When you hear “New Orleans” most think of Mardi Gras. But if you’re into Halloween, vampires, zombies, ghouls, and goblins, a trip to New Orleans in October is just for you! In fact, Halloween is the second busiest holiday in the Crescent City and is voted in the top 13 places to celebrate Halloween in the world. Our daughter spent four years in college in NOLA (New Orleans, LA) so we had plenty of opportunities to dig deep into what the city offers. Visitors should definitely include fabulous Cajun and Creole cuisine, phenomenal jazz stops, and a trip to the iconic French Quarter. But to make the most of your Halloween holiday, here are some thrilling additions to jazz up your itinerary. Cemetery Tours For a hauntingly fascinating experience, head to St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 near the French Quarter. This 45-minute guided tour will take you through the city's famous above-ground crypts and introduce you to New Orleans' unique burial traditions. Tours run throughout the day, b

I recently had the pleasure of spending time in beautiful Colorado - a state that offers a perfect mix of outdoor adventure and serene relaxation. My husband and I have always wanted to attend a concert at the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre, known for its natural acoustics and breathtaking views. So we decided to turn this long-held dream into a summer getaway while also exploring the surrounding area of Beaver Creek, Colorado, a destination that promises cooler temperatures and an even cooler vibe.  During the summer, this area has a constant schedule of events – concerts, performances, art shows, bike races, and farmer’s markets to name a few. There literally is something for everyone! Our stay at the charming Poste Montane Lodge was nothing short of delightful. Nestled in the heart of Beaver Creek Village, this quaint, historic lodge exudes the warmth and hospitality of a traditional European inn. The convenience of having everything at our doorstep, from gourmet dining to boutique

Are you ready for your next big adventure but lacking essential gear? I've been there too. From hiking the ancient trails of Machu Picchu to exploring the frozen landscapes of Iceland, having the right equipment can make or break your trip. And who doesn't love a bargain, especially if you don't plan to use the gear often? On my Machu Picchu hike, I wanted pants with zip-off legs that converted to shorts to adjust to the changing temps. In Iceland, water and windproof snow pants and travel towels for the thermal hot springs were on the list. While traveling through Europe, I needed a secure, anti-theft cross-body bag to guard against pickpockets. Let me say that although I wish I got paid to promote these products, I do not. These are just two of my favorite go-to sites for gearing up: 1 . Travelon Travelon products are awesome! Based in Chicago, Travelon sells cleverly designed luggage, totes, wallets, purses, carry-ons, and many more travel accessories. Not only are Tr

In my new career as a travel advisor, I’ve been asked several times how I make money. Let me tell you how it works. Commission Structure Many travel components such as hotels, tour companies, and car rentals, include built-in commissions for agents. Even companies like Expedia and VRBO have agent fees built in.  For example, when you book a hotel stay for $1000 through a travel agent, a percentage of that amount is paid out to the agent by the hotel. Importantly, the guest pays the same $1000 regardless whether they book directly or through an agent. Hotels and other providers often prefer direct bookings—they retain more profit. Airfares and Fees Airlines are a different story. Unlike other travel components, airlines typically do not offer commissions to agents on airfares. Therefore, agents may charge a nominal fee for their ticketing services. This fee covers the agent's time and expertise in finding the best flights and managing the booking process. International trave

Tracking your checked bags while traveling can be a game-changer. Not only does it provide peace of mind, but it also helps you and the airline retrieve your luggage if it gets lost. Here are a few ways to keep track of your luggage: Good: Keep Track of Receipts and Tags Always save your baggage claim tags and receipts. They contain vital information that can assist in locating lost bags. Better: Use Airline Apps Many airlines offer tracking services through their apps. Check in using the app and monitor your bag’s journey. American, United, and Delta all offer tracking and Southwest added this feature last October. Best: GPS Trackers Devices like Tile or Apple's AirTag can be placed in your luggage to track its location in real-time via your smartphone. More on GPS trackers.   Released in 2021, Apple’s AirTag quickly caught my attention. I bought AirTags and clip-on holders from Amazon, securely attaching them inside our luggage. They immediately became a travel must-have for me.

Sports Vacations are Trending For years, golfers have been globe-trotting to play on the world's most scenic courses. Now, it's time for pickleball enthusiasts to join in on the fun! Imagine playing your favorite sport in stunning locations across the country, combining your love for the game with a memorable travel experience. Last summer, my husband and I did just that by signing up for a pickleball camp in Bozeman, Montana. Not only was it a refreshing escape from the scorching Arizona heat, but it also gave us the chance to extend our trip and explore the breathtaking landscapes of Yellowstone National Park, marvel at Old Faithful, and encounter diverse wildlife - think buffalo, wolves, elk and even a grizzly! There are several camps to choose from these days literally all across the country so you can travel to amazing destinations staying active along the way. We chose LevelUp Pickleball Camps based on a friend's recommendation and couldn't have been happier. The

Hint: It's free and not a Global Entry card! Have you ever heard of the US Department of Homeland  Security's Mobile Passport Control (MPC)? Or maybe you noticed the sign for the MPC line at customs last time you returned to the US and wondered what it meant. MPC is a free service for US travelers with passports that streamlines entry at 33 major US airports, nine preclearance locations, and four ports of entry. Pre-screening and pre-qualification is not required. Simply download the MPC app on your iOS or Android mobile device and submit the required information. You won’t need to fill out paper forms on airplanes and can go directly to the MPC line at customs for quick re-entry processing. Here’s another helpful tidbit. When looking for the app on your phone, look under CBP MPC (Customs and Border Patrol) rather than just MPC. For more information, check out Mobile Passport Control . A savvy traveler tip to help you create standout adventures!

  New York City: Pushing the Boundaries Sometimes I forget how exciting and electric New York City is until I go back. The catalyst for this trip began with a golden ticket: Saturday Night Live. Yes, you heard that right. SNL! With hearts racing, my hubby and I were thrilled to be able to witness the iconic comedy show live and in person. Having visited NYC several times, memorials, museums, and parks had already been checked off my list. As a general rule of travel, I try to avoid going back to places I’ve already visited and doing things I’ve already done - no exceptions this time.   So what was the itinerary going to look like? No repeats, no reruns. We were determined to unearth new thrills, new tastes, and new experiences each day. Enter our themes: "show time" and "ethnic eats." Having a theme or two helped us think outside of the box and add some fun to making our choices. The Shows Our first show experience began with a taping of The Late Show With Stephen C