From 1,200 photographs, Therese Iknoian’s photo taken in the Sahara in Morocco won third place in the 2020 Washington Post Travel photo contest.
Inspiring Travel Adventures
Michael & Therese
Award-winning travel writers and photographers, Michael Hodgson and Therese Iknoian, use words, art, video and photography to inspire you to embark on your own travel adventures. They are members of the North American Travel Journalists Association, the International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association, the Society of American Travel Writers, and the Adventure Travel Trade Association.
Life during the COVID-19 pandemic – Photos capture a world on hold
We put out a call to friends and colleagues around the world for photos to document how some of us are experiencing life during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. Photos from Stockholm, Berlin, Paris, Innsbruck, Boston, New Orleans, London, New York, and California. Each of the photos capture a world on hold during the coronavirus outbreak — sad, strange or with humor.
Seelow Heights museum memorializes Battle of Berlin 75th anniversary
In the last days of World War II, the Battle of the Seelow Heights to the east of Berlin was a bloody massacre. The small Seelow Heights museum and memorial features exhibits, artifacts, and graves documenting the Battle of Berlin and the tens of thousands of lives lost in just three days.
Climb the Berlin gasometer for the best sunset views of the city
Take a Berlin gasometer tour to experience what could arguably be one of the best views of the Berlin, sunrise to sunset. View a photo gallery and video of our gasometer tour to get a look at the adventure of a lifetime you could have. The 360-degree views of Berlin from the top of the gasometer are stunning, night or day.
HI Travel Tales wins gold and silver travel photography and writing awards for 2019
HI Travel Tales took home four national awards recognizing excellence in travel journalism from the North American Travel Journalists Association. Therese Iknoian and Michael Hodgson, who run the travel blog HITravelTales.com, won a gold medal, two silvers and an honorable mention for excellence in travel photography and writing.
Discover the best hotels in Morocco – our favorite hotels in Morocco
From exotic villas to ecolodges to family-owned boutique hotels, make sure your stay in Morocco will be nothing short of amazing with our pick of the best hotels in Morocco. If it makes our list of a top Morocco hotel, it is because we have stayed there and personally recommend it.
Best Morocco photos – Our favorite Morocco Instagram photos
Morocco is a country that fills your senses to overflowing. Morocco is a country that will get inside your soul. It is both exotic and gritty and that, in part, is the attraction. The best of our Morocco Instagram photos will help inspire your next visit, or fondly remember your last.
Best Berlin Photos – Our favorite Berlin Instagram photos
Berlin is endlessly fascinating and remains one of our favorite cities in the world to photograph and explore. We’ve included a few of our top Berlin photos in this Best Berlin Photos – Our favorite Berlin Instagram photos post. Scroll through to discover what to see on your Berlin visit.
10 photos from the 10s: our favorite photographs of the decade
10 photos from the 10s. Michael Hodgson and Therese Iknoian pick 10 photos that meant the most to them from the last decade of travel around the world. Our favorite photographs of the decade.
Bab el Oued Ecolodge: Draa Valley eco retreat in Tamnougalt village
Bab el Oued Ecolodge in Tamnougalt village, Morocco, offers a garden retreat with winding paths, a pool, separate cottages and excellent dinners. It is a lush world filled with plants and seductive scents from jasmine and roses. Read our review of our stay at Bab el Oued Ecolodge here.
Why we use Global Rescue for evacuation and travel insurance coverage
Medical and security emergencies happen, anywhere in the world. We have chosen Global Rescue, the world’s leading membership organization providing integrated medical, security, travel risk and crisis response services to travelers worldwide. Read why we chose Global Rescue for our emergency evacuation and travel insurance coverage.
Why we like buying travel insurance from World Nomads
Buying travel insurance should be simple and flexible and it is with World Nomads. You can buy and claim online, even after you’ve left home. Travel insurance from WorldNomads.com is available to people from over 130 countries. It’s designed for adventurous travelers with coverage for overseas medical, evacuation, baggage and a range of adventure sports and activities. Find out why we like World Nomads for travel insurance.
Dining at Drago’s Seafood Restaurant on the Louisiana Oyster Trail
We were following the Louisiana Oyster Trail in the town of Metairie just outside New Orleans. Our first stop was at the door of Drago’s Seafood Restaurant, home of the charbroiled oyster. Oysters were on the menu, and Michael was eagerly looking forward to sampling the promised charbroiled oyster dish. Drago’s offers so much more than oysters though, as we were to discover.
Dar Manara: Asilah Morocco riad in the medina
Dar Manara is a cozy riad in Asilah Morocco, a small, artsy town that offers a restful medina where you won’t get lost. Staying in Dar Manara in the medina on a visit to Asilah means convenience.
HI Travel Tales wins multiple travel photography awards
HI Travel Tales has won multiple travel photography awards this summer, with five of our travel photos each winning award recognition on state and regional levels.
What to do in Regensburg: The ultimate Regensburg city guide
Regensburg is Germany’s “best-preserved” with plenty do do and see. Things to do in Regensburg include wandering along medieval streets in Old Town (Altstadt), walk across the Steinerne Brücke (Stone Bridge) spanning the Danube, and see Roman walls, tour churches, towers and even a torture chamber.
What to do in Budapest: The ultimate Budapest city guide
Wondering what to do in Budapest? Our Budapest City Guide will help you visit the Jewish Quarter, City Park and Heroes’ Square plus Castle Hill, Hospital in the Rock, Cave Church, an array of museums, and glorious buildings that crown the Budapest hillside.
What to do in Berlin: The ultimate Berlin city guide
Wondering what to do in Berlin? Berlin is cosmopolitan, worldly, quirky, exotic, bohemian, evolving, vibrant, alive. Watch a sunset from the TV Tower, visit the Reichstag, the Berliner Dom, Checkpoint Charlie, the Berlin Wall Memorial, the East Side Gallery, or simply walk along the Spree.
9 essential travel photography tips for any photographer
Travel photography. We love capturing engaging images and videos of our travels because travel photos are memories. Anyone can snap photos with a smartphone camera or a point-and-shoot. But becoming a good travel photographer takes practice. Learning the 9 travel photography tips in this post is a good start. Ready to start taking great travel photos? Let’s go!
Adventure in Georgia – a bucket list destination
Georgia, a former Soviet republic at the crossroads between Europe and Asia, has its arms open to welcome travelers from all corners of the globe. This video from our friends at GLP Films is your invitation to adventure in Georgia.
HI Travel Tales wins top 2018 national travel journalism awards
HI Travel Tales has won three national travel journalism awards from the North American Travel Journalists Association. Michael Hodgson and Therese Iknoian were each recognized for an illustrated story in an online publication. Our website was also recognized as one of the best independent travel blogs in 2018.
Best holiday travel advice – Stay healthy, stress-free and safe
When holidays or vacation travel approaches, the best holiday travel advice will save you money, time and stress. We are on the road constantly — in trains, in cars, on planes, on short travel, on long trips. Our holiday travel tips come from decades of international travel experience.
My grandfather’s life – Secrets in a 1914 Princess Mary gift box
The secrets of my grandfather’s life are held in a box — a 1914 Princess Mary gift box. It’s just a simple brass box. Weathered, dented, tarnished. But to me it is precious because this box saved his life. Which meant this box, in a way, saved my mum’s, mine and my daughter’s life too.
The best travel gifts for 2018-2019 – perfect gifts for travel lovers
The best travel gifts are something that the traveler in your life will actually appreciate and use – and never leave home without. We’ve put together a lineup of gifts for people who love to travel.
You could win a $200 gift certificate to shop at Mountain Khakis
We’re longtime Mountain Khakis fans. Pants, shirts, dresses, jackets — at least one or two items find their way into our luggage for any trip we take. Why? Mountain Khakis clothing is comfortable, fashionable, durable, functional and looks cool....
8 superstitions travelers need to know when exploring Asia
From the practical to the downright odd, superstitions in different Asian countries are not only very common and diverse; they are also something to take into account when exploring Asia. Here are 8 superstitions you need to be aware of before your next trip to Asia.
Best travel underwear – bras, briefs, boxers and socks
What makes the best travel underwear? Yeah, we’re talking skivvies, such as bras, briefs, panties, boxers and socks — the foundation for any comfy travel outfit. Don’t let your undies get in a bunch. Let us help you choose the best travel underwear for any adventure.
Win free Chill Angel Jammies – A Sereni-Tee and Boxer Set
We want to give ONE lucky winner a free Chill Angel Sereni-Tee and Boxer set. That’s a $170 value.
We were just nominated for a Liebster Award!
We were recently nominated for a Liebster Award! Quite honestly, when we were first told about receiving the award, we had no idea what it was. But it didn’t take long to learn that receiving a Liebster Award is a very cool honor in part because it is bestowed on you...
Biking the Danube – A photo tour
Biking the Danube. It is a picturesque journey that follows the Danube River along a bike path that passes through Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary.