Everyday Explorer

I love a good road trip ! When I’m deciding or just daydreaming about where I want to go, Google Maps is my number one tool.  Google Maps is your indispensable travel companion, offering more than just directions. It’s a powerhouse of features designed to make your road trip planning seamless, fun, and tailored to your unique travel desires. Let’s dive into how you can leverage Google Maps to plot out an unforgettable journey. Start with the Basics: Route Planning Begin your adventure on Google Maps by inputting your starting point and destination. This gives you a rough idea of the journey ahead. For this post, let’s try planning a trip from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada to Los Angeles. I may actually take this trip later this year. You start by entering the end point and selecting the blue arrow for DIRECTIONS. This is where the magic happens. Google Maps starts with the most direct, quickest route to get there, but the best part of road trips lies in the detours and unexpecte...

Embarking on a cruise is a distinct vacation experience, eliciting mixed feelings across the travel community. While some are fervent enthusiasts of this leisurely pursuit, others remain skeptical, and then there’s a contingent that’s never set foot on a cruise yet harbors preconceived notions. I confess, I belonged to the latter group for the longest time. As someone who thrives on active exploration, my travel history barely includes all-inclusive stays, making the concept of cruising somewhat alien. Our foray into the world of cruising was somewhat accidental, born out of indecision about our next adventure. A serendipitous find – an enticing deal for a 5-day Caribbean cruise aboard Carnival – tempted us to reconsider our stance. This wasn’t just any trip; in our usual epic trip fashion, it was complemented by a week-long road trip through the picturesque Florida Keys and another week soaking in the vibrant culture of Tampa. Restlessness is our travel mantra, aft...

I have been traveling for over 30 years and, just like most aspects of our lives, the internet has really changed things. The internet, wifi, and smartphones have definitely changed trip planning for the better. Travel Before the Internet Before we had access to reviews and all this information, I booked a day trip from Malaga, Spain to Tangiers, Morocco. How can you resist the opportunity to get a glimpse at Morocco when you’re on a trip to Spain! While it was still an experience, it is one of those things you laugh about for years because the tour was being taken from store to store, to sit there for a presentation and then they try to sell you everything from cream to carpets. At lunch someone asked what meat was on the skewers and the response was, “It’s meat. Just eat it.” We still have no idea what we ate but the mint tea was delicious. Today, I’m able to research activities and tours to avoid these tourist traps. On a trip to Siem Reap, Cambodia, thanks to the people who take th...