Travel

Planning a holiday trip will undoubtedly cost you a lot of money, and packing your things can be time-consuming. A mom from Kansas City saw an opportunity to deal with these two common traveling challenges by creating a suitcase disguised as a neck pillow.

Zipplicity is a packable travel neck pillow that will help you save around $100 on baggage fees, skip long baggage lines and have peace of mind knowing that your valuables are just on your person. It can hold up to five pounds of travel essentials and personal items.

This is a must-have on your next trip.

– Marie Patasin, C2 Communications, The SWFL 100

I’m not scared of heights but that didn’t mean I was entirely comfortable crossing Canada’s longest suspension bridge. It’s the length of two football fields and dangles 150 feet above a canyon near Thunder Bay.

I walked slowly, trying not to gasp as it began to sway. I can do this, I told myself, as I do in similar type events, ranging from giving a speech to eating a piece of Nashville hot chicken.

I inched across the bridge but never once did I let go. Or look down into the canyon. Okay, make that two things I didn’t do.

– Jan Schroder, The Travel 100

My husband has never met a key he couldn’t lose (thankfully, he has added Airtags to his car keys). These fingerprint padlocks work for him for luggage, backpacks or whatever he needs to lock. His fingerprints are one thing he can’t lose.

You can also connect it to a mobile Bluetooth app that will allow you to register fingerprints and set other authorized users. The lock has a built-in lithium battery that is good for unlocking it 9,000 times and is rechargeable by USB.

Available on Amazon, one black waterproof padlock is $25.99; a set of two silver padlocks is $35.99.
The Travel 100 participates in affiliate programs with various companies. We may earn a commission when you click on or make purchases via links at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products or places we love or think readers will enjoy.

– Jan Schroder, The Travel 100

More people will be traveling in 2024 according to a new report from Hilton. Will it be for business or pleasure? The answer is both.

Yes, the “bleisure” trend is real. Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X and Baby Boomers plan to combine PTO with work trips. Hilton surveyed more than 10,000 travelers from nine countries and found that most will invest in sleep, technology and experiences.

So, Hilton is upping its game by offering sleep machines and pillow menus. It is revamping food menus, offering more mocktail options. There will be more electric car chargers and, of course, pickleball courts.

– Vikki Locke, C2 Communications, The SWFL 100

I was always suspicious of using Apple Pay – for no real reason. Then I took a cybersecurity webinar and learned the safest way to make payments is through an encrypted app.

And Wise is the safest way to spend money internationally, convert balances and receive payments from abroad. You can get an international debit card and use it with 40 different currencies with no hidden fees or bad exchange rates.

To charge your phone safely at an airport, never use the USB port that could have malware or monitoring software. Use a power outlet or better yet, a portable charger.

– Jan Schroder, The Travel 100

The 100 Companies participates in some affiliate programs that earn us a small commission at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products we love or think readers will enjoy.

Travel is fun-filled, with new experiences around every corner. Travel is also a privilege, and with privilege comes the responsibility to be a respectful and conscious traveler.

Here are four ways you can be a conscious traveler this year:

• Leave no trace: Leave every place the way you found it or cleaner.

• Be curious and open-minded: Learn as much as you can about local customs and traditions and ask questions.

• Shop local: Frequent local small businesses and their business owners as much as possible to support the community and its economy.

• Be thoughtful: Remember that your destination is someone’s home.

– Emily Garlock, The Alaska 100

With three mountain peaks and two bridges, this is an unforgettable opportunity.

Veilbreaker Skybridges opened this July, offering an adventure unlike any other in Alaska. The bridges span 600 feet total, connecting Mount Alyeska, Mighty Mite and Glacier Bowl.

The experience requires you to bring your ABCs: a sense of adventure, an admiration for Alaska’s beauty and courage. Everything else is covered! The experience includes a safety training, harness and helmet, a guided tour and a tram ride up and down the mountain.

For bird’s-eye views of Turnagain Arm, surrounding glaciers and the Chugach boreal forest, book this experience now.

– Emily Garlock, The Alaska 100

When presented with the opportunity to go to Kazakhstan, I had to think about it. I’d never traveled to a place I knew so little about. Especially one so far away. Friends expressed concern about safety.

I found a sophisticated city, gorgeous scenery, vibrant culture and friendly people. I hiked into a canyon known as the Grand Canyon’s little brother, explored a blue-green lake with a sunken forest, took cable cars to ski resorts and learned about the nomadic culture and how long it takes to disassemble a yurt.

And I never once felt unsafe, no matter where we went.

Read our stories on this fascinating country: “Amazing things to do in Almaty, Kazakhstan” and “5 unforgettable day trips from Almaty you need to take.”

– Jan Schroder, The Travel 100

• If you don’t know where to go: “Amateur Traveler Podcast.” Every episode features a different destination with a one-week itinerary and includes an interview with someone who has visited, lives there or wrote the book on it.

• If you’re heading to a National Park: “Everybody’s National Parks.” Get tips and hear from experts on nature, history, activities and tours. Although it is geared towards family adventure, it’s suitable for anyone.

• If you want to hear stories and tips from fellow travel addicts: “The Thoughtful Travel Podcast.” Topics include ethical wildlife tourism, overnight train travel, conservation travel and things going wrong.

– Staff report, The Travel 100

As we traveled over bumpy roads in rural Kazakhstan, I checked my email, sent a message in WhatsApp and scrolled through photos. I was connected to the Internet through my Airalo eSIM. Why hadn’t I used this fantastic tool before?

It was easy to download the app, choose a destination and package, install the eSIM and activate it. I got 5 GB of data for 30 days for just $13. There was no need to figure out whether my phone was unlocked, find a SIM card or worry about incurring roaming charges.

Airaolo has eSIM cards for more than 200 countries.

The Travel 100 participates in affiliate programs with various companies. We may earn a commission when you click on or make purchases via links at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products or places we love or think readers will enjoy.

– Jan Schroder, The Travel 100

We made a vow to visit more national parks this year. But we aren’t the only ones and our parks have been suffering from overcrowding, traffic jams and frustrated visitors.

To help resolve the issue, several parks now require a reservation to visit all or a section of the park:

• Arcadia National Park, Maine

• Arches National Park, Utah

• Glacier National Park, Montana

• Haleakala National Park, Hawaii

• Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

• Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

• Yosemite National Park, California

• Zion National Park, Utah

Find your park on the National Park Service website for information on how to get a reservation.

– Staff report, The Travel 100

Streamline the research for your next trip to a national park with these newly released books from Lonely Planet. In addition to the basics like where to park and opening hours, the books have honest reviews of all activities for all budgets.

Plus, you can find insider tips, contextual insights and full-color trail and park maps. Our favorite features are the user-friendly highlights and itineraries:

• California & Southwest USA’s National Parks
• Florida and the South’s National Parks
• Great Lakes and the Midwest USA’s National Parks
• New England and the Mid-Atlantic States’ National Parks
• Rocky Mountains and the Pacific Northwest’s National Parks

– Staff report, The Travel 100

While you may not envy a vacation where flames erupt and the body count rises, the setting for “Glass Onion” was fantasy worthy. You can stay in Mile’s “commune of creativity” when you stay at Amanzoe Resort, located near Porto Heli on the east coast of Greece.

Movie magic was used to make the property appear to be on an island inside a giant glass onion, but the compound where Miles and his guests stay is real. Villa 20 sits on four acres with six-levels, nine bedrooms, seven marble-lined private pools, 1800-square-foot spa and panoramic views of the Aegean Sea.

– Jan Schroder, The Travel 100

Spring is here, which means vacation for many homeowners. Whether escaping for a long weekend or jetting off to somewhere tropical, consider these tips to keep your (empty) home safe while away:

• Pause delivery of mail and newspapers.

• Invest in motion sensors and automated lights.

• Utilize smart home security (from security alarms to doorbell cameras).

• Install a Wi-Fi smoke detector.

• Shut off water at the main source.

• Set your thermostat to 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

When in doubt, safeguard your home – and achieve peace of mind year-round – with the right home insurance policy from the experts at RIGHTSURE.

Read more here.

– Hannah Van Sickle, The Arizona 100

My husband and I stayed in a noisy hotel in NYC – thanks, rooftop bar. We found a YouTube channel with rainfall sounds for when we went to bed. Now we both have our own portable noise machine – our iPhones. If you have an iPhone 6s or newer, you have it too.

Here’s how to find it: Settings > Accessibility > Audio Visual > Background Sounds, Choose from balance noise, bright noise, dark noise, ocean, rain or stream.

To get there faster: Settings > Accessibility > Accessibility Shortcut > Background Sounds.

This shortcut allows you to access the sounds with a triple click on your side button.

– Jan Schroder, The Travel 100

From the sea to the sky, this year is going to be a busy one for travel. No matter where your travel plans take you, keep these 2023 predictions from Forbes in mind as you plan.

• The U.S. Travel Foundation predicts an increase in travel spending in 2023. Expect fully booked flights, especially to popular destinations.

• An Expedia survey found that 59% of respondents expect to plan travel within the U.S., either instead of or in addition to foreign trips.

• In response to a GetYourGuide survey, 90% of participants said they want to experience a destination “like a local.”

– Jessica Galliher, The Alaska 100

Determined not to join the sad Lost Luggage Club whose membership is exploding in Europe, I vowed to pack for six weeks in a carry-on.

Which suitcase would I take? I gathered the things I wanted to take, put the clothing in compression packing cubes, and tried to fit them in three suitcases: Amazon basic, Ricardo and Away.

I was surprised by the winning suitcase, which will come with me as we travel through Portugal. I was even more surprised that I managed to pack everything.

Check out the winning suitcase in our story, along with some carry-on packing tips.

– Jan Schroder, The Travel 100

A name as true to its location as can be, Between Beaches Alaska is perfectly situated on the MacDonald Spit near Seldovia between two beaches. You can watch the sun rise and set with just a turn of your head.

Spend your days paddling the surrounding waters, fishing, exploring on foot or simply soaking up the sun on your very own private beach. At night, relax by the fire, go for a steam in the sauna or take a soak in the hot tub.

Learn more and book your next staycation with us in our eco-friendly cabins. We’re open year-round!

– Kristi McLean, Between Beaches Alaska, The Alaska 100

Marriott Puerto Vallarta in Mexico has a gorgeous infinity pool, six restaurants, kids’ area with pool and dozens of complimentary chairs and umbrellas on the beach.

All the rooms face the water and have balconies and large marble bathrooms. It has the largest spa in the area and huge fitness room, indoor lap pool and juice bar.

Three more things made this resort even more special:

• Tequila tasting is included in the resort fee.
• You can book a special dinner in the Herb Garden.
• You can choose the all-inclusive option for all of your stay or just part of it.

–  Jan Schroder, The Travel 100

If you’re like me, you love to get outside and play after a day at the office, or even better, fill your days off with outdoor adventures. I mean, who doesn’t love a little physical exertion instead of laying on the couch?

If you’re looking for ways to stretch your legs this summer, grab your hiking boots and buddies and try out one of these hikes close to some of Alaska’s major communities, guaranteed to lead you to some major views:

• Twin Peaks Trail, Anchorage

• West Butte Trail, Palmer

• West Glacier Trail, Juneau

• Murphy Dome, Fairbanks 

• Heitman Lake Trail, Kodiak

– Sage Dudick, The Alaska 100

“The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.” –  Proverbs 16:31

For years, when I’d talk with people in person, I’d notice their gaze drifting up toward my bald head. I’d wonder what it was they were noticing: my shiny skin, the one or two remaining hairs randomly growing on an otherwise barren landscape or perhaps the minor scars where I’d hit my head on a door frame.  

Today, the same thing happens, and I still wonder what they are thinking – yet I am no longer bald.

Learn more about “Headscape” or order via Amazon.

– Chris Schroder, The 100 Companies

Grab your boat shoes and sunglasses. After a long two years of uncertainty, cruise ships operating in Alaska are planning to return for a robust summer season.

With much pent-up energy to get back to traveling, predictions show the summer cruise season return to be strong. Updates to Canada’s COVID-19 public health framework for visiting cruise ships have also encouraged travelers to book.

The season might see a slower start, however, Alaska is expecting to see as many as 1.5 million visitors from April through October. The first big ship, the 4,000-passenger Norwegian Bliss arrived in Juneau on April 25.

– Jessica Small, The Alaska 100

Summer is around the corner which means many will start embarking on road trips in the coming months. Driving for long periods of time can be a bore, especially when you aren’t taking a scenic route, so podcasts can be a fun way to pass the time.

Here are a few of my favorites:

• Fun on Weekdays – This is a fun one because Jenna provides tips on not waiting for the weekend to live your life.

• TED Radio Hour NPR – Always a great option to learn something new.

• Crime Junkie – Not one I’ve listened to personally but a top-rated show.

– Ashley Glass, Jones PR

It’s already March, and the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer will be here before we know it. Where are you vacationing?

You may consider visiting the “easy-going Caribbean gem” that is Anguilla or the increasingly popular Pico, Portugal. Or maybe you’ll stay stateside, exploring Newport, Rhode Island – one of the sailing capitals of the world – or the metropolitan, yet naturally beautiful city of Seattle. You might even travel to a galaxy far, far away at Walt Disney World’s immersive hotel experience, Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Adventure.

Whatever location you decide, check out some of these helpful travel planning apps.

– Aly Coleman, The OJT 100

This nylon monogrammed overnight bag has more than 2,000 five-star reviews on Etsy. Buyers rave about the usefulness, quality, fast shipping and customer service from the seller.

It comes in eight colors and has more than a dozen options for fonts for the monogramming. There are two handles and a removable shoulder strap for easy carrying, a zippered top with an additional zippered pocket as well as open pockets on the inside. 

This bag makes a great gift for both men and women. It’s perfect for bridesmaids and groomsmen. At just $34.50, it’s an affordable gift for anyone, including yourself.

– Jan Schroder, The Travel 100