Discover Malta! If you’ve spent any time in the archipelago, or even done a little research from the comfort of your home, you’ll likely already be familiar with some of Malta’s most popular spots. The capital of Valletta, the ever-lively Mellieħa Bay, and the Silent City of Mdina headline many traveler’s itineraries when visiting this part of Europe. But as tourism continues to grow in these popular spots, you may be more inclined to explore some of the island’s often overlooked towns for a more relaxed vacation.

*cover photo credit:  Joseph Buhagiar on Unsplash

Capitol Stones and the Columns. If you’re a bit of a history buff like the two of us, you love finding off the beaten tourist path destinations. And, you love a good garden thrown in the mix of said history. A few years ago we first discovered the Capitol Stones and the Columns; the columns are in the National Arboretum. As we continue our series of garden reviews, we thought this was a good post to dust off and republish. It is spring after all, and what better time to explore the wonders of Mother Nature?

Dumbarton Oaks Museum and Gardens is a missed opportunity for many visitors to Washington, DC. It’s a bit off of the main tourism lane and unfortunately, too many miss this gem.

Multigenerational travel is rising in popularity today. The Family Travel Association’s survey reveals that 57% of parents are planning multigenerational travel with grandparents and children. AARP’s 2026 Travel Trends survey reveals the motivation behind this type of travel among adults aged 50 and above: 76% believe it strengthens family bonds, while 71% believe it creates lasting memories.

For decades, the standard formula for a luxury vacation was highly predictable: book a five-star beachfront resort, reserve a few crowded excursions, or secure a cabin on a massive commercial cruise ship. But as travel preferences have dramatically shifted in recent years, a new gold standard has emerged. In 2026, travelers are increasingly trading crowded hotel pools and rigid itineraries for the open ocean. 

Portugal has a way of getting under your skin. The light, the coastline, the historic towns where life still unfolds at a human pace. People linger over coffee. Neighbors stop to chat. You watch that and think: I could get used to this! And, then you have to get on a plane and go home. But, did you know retired Americans can move to Portugal?

Travel Hacks In Retirement

You certainly do not have to be retired, or even be thinking about retirement, to take advantage of good travel and life hacks. We’ve done a lot of “hacks” research over the years; some of which work for us, some not so much. As we transitioned into retirement we knew we’d need to find a way to make travel (and life) affordable. In this post we’re going to talk about some of our well-used travel and life hacks in retirement, and how we make it all work for us.

I published this post in 2020, five years after having traveled through Iran for three weeks. As I sat and read through it this morning, I was heartbroken to realize we are (as a world) right back where we were in 2020. It’s staggering, actually. With that being said I am republishing this post today.

Living abroad transforms the traditional understanding of insurance. Digital nomads and long-term expats face unique challenges that standard domestic policies simply cannot address. Expat insurance becomes a critical shield against unexpected risks in unfamiliar territories.

We just spent the better part of today (January 2026) shoveling snow. I love the snow, I find it magical and actually quite good exercise when one has to shovel for hours. Snow always reminds me of Paris. We spent three weeks in Paris, in another month of January many years ago, and once again I’m thinking of our winter visit to Sacre Coeur.  And, yes, Paris is fabulous under a blanket of snow. Enjoy this walk down memory lane.