Shereen Rayle's Blog, page 128

Non-Mardi Gras New Orleans

Fat Tuesday is on its way, but just because you're visiting New Orleans, doesn't mean you have to spend your whole trip drunk and disorderly. In fact, you might have a lot more fun - and actually remember your trip - if you get off of Bourbon Street for part of your vacation. There are actually a lot of things to do in New Orleans when there aren't drunken crowds showing their goods for beads. 
photo creditDid you know that New Orleans is a great budget destination? I didn't either! Why n...

Avoid These Scams and Secure Your Belongings

I have traveled all over and have never been caught up in a scam where I was robbed of belongings or money. Just because I've been lucky doesn't mean that scams don't exist. I suspect because I often travel in the off-season, the thieves may just not be as active as they are in summer season when there are tons of tourists to get lost in an take advantage of. There are new scams that crop up all the time and below are the 40 most common ones you should look out for whether you're vacationing...

Great Budget Destinations for 2015

It's not always easy to find a destination that's awesome and still fits your budget. I find that there is something cool to see anywhere you go if you just know where to look. I know I'm not the norm though. I just get excited to go somewhere new and soak in everything interesting as possible. Not all destinations are Bali, but that doesn't mean they aren't just as fantastic. Below are the 10 top budget destinations for 2015 that you might want to start planning a vacation to. I've been...

5 Cool Day Trips from London

I love London. If you’ve read my blog for any length of time, you probably know that. I love London like people love New York. Given the chance to have a vacation home, I’d opt for a fabulous little London flat, which I would rent out during the parts of the year I couldn’t be there. Unfortunately, short of winning the lottery, that’s not bound to happen anytime soon, or maybe in this lifetime. That’s okay though. I count the days I can go back and explore more of the amazing city and what’s...

Your Perfect Airline Match

All those airline fees can add up when you travel. No matter who you are or how you travel, there is an airline (or several airlines) that is a perfect match for you. Don't go over budget because you've spent more on fees than you expected or planned for. Also, if you know how to travel light, you can save a lot. Every year the fees change and usually go up. Airlines make billions of dollars on checked bag fees alone, so make your money stretch further and pick the right carrier for you and y...

Review: 2014 Toyota 4Runner

Does your family take a lot of road trips? If, like me, you like to rent a car to take a long range road trip, then maybe it’s time to look for a new car that will see you around town and also be ultra-comfy for long hours inside it. Right about now is a great time to go car shopping, especially if you’re willing to look at a previous year’s model to save even more money. 

Over the holidays, I had the opportunity to drive around town in a 2014 Toyota 4Runner, which is about as different f...

New Year, New Goals 2015

Happy 2015! I almost can't believe how fast this year has gone. The older you get, the faster time flies it seems. It's time to look ahead to new goals, travel and otherwise, and reevaluate old goals I had. Hopefully, you made a good dent in your own goals and kept the important resolutions, whether it was to see or do something new, exercise more or spend more time with family and friends. Here are what I'm working on this year:

Actually finish that travel cookbook I have started onYes, I kno...

Infographic: Top 150 Secret Destinations

When I travel, I love to find those hidden gems about town. Don't get me wrong, I'm totally into the touristy things, but I also like to eat where the locals eat and go places that other travelers may not find. I always ask my waiters and people I meet where they like to go and have never been steered wrong. Know the best places to go all over the world before you leave home with this fancy infographic that was put together from "local" opinion. Something to give you some inspiration for 2015...

Review: Tracks Air Wireless Headphones from Sol Republic & Motorola

Didn’t get quite what you wanted for the holidays? It happens. Well, let’s talk about something you probably wanted, but didn’t get. In fact, you even have a chance to win a pair at the bottom of this review.

When you travel, you already have a bunch of stuff to contend with. Having another thing to get tangled up in is not really on the top of my list, and probably not yours either, right? Sol Republic and Motorola have teamed up to create the sleek Tracks Air headphones that are wireless, cu...

Happy Christmas!

I hope everyone is having a fantastic holiday, no matter what you celebrate. I came across a random picture of someone's Christmas Snape (the potions master from Harry Potter) and I decided I needed one, too. Well, I took that idea and ran with it, turning my house into Hogwarts for Christmas, complete with a Gryffindor common room fireplace wall. The decor will be added to in the future, but it's a very fun start, plus the decor will be used for our yearly Harry Potter birthday party in July...