#travel-planning

#travel-planning

My husband and I were on a road trip, pit-stopping in a couple of cities. One of my girlfriends asked if we could meet her for lunch, and we obliged. When the bill came, my husband paid for himself and me and left the remainder of the tab for my girlfriend to pay. She seemed surprised. We had never said out loud how we'd handle the bill, but frankly I was a bit surprised, too.

It's hard to name the best cities in Europe-there are so many great bustling hubs (not to mention charming small towns) spread across a relatively small continent, making it more a question of what you're looking for. Sure, some travelers just beeline to the best-known landmarks, eager for the chance to cross Rome's Colosseum or Paris's Eiffel Tower off their list. But we're in favor of taking a step back and asking yourself what you're most interested in.

We'd been dreaming of a girls' trip for the past two years, but nothing had ever materialized because of our clashing schedules. Luckily, though, we finally found a time when we were both available. Because we aren't huge planners, we were excited about the idea of a last-minute trip. After a truly exhilarating week, here are three things I enjoyed about the experience and three I'd do differently next time.

As a travel planner, I regularly stay at all-inclusive resorts and book luxury trips for my clients. All-inclusive vacations can be complicated to book, and many travelers make mistakes along the way. Booking the cheapest room, requesting an ocean view, and always bringing kids isn't the way to go. As a travel planner at Marvelous Mouse Travels, one of my areas of expertise is booking all-inclusive vacations.

There are ways to behave in New York City. It used to be that New Yorkers knew them and enforced them with hutzpah, a la "I'm walking here!" Increasingly, it seems, tourists and New Yorkers alike are unsure of the rules. This is a big city, some say the best city, and with that comes a lot of noise and a lot of bodies.

There's nothing like the post-Christmas slump to spur on some future travel plans.

Ski and snow may be far from your mind as you savour the last days of summer, but if you're thinking of attending the 2026 Winter Olympics in northern Italy come February, there's no time to waste. With the right planning, it's still possible to be a part of the action this winter - where you can hear skis slide across the snow, and the sweet scrape of skates on ice, as over 90 nations compete for medals.

For years, packing was my biggest travel stressor. I'm the type of person who always wants to have the right outfit for every moment, and I love having options-both of which don't exactly translate to lightness and efficiency. There were countless trips where I either hated all the outfits I brought with me or I'd find myself lugging around more (and heavier) bags than was necessary.

My wife and I have been planning a trip for around five years. The idea was that it would be a big one for our 10th anniversary; we celebrated our 16th in August. There were deferrals due to family tragedies, work-related upheavals, a global pandemic, and more work-related upheavals, and there have been other small trips mixed in, but there has always been planning, albeit at the lowest possible simmer.

It takes more than simply planning hotels and flights to plan a trip in Europe. Getting a Schengen visa is an important initial step for tourists from non-EU nations, and it requires careful planning and calculated time. Comprehending the paperwork requirements, meeting scheduling, and application process may make the difference between unpleasant delays and seamless operations. These are all the things you should know before asking for a Schengen visa.

From activities to cultural interactions, now more than ever, travelers want experiences, and GenAI is playing a pivotal role in helping them book trips that will meet or even exceed their expectations. A 2025 Phocuswright survey found that 78% of respondents felt GenAI improved trip planning, and Google is now incorporating AI-generated content into its search results. Now, instead of spending hours meticulously researching potential destinations, hotels and activities, travelers are getting AI recommendations, ideas and even full-blown itineraries with just a few prompts.

Google AI Mode has had travel planning for some time but according to some in the travel industry, Google recently began rolling out more of these features in the wild. These include dynamic day-by-day trip plans, hotel add-ons, tickets, and dining stitched into a single AI conversation. Brad Brewer posted under Agentic Hospitality on LinkedIn about this, he added, "is not a far-off experiment. It's about to launch." He posted more details over here explaining the features that recently rolled out.

It feels like no one talks about how overwhelming a cruise can be if you've never taken one before. First-time cruisers experience an entirely new form of transportation. When you're traveling on a large ship with so many places to eat and so many activities and excursions, it can be hard to figure out how to spend your time. It may help to hear how to make the most of your cruise from those who have done it before.

Vacations are no longer purchases travelers sit down at their computer to complete; instead, they are transitioning to being planned and booked in the palm of their hands. Since becoming a pillar of everyday life, social media has been inspiring users on where to go next. A 2023 study by American Express showed that 75% of travelers across generations state social media as their main inspiration source for trips.

However, Disney vacations don't have to cost a fortune. Business Insider spoke with two Disney-focused travel agents and three so-called "Disney adults" about how to make the most of the Magic Kingdom, even on a budget. These five Disney aficionados shared everything from when to go, to what luxuries are worth the money - on-site housing and Lightning Lanes - and what expenses can be tourist traps.

I never thought I'd become an expert in traveling with food allergies-but dating someone with them changes the way you plan every trip. My boyfriend, Kenny, has severe nut and fish allergies, and watching him navigate airports, restaurants, and hotel buffets has shown me just how much behind-the-scenes preparation goes into every trip. There's no "winging it" when the wrong bite could send you to the ER.

The city offers endless options, and while that's part of the magic, it can also make choosing your home base a little tricky. Each neighborhood offers something different-some are better for sightseeing, others for nightlife, and some are just perfect for soaking up that authentic NYC feel. The good news? There's no wrong choice, as long as it suits your travel style.

I want to see the world, experience different cultures and give myself space to reflect on what I really want in life. Lately, though, whenever I bring up this idea to friends or family, they tell me it's irresponsible. They worry I'll fall behind in my career or lose my momentum in such a competitive industry. Some even say I'm being selfish for stepping away from a stable job when others are struggling to find one.

Venice is struggling under the weight of tens of thousands of daily visitors, with infrastructure and hotel bookings under extreme pressure, leading to last-minute visitors being turned away.

The most rewarding trips are those that gently push your boundaries and leave you with a new perspective. Crafting a trip that's both low-stress and fulfilling can be challenging.

Money-Conscious Campers often think camping is cheaper than other vacations, but costs can add up; planning ahead and researching campsites can help save money.

The secret to lasting energy on long European journeys is pacing your days smartly, staying flexible, and keeping connected with the best esim for Europe.