Author: Patti Callahan

Christmastime at the Hotel del Coronado is, in the best way, pretty much everything you’d imagine for a holiday at a beachside resort. From the lavish decor in The Victorian (the resort’s main building that houses the reception and concierge desks, guest rooms, banquet and ballrooms, shops, and more) to the enchanting holiday musical lightshow […]

My first trip to Switzerland was in 2008 as part of a three-week sampler tour of Europe. At the time, I knew very little and mostly associated Switzerland with watches, army knives, and chocolate. What I thought would be a perfectly fine, maybe even uneventful, two-day stop on the way to Paris turned out to […]

Mexico City has been on my top five list for years, and I am thrilled to say it does not disappoint! It’s larger and has a higher population than New York City, so it’s understandably a bit overwhelming at first. It’s also vibrant and alive, full of welcoming people eager to showcase both the nation’s […]

My first visit to Belize was during a shore excursion 15 years ago. I visited the amazing Mayan ruins at Xunantunich, had an authentic Belizean lunch with some of my fellow travelers, and spent time shopping at the Fort Street Tourism Village before reboarding the ship and sailing off to the next port of call. […]

Like millions of others, I was hooked on Outlander the second I watched the first episode of the Starz series back in the summer of 2014. Even though I consider myself a bit of a history buff, I’d never heard of Culloden. I’d also never heard of Diana Gabaldon or her books. My knowledge of […]

Change is upon us. Cool nights, crisp mornings, and the reds, golds, and browns of the falling leaves tell us it’s time to say goodbye to summer and prepare for the winter months ahead. It also signals the beginning of my favorite travel season. With October only days away, now is a great time to […]

Wandering solo is one of my favorite ways to travel. It’s an incredible way to experience the world, and a common theme in my writing. What I haven’t written about as often is what it’s like to travel solo as an introvert. Spoiler alert: it’s great! In all honesty, being an introvert has made me […]

Every few months, a funny post about the stages of friendship or a relationship makes the social media rounds. “I will travel with you” is always listed as one of the highest. It’s practically a love language. Why? Because traveling together requires a deeper level of connection, and the quickest way to ruin a trip (or […]

In the past few years, the generation raised on Harry Potter has become Outlander superfans. And honestly, the evolution from wizardry to time travel just makes sense. Both series are inspired by people and places in Scotland, an endless source of creativity, and home to myths, legends, magic, and history. Luckily, muggles who don’t hear […]

As incredible as travel is for mental health, an under-researched destination, unrealistic expectations, or poor planning can turn a dream trip into a nightmare. Want to travel like a pro? Read on for nine common missteps and tips for how to avoid them: Expecting Home The purpose of travel is to see new places, meet […]

I was born to travel. It’s something I’ve known for as long as I can remember. What I didn’t know until I was much older is just how inextricably linked it is to my mental health, and how necessary it is for my happiness. 10 mental health benefits of travel: Originally published 5/19/2023

Do you dream about exotic adventures in faraway places, but don’t always see someone else there with you? Is your idea of the perfect trip spending your days wandering incredible destinations with exactly zero plan beyond the current moment? Have you found yourself wanting to explore the world beyond the traditional tourist destinations? And do […]

Long considered the barest of bare-bones accommodations, hostels are historically known as the preferred lodging style for young adventurers and lifelong backpackers. Today’s hostels, though, are modernized and cater to travelers of all ages and life stages. Families with children, solo adventurers, budget vacationers, and anyone looking for a great deal make up today’s hostel […]

We just returned from an incredible, affordable week in Cabo San Lucas and are already planning another retreat for late fall. One of my many goals with our wellness retreats is to show that prioritizing self-care does not have to mean breaking the bank. Self-care and wellness can (and should) be affordable for all. Let […]

I love off-season travel. Genuinely, truly love it. It’s an affair that started back in 2012 when I took a late autumn trip to Prague and Budapest and found myself enchanted by the relative quiet of it all. I wasn’t shoulder to shoulder with other tourists, being herded like cattle through local attractions. I was […]