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.
Therese Iknoian & Michael Hodgson
Award-winning travel writers and photographers, Therese Iknoian and Michael Hodgson, 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 American Society of Journalists and Authors, Professional Photographers of America, and the Adventure Travel Trade Association.
Grindelwald First Mountain Inn: A Swiss mountaintop chalet with Eiger views
Staying at Grindelwald First Mountain Inn in Switzerland feels a bit like staying in your own private chalet, one with spectacular views of the Eiger.
HITravelTales’ Michael Hodgson wins Excellence in Journalism Award
Michael Hodgson was honored with first place in the IFWTWA Excellence in Journalism Award.
HITravelTales’ Therese Iknoian wins photography gold at InFocus show
Therese Iknoian has earned a gold medal for a photo that in part depicts what Chernobyl looks like today. The medal came from the InFocus Photo Competition in California’s Sierra foothills.
Enter to win a FREE EZQuest UltimatePower 120W GaN USB-C Wall Charger
We are giving away an UltimatePower 120W GaN USB-C PD Wall Charger. Perfect for travel, the charger has 2 USB-C ports, 1 USB-A port, a 2 meter USB-C cable and an EU plug adapter. It is a charger we use, which is why we are so excited to be able to give one to a lucky winner.
Walkable downtown Raleigh rich in history, museums, and public art
Raleigh, North Carolina, is known as the “Smithsonian of the South,” a nod to its proliferation of museums celebrating art, culture, and history. Get a taste of its history and museums as well as its art on a walking tour of downtown Raleigh.
Grass Valley travel bloggers win multiple gold medals for photojournalism
For the fifth consecutive year, the HI Travel Tales team of Michael Hodgson and Therese Iknoian earned top honors for their photography and photojournalism skills, taking home four gold medals and one bronze in the 31st annual NATJA awards competition.
Mendocino’s Elk Cove Inn: Quirky, comfy bed and breakfast with spectacular views
Elk Cove Inn & Spa in Mendocino is a lovely bed and breakfast where the sounds of Pacific Ocean waves lull you to sleep at night, and the innkeeper awakens you in the morning with a knock and a sumptuous breakfast tray left at the door.
Hotel Au Violon Basel: historic old town Basel hotel with a French twist
Historic Hotel Au Violon in Basel offers a French twist on a centrally located bed and breakfast. Once a monastery, then a prison, this superb old town Basel hotel invites you stay in a remodeled former cell.
Find your own personal paradise at The Inn at Newport Ranch, Mendocino
The Inn at Newport Ranch is a special Mendocino destination. A luxury boutique hotel on the Northern California coastline, the inn is perfect for anyone seeking a natural sanctuary, a personal paradise, and a sustainable coastal escape.
The ultimate guide to the 12 best Christmas markets in Berlin
When it comes to Christmas in Berlin, there are dozens of Christmas markets – so many that it can be difficult to choose the best Christmas markets in Berlin. Here are our top picks to experience among the best Berlin Christmas markets.
Historic Hotel Rochat in Basel Switzerland caters to the modern traveler
Built in 1899, Hotel Rochat in Basel manages to maintain its historic charm while catering to the needs of a modern traveler with air conditioning and supremely comfortable rooms all walkable to so many Basel sights.
See the Corolla Wild Horses on a Humvee wild horse tour
Perhaps the most famous of the wild horse herds, the Corolla wild horses number approximately 100 and can be seen on a wild horse tour into the 8,000-acre sanctuary protecting them north of Corolla in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
The best Jungfrau Switzerland hotel: Hotel Belvedere Grindelwald
Tucked into the glorious Jungfrau mountains, the fourth-generation family-run Hotel Belvedere Grindelwald rises from the center of town to offer the best views in Grindelwald, Switzerland. Casual luxury and refined cuisine are tended by a superbly trained staff and meticulous hands-on owners.
Heights House Hotel a luxury boutique hotel gem in Raleigh, North Carolina
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.
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.
Things to do in New Bern, NC – Discover historic small-town charm
There are plenty of things to do and see in New Bern, North Carolina, which should not come as a surprise since the city’s tagline is “We’ve spent over 300 years preparing for your visit.”
Benjamin Ellis House offers casual luxury in New Bern, North Carolina
New Bern, North Carolina, is a darling city worthy of a stopover to experience small town charm on the Neuse River. We’d recommend you stay at the luxurious Benjamin Ellis House, a spectacular historic inn that gives travelers comfortable, centrally located lodging for a walkable visit.
Hyatt Centric Sacramento: centrally located historic boutique hotel
When you visit California’s capital city of Sacramento consider staying at the Hyatt Centric, a superbly located upscale boutique hotel that shows off the building’s history.
Grass Valley travel journalists win three photography gold medals
Michael Hodgson and Therese Iknoian win three gold medals, a silver medal, and two bronze medals in the International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association 2022 photography awards.
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.
Best travel pants for men and women – the pants we wear when traveling
What makes the best travel pants for any type of traveler? Since a lot of travel also involves sitting and walking, what pants you slip on makes a big difference in your travel comfort. These are the brands we recommend as the best travel pants for men and best travel pants for women.
Subscriber Club Member Discounts and Deals
In addition to the free access to recipes, ebook downloads and premium content, Subscriber Club members get access to exclusive discounts on services and products our favorite brands and destination partners provide. Thank you for being a Subscriber Club member!
Berlin gasometer: best sunrise to sunset views of Berlin
Take a Berlin gasometer tour to experience what could arguably be one of the best views of 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 medals for website & photography excellence
For the fourth consecutive year, HI Travel Tales has won top honors for excellence, with the blog named as one of the three best in North America in the 30th Annual NATJA Travel Media Awards Competition as well as gold and bronze medals for photography.
Cruise Modesto: Almond blossoms, olive oil, milkshakes, and fun
When you visit Modesto, you need to jump in your car and really cruise Modesto to understand the city’s wealth of agriculture, adventure, history, and food. An audio tour provides a perfect guide to the highlights.
Our top photos from Instagram: best of Instagram 2021
These are our top photos from Instagram – voted on by our followers with their likes, shares, and comments. We hope our best of Instagram 2021 travel photos will help you dream of destinations near and far, and inspire you to start your travel bucket list for 2022.
Visiting a Maasai village in Kenya – What to expect
A visit to a Maasai Village in Kenya offers a unique insight into the Maasai culture and way of life, as well as providing fantastic photo opportunities. But you need to know what to expect and what the Maasai will expect of you.
Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel: A luxury historic San Francisco hotel
The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel offers affordable boutique luxury with amazing San Francisco views and location. Renovated in 2020, the historic Clift Hotel rates as a top hotel in San Francisco for comfort, ambiance, and service.
A gift guide for buying the perfect gifts for any photographer
Photographers can be a difficult bunch to buy for but we’re here to make choosing the perfect gift for any photographer a lot easier. This list contains perfect photography gifts, big or small, from photo gear we use and love.
Travel gifts for him or her: Perfect gifts for the traveler in your life
Any time of year is the time of year for travel gifts for him or her. We can help you find the perfect gifts for the traveler in your life – or perhaps a few super practical or fun items for you, too.
Best vacation travel tips: Stay healthy, stress-free and safe
Traveling by airplane, train, car, or bus can be stressful, especially if plans must shift or change due to cancellations, delays, or illness. Our vacation travel tips will help you minimize the stress!
Palm Springs outdoor art scene – Palm Springs public art and art walks
While Palm Springs may be famous for its celebrity lifestyle and Hollywood elite residences, it is becoming even more famous for its public outdoor art and murals. Our guide to the Palm Springs outdoor art scene details art walks and publicly supported art in a vibrant public art scene.
Packing tips for sustainable travel – be an eco-conscious traveler
For the sustainable traveler, being eco-conscious is a lifestyle that drives all day-to-day choices. And packing for a vacation is no exception. Here are some suggestions for what to pack, and what not to pack, to ensure that you’re traveling with environmental and cultural sensitivity top of mind.
HI Travel Tales Guest Blogging Guidelines
How to submit a guest blogging pitch for HI Travel Tales. Be original. Be inspiring. Be authentic. Be professional. You must have your own website. Read this if you want to write for us. We’re very selective. Being up front, we don’t accept link exchanges or sponsored posts – period.
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.
Hotel Winters a gem of a Yolo County hotel
Hotel Winters in Yolo County, California, opened in 2019. It offers a taste of casual luxury in the small, charming farm town of Winters and is a perfect base for exploring nearby wineries, restaurants, and outdoor recreation.
We love sunflowers! Best sunflower photos and sunflower facts
Everyone loves sunflowers. Sunflowers symbolize loyalty and adoration in the Western world. In China, they symbolize long life and good fortune. To Native Americans the sunflower represents harvest and bounty. Enjoy a gallery of our best sunflower photos and fun sunflower facts.
Sunflower photography tips – How to take great sunflower photos
Sunflowers offer incredible photo opportunities to a photographer with a bit of imagination and planning. Sunrise to sunset and every bit of light in between, knowing how to take great sunflower photos in the sunflower fields is the key to success. Our sunflower photography tips will help.
SCP Mendocino Inn and Farm: perfect Mendocino hotel escape
The SCP Mendocino Inn and Farm provides an ideal Mendocino coast escape. Located a short stroll from Van Damme State Park and Beach, and only a few minutes’ drive from historic Mendocino, the Inn and Farm bed and breakfast hotel impresses in every way.
California road trip visit to Feather River Fish Hatchery & Oroville Dam
A fun Northern California road trip stop in Oroville, just off Highway 70, east of Highway 99, is the Feather River Fish Hatchery and Oroville Dam.
Want to drive fast cars? Head to the BMW Performance Driving School
At the BMW Performance Driving School in Thermal, California, anyone can get behind the wheel of a high-performance BMW and drive faster than ever imagined, all under the watchful eyes and guidance of a professional race car driver.
Getting and managing money when traveling
Getting and managing money when traveling is not all that complicated or difficult, but a few universal money and safety tips do make the task easier wherever you may travel in the world.
HI Travel Tales takes home four global photography awards
In the first photo competition by the International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association, Therese Iknoian and Michael Hodgson garnered four awards, including a Best of Show.
Modesto Almond Blossom Cruise a California road trip delight
Expanses of almond orchards blooming in Modesto make for the perfect California road trip in the Central Valley. Time it just right on a February-March almond blossom cruise for a sensory overload of white and pink almond blossoms, buzzing bees, and the most intoxicating scent you can imagine.
HI Travel Tales wins five awards in NATJA Travel Media Awards
For the third year in a row, HI Travel Tales has won multiple awards in the North American Travel Journalists Association national contest, the NATJA Travel Media Awards. For 2020, Therese Iknoian and Michael Hodgson took home five awards, all honoring outstanding travel photography.
Noyo Harbor Inn – Secluded historic escape in Fort Bragg
Tucked onto a bluff overlooking Noyo Harbor in Fort Bragg, California, the Noyo Harbor Inn offers a secluded escape with a surprisingly accessible location along Highway 1.
Best Antarctica photos – Our favorite Antarctica Intagram photos
Venturing to the southernmost continent of Antarctica is a bucket-list adventure for many with its endless ice, beautiful blue waters, and wildlife like penguins and whales. In March of 2018, we joined a Polar Latitudes expedition to Antarctica and have assembled here a collection of some of our favorite Antarctica photos shared on Instagram.
Top 10 stories of 2020 – Readers keep dreaming of travel
It has been a very long 2020 but through it all we found our readers still wanted to dream of travel, to think about travel, and to plan for travel. This was made clear with our Top 10 Stories of 2020 as selected by our readers and what they viewed. Local and regional U.S. stories, stories that highlighted adventures closer to home and ideas for road trips, sprinkled with a few topics drawn from our archives allowed us and our readers to keep dreaming of travel in 2021.
Our top photos from Instagram: best of Instagram 2020
These are our best Instagram photos of 2020 – voted on by our followers with their likes and shares. We hope our travel photos will help inspire you to plan future travel, dream of destinations near and far, and start your travel bucket list for 2021 … and beyond.
Perfect travel gifts for under 45 dollars
The experienced global travel team at HI Travel Tales knows what every business or holiday traveler wants and needs when it comes to receiving perfect travel gifts from family and friends. Little things — often items priced under $45 – can provide convenience and comfort. Or may even help save a little money. With that in mind, here are 10 perfect travel gifts, all under $35, that are sure to become a must-pack of your favorite traveler in the year ahead — the best gifts for people who love to travel.
Little River Inn – Where Mendocino history and the Pacific Ocean meet
Overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Mendocino County, California, the historic Little River Inn has 65 rooms, and features a spa, a health club and a restaurant on site. People stay here for the views and keep coming back because of the hospitality.
Therese Iknoian places 3rd in Washington Post Travel photo contest
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.
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 horrors
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.
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.
Teddy & Friends: traveling stuffed animals
Traveling stuffed animals are perfect travel partners and friends. They never complain and are always ready for the next adventure, the next photo opportunity, or a really good restaurant. They listen intently to your every word. They are a constant reminder that imagination and a sense of humor inspire smiles and connections with strangers around the world. They travel free and often serve as a trip mascot, no matter what trip you are on. And they are always ready to offer a hug.
Our favorite street art from around the world
We love street art, and seek it out where ever we travel. Here are some awesome photos of our favorite street art around the world that have appeared in our Instagram feed.
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 like Global Rescue memberships for medical evacuation coverage
Medical and security emergencies happen, anywhere in the world. Global Rescue, is a leading membership organization providing integrated medical, security, travel risk and crisis response services to travelers worldwide. Learn why like Global Rescue memberships for emergency evacuation coverage, including COVID transportation home.
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. Read our review of Dar Manara, located in the Asilah medina.
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.
Things to do in Berlin: The best travel guide to Berlin sights
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.
The best travel gifts for the travelers in your life
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.
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...
Cozy travel comfort gear: Pillows, eye shades, clothes
Travel doesn’t have to be overly uncomfortable, as long as you assemble a packable travel comfort gear kit. Being frequent flyers and in airplanes and trains way too often, we have explored many ways to stay comfortable. Travel in comfort with these travel tips.
The Best Travel Luggage: What we use and recommend
Luggage is so personal, particularly for travel. It is impossible to name a suitcase as THE best travel luggage for everyone. Read our luggage travel tips so you know what luggage, carryon and checked suitcase, is best for you.
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.
Training tips for a multi-day bike tour
A bike tour demands slightly different fitness preparation than other types of vacations or holidays. Learn our insider training tips for a multi-day bike adventure so your next bike tour, wherever in the world it might be, is as fun and painless as possible.
8 simple ways to stay fit and healthy during travel
Trying to stay fit and healthy during travel can be a challenge. We make it easier with a nifty infographic that will help guide your health and fitness planning anywhere you travel.
Travel to Ethiopia for an Orthodox Christmas experience
Cheryl K. of New York chose this particular trip in December 2016 to travel to Ethiopia to see how Ethiopians celebrate Orthodox Christmas, which is called Genna, and “Timkat,” which is the baptism of Jesus. What she discovered was so much more – stone churches, bull jumping, baboons, culture. She shared her story with us.
Traveling with MS: Finding accessible adventure in Costa Rica
Travel naturally inspires individuals to experience new cultures, food, adventures, and activities. Traveling with MS (multiple sclerosis), especially to exotic locations such as Costa Rica, adds an additional challenge that demands careful planning and flexibility.
Teddy Bear Wisdom: Travel with your best friend
Dr. Whoo and Tony believe it is so much fun to travel with your best friend. And, as you can tell, they are not exactly similar in style or even appearance though they have become the best of friends. And that is because they have learned to work together, listen to each other, encourage each other, and communicate openly and honestly.
Three Asian luxury hotels that stand out + 3 more
When our luxury travel experts recommend Asian luxury hotels, it’s not just because the hotel boasts 5-star status. They personally check out each hotel. Here are the Asian luxury hotels that stood out in 2016 – Phum Baitang, Amanemu, Jamtara Wilderness Camp, Villa Mahabhirom, The Upper House, and Jawai Leopard Camp.
Two European luxury hotels that stand out + three more
Here are two amazing European luxury hotels that stand out above the rest among all the hotels where our expert travel team stayed in 2016 — plus three more. Hotels include Killiehuntly Farmhouse, Cotton House Hotel, Kinloch Lodge, The Pig, and Aman.
Travel is fatal to prejudice and gives life to new friendships
JoJo knows from experience that travel is fatal to prejudice because travel gives life to new friendships that are never based on skin color, birthplace, language, religion, or sexual orientation — in other words, senseless fears of differences.
An exotic taste of Latin America in Cartagena, Colombia
Cartagena, Colombia, promises an exotic taste of Latin America even if you only have a week or less of vacation time. What you’ll discover: some of the best seafood of your life (so good, Anthony Bourdain counted it among his top picks); colorful streets that ooze Spanish-colonial charm and beg to be photographed; regionally made, artisan keepsakes such as wide-brimmed straw hats and iconic mochila bags; boutique properties so sumptuous and inviting they feel more like a stay at your friend’s historical mansion than a hotel; and day trips to remote islands for snorkeling and seafood straight from the ocean to the grill.
Love is Traveling Together
For Charlotte and FoxFury, the adventure of traveling together and the wonder and joy of seeing new places, meeting new people, and learning new things is the ultimate expression of love.
Mukluk experienced his first snowfall and first snow angel
Hiking in the Sierra Nevada Mountains near the towns of Portola and Graeagle just north of Lake Tahoe, Mukluk encountered his very first snowfall and of course had only one thought — he had to make his first snow angel.
Lost in Translation: Funny Chinese English instructions in hotels
You don’t have to spend more than a few hours in China before funny Chinese English instructions begin to leap out at you resulting in raised eyebrows, giggles, smiles, and even outbursts of laughter. But it is in hotels that the level of ridiculous attempts at English take on an entirely new level of funny Chinese English!
Lost in Translation: Funny Chinese English on warning signs
The eleven signs with funny Chinese English in this post are part of our second offering in a series of stories on funny Chinese-to-English translation fails. If you missed it, be sure to check out “Lost in Translation: Fire warnings become funny Chinese signs.” Now, without further ado, funny Chinese signs with extremely humorous translation fails focused on warning the public about something or other.
Lost in Translation: Fire warnings become funny Chinese English signs
Funny Chinese English translation fails are legendary and the stuff that inspires countless online spoofs, digital highlights, published humor books and even plays. You don’t have to spend more than a few hours in China before funny Chinese English signs and translations begin to leap out at you inspiring raised eyebrows, giggles and even outbursts of laughter. Enjoy this one with funny Chinese English signs for fire warnings.
8 ways to communicate when traveling in a foreign country
While English is one of the most commonly spoken languages in the world if you really want to be comfortable traveling it pays to know how to best communicate when traveling. We’ll show you eight easy ways to communicate in any language to be sure you are understood and understanding.
Florida’s hidden gems: 10 more reasons to visit
There are plenty quiet and magical places sans crowds in Florida if you know where to look — places we like to refer to as Florida’s hidden gems. Rest assured that when Ponce de León first arrived in Florida in 1513 he wasn’t greeted by Walt Disney or Mickey Mouse. You too can get to Florida and not just find theme parks or senior citizens’ specials. The Sunshine State has hidden gems that whisk you way beyond the expected.
Business Trip Packing Tips: Fight wrinkles & worry
Ease your travel stress with our business trip packing tips. Traveling for business is challenging enough, even for frequent flyers. Trudging on and off planes, trains and automobiles while schlepping clothes and gear is hard. Mix in being forced to mingle with coworkers in hotels, restaurants and airport lounges – people you may hardly know outside of the office — and even the best of us can feel discombobulated. There are ways to fight the stress, however. It starts with packing light, as we detailed in our recent article, Packing light: smart load-trimming tips.
Six last-minute gifts for travelers
As the countdown to your holiday celebrations continues, have you gotten all those little gifts for travelers in your life yet? HI Travel Tales has a few suggestions for quick, cool, practical travel gifts.
Packing tips: useful travel must-haves from the junk drawer
Aside from a few selective travel accessories, the really useful travel must-haves to pack on your next trip will come from the junk drawer, sewing cabinet or garage shelves at home.