Authentic Travel

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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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    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.