Suggestions & Tips

Real travel advice from real experiences. These are the tips, tricks, and honest recommendations I’ve picked up from years on the road—the stuff that actually works, the mistakes I’ve made so you don’t have to, and the practical insights that make travel smoother, smarter, and more enjoyable. No fluff, no sponsored nonsense, just genuine help from one traveler to another.

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    The History of Wilmington, NC: A Coastal City Worth Exploring

    ByJay M

    There are many beautiful cities along the east coast of the United States, but only three major coastal cities sit between North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia: Savannah, Charleston, and Wilmington. Each has its own charm, but Wilmington stands apart with its cobblestone streets, colonial architecture, and award-winning Riverwalk. Named after Spencer Compton, Earl of Wilmington, and incorporated in 1739, the city once served as the capital of North Carolina. Today, you can walk past repurposed federal buildings, gaze across the Cape Fear River at the legendary USS North Carolina battleship, and feel the unique blend of Northeastern charm and Southern hospitality. As someone who recently moved here, I have come to appreciate Wilmington in a way I never could as a visitor. This post dives into the history that makes Wilmington one of the most fascinating coastal cities in the South.

  • Renewing Your Passport: Honest Answers to Common Questions

    ByJay M

    Do I need a third party? Does it really take months? Can I travel with a month left to expiration? Honest answers to the questions I keep getting about renewing a US passport.

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    Why Exploring Your Hometown Is Real Travel

    ByJay M

    I was raised in greater Boston and spent most of my adult life in New Hampshire before making the move to Wilmington, NC. Now when someone asks where I am from, I say Wilmington. Not because I am hiding my roots, but because it is where I feel at home, and I want to share it.
    Travel has always been about learning and growing for me. I have visited all 50 US states, most of Canada, and several countries across Europe and Australia. There is more world to see, but right now I am pausing to take a deeper look at my new home.
    Exploring your hometown, regardless of its size, can be just as meaningful and enlightening as traveling to the other side of the world. This post kicks off a series on Wilmington, the Port City, and what makes North Carolina worth slowing down for.

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    The 5 Best MLB Parks for a Weekend Getaway (And the Cities That Make Them Worth It)

    ByJay M

    I love travel and I love baseball, and when those two things combine it makes for one of my favorite kinds of weekends. I have been to every city that hosts an MLB team and caught a game in over half of them. Not every great city has a great park, and not every great park sits in a city worth building a weekend around. This list is where both come together. From the iconic ivy walls of Wrigley Field in Chicago to the unmatched skyline views at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, these five ballparks earned their spots based on the full experience, the stadium, the neighborhood, and the city itself. Whether you are a die-hard baseball fan or just looking for a great excuse to explore somewhere new, these are the MLB parks worth planning a weekend around.

  • The Best Travel Accessories for Long Flights (What We Actually Pack)

    ByJay M

    Headed on a long-haul flight? After logging thousands of miles, including a 15-hour flight from Los Angeles to Brisbane, Australia, we have learned that the right gear makes all the difference. In this post, we are sharing the best travel accessories for long flights, the ones we actually pack and rely on every single time we leave the ground. From the YETI Crossroads Backpack, which keeps everything organized and accessible without ever leaving the overhead bin, to the Apple AirPods Max, which blocks out every crying baby and dinner cart on the plane, every item on this list has been tested on real trips to real places. We also cover clothing tips, compression gear, tech essentials, and a few small items that most people overlook but will wonder how they ever traveled without. This is not a sponsored list. This is what we actually use.

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    HipCamp Review

    ByJay M

    HipCamp is our preferred way to camp, glamp, or connect with nature, and it has completely changed the way we approach outdoor stays. If you are familiar with Airbnb, think of it like that but for camping, mostly on private properties with far more privacy and personality than a traditional campground.
    The app is easy to use, the prices are often surprisingly affordable, and the variety of listings is unlike anything else out there. From glamping tents in North Carolina to a tucked-away farm in Vermont, every stay feels unique and intentional. You have direct access to your host, minimal crowds, and experiences you simply cannot find on other booking platforms.
    Whether you are an avid camper or someone who has never pitched a tent in your life, HipCamp has something for you. This is my honest, unsponsored review of the app, how it works, and a few of our favorite places so far.

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    How a Google Flights Search Turned Into a Fiji Beach Hut

    ByJay M

    Fiji is one of those places that sounds out of reach to most, or at least at a level of spend that many are not ready to indulge. I was of that same mindset too, always thinking of the movie “The Truman Show,” where Jim Carrey’s character dreams of visiting Fiji. That said, as you may know from reading this blog, that is how the majority of our trips start. Fiji, like so many other amazing places we have seen, is a long stopover in a journey that is the trip. What started as a Google Flights search turned into a beach hut with no electricity, meals cooked from the sea, and a Hilton stay on points, all for less than you might expect. Let me walk you through exactly how we made it happen.

  • Best Locals to Ask for Advice in Any Destination

    ByJay M

    Traveling to a new place is fun, but it can be overwhelming when trying to navigate where to eat or what to do. Of course, you can search Yelp or Google for places, but then you’re combing through reviews and never confident they have exactly what you’re seeking. For me, I often arrive with little to no plans. Instead, I seek out certain people to help guide me, and they rarely disappoint.

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    Why Puerto Rico Should Be Your Go-To Caribbean Destination

    ByJay M

    Puerto Rico beats Aruba in every category that matters: no passport required, cheaper hotels, affordable dining, and authentic culture. Both are beautiful Caribbean destinations, but Puerto Rico offers vibrant history, stunning beaches, and significant savings, making it the smarter choice for your next island getaway.

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    How I Travel – The Meaning Behind It’s How I Travel

    ByJay M

    Authentic travel means prioritizing genuine experiences over tourist attractions. Instead of staying at resorts, I choose local neighborhoods. Instead of buffets, I eat at family restaurants. Instead of tour buses, I walk and use public transit. The goal is connection with real places and people, not collecting passport stamps.