Mark and Kristen Morgan 
We’ve been to Paris over 10 times since we started traveling professionally, spending anywhere from 2 days to over a week exploring the city. After all those visits – including an intensive 8-day trip in November 2023 where we covered every major attraction, and our most recent visit in July 2024 where we learned some … Read more
We spent 8 intensive days in Sedona in December 2021, and we didn’t waste a single moment. We hiked every major trail and unearthed hidden gems. We drove every jeep road, climbed into every cave, and chased sunrise and sunset at every iconic viewpoint. We explored ancient ruins, visited all the vortex sites, rode the … Read more
After ticking off almost everything there is to see and do across two trips to the Gulf of Naples and Amalfi Coast, we think Pompeii is one of the region’s few truly unmissable places to experience. Herculaneum was great, but the scale of Pompeii was just immense. And climbing to the cone of Vesuvius was … Read more
We seriously loved our 3 days in Capri, and taking the chair lift to Monte Solaro was one of our favorite things to do on the island. Why? Because it was quick and easy, the chair lift itself was fun and relaxing, and those 360-degree summit views were genuinely spectacular. After ticking off all of … Read more
When planning our 3 days in Capri itinerary, we discovered the island’s most popular attraction was called the Blue Grotto. At first look, we saw those stunning photos of blue light dancing, bouncing and echoing around the personal swimming hole of Roman Emperor Tiberius and added it straight into our itinerary. But the more we … Read more
After spending a hectic week exploring Herculaneum, Vesuvius, Pompeii, Sorrento and Capri, we arrived into Positano by ferry on a scorching hot morning in May, ready to spend a few relaxing days slowly exploring the most popular town along Italy’s dreamy Amalfi Coast. Hotels close to Positano’s main beach had eye-watering prices, so we opted … Read more
After a couple of whirlwind days visiting Herculaneum, Vesuvius and Pompeii, we enjoyed 2 relaxing nights in Sorrento before taking a ferry to Capri and spending 3 genuinely unforgettable days exploring the entire island. Afterwards we went on to Positano, Praiano, Amalfi and Ravello – but Capri was easily our favorite stop from our 10 … Read more
We’d just spent the morning exploring the quiet and well-preserved Herculaneum ruins before hopping onto a Circumvesuviana train to Sorrento, where we stayed for 2 nights before taking a ferry to Capri. If we’re being totally honest, we weren’t sure what to expect from Sorrento, but it turned out to be one of the most … Read more
We first went to Rome back in 2018 when we’d just set off to travel the world, but we didn’t know much about photography and we didn’t even own a camera at the time. So we couldn’t wait to make amends when we finally made it back to Rome in 2022, armed with the knowledge … Read more
We were so close to making a huge mistake with our visit to Florence Duomo. We travel the world for a living and we’re usually super organized with attractions, but after spending 3 action-packed weeks exploring the Amalfi Coast, Rome and Siena, we arrived into Florence totally running on fumes. It was a Sunday in … Read more
We loved so many things about our trip to Florence. The Centro Storico’s museums, attractions, food, atmosphere and architecture more than lived up to the hype. But honestly, figuring out where to stay in Florence was our favorite part. Why? Because there was very little to actually figure out! It was so refreshingly easy to … Read more
After reviewing CityPASS in 2021 and Sightseeing Pass in 2022, we decided to take another trip to NYC in July 2025 to test out the New York Go City Pass and the New York Pass at some of the most popular attractions in town. Was it worth it? Definitely. The passes worked perfectly, we saved … Read more
We hiked the Path of the Gods Trail from Praiano to Positano during our trip to Italy’s dreamy Amalfi Coast in May 2022. And we have to start by saying wow, what an amazing experience. It more than lived up to its reputation. Our advice? If you’re going to the Amalfi Coast and enjoy hiking, … Read more
When planning our first New England fall foliage road trip in October 2019, we had absolutely no idea where to stay in Stowe. It was the one place that stumped us because the attractions pinned to our map were spread for miles across Stowe’s town, Mountain Road and Smugglers Notch – and so were the … Read more
After spending almost 3 weeks non-stop exploring the Amalfi Coast, Rome and Siena we were running on fumes but still buzzing with anticipation as our train slowly rolled into Santa Maria Novella train station. Our Florence itinerary was jam-packed and we knew the next 3 days were going to be so much fun. And honestly, … Read more
It’s hard to put into words how much we enjoyed visiting Florence at the end of our most recent 3-week trip to Italy. We were tired and our expectations were almost unfairly high, but they were easily surpassed. We found the city to be beautiful, historic, charming, romantic and our favorite – walkable. The fact … Read more
Italy’s famous Amalfi Coast is home to 13 towns, but let’s be honest – you’ll only stay in a handful of those. Positano and Amalfi for sure. Praiano maybe? Is Ravello more of a day trip? And it would be a shame to travel down the Gulf of Naples without stopping to explore Herculaneum, Pompeii, … Read more
We spent almost 2 weeks exploring Italy’s dreamy Amalfi Coast in May 2022. Rather than hiring a car, we planned an action packed but realistic itinerary to see the region’s top highlights by train, boat and bus – and doing it without a car worked perfectly, so we’d do it the same way next time. … Read more
When planning our 10 day Amalfi Coast trip in May 2022, we had absolutely no idea where to stay in Capri. It was the one place that stumped us because the island was bigger than we thought, and we knew the hotel location could make or break our 3 day visit. After doing a bit … Read more
Capri was our favorite stop on the 10 day Amalfi Coast trip we took in May 2022. Not because it was ritzy and glamorous, but because there was a surprisingly huge amount of fantastic things to see and do. Other places on the trip were lovely, but Capri was just more fun. We’re not the … Read more
We’ve spent 5 weeks traveling around Japan in the spring and fall seasons, and during both trips we made sure to visit Nara because it’s such a beautiful and unique destination. Nara was the first permanent capital of Japan so it’s got tons of history, and it’s located less than one hour from Kyoto or … Read more
If you visit Paris in November you can expect fewer crowds and lower hotel prices than peak summer months, but trust us when we tell you the weather won’t be great. We’ve been to Paris countless times across all four seasons, but our longest stay in the City of Lights was an 8 day trip … Read more
If you visit Rome in May you can expect fewer crowds and lower hotel prices than peak summer months, as well as near perfect weather. Sounds pretty good, right? Well, we’ve been to Rome in July and May, and we can tell you for certain the late spring was a much better time to visit. … Read more
Across 10+ trips to Paris, including an 8-day trip in November 2023 when we stayed at hotels in 3 different arrondissements, we know a thing or two about booking hotels in city. We love how walkable Paris is, but it’s a huge city with thousands of places to stay scattered across 20 arrondissements. Plus, the … Read more
Right or wrong, best or worst – they’re opinions, subjective and open to interpretation. But when it comes to talking about our two experiences visiting the Vatican Museum on different trips to Rome, we can confidently tell you that we did it horribly the first time and perfectly the second time. So what did we … Read more
We made a crucial mistake at the Colosseum in Rome – not once but twice. And although we have reasonable explanations both times, it still annoys us to this day. What was our mistake? We got basic entry tickets and self guided audio tour headsets. So what should we have done differently? Well, at a … Read more
We were definitely feeling overwhelmed about where to stay in Rome before visiting for the first time back in July 2018. It’s natural to feel a bit of anxiety when planning trips to major cities, right? We didn’t want to book a hotel in a sketchy area that was miles away from attractions or had … Read more
“Okay, let’s find out if 4 days is enough time for our first trip to Rome.” They are the exact words Mark said to Kristen as we boarded our Rome bound fast train in Pisa back in July 2018. We’d done a bit of research, planned out what we wanted to see and do, booked … Read more
We’d just spent 2 weeks traveling through Spain before taking a ridiculously cheap flight from Seville to Pisa for 9 euros each, slanting our heads at the leaning tower and hopping on a fast train bound for Rome. This was back in early July 2018 – it was our first time visiting the Eternal City … Read more
How many days do we need in Italy? This was the big question on our minds as we began planning our first visit back in July 2018. Mark had already done tons of trips to Italy because his dad lived in Varese for a few years, had a small boat in Sardinia and they skied … Read more
Imagine sitting at a tiny outdoor table in a crowded restaurant with a buzzy atmosphere set in a narrow cobbled street on a warm evening, eating authentic Neapolitan pizza and drinking a glass of delicious red wine. Welcome to Italy! There are few travel destinations in the world that excite and delight us as much … Read more
San Diego is an outdoors-orientated, laid back and trendy city boasting the best tacos in America. We drove California’s Pacific Coast Highway back in November 2019 and spent 3 fantastic days exploring San Diego at the end. And we absolutely loved the beaches, museums, stunning photo spots and how many fun things there were to … Read more
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed about exactly what to do with your days when you visit Paris for the first time. There’s tons of popular attractions, museums and landmarks to consider, but what are the things you absolutely can’t afford to miss on a first visit? Well, that’s what we’re going to show you in … Read more
In the beginning of 2024, we set up a home base in North Carolina after traveling the world for 6 years. It was a huge change for many reasons, and now that we’re expecting a baby girl in November, we’re about to begin a whole new chapter in our lives. Over the years we’ve become … Read more
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming industries, processes and job roles across the globe. It’s clear that AI is bringing valuable improvements to healthcare, finance and countless other sectors. But as travel content creators, we’re watching the technology evolve and carefully considering how it fits into our goal of helping people explore the world better. Now … Read more
In 2018, we quit our careers as scientists, set off traveling the world and created a travel blog. Now we help millions of people visit new destinations each year, but despite the fact that being self-employed and owning our own online business has been incredibly rewarding and liberating, it’s also come with many unexpected challenges … Read more
Creating, building and managing our own successful online business has been the most challenging thing either of us has ever done. Everything (and we really mean every single thing!) is a learning curve because it’s all uncharted territory. Figuring out what it takes and how to succeed is just the beginning. We’ve had to completely … Read more
Travel isn’t just our passion, it’s our lifestyle and our livelihood. We live, eat and sleep travel. For the last 6 years, we’ve been exploring the world almost non-stop and it’s been an extraordinary adventure filled with priceless memories. But it’s not all been rainbows and butterflies. We’ve had to make our fair share of … Read more
We quit our science careers in the spring of 2018 and set off on an 18 month honeymoon around the world. Two weeks later in a cafe in Cordoba, Spain we decided that we had to start a travel blog. Fast forward 6 years to early 2024, we run our own travel business, we’ve only … Read more
The Louvre is one of the largest and most visited museums in the world. It contains over 600,000 works of art spanning almost 10,000 years of history, and it typically showcases around 35,000 at any given time. So it’s a pretty big place! How on earth can I see 35,000 works of art in a … Read more
The Eiffel Tower is one of the most iconic landmarks in the world, and it’s one of those truly unmissable first time in Paris experiences. But you know what that means? Everyone else is also planning to climb the Eiffel Tower, so we recommend planning in advance to avoid wasting precious time. We’ve been up … Read more
We visited the Palace of Versailles on a day trip from Paris in November 2023. It was a cold and rainy winter day, but that didn’t stop us from enjoying everything the palace had to offer. And even though it was miserable day in the off season, the palace and grounds were surprisingly crowded, so … Read more
Are you looking for the perfect attractions pass for your visit to Paris? Over the years we’ve learned that attraction passes are one of the best ways to save money when visiting new cities like Paris, and because we’ve used passes in popular places all around the world, we can show you exactly how to … Read more
The Seodaemun Prison History Hall is an interesting museum located in western Seoul’s Independence Park. This prison has a dark history, showcasing Japanese cruelty over Korea which occurred during the occupation from 1910-1945 with numerous exhibits, audio and video footage. In this guide we explain everything you need to know about visiting Seodaemun Prison, including … Read more
The Jongmyo Shrine is one of the most unique things to see in Seoul because it features the spirit tablets of the deceased kings and queens of South Korea. It was built during the Joseon period and is still widely used today to perform royal ancestral rites multiple times a year. In this guide we … Read more
There are five royal palaces in Seoul. While most visitors add Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung and Changgyeonggung to their bucket list, there are two more palaces to consider including Deoksugung and Gyeonghuigung. So the difficult question is which one do you visit? In this guide, we’re going to tell you the highlights about the 5 palaces in … Read more
Gyeonghuigung Palace is the least visited palace in Seoul and is not well known to most visitors. It was built to fulfill a prophecy that the site would produce kings and throughout history, ten different kings called this complex home. This is the only royal palace in Seoul that’s free to visit and it does not … Read more
Located directly across the street from City Hall in downtown Seoul, Deoksugung is one of the least visited palaces in the city. It was first used by King Seonjo and continued to have various uses throughout the years. The complex now houses two museums and it’s one of the cheaper palaces offering free guided tours. … Read more
While Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung are the most popular palaces in Seoul, Changgyeonggung Palace was the third palace compound to be built during the Joseon Dynasty and it’s often overlooked. This complex was created to serve as a royal residence rather than a seat of government, but it features a beautiful pond and an extensive garden … Read more
The Huwon Secret Garden is a popular highlight of Changdeokgung Palace in Seoul. Now an official UNESCO World Heritage Site, it was loved by Seoul’s royal family because it was built in harmony with surrounding nature and today the secret garden is among South Korea’s most important landmarks. In this guide we show you exactly what … Read more
Visiting Changdeokgung Palace is one of the most popular things to do in Seoul because it’s home to the Huwon Secret Garden. It was the second royal palace built during the Joseon Dynasty and has since become a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring beautiful architecture and harmony with nature. In this guide we show you exactly … Read more
Gyeongbokgung Palace was one of our favorite places to visit in Seoul. It was built in 1395 and served as main palace during the Joseon Dynasty, so it’s a great place to learn about Korean history and traditions. In this guide we show you exactly what to see inside Gyeongbokgung Palace, including the highlights you … Read more
We spent 14 memorable days exploring Seoul in March 2023. Our days were filled with museums, hikes, palaces, observation decks and Korean BBQ. But even with two weeks, we still couldn’t accomplish everything on our Seoul bucket list because there’s just so much to see and do in this amazing city. In this guide we … Read more
If you visit Lake Tahoe in November you can expect mixed weather, empty hiking trails, lower hotel prices and ski lifts beginning operation ready for the winter season. Lounging on golden sandy beaches and swimming in crystal clear waters are out of the question, but you’ll be able hike and explore the area in almost … Read more
Are you looking for an epic gift idea featuring America’s stunning national parks for that outdoor adventurer in your life? Well, you’ve come to the right place because that’s exactly what you’re going to get. In this guide we’ve hand picked every item to help you find a thoughtful present they will love and use … Read more
Utah is home to some of the most famous adventure hikes in the United States, including Angels Landing and The Narrows in Zion, and Devils Garden in Arches. But there are many more excellent trails in between Utah’s national parks and also near Salt Lake City that are perfect for all hiking abilities. We’ve hiked … Read more
Emerald Bay State Park is one of the most popular places for hiking, photography and sightseeing in Lake Tahoe. And we think the unmissable things to do include exploring Vikingsholm, hiking Eagle Falls Trail, relaxing on the beach, swimming in the bay and watching a stunning sunrise. After exploring all corners of Lake Tahoe ourselves, … Read more
The N Seoul Tower is a communication and observation tower located on the top of Namsan Mountain in Seoul, South Korea. It’s a very popular tourist attraction featuring stunning 360° views of the city along with restaurants and shopping in a beautiful park setting. In this guide we explain everything you need to know about … Read more
Lake Tahoe has so many unique photo spots with beautiful sunrise and sunset views. We found that some of the most popular locations were easy to access by foot or by car, but the better vantage points were hidden away at the end of short hiking trails on all sides of the lake. We spent … Read more
The Seoul Sky observation deck is located between the 117th and 123rd floor of the Lotte World Tower in Seoul, South Korea. It’s one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city featuring two story-high glass windows, numerous cafes, a lounge, two Guinness World Records and stunning 360° views. In this guide we explain … Read more
The Corning Museum of Glass is a popular attraction for visitors of all age groups. It features interactive exhibits, glass blowing demonstrations, an extensive gift shop and free tours. This is a day trip the entire family will enjoy. In this guide we explain everything you need to know about visiting the Corning Museum of … Read more
Eagle Falls Trail is a popular 1.9-mile roundtrip hike with 430 feet elevation gain in Emerald Bay State Park near South Lake Tahoe. It’s a family friendly trail rated as moderately difficult, and it leads to a powerful waterfall before ending on the shores of a small but picturesque glacial lake. We hiked to Eagle … Read more
Eagle Rock Trail is a relatively unknown 0.8-mile roundtrip hike with just 250 feet elevation gain on the western shores of Lake Tahoe, California. It’s an easy hike overall but it has a steep climb up uneven rocks near the summit. We hiked to Eagle Rock with no expectations and ended up being blown away … Read more
Monkey Rock Trail is a moderately difficult 2.5-mile roundtrip hike with 500 feet elevation gain on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe. The trail starts out flat and easy, before turning steeper until it reaches a hidden viewpoint and a rock shaped like the head of a monkey. We hiked to Monkey Rock out of … Read more
Bonsai Rock is most commonly reached by a moderately difficult 0.3-mile roundtrip hike with 120 feet elevation change from a roadside parking lot on the northeastern shores of Lake Tahoe, Nevada. There’s no dedicated path to follow, so you have to forge your own route down a steep bank from NV-28 to a rocky beach … Read more
Chimney Beach is reached by hiking an easy 1-mile roundtrip trail with 200 feet elevation change from a small parking lot on the northeastern shores of Lake Tahoe, Nevada. After walking along the golden sandy beach ourselves, we think it’s one of the best beaches in Lake Tahoe because it’s free, picturesque and faces directly … Read more
Ithaca is a lively college town at the bottom of Cayuga Lake in the Finger Lakes. It’s a fun place to visit for a few days, but it’s also a great base for exploring some of New York’s best state parks with gorge hikes and dramatic waterfalls that are within easy driving distance. And let’s … Read more
Cave Rock Trail is an easy 0.8-mile roundtrip hike with 120 feet elevation change on the southeastern shores of Lake Tahoe, Nevada. It takes about 15 minutes to reach Cave Rock on a gradual dirt packed path, then there’s a steep summit climb on uneven rocks, so we recommend wearing robust shoes. We hiked to … Read more
Ithaca is home to more than 100 waterfalls, including some of the tallest and most striking in New York’s stunning Finger Lakes region. From hidden gems to beautiful cascades cutting through the city center, the famous college town gives you a unique opportunity to see nature at its finest without having to drive anywhere. The … Read more
The Cascadilla Gorge Trail is a scenic hike in the Finger Lakes region of New York. It connects downtown Ithaca with Cornell University and it’s unique because students often use it as a shortcut. The hike is about a half mile one way and features several waterfalls ranging in height from 8-80 ft. In this … Read more
Imjingak Park is located near one of the most heavily militarized regions in the world, the DMZ. The park symbolizes the hope of a reunification between North and South Korea, and it contains numerous monuments, war memorials, green spaces, a museum and even a small amusement park. We think visiting Imjingak Park is one of … Read more
Ithaca Falls is a popular and extremely photogenic waterfall located in the heart of Ithaca NY. It’s one of the most powerful waterfalls in the area with a height of 150 ft and a width of 175 ft. You can see the falls from Lake Street or hike a short trail to the base of … Read more
A typical DMZ tour includes Imjingak Park, the 3rd Tunnel and Dora Observatory which overlooks North Korea. Most tours last 6-10 hours roundtrip from Seoul and you can choose additional options such as the gondola, suspension bridge or JSA. In this guide we highlight the differences between each option available and explain everything you need … Read more
What happened when we visited Acadia National Park in the fall? Well, we didn’t time it perfectly for the most vibrant fall foliage colors. But we sure made the most of comfortable hiking conditions, as well as later sunrises and earlier sunsets which were great for photography. And the park wasn’t as busy as we … Read more
New York is home to over 180 state parks featuring waterfalls, hiking trails, gorges, beaches, natural swimming pools and lakes. And honestly, we think a few of these stunning landscapes could give one or two of the most famous US National Parks a run for their money. Kristen grew up in the New York Finger … Read more
Niagara Falls State Park is located on the American side of the falls in upstate New York and it often gets confused with the Canadian side. From the US side you won’t have the best view of the waterfalls but there’s on fun activities for the entire family to enjoy, including the famous Maid of … Read more
Green Lakes State Park is located along the eastern edge of the NY Finger Lakes region near Syracuse. It showcases two very deep glacial lakes surrounded by beautiful old growth forest. This is a great place to spend a day with the family swimming, boating, hiking and camping. In this guide we show you how … Read more
Grimes Glen Park in Naples, New York features two beautiful waterfalls along an easy hiking trail. It’s a popular spot for both hikers and families to enjoy nature at its best. We think this is park is a hidden gem in upstate and it makes for a great addition to any Finger Lakes road trip. … Read more
Snoqualmie Falls is one of the most powerful and visually impressive waterfalls in Washington State. It’s a perfect place to visit for the whole family because you can either hike or drive between its upper and lower observation areas to see the waterfall from above and below. We’ve visited Snoqualmie Falls in different seasons and … Read more
Wallace Falls State Park is home to a challenging 5.5-mile roundtrip waterfall hike with 1,240 ft elevation gain, and we think it’s one of the most visually stunning trails in Washington State. Hiking through old growth forest on the Woody Trail, you can turn around at Lower, Middle or Upper Wallace Falls depending on how … Read more
Chimney Bluffs State Park is known for it’s beautiful clay formations along the southern shoreline of Lake Ontario. It’s home to hiking trails, picnic tables and amazing views of the lake. We love visiting to see the dramatic natural formations made thousands of years ago. In this guide we show you how to make the … Read more
Lake Serene and Bridal Veil Falls Trail is a challenging 8.2-mile roundtrip hike with 2,800 ft elevation gain near Index, Washington. We climbed to both natural landmarks and the best way we can describe the hike is to call it a quintessential PNW trail because you’ll walk through old growth forest to a tall waterfall … Read more
Mt Pilchuck Trail is a challenging 5.4-mile roundtrip hike with 2,200 ft elevation gain near Granite Falls, Washington. We hiked the steep trail to Mount Pichuck fire lookout tower and we were completely blown away by its 360-degree summit views. As far as we’re concerned, it’s one of the best hikes in the Cascade Mountains, … Read more
Eternal Flame Falls near Buffalo in western New York is one of just nine natural eternal flames in the world. It sits behind a cascading waterfall in a beautiful fusion of fire and water, and the hiking trail leading to the flame is open every day. Parking was completely free and the trail itself was … Read more
The Finger Lakes region of upstate New York is well known for its popular wineries and rolling hills, but it’s also filled with hundreds of beautiful waterfalls. We found some falls easy to visit, whereas others required hiking through rugged gorge trails which only added to the mystique and adventure. In this guide we show … Read more
The Finger Lakes region of upstate New York is home to so many fantastic places to visit including museums, state parks, wineries, universities and historic sites. There’s no shortage of fun things to do in this beautiful area with eleven finger-shaped lakes, and having lived here ourselves, we know the best spots. This is a … Read more
Stony Brook State Park is a 568-acre park in the New York Finger Lakes featuring jagged gorges, flowing waterfalls, beautiful hiking trails and a natural swimming pool. It’s a hidden gem in upstate NY that packs a big punch for many reasons. In this guide we show you exactly how to hike the Stony Brook … Read more
Watkins Glen is a small village packing a big punch in New York’s awesome Finger Lakes region. It’s home to striking waterfalls, unique museums, water sports, a raceway, farmers markets and great restaurants. Oh, and let’s not forget about its famous wineries and craft breweries! Kristen grew up in the Finger Lakes and we temporarily … Read more
Vietnam has so many unique places to visit including national parks, historic temples, energetic cities and UNESCO heritage sites in areas like Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hoi An, Sapa, Phong Nha and Ho Chi Min City. So there’s a lot to see and do! In this guide we’re going to show you 15 awesome places to visit … Read more
The Coit Tower is a famous landmark dominating the San Francisco city skyline. It’s a popular observation deck with stunning views of both the city and the bay, and while it didn’t blow us away, we still think it’s worth visiting. In this guide we explain you everything you need to know about visiting the … Read more
The Exploratorium is one of the top attractions in San Francisco featuring hundreds of interactive exhibits for visitors of all age groups. It’s a very highly rated science museum and public learning laboratory dedicated to experimentation. We can tell you from experience, it’s very unique and definitely worth a few hours on your itinerary. In … Read more
The Denver CityPASS is the major attraction pass in the Mile High City. We used the pass ourselves during a trip to Denver and it saved us some money, but it wasn’t a life changing sum. We do think it’s an easy way to save a bit of cash that’s better spent on food and … Read more
After spending 8 days ticking off everything there is to do as tourists in San Francisco, we have to say the two unmissable things you must to do on a first visit are snap photos of the Golden Gate Bridge and take a tour of Alcatraz. A bit obvious? Yes, but they’re both pretty awesome. … Read more
The Seattle CityPASS is the major attraction pass you can use to save money in Washington State’s most famous city. We personally used this pass ourselves and while we don’t think it will be a perfect fit for every visitor, we know it will work if you’re a serial planner and like to tick off … Read more
Do you have an avid camper in your life but don’t know what to get them this holiday season? Well it’s your lucky day because we’ve hand picked every item in this thoughtful list of camping gifts. In this guide we share items we always use at our campsite including products we’ve also just added … Read more
If you visit New York City in April you can expect fewer crowds, lower hotel prices and cherry blossoms blooming. We lived in NYC through winter and spring in 2021, and we think April is a fantastic month to visit if you want to avoid overcrowding and save money, as long as you don’t mind … Read more
We can tell you that from experience that there’s tons of fun things to do in San Francisco. But is it worth using an attractions pass when you go to SF? In this comparison we explain the three popular San Francisco pass options, including what we like and don’t like about each one. Our goal … Read more
If you visit Death Valley National Park in winter you can expect cool temperatures, fewer crowds, more lodging availability and snow capped peaks. We’ve visited Death Valley in December and we think it’s a great time of year for you to visit if you want to avoid overcrowding and save money, as long as you … Read more
The San Francisco CityPASS is one of the three major attraction passes in the Golden City and we personally used this pass ourselves. While we don’t think the pass will be a perfect fit for everyone, it did save us money and we’ll show you how to make the most of it. In this review … Read more
Japanese Gardens are meant to be a place for quiet reflection and we think they are a great way to escape the hustle and bustle of a nearby city. The Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco is no different as it provides an incredible setting of serenity and beauty. But with so many other attractions … Read more
Las Vegas isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but we love the neon lights, upbeat atmosphere, elaborate luxury and massive amount of fun activities on offer. Our favorite things to do include seeing the Bellagio Fountain display at night, walking around themed casino hotels on the strip, watching awesome shows, shopping and taking day trips to … Read more
If you’ve never been to the Las Vegas Strip, you’ll understand the hype as soon as you visit. The city is essentially a playground for adults. Not only is there an incredible amount of shopping, fine dining, casinos and nightlife, but you’re utterly spoiled for choice when it comes to world-class entertainment. We think the … Read more
You can choose between a wide range of truly wonderful day trips when you visit Las Vegas, including unique landmarks, underrated state parks and famous national parks. Vegas is surrounded by striking American southwest landscapes, so take a day off from the Strip and get out exploring nature at its most dramatic. We’ve spent a … Read more
If you visit Las Vegas in November you can expect warm weather, fewer crowds and slightly cheaper hotel prices. But it’s not peak tourist season, so most hotel swimming pools are closed and you won’t find as many concerts. We’ve been to Vegas in November, and we think it’s a great time of year to … Read more
When we planned our 2 month road trip from Seattle to Sedona in November 2021, Valley of Fire State Park wasn’t on our “most excited about” list. We’d already done Las Vegas and Zion, and we couldn’t wait to spend more time in both places. But Valley of Fire? It was more of a stepping … Read more
Relatively new to the travel space, the Monarc brand quickly caught our eye. One thing we need to do as travel professionals is be environmentally conscious, and this is something the brand strives to do everyday. In this review we share what we like and don’t like about the Monarc Travel Duffel Backpack. Overall, we … Read more
Red Rock Canyon is a rugged national conservation area near Las Vegas that’s filled with adventurous hikes. The trails vary in difficulty, so it’s a great place for the whole family to enjoy. We spent a day hiking a range of fun trails in the canyon, and honestly we think it’s a bit of a … Read more
We think the Misshattan camera backpack is a great addition to the HEX product line. It has a distinctive design along with an extremely functional camera bag. In this review we share what we like and don’t like about the Misshattan backpack, including if it’s good for photographers. As professional travel bloggers, our gear is … Read more
If you’re heading to any of the US National Parks, you should consider buying a national parks passport to document your adventures. It’s a great way to support the parks and although you have to pay for the passport upfront, its completely free to collect the ink stamps at each park you visit. In this … Read more
If you’re in the market for a new carry-on or suitcase, a LEVEL8 luggage set may be just what the doctor ordered. As professional travel bloggers, we understand the need for long lasting products you don’t have to worry about on the road. These suitcases deliver form and function. In this review we share our … Read more
The Fire Wave Trail is an easy 1.5-mile roundtrip hike with 175 feet elevation gain in Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada. We hiked the sandy and rocky trail to Fire Wave for sunrise and we were completely blown away by its otherworldly topography. As far as we’re concerned, it’s one of the most picturesque … Read more
The Hoover Dam is a 726-foot tall concrete arch gravity dam that tames the mighty Colorado River on the Arizona-Nevada border. And it’s only 37 miles from the Strip, so you should seriously consider taking a day trip to the Hoover Dam when you’re visiting Las Vegas. We did exactly that, and it was just … Read more
Did you know there are 5 observation decks in Manhattan providing immense views over the iconic New York City skyline? Standing on top of each deck was top of our list of things to do when we moved to NYC, and since then we’ve been up them all at least a few times. What we … Read more
The One World Observatory is popular three story observation deck located within the One World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan. It’s home to the SkyPod elevator which transports visitors 1,268 feet (386 m) to the highest indoor vantage point in New York. This observation deck is open every day and tickets start at $39 for … Read more
Seven Magic Mountains is a vibrant art installation in the desert just 25 minutes drive south from the Las Vegas Strip. Designed by Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone in 2015, the “mountains” consist of 7 multicolored boulder towers stacked more than thirty feet high. It’s a strange but unique concept, and we think it’s a fun … Read more
Wyoming is a wild and sparsely populated landscape filled with rugged natural beauty and unique geological features. It’s most famous for being home to Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks, but there’s so much more you can see and do when you visit the Equality State. We’ve driven east to west through the state twice … Read more
Are you planning to visit either the 86th or 102nd floor observation deck at the Empire State Building? We’ve been up to the 86th floor during the day, for sunset and at night in total darkness. In this guide we explain everything you need to know about visiting the Empire State Building, including helpful tips … Read more
Top of the Rock is one of New York City’s two original observation decks. It features three levels with indoor and outdoor viewing platforms, so you can experience stunning views of Manhattan from different vantage points. The observation decks are open every day from 9:00am to 11:30pm and tickets start at $40 for adults. In this guide we … Read more
Vermont is a postcard-perfect state filled with rolling hills, quaint towns, natural beauty and old-world charm. But which places should you add to your itinerary when you visit the Green Mountain State? We’ve spent weeks exploring Vermont from top to bottom in the fall foliage season, and for us it’s one of the most photogenic … Read more
The SUMMIT One Vanderbilt experience is NYC’s newest observation deck. It sits 93 floors above Midtown Manhattan offering visitors incredible views of New York and includes multiple interactive exhibits. The observation deck is open every day from 9:00am to midnight and we think it’s a must do activity for anyone who uses social media or … Read more
Utah is one our favorite US states to visit for hiking, photography and outdoor adventures because its topography is so diverse. The Beehive State can be split into a red rock southeast, a mountainous northeast and a flat desert basin west. You have all these different landscapes to consider when planning your trip to Utah, … Read more
Arizona is a sun-kissed land of adventure and extraordinary landscapes. It’s best known for the mighty Grand Canyon, but we can assure you there’s so much more to see and do when you visit the sunniest state in the US. Are you as interested in hiking, photography and outdoor activities as we are? Then you’re … Read more
The USA has to be one of the most tourist friendly countries in the world, right? It’s home to famous cities, spectacular national parks, iconic road trips and quaint towns. So it doesn’t matter if you’re into skiing, hiking, history, city attractions, beaches, breweries or nature – you really can take any type of vacation … Read more
Looking to save serious money on New York City attractions? You’re in the right place. With 8 different NYC attraction passes currently available from 2 different companies, our comparison will help you choose the right one. We’ve genuinely saved hundreds of dollars with our passes in New York, but you can just as easily lose … Read more
The USA is home to 63 national parks that showcase the country’s most stunning natural beauty, adventurous hiking trails, dramatic landscapes and unique geological formations. You can visit national parks in 30 states and 2 US territories, and some states like Utah and California have multiple parks to explore. So with this many options, how … Read more
The United States has hundreds of scenic road trip routes through national parks, mountains, deserts, coastlines and forests. You can drive iconic US road trips like Route 66 and the Pacific Coast Highway, or there’s also lesser known areas, shorter drives and unique routes you can create from scratch. We’ve racked up some serious milage … Read more
The USA has thousands of scenic day hikes and epic long distance hikes carving through national parks, state parks, forests, deserts, volcanoes and mountain ranges. But there’s a collection of notable hiking trails in the US that stand out above the rest for being especially beautiful or uniquely adventurous. We’ve hiked some of the most … Read more
Important update 19th June 2025: The Sightseeing Pass has suspended operations indefinitely – here’s the announcement. We recommend Go City Pass (use MORGANS5 at checkout for 5% off any ticket) as your best alternative for New York. Read our comparison of all NY attraction passes to learn more. Thinking about buying a Sightseeing Pass for … Read more
New York City is home to some of the world’s most famous museums. You can see thousands of artifacts from around the globe, admire art spanning hundreds of centuries, learn about the city’s history and visit unique museums like Ellis Island or the NY subway system. In this guide we show you the 20 most … Read more
New York City has the best bagels in the world. There’s no debate! We’ve tried a wide range of classic bagel flavors like everything, blueberry, egg and onion with toppings including smoked salmon, eggs, avocado, garnishes and so many kinds of random but delicious cream cheeses (also known as schmear). In this guide we show … Read more
We each used a Go City Rome Pass with 3 attractions during our trip to the Eternal City in 2022, and in this review we show you what we liked and didn’t like to help you decide if it’s a pass that will work for your visit. Here’s our summary – we don’t think the … Read more
We spent 8 full days exploring Sedona in December 2021, and we didn’t waste a second. We hiked every major trail, tested the lesser-known ones, explored caves, found hidden viewpoints and drove every jeep trail. We experienced Sedona in every possible way – sunrise, sunset, midday crowds, empty trailheads, vortex sites, ruins, wineries and everything … Read more
We spent 8 truly incredible days exploring the best of Sedona at the very end of a 2 month zig-zagging road trip down from Seattle. It was December 2021, and our days were jam-packed from dawn to dusk with hikes, sunrises and sunsets, jeep trails, caves, wineries and heritage sites. Honestly, it remains one of … Read more
Sedona is one of our favorite places to visit in the US for hiking, photography and outdoor adventure. But what about hotels and figuring out where to stay? Well, Sedona is a hugely popular tourist destination and hotels are very expensive, especially in peak season. But there’s plenty of fantastic places to stay in town … Read more
From helicopter rides and spiritual vortex sites to off-road jeep trails and kayaking trips down the Verde River, you really are spoiled for choice when it comes to booking excellent outdoorsy tours in Sedona AZ. We love the red rock landscape surrounding Sedona because it’s like an adventure playground for adults, and the tour options … Read more
We spent 8 genuinely unforgettable days in Sedona just before Christmas in December 2021, and honestly it remains one of our favorite travel experiences to date. It was the beginning of Sedona’s winter season, which gave us a perfect balance between costs, crowds and weather. In return for putting up with cold mornings and evenings, … Read more
The Verde Canyon Railroad is a historic rail line running between the towns of Clarkdale and Perkinsville near Sedona, Arizona. It offers first class and coach seating along with lunch and an open viewing car with guided talks so everyone can enjoy the scenery, ancient ruins and wildlife. We think this is a great attraction … Read more
Sedona’s vortexes are believed to emit electromagnetic earth energy and many people report feeling physical, mental and emotional connections. We visited the 4 main vortex sites which are considered to be Airport Mesa, Bell Rock, Boynton Canyon and Cathedral Rock. And we also found more areas hidden around Sedona with the same energy, just without … Read more
Sedona AZ is home to the Verde Valley Wine Trail which offers visitors a totally unique experience away from hiking and outdoor adventure. It’s a self-guided wine trail featuring some of the top Sedona wineries like Coronado Vineyards, Bodega Pierce, Chateau Tumbleweed, Merkin Vineyards and DA Ranch. We visited some of the wineries during our … Read more
Renting a Jeep was the best decision we made during our 8-day visit to Sedona in December 2021. We personally drove each of the 9 Sedona Jeep trails you’ll find in this guide and we had a blast. We also benefited from some unexpected advantages like accessing popular hiking trailheads via Jeep-only trails, so keep … Read more
Diamondback Gulch is our second favorite off-roading trail in Sedona. It’s a varied and exciting 6.7-mile long three-quarter loop trail that allows your 4×4 vehicle to really showcase its capabilities. We enjoyed driving Diamondback Gulch because it contained difficult elements like a deep V-shaped ravine, yet it was short enough that we didn’t lose interest … Read more
Schnebly Hill Road is one of the most popular off-roading Jeep trails in Sedona. It’s a bumpy 5.7-mile road that twists, turns and climbs up a red rock cliff before ending at a spectacular viewpoint overlooking Oak Creek Canyon. The route is officially rated as easy in technical difficulty, but after driving 9 of Sedona’s … Read more
The awesome and adventurous Broken Arrow Trail is our favorite off-roading Jeep trail in Sedona. It’s a unique, technical and exciting 4-mile drive leading to Submarine Rock and Chicken Point Overlook, and on the way down you get to take on adrenaline pumping obstacles including The Traffic Circle, The Slide and The Stairs. After driving … Read more
Sedona is always in the conversation when we talk to friends and family about our favorite places in the US for photography. We adore Sedona’s wide open and rugged red rock landscape, its countless elevated vantage points, and its easy to reach locations to watch sunrises and sunsets. The fact that many picturesque viewpoints are … Read more
Sedona’s surrounding landscapes are home to various ruins showcasing ancient cliff dwellings and rock art. Many of these ruins are found in remote locations deep inside red sandstone canyons, and you can either visit on your own or as part of a tour. After visiting the ruins ourselves, we think they’re definitely worth adding to … Read more
The Honanki Heritage Site is a collection of rock art and cliff dwellings nestled within the Coconino National Forest near Sedona Arizona. It was built by the Sinagua people between 1150-1350 AD and showcases the culture of these ancient people. In this guide we explain everything you need to know about visiting the Honanki Heritage … Read more
There’s nowhere quite like Sedona when it comes to hiking. We’ve spent years ticking off awesome hikes all across America’s national parks, state parks, forests, mountains, deserts and canyons but we think Sedona has something very special. Why? Because it has a huge maze-like network of amazing hiking trails right on its doorstep. We’ve personally … Read more
We were determined to find a true hidden gem hike during our visit to Sedona, and we found it near the end of our trip on the Pyramid and Scorpion Loop Trail. It’s a great all-round hike with amazing views and absolutely no crowds in sight. So if you’re looking for off the beaten path … Read more
The Palatki Heritage Site is an archeological area located within the Coconino National Forest near Sedona, Arizona featuring rock art and cliff dwellings built by the Sinagua people between 1150-1350 AD. The only way to visit is with a reservation and guided tour, so make sure you book in advance. In this guide we explain … Read more
Tuzigoot National Monument is an ancient multi-room pueblo built by the Sinagua pre-Columbian culture between 1100 and 1450 AD near Sedona, Arizona. We think it’s a great place to stop on the same day as taking the nearby Verde Canyon train ride, and it’s open every day from 8:00am-4:45pm. In this guide we explain everything … Read more
Montezuma Castle is a US National Monument located in Yavapai Country near Sedona, Arizona. It’s one of the best-preserved cliff dwellings ever found in the American Southwest that was built by the Sinagua people from mud and stone. The monument is a great spot for families with kids and it’s open everyday from 8:00am-4:45pm. In … Read more
The best way to see Airport Mesa vortex site and scenic lookout in Sedona is to hike a short connecting path called Sedona View Trail. We hiked the trail ourselves so we could see amazing views on both ends, and we think it’s definitely worth including on your Sedona itinerary. In this guide we explain … Read more
Do you like the sound of a true hidden gem trail that’s short, on the easier end of moderately difficult and leads to two superb viewpoints overlooking Sedona, Arizona? Well, that’s exactly what you’re going to get when you hike Chimney Rock and Little Sugarloaf Loop Trail. We hiked them both for sunrise on our … Read more
Also known as Pulky’s Pool, Hilltop hot springs is a man made cement tub located along an elevated plateau in the Long Caldera Valley near Mammoth Lakes, California. It’s a very popular spot because it features gorgeous views of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. In this guide we explain everything you need to know about … Read more
Would you like to hike an easy and scenic trail that’s slightly less jam-packed than the most popular hikes in Sedona? We know it’s rare, but trust us it is possible. You just have to drive 10 miles up 89A to West Fork of Oak Creek Trail. There are some downsides to this hike which … Read more
Devils Bridge Trail is a moderately difficult 4-mile roundtrip hike in Sedona, Arizona. The exceptionally popular trail begins at one of three trailheads and leads to Sedona’s largest natural sandstone arch after a total elevation gain of 400 feet. It has a fantastic summit view and a must-have Instagram photo, but you might be surprised … Read more
Crab Cooker hot spring is a man made cement tub with water piped into it from a nearby geothermal mineral spring. It’s a super popular hot spring located on BLM land near Mammoth Lakes in California, and it features stunning views of the Sierra Nevada Mountain range. In this guide we explain everything you need … Read more
Wild Willy’s is a natural hot spring located within the Long Valley Caldera south of Mammoth Lakes in California. It’s free to visit and features multiple hot spring pools along a 0.6 mile walking trail ranging in temperature from 95–105°F. In this guide we explain everything you need to know about visiting Wild Willy’s hot springs, … Read more
Fay Canyon Trail is an easy 2.4-mile roundtrip hike in Sedona, Arizona. It’s a super popular trail that can be hiked in many ways, including increasing difficulty with optional climbs to a large arch and two elevated viewpoints beyond its end of trail sign. We did both and they were well worth the extra effort, … Read more
Our alarm went off at 6:00 AM, we threw our hiking gear on, filled our flasks with hot coffee and grabbed snacks for breakfast, hopped in the car and drove 7 miles from our West Sedona hotel to Doe Mountain Trailhead. It was December 11th and sunrise was at 7:24 AM, but we wanted to … Read more
Travertine is a group of hot springs located along scenic US highway 395 outside of Bridgeport, California. These geothermal mineral springs cascade down travertine terraces and feature stunning views of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. In this guide we explain everything you need to know about visiting Travertine hot springs, based on our experience. Read … Read more
When planning our 8-day trip to Sedona in December 2021, we had hikes, ruins, jeep trails and photo spots coming out of our ears. But one of the things we were most excited about was finding Sedona’s hidden caves. We researched, mapped, figured out our itinerary and hit the red rocks on a mission to … Read more
We hiked to one of Sedona’s secret caves called Robbers Roost during our visit to Sedona in 2021. The cave is also known as Hideout Cave and Shaman’s Cave, and it’s located on the southeast side of Robbers Roost Butte in a remote area near Sedona. We accessed Shaman’s cave by hiking the easy Robbers … Read more
The Keyhole Cave hike leading to one of Sedona’s hidden caves is a moderately difficult 2.3-mile roundtrip trail with a total elevation gain of 500 feet. We began the hike at Sugarloaf Trailhead in a residential neighborhood before transitioning onto unmaintained trails with rough desert vegetation, and it took us around 3 hours in total … Read more
Soldier Pass Trail is one of Sedona’s most popular trails because it leads to natural sandstone formations called Devils Kitchen, Seven Sacred Pools and Soldier Pass Cave. Sounds cool, right? Well, it’s even better in person. We hiked the moderately difficult 4.2-mile roundtrip trail with 750 feet elevation gain to the cave and despite being … Read more
The Birthing Cave hike in Sedona is a nice and easy 1.8-mile roundtrip trail. It begins at Long Canyon Trailhead and ends with a short but steep climb into a stunning cave. We think it’s one of Sedona’s best hikes and photo spots, so don’t miss it when you’re in town! In this guide we … Read more
Boynton Canyon Trail is one of the most popular hikes in Sedona because it leads to the Instagram-famous Subway Cave. We hiked the entire 7.5-mile trail with 1,250 feet elevation gain to see the cave, vortex site and end of trail viewpoint. The Subway Cave was located at the end of a short spur trail … Read more
Northern California is home to a wide range of secluded hot springs and developed resorts with mineral pools. Some of the most popular springs include Travertine, Wild Willy’s, Skyes, Harbin, Wilbur and Orr Hot Springs Resort. We spent a day spring hopping in our bath robes as we drove down from Lake Tahoe to Lone … Read more
We hiked the picturesque Courthouse Butte Loop, before climbing Bell Rock and finding a second hidden trail that was way more adventurous than we expected. The loop was an easy 4.5-mile trail with a very gradual 400 feet elevation change, but the extra 400 feet elevation we gained climbing up Bell Rock was a real … Read more
Cathedral Rock is a skyline dominating sandstone butte in the center of Sedona and it’s one of the most photographed natural landmarks in Arizona. We hiked the surprisingly steep and challenging Cathedral Rock Trail in the dawn darkness so we could beat the crowds and summit in time to watch a stunning sunrise erupt over … Read more
Smartphone hiking and outdoor apps have significantly advanced over recent years and several have become seriously popular resources. It’s amazing how much information we can get in the palm of our hands today. But with so many apps on the market offering different capabilities, how do you know which ones to choose? Because let’s face … Read more
Eating our way through celebrity chef restaurants on a Las Vegas secret food tour was one of the best experiences we’ve had in Sin City. Not only did we sample delicious food, but we also learned about the history and the success stories for each establishment. It was a win win because the food tour … Read more
Kanab is the our favorite place to set up base for enjoying outdoor adventures on the southern Utah and northern Arizona border. The small town has affordable hotels, great restaurants, a relaxed vibe and tons of fun activities on the doorstep. Like what? Stunning photo spots, otherworldly landscapes, unique slot canyons and one of the … Read more
Despite having an odd parking situation and poorly marked directions, we thought it was well worth hiking Dinosaur Tracks Trail near Kanab, Utah. It’s not every day you get to see 185 million year old dinosaur prints clearly eroded into a perfectly flat rocky plateau, right? This is a quick and fun hike with a … Read more
Back in December 2021 we hiked the first few miles into Buckskin Gulch from Wire Pass Trailhead. It was a unique and thrilling experience, and we highly recommend you allow a few hours to do the same when you visit southern Utah. Seriously, how often do you get to walk through one of the longest … Read more
Toadstool Hoodoos Trail is a short, fun and family friendly hike located half way between Kanab, Utah and Page, Arizona. We set off from the trailhead around 2 hours before sunset and only just made it back before it got dark. The hike was well worth it to see unique mushroom shaped rock formations scattered … Read more
The name Belly of the Dragon alone intrigued us so much that we couldn’t miss it when we stayed in Kanab, Utah. And as soon as we arrived we understood where it got its name from. It’s essentially a water drainage tunnel cutting underneath highway 89 that looks a bit like what you’d expect to … Read more
Winning a coveted permit to hike The Wave set our hearts racing, but actually laying eyes on those vibrant and swirling sandstone patterns in Arizona’s Vermilion Cliffs seriously blew our minds. We’ve completed a lot of day hikes in the US since we started traveling professionally in 2018, and we can honestly say The Wave … Read more
The Wave in northern Arizona is widely accepted as having the hardest hiking permit to win in the United States. It has enormous demand, but only 16 groups or 64 people are allowed to hike to the unique red rock landscape each day. We were two of the lucky winners when we hiked to The … Read more
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park was one of the standout surprise packages from our second road trip through southern Utah. We had absolutely no expectations but it turned out to be so much fun. There’s a few activities you can do, but here’s our advice: hire a sandboard or sled, hike up the vibrant … Read more
The Moqui sand caverns near Kanab are a popular stop along Highway 89, but they often get confused with the Moqui Cave Museum which is a totally different thing a few minutes down the road. We climbed up to the sandy caves and thought it was well worth the quick stop. And we’d definitely say … Read more
The Moqui Cave Museum is a fun road side attraction in southern Utah. It catches your eye as you drive by because it features an old brick dwelling with white glass blocks embedded into the opening of a gigantic sandstone cave. In this guide we’ll show you exactly what to expect if you decide to … Read more
Are you short on time in southern Utah but feel like you just have to see what all the fuss is about at Zion? We hear you, it’s an amazing place. We’ve spent 6 full days exploring the park ourselves, but there’s a bunch of great ways you can plan a superb one day Zion … Read more
Springdale is our favorite place to stay near Zion National Park. Why? Because it’s a great town with a chilled outdoorsy vibe, excellent hotels and quality restaurants. But it’s also expensive. We think La Verkin and Hurricane are the best options for cheaper lodging, and Virgin is best for unique accommodations like glamping. In this … Read more
Zion National Park is one of our favorite places to hike in the US. The trails here are about as adventurous, thrilling, scenic and unique as it gets. We love how easy it is to get around the park to access the best easy and hard hikes – and we really like the variety of … Read more
Zion is one of our favorite US national parks because it’s so unique and adventurous, but it also has seasonal-specific pros and cons throughout the year. Things like hotel costs, weather, hiking conditions and crowds can play a big role in your overall enjoyment in the park, so it’s important to pick your dates well. … Read more
Not sure which airport to use when you visit Zion? Well, St George is the closest regional airport to the park but it’s only served by a few cities in the US, so most people use Las Vegas airport instead. With that said, you should also consider Salt Lake City or Phoenix if you plan … Read more
The winter months of December, January and February are all excellent times to visit Zion National Park to benefit from fewer crowds, cheaper hotel rooms and quieter trails. And that’s a big deal. Plus, you can even drive your own vehicle to trailheads in the main canyon. We spent three days hiking in Zion’s major … Read more
Interested in day hiking Zion’s Subway from the bottom up? We don’t blame you, it’s a fantastic off the beaten path trail with a maximum of just 80 hikers per day, so it really feels like an adventure. In this guide we show you how to get a permit, where to park and a full … Read more
It’s true, there really is a quieter region of Zion! Kolob Canyons is home to three mapped hikes ranging from easy to hard, and one hidden hiking trail leading into a picturesque box canyon. We spent a fantastic day hiking the peaceful trails in Kolob Canyons and highly recommend you consider adding this secluded and … Read more
Timber Creek Overlook Trail is one of the best bang for your buck hikes in Zion. It’s short, easy and leads to an elevated viewpoint with dramatic views over giant red rock formations and deep canyons. We walked out to the overlook after spending a day hiking in Kolob Canyons and if we’re being honest, … Read more
Taylor Creek Trail is a fun 5-mile roundtrip hike leading to Double Arch Alcove in Zion’s peaceful Kolob Canyons region. We’re happy to admit we didn’t have high expectations for this trail, but it surprised us in a big way. There’s creek crossings, log cabins, forests, sandy paths and a gigantic alcove. But best of … Read more
Emerald Pools Trail is one of the most popular hikes in Zion because it has a superb location in the main canyon, a perfect balance between distance and level of difficulty, and it leads to picture-perfect waterfalls. Despite the waterfalls being dry when we hiked to lower, middle and upper pools in December 2021, we … Read more
Zion’s Pa’rus Trail is flat, easy and paved so it’s perfect for all hiking abilities and ages, plus it’s accessible for wheelchairs and strollers. Bikes are also allowed on the trail and it’s the only hike in the park that dogs are welcome. In essence, it’s the most inclusive of Zion’s famous trails. We walked … Read more
The Watchman Trail is a great hike because it’s short, not too difficult, leads to a fantastic viewpoint and it’s quieter than Zion’s more famous trails. Oh, and the trailhead is right at the main visitor center which makes it much easier to access. We quickly hiked up to the impressive overlook just as the … Read more
Day hiking the iconic South Kaibab to Bright Angel Trail (also known as Rim to River) at Grand Canyon South Rim is one of our favorite travel memories to date. We had so much fun descending to the Colorado River on the steep South Kaibab Trail and climbing back up to the rim on the … Read more
You might be surprised to hear that there are only 9 hiking trails at Grand Canyon South Rim. But don’t worry, it’s all about quality over quantity. We’ve hiked many of the trails ourselves and we have to say the views from every single trail, whether easy or hard, are truly outstanding. In this guide … Read more
South Kaibab Trail is the most scenic and exciting hike leading down below Grand Canyon South Rim. It’s steeper, more challenging and harder to access than it’s main rival Bright Angel Trail, but we think South Kaibab is the better hike overall. The trail has several landmarks that can be used as turnaround points for … Read more
Bright Angel Trail is the most popular hiking route leading down below Grand Canyon South Rim. It’s easy to access, the trail is gradual and it has several turnaround points to suit hikers of all levels. We day hiked the incredible Rim to River Trail to Phantom Ranch in December 2021, going down on South … Read more
Not sure which airport to use when you visit the Grand Canyon? Well, Flagstaff Pulliam is the closest regional airport to South Rim but it’s only served by a few cities in the US, so most people use Phoenix, Las Vegas or even Salt Lake City airports instead. The best airport for you to use … Read more
There’s one thing that every single visitor to the Grand Canyon will do: visit a bunch of viewpoints with different perspectives overlooking one of the most extraordinary natural landscapes in the world. Some hike, others shoot sunrise photography. But everyone goes to the viewpoints. And there are plenty to choose between, so which should you … Read more
New York City is one of the best places in the world to eat pizza as a tourist. We know because we love pizza and we’ve spent a lot of time in NYC! You absolutely must sample the classic NY style pizza slice, but don’t forget about the city’s Italian heritage, which means you can … Read more
If you’re planning to visit Grand Canyon South Rim for the first time, one of the most important questions you should have is: when is the best time of year to go? Things like hotel costs, weather, hiking conditions and crowds can play a big role in your overall enjoyment in the park, so it’s … Read more
The winter months of December, January and February are all excellent times to visit Grand Canyon South Rim to benefit from fewer crowds, cooler hiking temperatures and cheaper hotel rooms. We also liked being able to drive our own car to the popular viewpoints along Hermit Road. And who knows, you might even get a … Read more
Mount Rainier is one of our favorite places to hike in the US. We spent 6 months living in Washington State and as avid hikers, we simply couldn’t stay away from the stunning national park. We actually ended up hiking almost all of Mt Rainier’s popular trails, which are spread throughout 5 regions called Paradise, … Read more
Bench and Snow Lakes Trail is one of those borderline hidden gem hiking trails in Mt Rainier because it’s got all the hallmarks of a great hike but without the crowds you’ll find in Paradise and Sunrise. We had no idea what to expect, but it turned out to be a fun and picturesque trail … Read more
Naches Peak Loop Trail is one of our favorite Mt Rainier hiking trails because it’s quiet, easy, incredibly picturesque and half the hike is on the famous Pacific Crest Trail. We hiked the loop close to sunset, then returned at sunrise to photograph Mt Rainier reflecting in the mirror-like Tipsoo Lake which is the star … Read more
Mount Fremont Trail is one of the most popular day hikes in Mt Rainier because it leads to one of just four remaining fire lookout towers, and it has stunning elevated views over the snow capped volcano. We have to say the trail itself wasn’t as attractive as we’d expected, but the summit vista more … Read more
Hikers are notoriously picky about their gear because some things work well and others don’t. Once you find what works, you stick with it. Unfortunately, this can make finding the perfect hiking gift for him or her a daunting task. We’re here to help you find something truly special this holiday season and we want … Read more
If you’re looking for a gift for that outdoorsy man in your life, you’ve come to the right place. Chances are he already owns most of the obvious gear, so we’re going to help you find those thoughtful practical items he never thought of. After years of using equipment on trails around the world, the … Read more
Day hiking the Enchantments Trail … Wow! Where do we begin? Well, the 18.6-mile thru hike from Stuart/Colchuck Lake Trailhead to Snow Lakes Trailhead is amazing, challenging, rewarding and exhausting in equal parts. It’s probably the hardest day hike we’ve done, but it’s also one of the most memorable. In this guide we walk you … Read more
Spray Park Trail was one of our favorite hidden gem hikes in Mount Rainier. Like most people, the main reason we drove the awful 15-mile road to Mowich Lake was to hike to Tolmie Peak fire lookout. Spray Park was just the “other” hike we planned to do in the afternoon, but it turned out … Read more
Tolmie Peak Trail is one of our favorite hikes in Mt Rainier because it’s quiet, picturesque and it leads to an old fire lookout tower with spectacular views. But it has one major downside: a horrible 15-mile stretch of gravel road with countless potholes is the only way to reach the trailhead. Is it worth … Read more
The winter we spent living in New York City was one of the coldest but most unforgettable experiences we’ve had since we began traveling the world for a living. And after visiting the city countless times in spring, summer and fall as tourists – we can tell you two things: Living in NYC is completely … Read more
Skyline Trail is one of the most popular hikes in Mt Rainier and it’s among our personal favorites in Washington. We hiked the full loop and it was truly stunning from start to finish thanks to waterfalls, wildflowers, meadows and far reaching summit views over snow capped stratovolcanoes. Sounds pretty awesome, right? Trust us, it’s … Read more
If you visit Yellowstone National Park in April you can expect fewer crowds, lower hotel prices and lots of wildlife, but also extremely changeable weather conditions and key road closures. We visited Yellowstone in April and think it’s a great time of year to visit if you want to avoid overcrowding and save money, as … Read more
Lake 22 Trail has old growth forest, stream and creek crossings, views over rolling hills, a boulder field and a dramatic amphitheater-like summit with a stunning Alpine lake. So yes, it’s a pretty great hike! We didn’t expect it to be so varied and enjoyable if we’re being totally honest, but we’re so glad we … Read more
We spent 3 full days in Yosemite National Park in October 2019, and all things considered we think it’s one of the very best months of the year to visit. Yes, we had one or two negative aspects to contend with, but the most important things like weather, roads, crowds, lodging and hikes worked in … Read more
Poo Poo Point is a fantastic family friendly day hike near Seattle, Washington. In essence, it’s a moderately difficult 4-mile roundtrip forested trail leading to stunning views over Mount Rainier and a glider runway. We hiked a longer loop version of the trail, but we recommend you hike Chirico Trail out and back instead because … Read more
Rattlesnake Ledge Trail is one of our favorite day hikes near Seattle, Washington. It’s a moderately difficult 4-mile roundtrip trail cutting through a picturesque forest that ultimately leads to a rocky summit with awesome far reaching views. It sounds great but trust us, it’s even better in person. In this guide we explain everything you … Read more
Packing for a hike can be overwhelming, but it becomes second nature the more you do it. When we first started hiking, we had to learn about the 10 essentials so we could stay safe on the trails and we want to extend this knowledge onto you. In this guide we’ll share the things we … Read more
There are many places you can visit in the world to see fall leaves transform into vibrant yellows, oranges, browns and reds. But few compare to the US northeast’s New England, where science and nature combine to dazzle visitors with an extraordinary light show every autumn. We’ve driven two New England fall road trips totaling … Read more
Tightly hugging the eastern shores of Lake Champlain, small but undeniably attractive Burlington is one of the most visited cities in Vermont. The college town, which runs entirely on renewable energy, is the perfect place to spend a day or two on a New England road trip, particularly in fall when vibrant colors fill the … Read more
Vermont is enviably overflowing with stunning, quaint and charming four season tourist resort towns. Stowe and Burlington in the north, Woodstock in the center and Manchester in the south are four of the most popular places to visit in Vermont. Manchester is idyllically located in the heart of southern Vermont’s beautiful Green Mountain National Forest, … Read more
The captivating town of Woodstock in central Vermont epitomizes what we think of as a quintessential New England village – quaint, charming and picturesque. But what is there to do and how can you make the most of your visit? In this guide we show you our favorite things to do in Woodstock VT, and … Read more
The small alpine town of Stowe in northern Vermont is quintessential New England – charming, idyllic and rural with rolling hills and colorful leaves. We think Vermont is one of the most naturally beautiful areas in the US and Stowe is our favorite place to visit in the Green Mountain State, but what is there … Read more
Figuring out exactly where to stay near Acadia is one of the biggest challenges you’ll face when planning your trip to Maine’s awesome national park. Should you pay over the odds to stay in Bar Harbor? Or is it worth taking a look into other nearby areas like North Mt Desert Island, Northeast Harbor, Southwest … Read more
Vermont is filled with beautiful natural scenery, picture perfect towns and over 100 covered bridges dating back as far as the early 1800’s. These brides are a major tourist attraction, but they are scattered all throughout the state and can be difficult to find. So unless you have a full week spare to criss-cross the … Read more
The Flume Gorge in Franconia Notch State Park is one of our favorite places to visit in New Hampshire. It’s a moderately difficult 2-mile loop with 500 feet elevation gain through a picturesque forest and a striking narrow gorge with cascading waterfalls. We’ve hiked the super-scenic trail twice and our cameras got a real work … Read more
The Kancamagus Highway is a picturesque 35-mile scenic byway cutting through New Hampshire’s White Mountain National Forest between Lincoln and Conway. We’ve driven it in each direction on different fall road trips and we can’t recommend it highly enough. It’s a captivating route filled with stunning views and family friendly fun, so don’t miss it … Read more
Artists Bluff Trail in Franconia Notch State Park is one of our favorite hikes in New Hampshire. We’ve hiked the trail on separate New England fall foliage road trips, the first time just to Artists Bluff and the second time including Bald Mountain to complete a fantastic loop. It’s a great hike to do any … Read more
Acadia National Park is one of our favorite places to hike in the US. We know it’s a bold statement considering the company, but the trails here are unique, exciting and almost always lead to stunning viewpoints. What we love most is the small size of the park and the short roundtrip trail distances. They … Read more
Iron rung hikes, spectacular ocean views, picturesque lakes and stunning photography make Acadia one of the most visited of all the popular USA national parks. Don’t be fooled by the small size of Acadia, there’s tons of fun activities to keep you busy. But with so much to do, how do you prioritize what to … Read more
Taking a road trip can be equal parts exciting and overwhelming, we’ve done enough to know! But one thing it really shouldn’t be? Difficult. If you’re a serial planner like us and you don’t feel like you’re quite there with your plans just yet, we’re going to help take away some of that road trip … Read more
The Precipice Trail is Acadia National Park’s most adventurous and exhilarating hike. It’s a 2.1-mile roundtrip loop with more than 1,000 feet elevation gain, most of which is gained on vertical iron-rung ladders and razor thin rock ledges with steep drop-offs. We climbed the adrenaline pumping Precipice Trail in 2020 and we can tell you … Read more
The Beehive Trail is Acadia National Park’s most popular hike. It’s a 1.5-mile roundtrip loop with 500 feet elevation gain, some of which is gained on vertical iron-rung ladders and narrow rocky ledges with steep drop-offs. We climbed the exciting Beehive Trail in 2020 and immediately understood why it was so busy. In this guide … Read more
Yellowstone National Park is an extraordinary landscape, quite literally overflowing with the world’s highest concentration of geothermal features. And it’s one of the most enjoyable places we’ve visited to date because there’s just so many truly unique things to see and do. But which geyser basins, wildlife spotting areas, hikes and other natural attractions should … Read more
We’ve driven from Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone twice, and we’ve spent weeks exploring the Black Hills, Yellowstone and Grand Teton. All things considered, we think 10 days is the perfect amount of time for a road trip to see the best of each region, keep costs down and not feel too rushed. In this guide … Read more
Keystone, Hill City, Custer, Rapid City and the northern reaches of South Dakota’s Black Hills are the 5 major areas we would consider booking a hotel for a trip to Mount Rushmore. If we were visiting Mt Rushmore alone, we’d stay in Keystone because it’s most convenient. But if we also wanted to visit other … Read more
When we planned our first Mount Rushmore trip, we’ll admit we had no idea what to expect from South Dakota’s Black Hills region. Back then it wasn’t social media famous or heavily written about like other popular outdoorsy US vacation spots. But after spending 8 days exploring tons of fun attractions near Mt Rushmore (across … Read more
Devils Tower National Monument is undoubtably a remarkable geological wonder, but is it worth visiting when you road trip through Wyoming or around South Dakota’s Black Hills? The short answer is yes, it’s definitely worth visiting. We’d seen photos of Devils Tower before arriving, but we thought the unique and striking formation was so much … Read more
If you’re feeling overwhelmed about where to stay when you visit Grand Canyon South Rim, trust us, you don’t need to worry. It’s really easy to figure out: You can either stay in a park run lodge right on the rim or book a hotel in one of the nearby towns. We’ve personally stayed on … Read more
Badlands National Park has 8 official hiking trails and 2 wilderness hikes on which you’re almost guaranteed isolation. And the trails are mostly short, easy and flat so you can get through them quickly. Is this going to be your first visit to Badlands? In our opinion, Door Trail and Notch Trail are the best … Read more
Badlands National Park has limited hotel options both inside and near the park boundaries. Interior and Wall are closest to the park, and they work for short term stays if you want convenience but they lack amenities. Rapid City and Keystone are further out but they have more hotel options and far more restaurants, so … Read more
The Notch Trail is a moderately difficult 1.5-mile roundtrip hike with 130 feet elevation gain in Badlands National Park, South Dakota. It’s the most adventurous of the 10 Badlands hiking trails thanks to a tall ladder climb and cliffs with steep drops. We’ve hiked it twice and for us it’s the standout trail in the … Read more
New York City is probably the most tourist friendly city in the world in terms of attractions and things to do, right? It’s home to true bucket list parks, museums, observation decks, landmarks, shows, neighborhoods and food. And guess what? It’s really doesn’t have to be expensive as you think. In this guide we show … Read more
New York City is one of our favorite places on the planet. We love its iconic attractions, diverse neighborhoods and perpetual feel good buzz. But we also know that planning to visit for the very first time can be incredibly overwhelming. How many days do you need? What should you prioritize? And how do you … Read more
We remember what it was like trying to figure out where to stay the very first time we visited NYC – anxious about safety, not wanting to miss out, being near transport links, not picking a dud. All the usual feelings, but massively intensified because it’s New York City. The problem with NYC is that … Read more
Flying high above Manhattan in a helicopter tour is one of the top bucket list things to do in New York City. But with so many operators and companies, how do you choose? This was the problem we faced when we decided to book a once in a lifetime flight over one of the world’s … Read more
New York City is one of the world’s outstanding urban photography destinations. The famous concrete jungle is loaded with iconic buildings, landmarks, skylines and architecture that leaves photographers like us in awe. We spent months walking around NYC with our cameras when we lived in the city, and we still get that same excitable buzz … Read more
The Whitby Bar and Restaurant in New York City is a popular spot for afternoon tea, and while it is a bit pricy at $75 per person, we think it’s a fantastic way for both locals and tourists to spend a few hours in the city. If you’re celebrating a special occasion or want to … Read more
The Edge is one of New York City’s newest observation decks located on the 100th floor of Hudson Yards in Midtown Manhattan. It features a triangular-shaped outdoor viewing platform and a chance for thrill seekers to climb more than 1,200 ft above the ground. It’s open every day and tickets start at $36 for adults. … Read more
Central Park is one of those places you can’t help but gravitate towards every time you visit New York City. At least it is for us! We’ve been lucky enough to see bright pink cherry blossoms, lush emerald green leaves and vibrant earthy fall foliage, but there’s nothing quite like a bona fide Central Park … Read more
While the Brooklyn Bridge is main show stopper in New York City, we think the Manhattan Bridge is a seriously awesome alternative for crossing the East River. Why? Because it’s less crowded, it has separate paths for walkers and bikers, and you can see the Brooklyn Bridge from the Manhattan Bridge! But there are downsides … Read more
Lower Manhattan is often overlooked by tourists visiting New York over more popular areas in Midtown. But there’s actually tons going on in the Financial District including parks, museums, restaurants, observation decks, shopping rejuvenated shipping piers and world famous landmarks. We’ve walked through the area many times and think it should be on every itinerary … Read more
The New York CityPASS is one of 8 NYC attraction passes available for you to save money by bundling top sites into one package. Overall it’s a great pass that will definitely save money if you plan to only visit the most famous attractions in town. But it won’t be a perfect fit for everyone. … Read more
Top of the Rock and the Empire State Building are the two longest standing and most iconic New York observation decks. Today, there are three modern and shiny new kids on the block (Edge, Summit and One World), but the two original observation decks still have a few tricks up their sleeves. We’ve been up … Read more
Walking across New York City’s iconic Brooklyn Bridge for the first time is a truly unforgettable experience no matter the time of day, but there’s something extra special about crossing as sunset transitions into night. We’ve walked between Manhattan and Brooklyn more times than we can count, soaking up the vibrant atmosphere and finding the … Read more
Walking across the Brooklyn Bridge at sunrise was one of our favorite memories from living in New York City for a few months in early 2021. We started with sunrise photography at Pier 17 as Manhattan’s skyscrapers glowed an intense orange color, before quickly hustling onto the bridge and walking over to Brooklyn. It was … Read more
We couldn’t wait to get up close and personal with Lady Liberty when we moved to New York City. So we quickly booked our Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island ferry tickets and it turned out to be even better than we hoped. Here’s the most important thing you need to know: The only way … Read more
Lake Placid is a charming, picturesque and immensely popular year round resort village nestled within the heart of the stunning Adirondack Mountains. It’s located in the far northeast corner of New York State, just 40 miles from Vermont and 65 miles from the Canadian border. Surrounded by spectacular mountain wilderness, pure glacial lakes and endless … Read more
In order to stand on the highest point in New York, you must hike to the summit of Mount Marcy near the charming town of Lake Placid in the stunning Adirondack Mountains. Thousands of hikers climb Mt Marcy each year throughout all four seasons to soak up horizon stretching views in all directions, as far … Read more
Mount Marcy is the tallest mountain of the 46 High Peaks in the Adirondacks, and it’s also the highest point in New York State. We hiked the popular Van Hoevenberg trail to summit Mt Marcy back in the fall of 2020, and despite poor weather conditions we felt a real sense of achievement. But it’s … Read more
High Falls Gorge is one of our favorite places to visit near Lake Placid. After slowly meandering around the gorge’s wooden boardwalks and bridges during our first New England fall foliage road trip, we went back for a second visit a few years later. Overall, we think it’s a fantastic natural attraction for families and … Read more
We’ve visited most of America’s popular national parks and one thing is usually apparent when it comes to lodging: it’s either excellent or seriously lacking. Yosemite is uniquely challenging because it has plenty of lodges and campgrounds inside the park, but they fill quickly. And options outside the park are limited, often requiring a long … Read more
Planning a Salt Lake City to Yellowstone and Grand Teton road trip is actually pretty straightforward. But it’s important to be organized, so start by figuring out the things you want to do, then create the perfect itinerary and book your hotels well in advance. We’ve explored these two famous national parks extensively, and we … Read more
Visiting Yellowstone National Park in October is an unforgettable experience with benefits like reduced crowds and lower lodging occupancy rates, but it’s also very late in the season and that might just throw a few curve balls at your plans. We know from first hand experience the challenges involved with planning a trip to Yellowstone … Read more
We’ve always said that figuring out where to stay and booking hotels is the hardest part about planning a trip to Yellowstone National Park. Should you stay at lodges inside the park or at hotels in nearby towns? Should you book one hotel for your whole trip or move each night? We’ve stayed at park … Read more
Yellowstone is the second largest national park in the lower 48 states of America. It has 5 entrances spanning the compass points, hundreds of amazing geothermal features and a handful of resort towns all connected by its Grand Loop Road. But what if you’ll be flying into the area? Which airports near Yellowstone should you … Read more
Grand Teton is one of the most visually spectacular national parks we’ve visited in the US, and Schwabacher Landing at sunrise is up there among our favorite photo spots in the park. We arrived at the banks of the perfectly still Snake River a little after dawn and we were blown away by pristine reflections … Read more
Grand Teton’s Mormon Row is home to two of the most photographed barns in the US, and most of those photos are taken at either sunrise or sunset. Surrounded by lush meadows and backed by rugged snow capped mountains, T.A. Moulton Barn and John Moulton Homestead are incredibly picturesque wooden structures that you’ll find on … Read more
The steep and lung-busting Mist Trail is Yosemite’s most heavily trafficked hike. We climbed up beyond Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall before completing a supremely scenic loop back to the trailhead via John Muir Trail when we visited Yosemite, and it instantly became one our favorite hikes in the US. Don’t worry if you can’t … Read more
Sunrises and sunsets are infinitely better when you watch them rise or fall over a dramatic landscape, and Grand Canyon South Rim is up there with the most picturesque landscapes on earth. But with so many unique viewpoints and photo spots along the rim, how do you choose where to go with your camera or … Read more
Yosemite National Park is a dream come true for landscape photography lovers. We were utterly blown away by its majestic granite domes, giant Sequoia groves, lush meadows, awe inspiring sunrises and sunsets, powerful waterfalls and mesmerizing viewpoints. It’s the perfect place to learn and improve your photography skills, take home stunning images and bulk out … Read more
After visiting most of America’s famous national parks and exploring the world for many years, we can confidently tell you that Bryce Canyon is one of the most photogenic landscapes we’ve seen. As soon as we saw those famous jagged sandstone hoodoos bursting out from the Bryce Canyon amphitheater, we knew that taking photos from … Read more
Queens Garden Navajo Loop Trail was the one hike we knew we couldn’t miss when we visited Bryce Canyon National Park. It had amazing reviews and it looked fantastic in photos, but it turned out to be even more impressive in person. Overall, we thought it was a fun, scenic and totally unique hike that’s … Read more
Arches is one of our favorite national parks for hiking because the trails are fun, picturesque and lead to truly unique red rock formations. Plus, the park is small so ticking off the top hikes in one day feels achievable, which is a big deal when you hate missing out on things! And another big … Read more
Canyon Overlook is one of the most popular hiking trails in Zion National Park because it’s short, family friendly and leads to spectacular views. We’ve hiked the easy 1-mile roundtrip trail at midday and for sunset, and we think it’s one of few truly unmissable spots that every visitor to Zion should enjoy. In this … Read more
Angels Landing is probably the scariest hike we’ve done. Thrilling? Yes. Adventurous? Sure. But boy does it send your BPM into the stratosphere. We’ve actually climbed up the razor-thin shark-fin trail twice, once at midday in October and again for sunrise in December. What we can tell you is that it’s definitely one of the … Read more
The Narrows in Zion National Park is hands down one of our favorite trails in America. In essence, it’s a unique and adventurous hike through a shallow river flanked by tall and narrow slot canyon walls. Sounds like fun, right? Well, trust us when we tell you it’s a hundred times better in person. In … Read more
The United States is one of the best places in the world to learn, practice and perfect your landscape photography skills. You and your camera really are spoiled for choice thanks to an abundance of beaches, rainforests, mountains, deserts, canyons, oceans, lakes and urban cityscapes. Our own journey from beginners to pros was mostly made … Read more
Booking cheap flights isn’t a science or an art. It’s too easy to get lost in endless myths and hacks, but do any of them really work? We’ve been traveling the world for years, it’s our job. And far as we’re concerned, the only way to save money on flights is to put the effort … Read more
What are the best gift ideas for women who love nature, hiking and the great outdoors? Well, we’re going to dazzle you with the perfect list of outdoorsy gifts for the adventurous woman in your life.
Fed up with expensive hotels? You’re probably overpaying. Accommodation usually accounts for the biggest expense on any vacation, but there are so many super easy ways you can book cheaper hotels if you know what to look for, and you don’t mind putting in a little bit of work. In this guide we show you … Read more
Hidden away in a secluded part of western New York, Letchworth State Park is home to a striking deep gorge, three picturesque waterfalls and tons of hiking trails. We’ve visited Letchworth more times than we can count and honestly we think it’s one of the most stunning hidden gem spots in the entire US. In … Read more
Are you searching for awesome gift ideas to treat the passionate traveler in your life?
Grand Teton showcases everything a national park should have: stunning sunrise and sunset photo spots, scenic hikes, mountains and lakes, freely roaming wildlife, elevated viewpoints and a fantastic nearby town to use as a base. Trust us, it’s just as amazing as it sounds. And the best part is that planning a great itinerary for … Read more
Finding the perfect gifts for a photographer is no easy task, trust us, our families know! Not only is it a super expensive hobby or profession, but photographers can be a picky bunch when it comes to equipment. The good news is there’s so much more you can get them than a camera or lens, … Read more
You are: a commuter, a traveler, a photographer and a hiker. You want: a robust, practical, innovative and versatile all-in-one backpack solution. But does such a thing exist?
It’s easier to plan a one day Grand Canyon South Rim itinerary than you might imagine. We’ve been to South Rim twice, and both times we spent 2 full days exploring. But there’s actually not a huge amount to do other than hike and take photos of the canyon. Don’t get us wrong, both those … Read more
San Francisco to San Diego is the most popular section to drive along California’s famous highway 1 road trip route, which is also known as the Pacific Coast Highway. We drove it in 2019 and we couldn’t believe how many amazing stopping points there were along the 600-mile stretch of scenic coastal road. In this … Read more
Los Angeles is the iconic home of blockbuster movie productions, sandy beaches, never-ending sunshine and almost 50 million annual tourists. But in the entertainment capital of the world, it can feel almost impossible to narrow down exactly what you should do. In this guide we show you the things you can’t miss on a first … Read more
Horseshoe Bend is one of the most striking geological formations we’ve seen in the US that isn’t located inside a national park. After hiking to the viewpoint overlooking the deep and dramatic U-shaped curve in the Colorado River at both dawn and dusk, we can tell you they’re both excellent times of day for photography. … Read more
New York is home to so much more than just its flagship city. In fact, upstate New York has tons of rugged gorge hikes, serene rolling hills and striking mountains that are quite literally overflowing with powerful waterfalls just waiting to be found. In this guide we show you the top 10 waterfalls to visit … Read more
Watkins Glen State Park is home to one our favorite hidden gem photo spots in the entire US – Rainbow Falls. Kristen grew up in western New York and we spent our covid lockdown year in the Finger Lakes, so we’ve hiked the mesmerizing gorge trail more times than we can count. One thing we … Read more
Taughannock Falls State Park is home to a stunning 215 ft single drop waterfall that plunges into a deep bowl-shaped gorge. You can hike a short and flat gorge path to stand at the bottom of Taughannock Falls, and you can also head up to an elevated viewing area to see the waterfall in all … Read more
Located near Ithaca in New York’s stunning Finger Lakes region, Buttermilk Falls State Park features frothing waterfalls, jagged gorges and natural beauty in abundance. It gets super busy on hot days in summer because you can swim in a natural fed swimming hole at the base of a 165ft waterfall, but our favorite thing to … Read more
Overflowing with wild beauty, rugged gorges and dramatic waterfalls, Robert H. Treman State Park in Ithaca, NY is the perfect day out for hiking in the Finger Lakes region. Lucifer Falls is just one of 12 amazing waterfalls you’ll pass as you descend stunning stone staircases into the depths of Enfield Glen Gorge. In this … Read more
Touring a TV and movie studio should be on your Los Angeles travel itinerary, especially if you’re visiting for the very first time. We really enjoyed our Warner Bros studio tour, but it wasn’t cheap and it took up a big chunk of our day. There are 4 different companies offering studio tours, but we … Read more
Alcatraz Island has a story so intriguing that it draws in over 1.5 million visitors each year, making it one of the most visited attractions in San Francisco. But we discovered there are a few different tour options and only one authorized seller of tickets, so it’s important to plan ahead in order to make … Read more
San Francisco is a tourist friendly city loaded with iconic landmarks, famous museums, sandy beaches and a diverse food scene. But with so many things to do, how do you go about planning your itinerary? What should you include and what should you cut if you only have a few days? In this guide we … Read more
San Francisco’s iconic Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most famous landmarks in America, and it’s up there with the most well known bridges in the world. After walking, cycling and driving across the massive structure, as well as exploring dozens of viewpoints around both sides of the massive international orange colored bridge, we’ve … Read more
San Diego is an outdoorsy, laid back and trendy city boasting the best tacos in the US. If you like museums, beaches, history, food or sunsets, you’re going to love San Diego. We spent 3 full days exploring America’s Finest City from dawn to dusk and it instantly became one of our favorites. Trust us, … Read more
After taking two trips to Death Valley, we can honestly say it’s one of the most underrated national parks in America. Despite it’s ominous sounding name, it is in fact a spectacular landscape loaded with diverse topography, scenic hikes and unique photo spots. You really need three days to see it all, but you can … Read more
Yosemite is a treasure trove of natural beauty. We were blown away by spellbinding landscapes, smooth granite domes and majestic valley views during our 3 day Yosemite trip, and we think it has to be considered one of the crown jewels in America’s national park network. Just like the great writers and photographers who immortalized … Read more
After exploring most of America’s popular landscapes and national parks, we can honestly say Delicate Arch has one of the most striking sunset scenes in the country. The trail was steeper and more of a lung-buster than we expected, but the reward was more than worth the effort. It’s a hike you absolutely can’t miss … Read more
Thinking about taking a road trip in Utah but not sure exactly where to go or how much to include? Or maybe you’re just looking for something a bit different to escape the crowds? In this guide we show you 10 original and personally tested Utah road trips that are based entirely on our own … Read more
The major highlights of both Arches and Canyonlands can be seen in one day. We know because we’ve done it ourselves. If you follow the same long but amazing dawn to dusk itinerary we did, you’ll visit the top photo spots and hike the most popular trails. Looking back, we’d say it’s easily one of … Read more
We’ve explored Zion and Bryce Canyon across multiple trips since 2019, spending a combined 8 days hiking every major trail, chasing sunrise and sunset at iconic viewpoints, and learning the parks in completely different seasons. After an intense October 2019 trip where we tackled Angels Landing, The Narrows and Bryce’s famous hike Queen’s Garden Navajo … Read more
Mesa Arch in Canyonlands National Park is one of the most striking sunrise photo spots we’ve ever seen. And we’ve done our fair share of travel photography since we started this travel blog in 2018, so we have the reference points. What we like most is that it’s one single frame and it’s easy to … Read more
Joshua Tree National Park is a popular weekend getaway destination for millions each year, but you can definitely tick off the park’s major highlights in just one day if you’re shorter on time. We know because we did it ourselves. Our action packed day trip was filled with hikes, views and non-stop photos of wide … Read more
Yellowstone National Park is a travel planning unicorn. It’s an enormous park with multiple entrances, regions and accommodation options. And there’s so much to see! We’re happy to admit that we were overwhelmed when we planned our first 4 days in Yellowstone itinerary back in October 2019, and we travel for a living. But it … Read more
We spent 4 slow and relaxing days exploring the best of Koh Lipe during a month long trip we took to Thailand. The tiny tropical paradise island in the Andaman Sea was our very last stop after traveling through the country from north to south, and boy was it the right place to end our … Read more
Whether you’re a new hiker or a well seasoned veteran, it’s never to late to brush up on important hiking tips for beginners. We love hiking because it can be enjoyed by people of all ages and fitness levels. But no matter where you are on your hiking journey, you can never be too prepared. … Read more
We’ve driven two road trips through the stunning Black Hills of South Dakota and we think it has to be considered as one of the most underrated vacation spots in America. Why? Because it has super-scenic byways, world famous attractions, national parks, a bunch of family friendly activities and a couple of awesome hikes. And … Read more
Custer State Park is one of the largest, most diverse and most popular state parks to visit in the country. It receives around 2 million visitors each year, which is more than many famous national parks! So, there must be a lot of fun activities, right? Well yes, there are. When it comes to planning … Read more
Do you plan to visit several US national parks, monuments, battlefields, forests and seashores in the next year? If the answer is yes, you should seriously consider buying an America the Beautiful Pass to save money. We buy a new pass each year because we can’t stay away from the parks, so it benefits us … Read more
We hiked the super scenic Black Elk Peak Trail on a beautifully sunny day when we road tripped through South Dakota in early October 2019. We’d already ticked off Badlands, Mount Rushmore, Custer Wildlife Loop, Iron Mountain Road and Needles Highway, and just when we thought the Black Hills couldn’t get any better, we climbed … Read more
Road trips are one of our favorite ways to travel and explore new places. We love driving long stretches of the open road listening to epic playlists and feeling the wind in our hair. Over the years we’ve driven some of the best road trips in the United States, including looping around the entire country … Read more
Mount Rushmore is an incredibly popular vacation spot in the heart of South Dakota’s beautiful Black Hills. But what is there to do once you arrive at the world-famous national memorial? And what do you need to know about the surrounding area to help with planning your visit? In this guide we show you exactly … Read more
Badlands National Park has a surprising amount of excellent photo spots. It’s a wide open landscape with rugged buttes, spires, canyons, ravines, colorful rock layers and wildlife that can be seen from overlooks and on hiking trails. So, it really is hard to go wrong with your camera. In this guide we show you our … Read more
Badlands National Park has picturesque hiking trails, beautiful sunrises and sunsets, wildlife like bighorn sheep and a totally unique landscape. What we like about Badlands is that it’s easy to visit, you can see it in half a day and anyone can enjoy the best views of the park right from the car without having … Read more
Capitol Reef National Park is one of the best places you can visit in Utah, and this smaller park offers a different take on photography compared to its famous Mighty 5 siblings. None of the more popular parks have an iconic wooden barn pre-loaded with an incredible backdrop, an orchard for picking fruits or a … Read more
Capitol Reef is Utah’s quieter, smaller and lesser known national park on the famous Mighty 5 road trip circuit. We’re genuinely so glad we took on the extra driving to visit Capitol Reef because it turned out to be a much quieter and more relaxing part of our trip. Look, this park isn’t going to … Read more
Packing for a trip can feel like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. After living out of suitcases and backpacks as we traveled the world for 6 years, our tried and tested packing list can be applied to just about to any trip. We’ll show you an extensive list of things you … Read more
Are you planning to spend a month or longer traveling through Vietnam but don’t know how much to budget for your trip? Then use our popular expense report to help you identify the average costs of visiting Vietnam on a modest budget. In this guide we share the exact numbers for everything we spent for … Read more
Three weeks is the perfect amount of time to spend traveling through northern and central Vietnam, but you’ll need longer if you want to see the whole country properly. We know because it took us 3 weeks to see Hanoi, Sapa, Halong Bay, Ninh Binh, Phong Nha, Hue and Hoi An in October 2018. We … Read more
North and Central Vietnam is filled with stunningly beautiful and diverse landscapes. With just 10 days to formulate your Vietnam itinerary, you’ll need to be organized and get creative with your plans. Based on our own personal experiences in Vietnam, we’ve created 3 very different travel routes for you to consider. The popular cities of … Read more
Vietnam is a beautiful country offering a multitude of unique tourist opportunities. But we can tell you from experience that visiting this diverse and developing country comes with it’s own distinct set of challenges. In this guide we share 21 key things you should know about visiting Vietnam, before planning your trip. These tips are … Read more
Let’s get straight to the point, you only need 2 days in Hanoi, Vietnam. We wished we’d known that before we booked a week in Vietnam’s capital city. And in this guide we share the reasons we think you only need to spend 2 days in Hanoi, based on our experiences, the experiences of other … Read more
Hanoi is the loud, chaotic and energetic capital city in Vietnam we think you need to visit at least once in your lifetime. With history spanning thousands of years, there’s so much to see including sacred pagodas, interesting museums, a fascinating coffee culture and delicious food scene not to mention the affordable prices. In this … Read more
The Hai Van Pass is one of those travel experiences we’ll never forget. It features spectacular panoramic views, death defying roads and constantly evolving climates. We drove our own motorbikes from Hue to Hoi An and we want to help you experience the same electrifying rush we did. In this guide we share our experience … Read more
Spontaneity really is the spice of life. An expression that’s never more true when traveling long term. By sheer happenstance, we found ourselves in a fortuitous position when we took an impromptu private tour with a local man when visiting Hoi An, Vietnam. This tour turned out to be one of the most fascinating days … Read more
Halong Bay is one of Vietnam’s most popular destinations on the heavily beaten tourist path. Who doesn’t want to see a unique UNESCO World Heritage Site on an overnight cruise. But how do you get there and what are the best transportation routes? In this guide we share various ways to travel between Hanoi and … Read more
Vietnam’s most beautiful ancient city Hoi An offers a unique blend of Japanese, Chinese and European influences complimented with a favorable climate and a UNESCO designation. So it’s a pretty great place! But what is there to do once you’re in town? In this guide we show you our favorite things to do in Hoi … Read more
Hoi An is one of Vietnam’s most enchanting cities. Visitors from all over the world flock to soak up Hoi An’s charming mustard yellow colored ancient town each year, but getting there isn’t especially easy. In this guide we show you the best travel options for getting from Da Nang to Hoi An. We also … Read more
Sapa is a quaint rural mountain town surrounded by endless terraces of rice paddies and gorgeous valleys. We think there are two activities every traveler should add to their itinerary, including a homestay with an ethnic community and climbing to the summit of Mount Fansipan. It’s a very picturesque part of northern Vietnam where you … Read more
Imagine trekking through picturesque terraced rice paddies surrounded by rolling hills and valleys as far as the eye can see. Sounds pretty awesome right? Well, that’s exactly what you can do in Sapa, Vietnam. In this guide we share our honest opinions after our 2 days and 1 night trek in Sapa. We’ll tell you … Read more
Halong Bay is Vietnam’s world renowned dreamy bucket list UNESCO destination. Sipping on a delicious cocktail while on the top deck of a junk boat gliding through turquoise water surrounded by limestone rocks is every traveler’s dream. But with dozens of junk boat operators in Halong Bay, how do you choose the best one for … Read more
The historic city of Hue, Vietnam has the perfect unofficial must see backpacker hotspot in the form of a creepy post apocalyptic abandoned water park. We felt this was one place we couldn’t miss and our research left us giddy with anticipation. But it was even better in person. In this guide we explain everything … Read more
The Ninh Binh province is without a doubt one of the most memorable stops on the Southeast Asia travelers route. And while it was once considered a hidden gem, pandora’s box has opened and the secret is officially out. There are so many things to experience in this gorgeous region and it was one of … Read more
Taking a Trang An boat tour is one of the most popular activities in Ninh Binh, Vietnam. The 2-3 hour boat ride passes through caves, temples and limestone karsts. Tickets cost 250,000 VND per person if you don’t mind sharing with other tourists, or you can hire the the entire boat for 1,000,000 VND if … Read more
The Bich Dong Pagoda is a 500 year old three-tiered cave complex in Tam Coc, Vietnam. It was way more interesting to visit than we expected because we had to pass through a dark cave in order to reach the highest-tier of the pagoda, and we found a secluded area behind the pagoda that very … Read more
Known as Hang Mua in Vietnamese, the Mua Cave Viewpoint is one of the most popular tourist spots in Ninh Binh, Vietnam. After climbing 500 stairs, we reached a beautiful 360 degree panoramic vista at the summit which would make for a fantastic place to watch sunset. In this guide we explain everything you need … Read more
Buying your first ever camera is kind of a big deal. There’s a fear of the unknown element, and you’re inevitably going to drop a sizable amount of money. We took the plunge in 2018 and bought our first camera in the world’s most populous metropolis – Tokyo, Japan. Japan is known for its camera … Read more
The sleeper bus is one of the best ways to travel around Vietnam because they’re cheap, easy and extremely efficient. Prices are roughly around US $10-20 for an 8 hour journey, which is super affordable. You can book sleeper buses online or in person, but trust us when we tell you the quality varies enormously … Read more
Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in central Vietnam isn’t easy to reach but it’s filled with tons of great things to do like exploring caves, visiting surprisingly beautiful botanic gardens and chilling in cool backpacker bars. We spent a few days exploring Phong Nha and we’d love to go back again with a huge budget … Read more
The Phong Nha botanic gardens are a popular nature reserve located in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in Vietnam. This garden features three different hiking trails to viewpoints, waterfalls and a small swimming hole. In this guide we explain everything you need to know about the botanic gardens in Phong Nha, based on our experience. … Read more
Located in Phong Nha-Ke bang National Park, Paradise Cave is considered to be the longest dry cave in Asia. It’s 31.4 kilometers long with a height of over 70 meters, and it’s filled with beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. There’s a wooden boardwalk running through a small portion of the cave and it’s well worth visiting. … Read more
Dark Cave is one of the most popular adventure caves in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. It spans almost 6km long, 50m wide and 80m high with two entrances. Unlike many in the region, the cave is not artificially lit and it features a natural mud bath at the end of a narrow passage. In … Read more
San Pedro de Atacama’s Valle de la Luna (Valley of the Moon) is one of the most popular and touristy things to see in the Atacama Desert. We were truly blown away by the unique landscape that looked as though it belonged on another planet or only in the movies. Now, you can visit the … Read more
The small adobe town of San Pedro de Atacama in northeastern Chile is a perfect base to use for exploring the Atacama Desert’s fascinating range of natural landscapes. We knew the surrounding desert environment would be arid, dusty and rugged, but we didn’t expect to have so many options to visit salt flats, volcanoes, geysers … Read more
As travel experts, itinerary planning is something we pride ourselves on. It’s our bread and butter. But sometimes we visit a place that throws us a few curve balls. San Pedro de Atacama is one of those challenging travel destinations to plan a one size fits all itinerary because so much depends on your budget, … Read more
Did you know there are well over a thousand thermal springs dotted around the landlocked central European country of Hungary? We sure didn’t. Hungary’s capital city Budapest is home to 123 thermal springs alone. And of those, Szechenyi Baths is the most famous and most touristy. We spent an afternoon pool hopping around the huge … Read more
Are you trying to decide if it’s worth going to Szimpla Kert when you visit Budapest? The short answer is yes, absolutely, 100%. We were in your shoes a few years ago when we were backpacking around Europe for 3 months. We’d heard about ruin bars and Szimpla Kert in particular as a great place … Read more
Budapest is hands down one of our favorite cities in Europe. We always recommend it to our friends and families because there’s so much going on, it’s easy to get around, the food scene is fantastic and the nightlife is truly unique. Our advice is to spend one day in Buda and three days in … Read more
Not sure where to start with planning for your next trip? We’ve totally been there, but this one-stop travel planning resource covers everything you need to know about preparing for any vacation. In this guide we walk you through our tried and tested easy-to-follow 10 step process we always take when planning a new trip. … Read more
The Los Cahorros hiking trail in Monachil near Granada has been one of our favorite to date! Why? Because it truly is an Indiana Jones like adventure. The Sierra Nevada really delivers on this hike! There are several hanging bridges, swimming spots, narrow caves, amazing view points and tight spaces to squeeze through. The action … Read more
If you’re planning a trip to southern Spain, you should definitely consider visiting the stunning city of Ronda. This quaint Andalusian gem is easily accessible from the Costa Del Sol holiday resorts, Seville or Malaga for an easy and interesting day trip. We spent 2 fantastic weeks touring Andalusia in May 2018, and our time in … Read more
Granada is a beautiful and relaxing Spanish city destination that’s perfect for a long weekend break or a 2 to 3 day stop off as part of a longer southern Spain road trip. The Alhambra palace and fortress complex is by far the most popular thing to see, but don’t for one minute believe that … Read more
Picturesque cobble stoned Cordoba old town is the perfect place to spend one day when traveling between Madrid and Seville or Granada. Armed with a metric ton of old world charm and on the main train line, Cordoba has all the attributes for a perfect day trip. We loved its fascinating history and stunning architecture, … Read more
Madrid is fortunate to have many excellent day trip options, so the real challenge is choosing which one to do! Overall, we think a day trip to Segovia is definitely one of the very best things you can do in Madrid because it has three fantastic attractions, an aqueduct, an Alcázar and a cathedral. In … Read more
Nara is a fantastic city to learn about Japanese history because there are many culturally important temples and shrines. But it’s also famous for something totally unexpected – Nara is home to almost 1,500 freely roaming wild sika deer. And these deer find themselves firmly on almost every first timers Japan itinerary. Why? Because they … Read more
“Well, that was … like nothing I’ve done before” were the first words Mark said to Kristen. We had officially conquered the onsen in Nara, Japan. In other words, we had just bathed butt naked with complete strangers! When originally researching for our first trip to Japan back in 2018, we quickly learned about the … Read more
Nara is probably our favorite day trip destination in Japan because it’s easy to visit from both Osaka and Kyoto, there’s tons to see and do, the food is great and it’s small enough to tick everything off in a few hours. We’ve done two day trips to Nara ourselves (in spring and fall) and … Read more
Walking around old medieval towns near Madrid was one of our top priorities during our 2 week trip to Spain, so we visited Segovia and the stunning city of Toledo by train. Both were lovely, but we found Toledo’s old city to be especially captivating. We actually spent a night in Toledo, but in this … Read more
A weekend in Barcelona is the perfect idea for a fleeting European getaway. Beach lover, hill walker, city dweller, bar hopper, art aficionado or history buff – Barcelona has you covered. This complete guide to visiting Barcelona for a weekend covers many of the city’s major tourist attractions. But our goal is to give you … Read more
We’ve been to Paris over 10 times since we started traveling professionally, spending anywhere from 2 days to over a week exploring the city. After all those visits – including an intensive 8-day trip in November 2023 where we covered every major attraction, and our most recent visit in July 2024 where we learned some … Read more
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