Tips

Okinawa view, how to plan a two week holiday

How to Plan a Two Week Holiday Without Any Burn Out

Annual leave (or PTO to our American friends) is precious and it can be hard to know exactly how you...

One of the many piazzas in Verona, things you can see in Verona on a budget

Verona on a Budget

Verona is one of Italy’s most romantic cities, but it doesn’t have to break the bank. With low-cost airlines like...

The Queen Ashinoko Pirate Ship on Lake Ashi with Mount Fuji in the background.

Hakone: Day Trip or Overnight Stay. Which is Best?

We all know that feeling: You’re planning a trip to a new country, you’ve got 50 browser tabs open, you’re...

Uzbekistan's high speed train, the Afrosiyob, waiting at the platform

The Silk Road By Rail: Uzbekistan’s High-Speed Afrosiyob and Beyond

Here’s a fun fact for you: In Russian, a large train station is called a “vokzal” (вокзал), and it gets...

Wine tasting at Farina winery in Valpolicella, with chocolate to accompany the wine bottles - one to factor into your Valpolicella budget

Valpolicella Budget Breakdown: 3 Ways to Sip Italy’s Finest Wine

If you’re planning your trip to the heartland of Amarone, you might be wondering how much it’s going to cost...

Sleeper train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai

How to Book the Sleeper Train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai in 2026

Note: This post was originally written for a trip I took in 2024. In 2026, I’m planning another trip to...

Mount Fuji seen in Hakone, Japan, accessible for Hakone budget travel

Hakone Budget: What Visiting Japan’s Onsen Town Costs in 2026

A trip to Hakone is a popular part of many Japan itineraries, and for good reason: You get to see...

The Church of San Simeon Piccolo, a church right across from Santa Lucia station and the first thing you'll see when you travel to Venice from Verona

Visiting Venice from Verona: Why the Train is the Only Stress Free Option

Venice is one of the world’s most famous and most visited cities, and while it is beautiful, it can be...

Train doors with advertisements and signage about Japanese train rules. Taken in a Tokyo metro train

Manner Mode: 10 Japanese Train Rules Every Good Traveler Needs to Know

Everyone knows the stereotype of an Awful Tourist: the loud, boorish figure causing a pile up at the bottom of...

Sirmione, an easy town to get to on Lake Garda without a car

How to Visit Lake Garda Without a Car: The Best Towns & Easy Routes

Italy’s largest lake, Lake Garda, is well known for its gorgeous scenery, pretty lakeside towns, and a refreshing, relaxing pace...