Travel Tips and Destination Guides

Gatlinburg, Tennessee: The Quaint Mountain Town That Surprises You Every Time Just ten minutes down the road from Pigeon Forge, you can feel the vibe shift. The neon signs thin out, the mountains get closer, and the streets start to narrow. Suddenly you find yourself in Gatlinburg, a genuine mountain town with a completely different […]

Pigeon Forge, Tennessee: Your Complete Family Fun Guide Pigeon Forge, Tennessee is a place that make you understand why families keep coming back year after year. It is nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, this town has figured out how to be exciting for every member of the family, from the five-year-old who wants to ride everything […]

Nashville: Music City’s Must-See Highlights Some cities you visit, others stay with you. Nashville is the second kind. From the moment you step onto Broadway and live music spills out of every open door, you understand why people come for a weekend. Music City is loud, warm, generous with its history, and genuinely unlike anywhere else […]

How to Make the Most of Long Weekends in 2026-2027 2026- 2027 LONG WEEKEND CALENDAR — YOUR FULL GUIDE You don’t need three weeks and a sabbatical to travel well. What you need is a calendar, a strategy, and someone who knows how to squeeze every last drop of adventure out of the time you […]

laya del Carmen with Teens: Sun, Snorkeling & Swim-Out Suites By Jennifer Klingner | Sunshine Escapes Travel | Family Travel Series Some trips are beautiful from start to finish. Others teach you something. This one managed to be both,  and I mean that in the best possible way. When my sister and I  headed to Playa del […]

Boston: The Best Laid Plans Accessible Travel & the Gaps That Remain Boston is a city that takes accessibility seriously, at least on paper. It has rolling cobblestone streets that have been rerouted, subway stations retrofitted with elevators, and a civic culture that openly champions inclusion. When planning a trip to Boston for my family,  that included multiple […]

Broadway, Birthday Wishes, and a Service Dog: A Client’s Unforgettable NYC Theater Trip There is something truly magical about New York City, especially when you’re celebrating a milestone like a 16th birthday. Between the bright lights of Times Square and the historic stages of Broadway, NYC offers an energy you just can’t find anywhere else. […]

Curated Travel, Boston Travel, Accessible Travel We’re Boston Bound, and You Should Be Too This trip is special. The women in my family are heading to Boston, and I cannot contain my excitement for one more second. Boston has been on our list for years, and this time, we actually booked it. My mom, sister, […]

Portland Dining Month 2026: A 24-Hour Itinerary With 3 Restaurants, a Ghost Tour & the World’s Largest Bookstore How to eat, explore, and experience the best of Portland, Oregon every March, on a foodie’s budget. What Is Portland Dining Month? Portland Dining Month is one of the best food events in the Pacific Northwest. Every […]

The Ultimate Weekend Getaway in Astoria, Oregon: Escape Rooms, Spa, Shopping & Best Restaurants Your Guide to the Best Things to Do in Astoria — Oregon’s Oldest City on the Coast By Sunshine Escapes Travel Looking for the perfect weekend getaway from Portland? Astoria, Oregon — just under two hours from the city — is […]

Why You Should Never Travel Internationally Without Travel Insurance When my family or I travel internationally, I always purchase travel insurance, regardless of age, destination, or length of trip.Not because I expect something to go wrong. But because I understand what can happen if it does.Travel insurance is one of the most misunderstood parts of […]

Why Now Is the Best Time to Book Spring & Summer Travel, and even winter travel If you’re dreaming about spring or summer travel but haven’t booked yet, you’re not alone. Many travelers assume it’s “too early” to plan — or that waiting will bring better deals.In reality, now is one of the best times […]

Exploring Charleston: History, Hauntings, and Harbor Views Charleston is a city best experienced slowly—layer by layer, story by story. From powerful historic sites to poetic ghost tours and unforgettable sunsets on the harbor, our time here blended education, reflection, beauty, and Southern hospitality in the most meaningful way. Boone Hall Plantation: A Powerful and Necessary […]

Playing Tourist in Seattle: Falling for a City I Thought I Knew After living in Portland my whole life, I always meant to do all the classic tourist things in Seattle—but somehow never quite got around to it. Most of our trips north were spent visiting family or friends just outside the city, so downtown Seattle was […]

Our Introduction to New Orleans: Food, City Orientation & the Mississippi River Absolutely. A Christmas vacation in Portland, Oregon offers a perfect mix of festive lights, cultural experiences, and cozy winter charm—without the overwhelming crowds of larger cities. From world-class holiday light displays to historic mansions and river parades, Portland delivers a magical yet relaxed […]

Is Portland a Good Place to Visit for Christmas? Absolutely. A Christmas vacation in Portland, Oregon offers a perfect mix of festive lights, cultural experiences, and cozy winter charm—without the overwhelming crowds of larger cities. From world-class holiday light displays to historic mansions and river parades, Portland delivers a magical yet relaxed holiday atmosphere ideal […]

Guide to Gingerbread at Walt Disney World: The Sweetest Holiday Tradition A couple of years ago, my family got to spend 10 amazing days at Disney World over Christmas, and I couldn’t take my eyes off the gingerbread displays. Since then, I’ve been obsessed! These giant, show-stopping creations are made by Disney’s top pastry teams, […]

Things to do in Vegas Swapping the Strip for the sky—soaring over the lights of old Vegas. Vegas is synonymous with world-class entertainment, and I always build my trips around seeing a few iconic performances: “O” by Cirque du Soleil (Bellagio): An ethereal, water-based masterpiece. This is my all-time favorite Vegas show! Michael Jackson ONE […]

Things to do in Charleston, SC Plantation beauty and hidden Charleston🌳🌿 Our first morning in Charleston, we went to Boone Hall Plantation, one of the oldest working plantations in America. The all-access admission ticket allows you to explore its breathtaking oak-lined drive, historic mansion, and moving exhibits that share the stories of the enslaved people […]

Hilton Head, South Carolina I’m always on the lookout for properties that deliver on both comfort and character. I recently had the pleasure of staying at the Sonesta Resort on Hilton Head Island. Tucked among live oaks and steps from the sand, this property offers the perfect mix of resort luxury and coastal relaxation. We […]

Disneyland Disneyland has long been known as “The Happiest Place on Earth,” and for good reason! From the moment you step into the park, you’re instantly transported into a world of magic, wonder, and unforgettable memories. Our first family vacation to Disneyland was an extra special one, as we had the opportunity to bring our […]

Disney World- Animal Kingdom Why Animal Kingdom Was My Favorite Park During my recent Disney trip, Animal Kingdom (AK) quickly became my favorite park. The atmosphere here felt less frantic than Hollywood Studios or Magic Kingdom, despite the crowds. On our last day, I decided to revisit AK alone to truly soak it all in, […]

Columbia River Gorge For our anniversary Jake and I couldn’t take a big trip, but we were able to sneak away for a relaxing weekend in the Columbia River Gorge. We stayed at Skamania Lodge. While the lodge itself provides plenty of activities to keep you busy, don’t underestimate what the entire region has to […]

Puerto Vallarta Bioluminescent kayaking: A glow-in-the-dark adventure One of the most magical experiences I had in Puerto Vallarta was kayaking through the bioluminescent waters of the Bay of Banderas. Prior to sunset, our group ventured out on a guided tour to explore the Arches and watch the sunset. Once the sun was down, we were […]

Disney World -Hollywood Studios We decided to visit Orlando since a family member was in the Disney College Program, making it the perfect excuse for a trip! Although it was the busiest time of year, as a teacher with school-aged kids, it was the only time we could get away for an extended vacation. We […]