Travel Tips and Destination Guides

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 […]

Savannah, GeorgiaGhost Hunting in Astoria, Oregon Being a Portland, Oregon resident we find ourselves in Astoria at least once a year. We are always looking for new things to do, see, and explore. On this trip was happened upon a ghost tour. We had no idea that the ghost hunting community was so active in […]

Where to stay on Maui Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows Nestled along the golden shores of Maui, this luxurious retreat amidst lush tropical gardens and stunning ocean views offers unparalleled comfort and hospitality in an idyllic Hawaiian paradise. While our itinerary was packed, we enjoyed a relaxed pace, sometimes splitting up for golf, poolside naps, […]

Savannah, Georgia A Day Well-Spent in Savannah: Squares, Stories & Southern Charm 🌳🌿 There’s something enchanting about Savannah—a city draped in Spanish moss ( not Spanish nor moss btw) and steeped in history. We spent a day exploring this Southern gem, and I left completely smitten. From wandering through sun-dappled squares to enjoying a memorable […]