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Honest travel stories, destination guides, and firsthand adventures from across all 50 U.S. states and beyond. Every post is written from real experience, never sponsored, and always rooted in the belief that meaningful travel doesn't have to be expensive.

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Welcome to the full collection of travel blog posts from It's How I Travel. Every travel blog post here is written from firsthand experience, never sponsored, and rooted in the belief that meaningful travel doesn't have to be expensive.

Whether you're searching for free things to do in major U.S. cities, mindful travel tips, or honest destination guides from across all 50 states and beyond, you'll find travel blog posts here that focus on real experiences over polished marketing. New travel blog posts are added regularly, so check back often or subscribe to the newsletter to get them straight to your inbox.

For travel inspiration between posts, you can also explore our Pinterest boards or follow along on Instagram.

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A busy Bourbon Street in New Orleans at night, crowded with pedestrians walking past illuminated shop signs, balconies, and restaurants.

United States

New Orleans Travel Guide: History, Bourbon Street & Food

Let’s talk NOLA. New Orleans is a city rich in history, full of great food, great people, and a very different world from what you are more than likely used to. I have been there many, many times, and I genuinely believe its story is one of the most important in the history of the United States. Without New Orleans and the Louisiana Purchase, the country would not look the way it does today. Not even close. In this post, I dig into that history, then head to Bourbon Street, where a bartender waving people up to an empty balcony told me just how late the bars really stay open. I also share where to find chargrilled oysters in the French Quarter and seven neighborhoods worth exploring beyond Bourbon Street. Yes, it is dirty. Yes, the food is amazing. And yes, the city will always have room for a return weekend.

October 30, 2026 No Comments

A workspace featuring a laptop, a model airplane, a credit card, a globe, a camera, travel documents, and a clock with a sticky note reading Time to save money on flights! above the word TRAVEL spelled out in large letters.

Suggestions & Tips

How to Save Money on Flights When Travel Prices Are High

Gas prices are up, airfare is following, and it’s tempting to just stay home. I’m not ready to do that, and you don’t have to be either. I’ve picked up a few tricks over the years that have saved me real money, and I’ve used each of them more than once. In this post, I break down five of them, from letting Google Flights pick your next destination to flying into alternative airports and catching a train the rest of the way. I’ll share a real example from our upcoming December trip to Boston, where flying Breeze into Providence and home from New Haven costs less than half the price of a direct flight. I’ll also walk through Avelo’s routes out of Wilmington and the bigger trips you can build from each one. What’s your go-to trick for saving on travel? Let me know. I’m always looking to add to my list.

October 16, 2026 No Comments

An aerial view of the red-tiled roofs and historic church towers of Vilnius, Lithuania, under a cloudy sky, showcasing the city’s unique charm for travel.

Europe

It’s Where I’m Going: Lithuania

Lithuania has always been a country that has interested me. Part of that comes from my lineage, as I am 8% Lithuanian, and that 8% gave me my surname. My great-great paternal grandmother was born in Lithuania before immigrating to the US via Canada. Add in a 2024 World Happiness Report naming it the happiest place on earth for those under 30, and this Baltic country quickly moved up my list. In the first entry of It’s Where I’m Going, I break down why Lithuania is a priority, what draws me to a place that is old, unique, and welcoming, and what getting there from the US really looks like. There are no direct flights, but easy connections through London, Amsterdam, or Helsinki make it a natural stop on a bigger Baltic trip or paired with Poland. Have you been? Let me know if it deserves its spot on my list.

October 12, 2026 No Comments

A city skyline with tall buildings next to a waterfront, a pier extending into the water, and a partly cloudy sky at sunset.

United States

Seattle Travel Guide: Beauty, Food & Culture

Seattle gets a reputation it doesn’t fully deserve. Rainy, dirty, cold, those are the words people throw around, but after several trips, my adjectives look different: beautiful, picturesque, delicious, accessible, and yes, expensive. Tucked between Puget Sound and Lake Washington, it’s a city where you stop every few feet for another photo because the next angle is somehow better. In this post, I break down what I mean by each of those adjectives, from the glacially carved hills to the seafood and coffee scene, the honest cost of a trip, and why Seattle’s “unfriendly” reputation just isn’t true in my experience.

August 28, 2026 No Comments

Mindful Travel

It’s How I Wilmington

After a few weeks away, I’m excited to share some big news: It’s How I Wilmington has officially launched! This new blog is a companion to It’s How I Travel, dedicated entirely to my hometown of Wilmington, North Carolina. Nothing changes here on It’s How I Travel. I’ll still be sharing stories from past adventures and continuing to explore the world. But after writing an entire series on Wilmington, I realized the Port City deserved its own dedicated space. It’s How I Travel is about my love for travel and helping others discover authentic experiences shaped by a decade of constant movement. It’s How I Wilmington is about my love for the place I now call home, and why, after years of seeking kindness, diversity, and connection on the road, I chose to settle in Wilmington. Head over and check out the new site!

August 16, 2026 No Comments

Busy urban park in Montreal with people walking, biking, and a small colorful train for children. Trees and greenery surround the area, with city buildings and a bridge visible in the background under a cloudy sky—perfect for inclusion in any Traveler's Guide to Canada's Most European City.

Canada

Bonjour Montreal: A Traveler’s Guide to Canada’s Most European City

Montreal often feels like a slice of Europe hiding in eastern Canada, just four hours from New Hampshire and worth every mile. In this guide, we walk through Montreal’s most iconic neighborhoods: cobblestoned Old Montreal with its 17th-century streets and river views, modern Downtown with its underground city and Mount Royal Park, and the culturally rich Quartier des Spectacles. We cover the best ways to get to Montreal, whether flying into YUL, taking the train from Toronto or Ottawa, or driving up from Boston for a scenic road trip through New England. You’ll also find honest answers about the language question (English is everywhere) and a curated list of favorite restaurants, bars, and places to stay, from cozy pubs to boutique hotels. Whether you’re visiting for a weekend or planning a longer stay, this guide gives you the foundation to explore Montreal on your own terms.

July 19, 2026 No Comments

Aerial view of a grand building with a gold dome, surrounded by snow-covered grounds and city buildings under a cloudy sky in winter—inviting you to visit New Hampshire and experience its historic charm.

United States

New Hampshire: The Best State?

I started writing this from the couch of a rented lake house in central New Hampshire, looking out at the water on a perfect July afternoon. This place used to be home just shy of a year ago, and while I could talk about living there, I would rather talk about visiting. Having been to all 50 states, I can tell you New Hampshire ranks near the top of my list. It is beautiful in all four seasons, with fall foliage in the White Mountains, hundreds of lakes in the Lakes Region, and coastal charm in Portsmouth. There is no income tax, no sales tax, and some of the cleanest air in the country. Add in walkable downtowns like Nashua and easy access from Boston, and you have a state that belongs high on your travel list. Here is why New Hampshire should be the next place you book.

July 12, 2026 1 Comment

The image features 250 in stars and stripes patterns, Happy Independence Day in red text, and Its How I Travel - Explore & Grow on a background of the American flag, highlighting American pride.

Mindful Travel

I Am Still Proud to Be the American I Am: You Can Be Too

With the Fourth of July just days away and America celebrating its 250th anniversary, I felt compelled to write something a little different from my usual travel content. Not a destination guide, not a packing list, but something more personal. I wrote an essay about American pride. Not the bumper sticker kind, and not the blind allegiance kind either. The honest kind, the kind that comes from having actually seen this country, all 50 states of it, and from having traveled the world and met people from places like Russia, Iran, and Israel along the way. I wrote it for the people who are still proud, and I wrote it for the people who are not sure they are anymore. I think both groups will find something in it.

July 2, 2026 No Comments

Golden sunset over a sandy Fiji beach with gentle waves, palm trees on the left, and distant mountains—perfect for a tranquil village homestay under a partly cloudy sky.

Mindful Travel

3 Days in Fiji: A Homestay, a Village, and a Lesson I Won’t Forget

What do you think about when you hear someone say they are going to Fiji? I used to imagine a small island with a few very exclusive resorts that cost thousands a night. What I didn’t realize is that Fiji is rich in culture, affordable, more accessible than one would think, and even more beautiful than any photograph. We spent three days there in a way most travelers never do: a homestay with a local family, a visit to a traditional village, a hike across a small island, and a race against the tide with a stray dog as our guide. No resort. No infinity pool. Just Fiji, the way it actually feels when you slow down and let it in.

June 28, 2026 No Comments