Journal

An illustrated water slide, waves and a floating swim ring

Blizzard Beach vs. Typhoon Lagoon: Which Fits Your Day?

My local take: Blizzard Beach for slides, Typhoon Lagoon for a relaxed family day. Compare the parks and find your fit with a quick quiz.

5 min read

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Hannah walking along a wooden boardwalk between turquoise water and reeds at Plitvice Lakes National Park

Croatia

Plitvice Lakes in One Day: Which Route Should You Take?

Choose a Plitvice Lakes route for the time you have: Program H vs B, Entrance 1 vs 2, and how to plan around boats, crowds and breaks.

10 min read

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Blueberry dessert on Nautika’s terrace, with the sea and Dubrovnik’s stone fortifications beyond the table.

Croatia

Nautika Dubrovnik: Is the Food as Good as the View?

A special dinner in Dubrovnik? Nautika had phenomenal service, wonderful food and my best-ever dessert. Here’s what to order and how to book the terrace.

6 min read

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Hannah carrying a compact turquoise backpack through a glass-roofed shopping arcade.

Worldwide

Months of Travel, One Small Backpack: What Makes the Cut?

A laptop, a cocktail dress and extra socks all make the cut. A practical personal-item packing list, the bulky things to skip, and the checks to make before flying.

11 min read

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Palm trees and a pink evening sky reflected in a pool overlooking the sea in Ibiza.

Spain

Ibiza for People Who Don’t Love EDM

Is Ibiza a good fit if EDM isn’t your thing? Compare the beaches and club scene, check the music before booking, and budget for the whole night.

6 min read

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Iceland

Iceland’s Game of Thrones Cave: The Part You Might Miss

The blue water is only the beginning. What we found inside Grjótagjá, the opening you could walk past, and how to make this Iceland stop more than a photo.

5 min read

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An ornate stone clock tower above an arched gateway in Oxford.

United Kingdom

Oxford or Cambridge? Which One Is More You?

Oxford’s classic-English elegance or Cambridge’s younger-sister energy? My impressions of both, a punting highlight, and a quiz to help you choose.

4 min read

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Hannah standing beside the stone walls at Klis Fortress, looking toward Split and the coast

Croatia

Klis Fortress from Split: More Than a Quick Photo Stop

Planning a trip to Klis Fortress from Split? Find out what’s inside, how long to allow, and how to plan around parking, opening hours and late afternoon light.

5 min read

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A disco ball above a Miami nightclub, with colored light scattered across the ceiling.

Worldwide

Where Should You Go for Your 21st Birthday?

Miami, Nashville, Vegas, New York or Ibiza? Match your 21st to the music, crowd and night you actually want—with a real Miami birthday weekend to borrow.

10 min read

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Hannah silhouetted in the sea beneath a gold and orange sunset at Meliá Vinpearl Phu Quoc.

Vietnam

Meliá Vinpearl Phu Quoc: Is a $600 Villa Worth It?

A three-bedroom beachfront villa, a private pool worth using, and a spectacular sunset. When Meliá Vinpearl Phu Quoc makes sense as a Vietnam splurge.

6 min read

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The Mickey-faced Pixar Pal-A-Round wheel reflected in the water at Disney California Adventure.

Worldwide

Which Disney Is Right for You? Six Destinations Compared

Compare all six Disney destinations by the day you want: nostalgia, Star Wars, animals, food or a trip with friends, with ride picks and planning checks.

11 min read

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Hannah seated on a rock beside the clear blue geothermal pool inside Grjótagjá cave in Iceland.

Worldwide

What’s Worth Your Time and Money When You Travel?

Lessons from 40+ countries: which experiences deserve a splurge, which details to check before booking, and where to leave room for a better surprise.

11 min read

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