The best value stay I’ve ever booked, anywhere, was in Dubrovnik. A private apartment right outside Old Town for $50 a night in June. I still think about it. Unfortunately the owner stopped renting it out, so I can’t just hand you the listing and call this post done. But that stay is exactly why
Where to stay in Valladolid wasn’t something I gave much thought to the first time I visited, because I was only there for a day trip from Tulum to visit Chichen Itza. But on my next trip to Mexico, I made a point to come back and actually sleep there, and that’s what sold me
Where to Stay in Valladolid, Mexico: Best Areas and Hotels (2026) Read More »
This is my exact 2 week Alaska itinerary from start to finish. Not a roundup of every stop possible, this is exactly where we went and the logistics that made it work. Use my Alaska travel itinerary to help plan your own DIY Alaska trip. Seven of us did this trip together, late August into
My Exact 2 Week Alaska Itinerary: Anchorage to Seward to Denali to Fairbanks Read More »
Alaska has a reputation for being a cruise-ship-and-package-tour kind of place. What I haven’t seen it get enough credit for is being a genuinely great DIY group trip, if you plan it right. We did a 13 day DIY Alaska group trip with 7 people. Two couples, plus a few of us who are all
DIY Alaska Group Trip: What Actually Worked With 7 People Read More »
I’m going to be upfront with you: As a budget traveler this was the most expensive trip I’d taken to date. Alaska isn’t a budget destination, and we don’t need to pretend otherwise. But my trip to Alaska didn’t end up costing as much as the internet was telling me it would, not even close.
What 2 Weeks in Alaska Actually Cost (Budget Breakdown) Read More »
I wish I’d had one more night in Porto. We had 3 nights there, two full days, and our last night we ended up at a bar up one of the hills near our accommodation, having such a good time we couldn’t pull ourselves away. Which was a problem, because we had an early flight
How Many Days in Porto: The Ideal Trip Length to Make the Most of It Read More »
We almost didn’t book this stay at all, and I am SO glad we did! Staying at these remote yurts in Resurrection Bay aren’t exactly something one would normally do on a budget friendly trip, but in this guide I will break down why we thought a stay at Shearwater Cove was worth it. Half
Shearwater Cove, Alaska: Is this Yurt Stay Near Seward Worth It? Read More »
Slovenia as a whole is one of my favorite countries in Europe, and I recommend it pretty much every time the subject comes up. We passed through Ljubljana for two nights between Budapest and Lake Bled as part of a larger backpacking trip, and I absolutely loved the city. It’s compact, walkable, and completely charming. The
Best Budget Hotels in Ljubljana, Slovenia (2026) Read More »
Living in Traverse City myself there are plenty of times when I want to bring my dog with me on a hike and then stop by a winery afterward. Luckily, there are plenty of dog friendly wineries in Traverse City! I’ll give you the full rundown below so you can pick what works best for
Florence is a beautiful city, but can also be pretty tourist trapped when it comes to food. Walk within a block of the Duomo or the Uffizi and you’ll find overpriced pizza and pasta. But here’s the thing: you don’t have to eat that way. From family-run trattorias to legendary sandwich counters in the historic
Cheap Eats Florence: 9 Affordable Restaurants Under €15 Read More »
