A Travel Assistant

A Global Journey Through the Art of the French Fry Crispy, golden, and pretty much universally beloved, the humble french fry has conquered the world. But what started as a simple fried potato has evolved into countless regional variations, each with its own character, preparation method, and cultural significance. Countries around the world have often developed a unique approach to this pure comfort food magic. Everyone has their favorite but if your favorite is MacDonalds

Whether you're a solo digital nomad, a family on vacation, or a business traveler racing between meetings, where you stay can make or break your trip. With so many accommodation options available today, the choice can feel overwhelming. Let's break down the major players in the accommodation world, examine what makes each unique, and help you figure out which option suits your travel style. The Contenders: A Quick Overview Before diving deep, here's what we're comparing: Hote

Ok, our journey through digital nomadism is just about complete. If you haven't read the previous two and want to catch up, then here are the links. Part One: Should You Take Your Pet? Part Two: Pet Friendly Destinations and Accommodation Advice. This third installment will cover: Managing your pet during work hours  (routines, video calls, exercise) Health, safety, and emergency planning  (vet care abroad, pet insurance, first aid) Real challenges and how to solve them  (the

Welcome back! If you are reading this you are pretty dedicated to finding out about life as a digital nomad with your pet. If you happened to click on this post by accident, you should know there was one preceding it that you should probably read first to get the gist of where we are going today. So, let's jump in. We've covered the why (or why not) you should travel with your pet, the gear you will need, and some international pet requirements as well as a timeline for pre

Introduction I am quite certain most of you have had your share of remote work given the impact of the Covid pandemic 5 years ago. We have all had our ups and downs with the experience , some more than others. The "I am not a cat" lawyer was probably the funniest example of how remote work can go awry. Even prior to the pandemic though I had already worked for a year in a remote capacity and was the first to do so in our company. Things didn't ways go so smooth for me eithe

About a month ago I was reading a story about Tom Turcich and his Australian Shepherd, Savannah, who became the first dog to walk around the world with their human companion. I found the story incredible and even more so because I have a dog and have done some travel with her and I know the unique challenges that one faces when traveling with a pet. And I only ever traveled to Canada and various states. I cannot imagine doing a global trip with my pooch and yet a fair amount

About a month ago U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy called for better air travel etiquette, urging passengers to "dress with respect" (not wear pajamas) and be more courteous to staff and other travelers as part of a new "Golden Age of Travel" civility campaign. Now, I understand the desire to be comfortable when you are traveling a long flight and I think it is perfectly acceptable for young kids to wear their pajamas but I agree in general with the sentiment. Part

So you're planning your next adventure abroad? That's awesome! But before you start dreaming about cobblestone streets and epic mountain vistas, let's talk about something way less sexy but potentially way more valuable: getting some of your money back on travel taxes and understanding some of the new fees, or increasing ones, popping up around the world. I've been traveling for years and never bothered to look into this for some reason. Not that I do a lot of shopping abroad

Last Updated: November 26, 2025 Black Friday 2025 is here, and Amazon is delivering some of the lowest prices we've ever seen on travel essentials! Whether you're planning holiday trips, upgrading your gear, or shopping for the traveler in your life, this guide covers the absolute best deals available right now on Amazon.com . Shop for yourself or that travel loving person on your gift list. Now is the time to take advantage of the great deals! 🎒 Smart Luggage & Travel Bags

TL;DR - Key Takeaways Quick Facts You Need to Know: Travel insurance costs 4-10% of your total trip cost but can save you tens of thousands in emergencies Medical evacuation from remote locations can exceed $100,000 without coverage Your credit card may provide some coverage, but it's often limited and has significant gaps Purchase insurance within 14-21 days of booking for the best coverage options International trips require special attention - your domestic health insuranc

Look, nobody wants to think about emergencies when they're daydreaming about gelato in Rome or sunset beach cocktails in Thailand. But here's the thing—travel hiccups happen to the best of us, and knowing what to do can turn a potential vacation-ruiner into just... a really good story later. I've been there. I've done  that. And I'm here to share some of the lessons I've learned when things go sideways abroad. The "Oh S***, My Passport is Gone" Nightmare This is the big one t

A trip along the famed silk road from west to east.

I do love a good glass of wine. It's been said often enough that life is too short to drink bad wine and I wholeheartedly agree. There has always been a debate about old world versus new world wines and who is best at it. I personally prefer old world wines but I have had some absolutely amazing vintages out of California, a new world vintage. I've been to France (Bordeaux, Bourgogne), Italy (Tuscany, Veneto, Campania), Spain (Rioja, Mallorca), and California (Napa, Sonoma),

A comprehensive guide to the sweeping changes in border security technology affecting travelers worldwide Introduction: Your Face Is Your Passport International travel is undergoing its most significant transformation in decades. From Europe to North America, Asia to Australia, countries are rapidly replacing traditional passport stamps with sophisticated biometric systems that use facial recognition, fingerprints, and iris scans to track who enters and exits their borders. F

Nestled in the Laurel Highlands of southwestern Pennsylvania, Fallingwater stands as one of the most iconic pieces of architecture in American history. This extraordinary house, designed by legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright, doesn't simply sit near a waterfall—it hovers dramatically over one, defying convention and redefining the relationship between human habitation and the natural world. The Vision Behind the Masterpiece In 1935, Edgar Kaufmann, a successful Pittsburgh

Whenever my family travel to a new location we always seek out three types of stores: books stores, record stores, and toy stores. It is...

Halloween is one of those magical times of the year when the veil between worlds feels a bit thinner, and the thrill of the season takes...

I have some very fond memories of panning for gold. My first introduction to it was at Edmonton's Klondike Days, now called K-Days. They used to (and maybe still do) have an old gold mine styled attraction where you could buy a bag of sand and gravel and go pan for gold in their running water trough. They'd even have contests for participants who could find the most gold. I won a couple of times and got a commemorative coin for it - hey, that's a big prize for an 8 year old!

"Life is too short to drink bad wine" is a well-known expression, but its precise origin is unclear, although it is often misattributed...

As part of our visit to Bordeaux this summer we had planned a visit to the Lascaux caves (seen above) as it was on our bucket list. I'd...