2, 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, 2024August 11, 2026 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
WELLNESS ON THE ROAD How to Master Flower Photography: 10 Simple Tips for Stunning Floral Shots Posted on October 10, 2024August 16, 2026 Flowers captivate us with their vibrant hues, delicate petals, and intricate patterns. Whether you’re using a DSLR or a smartphone, mastering techniques like lighting, composition, and depth of field will elevate your photography. Follow these tips to highlight their beauty and bring your floral shots to life. Read more
CULTURE, EVENTS & EXPERIENCES Ethics in Travel: 8 Ethical Dilemmas in Travel and How to Navigate Them Posted on October 9, 2024November 15, 2025 The tourist takes but can also give and, awareness is definitely a step forward. Knowledge helps us as travel consumers help us decide where, how and even whether to travel. We, collectively, need to take better care of the planet. Read more
FOOD AND DRINK How Technology Transforms Food Photography and Culinary Travel Posted on October 8, 2024December 20, 2025 Food photography is evolving with technology, from smartphone cameras and AI editing apps to virtual cooking classes and 360-degree cameras. Capture stunning shots using natural light, experiment with angles, and enhance images with editing tools. Technology makes sharing culinary experiences more engaging, accessible, and visually appealing. Read more
WELLNESS ON THE ROAD The Truth About Travel and Politics: Why You Cannot Separate Them Posted on October 8, 2024August 16, 2026 You can avoid politics while traveling, but it will inevitably catch up with you. Whether it’s dealing with visa restrictions, encountering foreign customs, or watching a single tweet shift entire travel markets, politics lurks in every trip. It shapes not just where we go, but how we experience a place. And yet, there’s something deeper I’ve discovered about how politics impacts travel… something that might surprise you. I’ll tell you more about it, but first, let me share this unexpected moment I encountered in the least likely place… Read more