The Deutschlandmuseum Berlin is like no other museum we have ever experienced. You get 2000 years of German history presented interactively and educationally as 12 epochs. You leave feeling as if you’ve truly lived the history.
HI Travel Tales
Begin a journey of discovery and wonder
Dresden Christmas market guide: historic Striezelmarkt plus seven more
Dresden Germany prides itself on its Christmas markets, holiday cheer, bright lights, and festive spirit. And well it should as the Striezelmarkt is thought to be the oldest Christmas market in the world. These are eight of what we think are the best Dresden Christmas markets to help you plan your European Christmas market visits.
The Wild Horses of the Outer Banks
Wild horses of the Outer Banks of North Carolina can be seen near Corolla in the north or Shackleford Banks near Beaufort in the south. Enjoy this gallery of wild horse photos.
20 top things to do in Dresden: a weekend travel guide
There are so many things to do in Dresden, a weekend is hardly enough. Food, wine, river views, art galleries, WWII history, and architecture, Dresden should be a must-visit for anyone traveling to Germany.
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, 48 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 Tips & Resources
A guide to the best women’s travel pants with pockets
Women’s pants with pockets are mandatory for travel. Who wants to always carry a purse or pack? Unfortunately, great women’s travel pants with pockets aren’t easy to find – I know because I’ve tried dozens of brands in my ongoing quest for the best travel pants. Here are some of my current favorite brands.
Packing light for travel is easy with our 10 packing tips for traveling light
Packing light is essential for today’s travel – and it’s not that hard with modern fabrics. Here are 10 easy packing tips to help you pack lighter, which will make your travel adventures that much better.
Airline travel tips: flight delays, cancelations, and lost flight attendants
Flight delays and cancelations are no fun. But the travel pain can be minimized if you are properly prepared. Our practical airline travel tips will help you successfully manage flight cancelations, delays — and even airlines that manage to lose flight attendants.
Into the dark: Traveling the world as a night photographer
Travel photography doesn’t stop when the sun goes down. Sometimes the true soul of a place comes alive after dark. Enjoying and exploring the night skies when traveling is a challenge and a joy, allowing a night photographer to return with truly memorable images.
My tips to keep your hands warm during cold weather photography
Photography is my passion. But I also have something called Reynaud’s that makes me more susceptible to the cold, especially my hands. So I had to come up with ways to keep my hands warm for cold weather photography. Here are my DIY tips to keep shooting and staying warm, too.
Switching seats on a plane? Why I often say ‘no’ to swapping seats
I often say “no” to swapping seats on a plane. I do get asked to switch seats on a plane often enough, and sometimes, though infrequently, I am the one doing the asking. There is an etiquette to seat swapping to keep the skies friendly.
Tips & Resources
A guide to the best women’s travel pants with pockets
Women’s pants with pockets are mandatory for travel. Who wants to always carry a purse or pack? Unfortunately, great women’s travel pants with pockets aren’t easy to find – I know because I’ve tried dozens of brands in my ongoing quest for the best travel pants. Here are some of my current favorite brands.
Packing light for travel is easy with our 10 packing tips for traveling light
Packing light is essential for today’s travel – and it’s not that hard with modern fabrics. Here are 10 easy packing tips to help you pack lighter, which will make your travel adventures that much better.
Airline travel tips: flight delays, cancelations, and lost flight attendants
Flight delays and cancelations are no fun. But the travel pain can be minimized if you are properly prepared. Our practical airline travel tips will help you successfully manage flight cancelations, delays — and even airlines that manage to lose flight attendants.
Into the dark: Traveling the world as a night photographer
Travel photography doesn’t stop when the sun goes down. Sometimes the true soul of a place comes alive after dark. Enjoying and exploring the night skies when traveling is a challenge and a joy, allowing a night photographer to return with truly memorable images.
Travel Journals
New Korean War Memorial Wall of Remembrance in D.C. is personal
A Wall of Remembrance was added in July 2022 at the Korean War Memorial in Washington, D.C. Therese was there to honor the memory of her uncle Capt. Ara Mooradian, USAF, MIA, at the family ceremony prior to the public dedication. She took that moment to explore her own relationship to her uncle and his memory.
Solo road trip: How I fell in love with solo car travel
When the world came to a grinding halt in March 2020, the days began to melt one into the other. Until I discovered the joy of a solo road trip. This is the story of solo car travel as transformative travel and how it opened my mind and soul.
Make travel important in the New Year – transformative travel is life-changing
It is too easy to get stuck in a grind, in a life that sucks you into a day-to-day routine that leads to being unfit and unhealthy. But, if you make travel important, travel can be your lifesaver, leading you to a fresh start or exposing you to a mind-opening experience that affects you deeply and changes your life forever. Transformative travel is life-changing.
Iditarod dog sledding adventure – Nome Alaska goes to the dogs
Experience the lighter side of the Iditarod. Humor writer Michael Hodgson generates laughs during the Iditarod, an 1000-mile epic sled dog race from Anchorage to Nome. Even the dogs were laughing at him.
Travel Journals
New Korean War Memorial Wall of Remembrance in D.C. is personal
A Wall of Remembrance was added in July 2022 at the Korean War Memorial in Washington, D.C. Therese was there to honor the memory of her uncle Capt. Ara Mooradian, USAF, MIA, at the family ceremony prior to the public dedication. She took that moment to explore her own relationship to her uncle and his memory.
Make travel important in the New Year – transformative travel is life-changing
It is too easy to get stuck in a grind, in a life that sucks you into a day-to-day routine that leads to being unfit and unhealthy. But, if you make travel important, travel can be your lifesaver, leading you to a fresh start or exposing you to a mind-opening experience that affects you deeply and changes your life forever. Transformative travel is life-changing.
Solo road trip: How I fell in love with solo car travel
When the world came to a grinding halt in March 2020, the days began to melt one into the other. Until I discovered the joy of a solo road trip. This is the story of solo car travel as transformative travel and how it opened my mind and soul.
Food & Wine
A traveler’s guide to tea culture around the world
In many countries, tea is far more than just another hot drink. It has become a cultural expression of hospitality, spirituality, peace, or harmony. It is often a reason to gather socially. Discover the different tea cultures around the world.
News & Updates
Michael Hodgson awarded Best in Show at the 2023 California State Fair
Michael Hodgson’s “Running With the Wind” photo wins a Juror’s Award and Best in Show recognition at the 2023 California Sate Fair Photography / Fine Arts competition.
Food & Wine
A traveler’s guide to tea culture around the world
In many countries, tea is far more than just another hot drink. It has become a cultural expression of hospitality, spirituality, peace, or harmony. It is often a reason to gather socially. Discover the different tea cultures around the world.
News & Updates
Michael Hodgson awarded Best in Show at the 2023 California State Fair
Michael Hodgson’s “Running With the Wind” photo wins a Juror’s Award and Best in Show recognition at the 2023 California Sate Fair Photography / Fine Arts competition.
Free eBook Travel Guides
Join our subscriber club today and never miss an award-winning story or photograph. Plus you'll receive our monthly newsletter and get full access to FREE downloads of e-books, recipes and more -- no spam, ever, promise.