Shereen Rayle's Blog, page 2

Why I'll Never Use AI to Plan a Trip

If you know me at all, you know I love to plan a trip. I enjoy finding new things and figuring out how to piece an intinerary together like a puzzle. I know a lot of people aren't like that and there's growing popularity of using AI to plan trips, which seems convenient, but can lead to a worse trip than one where you just show up and wing it. 

Now, even if I didn't love planning every aspect of my trip, I am more than a little skeptical about using AI for anything. First of all, AI is terrible f...

Historical Sites In Normandy, France

If you don't know by now, I'm headed to Normandy next month to soak up the history, see new cities, try new foods, and do something scary (drive in Europe for the first time.) At this point in U.S. history, it's even more important to learn about D-Day and the fight for freedom. I'll be trying to get to as much of this list as possible, while also visiting Giverny & Monet's home, and taking a tour of Mont Saint-Michel and possibly Christian Dior's childhood home, turned museum:

I realize this is ...

4 Foundational Tips to Packing Less

Hey folks! Let's talk about packing light. I'm often asked by people how I do it, and then every suggestion I give them, they make an excuse why they can't do that. I mean, if you don't want recommendations, don't ask me, and I'll be thrilled to spend my energy on someone who does.

The point is, if you're unwilling to change anything about the way you pack, you're never going to be a carry-on "girlie". It's just not gonna happen. I don't want to stand at the baggage carousel, praying my bag made ...

Shereen Travels Cheap Turns 15!

It's been yet another year for this blog and I feel like I'm pretty lucky to have this little space on the internet with some cool people. After a whole summer of travel last year and pretty much only California travel the year before, this year has been interesting. We still didn't get to Toronto or Hawaii, but we are sort of back to normal without any family reunions or business trips.

This year for my blog birthday, I'm getting a gift! 

Portland Gear has graciously gifted me some bags to take w...

How To Plan a Great Fall Staycation

Fall is coming! I know there are a lot of fantastic budget-friendly vacation destinations for Fall, but sometimes that's just not in the cards. We don't always have the extra money to spend on a getaway, even though we desperately need/want one. It's times like these that I recommend a staycation, even if it just means you're a tourist in your city for a day. 

I love to see everything there is around me. Portland and the surrounding cities are so interesting and pretty, plus there's always s...

Exploring Dog-Friendly Travel Options

Exploring the world with your best 4-legged friend can be one of the most fulfilling ways to experience it, but requires careful planning in order to ensure they remain comfortable, safe, and happy during the trip.

From exploring streets of new cities to chilling under the stars or hitting open roads, there are a lot of dog-friendly travel options that cater specifically to four-legged adventurers. Let's look at some of these options, from overseas travel to RV parks.

Flying Full of Fur-tune

Flyin...

Top Tips For Visiting Charleston This Year

Visiting Charleston is a great vacation spot and a city that never gets old. There’s a real display of culture and a willingness to show off all of its historical significance, good and bad.

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It’s the best city for those who want to explore the city on foot, particularly when it comes to the wonderful downtown areas. Whatever you’re looking to do or however much time you have available, here are some top tourist tips for visiting Charleston this year.

Walk around as much as possible

Walk...

How to Make Your Baby Love Travelling as Much as You Do

Traveling with a baby may seem scary at first, with parents worried about tantrums, disrupted routines and restless little ones. Yet cultivating their passion for travel from an early age is achievable and enriching for both the parent and baby. You just need some thoughtful adjustments in the way you plan and approach the trips, and soon you could turn even the most skeptical little traveller into a budding globetrotter.

Photo by Michelle Spollen on UnsplashStart Small Before Taking Big Leaps   ...

2025 Summer Travel Trends

It's no secret that travelers are spending less on travel this year. Everything is more expensive and also completely unpredictable. Some of us are still traveling as usual, but doing so on an even stricter budget. I have to get out of here, but I also don't have the same money as I usually do. Let's look at the other travel trends happening right now with summer travel:

Infographic credit
I just went to Las Vegas earlier this month, took an overnight trip 2 hours away for a family reunion, and wi...

How To Downsize Your Toiletries

When we travel, we might want to bring everything we normally use everyday with us, but if you have a beauty routine that requires a lot of stuff, that can absolutely become a whole bag all on its own. Now, I'm not saying to completely abandon your skincare routine or just deal with limp or frizzy hair, but you don't need a hundred full-size containers to recreate your favorite look(s) on vacation.

There are certain rules I follow when I travel, every time I travel. I'll share with you:

Vi...