We normally stay with my wife’s sister and her husband when we roll into town. It’s tradition. It’s comfortable. It’s free. But Christmas changes everything. This year, thanks to everyone  coming into town including three members of my clan flying in from the Minneapolis St. Paul area we decided to spare the household chaos and book a room at the Embassy Suites in Saratoga Springs, conveniently located off Broadway and Congress Street… directly across from a 24-hour CVS, whic

December 23, 2025 began the way all great holiday travel stories do: with an Uber bill that makes you briefly question every life decision you’ve ever made. Ninety-five dollars later, we rolled from our home in Oceanside to San Diego International Airport, arriving a heroic three hours early because nothing says seasoned travelers  like being wildly overprepared. Armed with CLEAR and TSA Precheck, we strutted toward security like airport royalty. We expected chaos, delays, ma

For all my fellow Tesla owners, let me share a little Thanksgiving adventure with you. As you know, I live in Southern California—land of eternal sunshine and people who panic at the sight of a cloud. Well, right before Turkey Day, we actually got a rain shower . Yes, yes, I know… “It never rains in Southern California.” Well, it did. And apparently my Tesla took it very personally. So, there I am, driving through what you East Coasters and Midwesterners would call “a light m

Ah, San Francisco — the City by the Bay, home of sourdough bread, sea lions, and apparently, travel chaos with a side of mystery meat...

Let me set the stage: Carnival Glory , headed to the Bahamas, packed with 19+ of my relatives for our family reunion, most of whom I...

Our Spring Break extravaganza is winding down, folks. After gallivanting across Greece like gods on Mount Olympus, we're wrapping things...

Leaving Amsterdam is never easy — especially when you’re stuffed with stroopwafels and questionable life advice from guys on bicycles —...

So, my sister-in-law decided to retire from teaching this year—finally giving up her chalk-dusted crown—and she and her husband went full...

Once upon a sunny Costa Rican morning, deep in the misty mountaintop jungles of Monteverde, a brave little white Toyota sat in a gravel...

Let me start by saying, if you’re planning to drive from La Fortuna to Monteverde, Costa Rica—buckle up (both physically and...

Flying Volaris from LAX to Costa Rica: A Budget Adventure with a Side of Chaos Ah, the thrill of budget travel—where every penny counts,...

If you’re a history enthusiast or a fan of the play or movie Hamilton , you might find yourself with lingering questions about Peggy...

A Journey from Florence to Venice: High-Speed Adventures and Hidden Gems Traveling from Florence to Venice is a quintessential Italian...

Continuing our northern Italian adventure, we journeyed from Rome to Florence, traveling via Italo, Italy’s high-speed rail network that...

Rome, the Eternal City, is a destination that stirs the soul with its breathtaking architecture, historical depth, vibrant culture, and...

Nestled on the banks of the River Tweed in the Scottish Borders, Abbotsford House is a jewel of historical architecture and literary...

October in Minneapolis-St. Paul is a dream come true for anyone who loves the magic of autumn. As the season changes, vibrant hues of...

When it comes to natural wonders, Arizona is home to some of the most breathtaking sites in the world. Among them, Antelope Canyon and...

When it comes to a truly indulgent dining experience, The Gambling Cowboy Chophouse and Saloon in Temecula delivers in spades. Known for...

My recent loss of a dear friend, Tim Reisen, reminded me of an extraordinary trip I once took to Chicago, Illinois. Tim was the kind of...