A former Civil War-era mansion has been recast as the Heights House Hotel, a luxury boutique hotel in the historic Boylan Heights neighborhood overlooking downtown Raleigh, North Carolina.
HI Travel Tales
Begin a journey of discovery and wonder
Love and passports
We’re Michael and Therese, and we want to inspire your travel dreams with our experience, curiosity, and award-winning photos and stories. Our travel includes all seven continents, 46 countries (and counting) and all 50 states in the United States. We love guiding you to off-the-beaten-path destinations and offering useful travel tips along the way. If you’re seeking more immersive and meaningful travel, and hidden gems or local secrets, even at popular travel destinations, you’ll find them here.
Travel Adventures
“Top of Adventure” fun and views at Grindelwald-First in Jungfrau Switzerland
Grindelwald-First, above the town of Grindelwald in the Swiss Alps Jungfrau region, offers a taste of adventure for everyone — you don’t have to be a climber or paraglider to enjoy it all.
Best Berlin museums highlighted during Long Night of Museums Berlin
Imagine staying up all night going in and out of any number of Berlin museums. When the annual Long Night of Museums in Berlin rolled around, we joined in the fun — wandering through museums until 2 a.m. It is a great way to explore some of the best Berlin museums.
Travel Tips & Resources
Wildlife Photography Tips: 9 tips to improve your wildlife photos
It is not difficult to take eye-catching images of animals if you know a few wildlife photography tips. These nine tips improved my wildlife photos immediately, and they will improve your photographs, too.
Clean your luggage after every trip to protect against bed bugs and germs
Don’t bring germs and bugs into your home after you travel. Know how to properly clean and sanitize your carry-on and checked luggage to keep your suitcases looking good as well as bug and germ free.
Air travel is getting harder: Here’s how to make flying more enjoyable
Air travel is getting harder. Long delays, canceled flights, lost or delayed luggage, and horror stories of packed planes, plus stressed-out passengers, and flight crews. Here are a few tips to make flying more enjoyable or at least tolerable.
Where will your dreams take you?
Our 5 Most Popular Stories
>>The best railbike adventures: Find railbikes near me
>>What Chernobyl looks like today: The Chernobyl disaster in photos
>>Visit Camano Island Washington through the eyes of locals
>>Why I love Kenya: For 43 years I dreamed of returning
>>Visit Winters: California wines, cuisine, and, a side of adventure
5 stories you’ll find useful
>>Top hotel safety tips: Your hotel room safety is important
>>Five tips for staying warm in Antarctica
>>8 ways to communicate when traveling in a foreign country
>>Road trip safety essentials for travel during COVID-19
>>Cajun cooking class with Spuddy: Real Cajun gumbo recipe
Where will your dreams take you?
Our 5 Most Popular Stories
>>The best railbike adventures: Find railbikes near me
>>What Chernobyl looks like today: The Chernobyl disaster in photos
>>Visit Camano Island Washington through the eyes of locals
>>Why I love Kenya: For 43 years I dreamed of returning
>>Visit Winters: California wines, cuisine, and, a side of adventure
5 stories you’ll find useful
>>Top hotel safety tips: Your hotel room safety is important
>>Five tips for staying warm in Antarctica
>>8 ways to communicate when traveling in a foreign country
>>Road trip safety essentials for travel during COVID-19
>>Cajun cooking class with Spuddy: Real Cajun gumbo recipe