The Great Smoky Mountains is the country’s most-visited national park – yes, even more than Yellowstone National Park! This awe-inspiring East Coast attraction spans more than 500,000 acres across Tennessee and North Carolina. We were thrilled to be exploring the mist-covered mountains, which wowed us with their vibrant flora, verdant forests, and blue peaks. The southern…
Not for nothing is Yellowstone National Park nicknamed “Wonderland.” It’s not only the world’s very first national park but is also one of its most-visited, and is also the birthplace of the famed “America’s best idea.” It sits atop a highly active supervolcano and is home to the most geothermal features on the planet. Think…
A Disney World vacation could be budget-busting between park tickets, souvenirs, food, hotel rooms, and all-important skip-the-line access. But we found a way to experience the Disney magic without breaking the bank: staying at a Disney Spring hotel! Disney Springs, formerly known as Downtown Disney, is the heart of Disney World’s shopping, dining, and entertainment. What’s…
Don’t mistake San Juan Island for Puerto Rico’s capital. The island is brimming with charming harbors, kayak-worthy coves, and lavender fields stretching toward the horizon. On our last trip to the island, though, we found out about a particular budget accommodation that deserves more recognition. We’re talking about the San Juan Island Hostel. It’s not…
Pulsating with Southern charm, rich in history, and featuring a dynamic food scene, Atlanta never disappoints. However, nestled amidst the urban energy lies eKstasis Hostel + Urban Farm, Atlanta’s one and only hostel. Our team has explored Atlanta’s accommodation scene, and this hostel is a welcome breath of fresh air. That’s because it blends the…
Bend, Oregon, is a must-visit for outdoor enthusiasts and craft beer lovers. We’re both of them, and we’ve been to Bend more often than we probably should. However, until today, our stay at Bend’s first and oldest brick building, the Bunk and Brew Historic Lucas House, remains our most fascinating experience in the city. Unlike…
Times Square – the beating heart of New York City. We’ve been there a few times, and we know exactly why it manages to captivate people worldwide. It’s a kaleidoscope of flashing billboards, Broadway marquees, and street performers vying for everyone’s attention. But where do you stay in the midst of it all, especially if…
If we have to describe Los Angeles, we’d say it’s glamorous, luxurious, and extravagant. We’ve had the privilege of visiting LA a few times, and every time we’re there, we’re always awed by its magnificence. It’s no surprise, then, that the city is home to some fancy hotels. If you’re planning a special occasion or…
Even as we’re writing this post, we still clearly remember the crisp mountain air and the majestic peaks of the Rocky Mountains outside our window at Estes Park Adventure Hostel. Yep; that’s the kind of fun that awaits you here, which we think is the number one budget accommodation for exploring the wonders of Estes…
Kentucky, Louisville, might be world-famous for its fried chicken, but as we’ve found out, it’s also a fantastic destination to bring your pets for a vacation. Not only there are plenty of amazing attractions worth visiting in Louisville, but the city is also very welcoming to pets. In fact, on this trip, we’ve discovered lots…
With our entire family being huge Major League Baseball fans and with the kids playing baseball, too, the great ballparks of the Midwest have always fascinated us. Of them all, the topmost item on our MLB bucket list was watching the Cardinals play at the famed Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri. And let us be…
Acadia National Park, a.k.a. the “crown jewel of the North Atlantic Coast,” is the first national park east of the Mississippi River. So, this 47,000-acre-huge park is naturally special, with miles of hiking trails, woodlands, and rocky beaches for us to explore. This spectacular East Coast natural attraction lies on Mount Desert Island on the…
Nestled in the heart of California’s renowned wine country, Napa Valley is synonymous with refined relaxation, world-class wines, and the epitome of luxury. While we’ve had multiple trips to Napa, our best ones are when we stayed at the best Napa resorts 5 star. These resorts gave us not only unparalleled opulence but also world-class…
If you’re a travel enthusiast, Oahu, Hawaii, has got to be one of your bucket list destinations. It’s the ultimate island vacation destination that promises adventure and excitement. We always wanted to go to Oahu, and this time, we were able to bring our extended furry family with us. Like us humans, our pets also…
Choosing Boise, Idaho, for a vacation with our pets proves to be an excellent decision on our part. Our stay here was nothing but satisfying. Boise, as it turned out, had so many things to offer. As the capital city of Idaho, this city is brimming with tourist attractions. The breweries, for one, are unbeatable.…
Dreaming of a Miami getaway but worried about breaking the bank? Today must be your lucky day, as we have the perfect solution for you. Enter OQP Vacations Miami, your gateway to an unforgettable vacation without sacrificing your budget. We’ve stayed at this hostel before and we loved it. We think it’s a particularly amazing…
Whether you’re scaling mountains, kayaking down rivers, or simply soaking up Chattanooga’s energy, you’ll need a place to crash. But if you’re on a budget and looking for somewhere more social, the options become limited. But what if there’s a unique stay that answers all your needs? Enter The Crash Pad: An Uncommon Hostel. Yep;…
When you west out of Austin or north out of San Antonio, the roads narrow to two-lane blacktops, giving way to an altogether different kind of Texas. Think wineries, farm stands, rocky karst hills, old wooden churches, and ranches. This is the 31,000-sq-mi huge Texas Hill Country, the threshold between the Southeastern and Southwestern US.…
South Padre Island (a.k.a. SPI, as locals call it) might be a famed Texan spring break spot, but it’s much more than just party central. This coastal destination sits at the southern tip of the Lone Star State, with the calm waters of the Laguna Madre on one side and the Gulf of Mexico on…
Lake Tahoe was famously called “the fairest picture the whole earth affords” by Mark Twain, and it holds true even a century-and-a-half later. The beguilingly turquoise blue lake sits against the backdrop of the Sierra Nevada mountains and is North America’s second-deepest lake. So, it’s not surprising that it’s a year-round destination, whether one wants…
The gorgeously grandiose Grand Canyon National Park is the very embodiment of the splendor and scale of the American West. The stories of exploitation, preservation, and exploration, the dusty trails, and dramatic vistas have been enthralling visitors since 1919. Since then, it’s been a premiere road-tripping destination and was also on our outdoor lovers’ bucket…
Just 90 minutes south of Miami, the Six Keys of Islamorada are one of the more upscale regions of the Florida Keys. Famed as the world’s fishing capital, this lovely village is also a hotspot for boating, snorkeling, and diving, making for a luxurious and intimate escape. And even though it was small, we had a ball…
The showstopping Yellowstone National Park is the wild, beating heart of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Home to crowd-pleasing hot springs and geysers, its highways traverse magnificent forests and meadows and pass a wide variety of fauna. Tucked at the northwestern edge of the state of Wyoming, Yellowstone also spans Montana and Idaho. Its West Entrance…
Tucked on the southern end of the eponymous Lake George, the town of Lake George is nestled in the vast, protected Adirondacks region in New York. This classic summer escape in the state boasts a wealth of natural beauty, with a healthy dose of family-friendly attractions and small-town charm. And any lake town worth its…