Shereen Rayle's Blog, page 4

Why Taking the Scenic Route Makes a Better Trip

The scenic route of a trip makes more sense to take if you have the time. There are such sights to see when on your way to a new destination, making the journey the star of the show. From making memories to exploring for an adventure, here are some reasons to take a detour.

CC0 Licensed Image Courtesy of Pexels

Enjoying the Slower Pace

Unhurried travel meandering through stunning vistas, stopping off at small towns, and savoring the journey is more fulfilling than pushing past unmissable destinatio...

3 Ways to Get a Cheaper Flight

The U.S. dollar is weakening a bit and with travel already being expensive, that's not going to do you any favors. We're all out here trying to visit cool places, while also not going broke in the process, so how do you even accomplish that when things are so uncertain? Well, luckily, the dollar only dipped slightly, so unless that changes drastically, we're all still pretty okay. 

If you don't want to travel within the U.S., and I certainly can't blame you, even though there are amazing things t...

What's Everyone Doing for Their Summer Travels?

Summer travel is fast approaching and with the economy kinda tanking and people having problems of all kinds, 2025 is shaping up to be different than other years, especially in terms of travel. I know we aren't spending as much as we usually do on travel, and definitely not as much as we did in 2024, where we took 3 trips over the summer. This year we'll be heading back to Vegas, but we will probably do less or eat at less expensive places (or both).

So, how do your travels stack up to other Amer...

Places to Celebrate Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month

May is AAPI Heritage Month, where we try to learn more about those people who helped build the country that we live in. I frequent a handful of AAPI-owned businesses just in the town where I live, but I try to find others in greater Portland and also when I travel, because when minority-owned businesses are uplifted and thrive, the whole community benefits.

Here are some places to visit on your travels to celebrate and support the AAPI people there:

Chinatowns

Most large cities have a Chinatown, bu...

France Is Calling

So, I have been trying to decide where we will go on our usual Fall vacation and going back and forth as to whether we should leave the country or not and trying not to let my FOMO get the best of me and just get on a plane to somewhere everyone else has been going. While it's a few months off still, I've landed on the perfect balance for us: Normandy, France.

Now, you may have noticed we've been to France several times. The last time we went, it was the first time we didn't include it as part of...

Traveling In This Political Climate

I've been talking to a lot of people lately about how they plan on traveling in the near future while everything is so up in the air and uncertain. People are being detained at the border, even if they are US citizens, recession is probably coming and there are wars in a lot of places as well. 

So, how do we navigate these new, unprecedented times? Do we stick close to home or do we pretend that nothing is different and plan all our trips like we have just been going about life and work like ever...

Top 10 Ways to Save On Food When You Travel

Food isn’t like souvenirs—you can’t just skip it while you’re on vacation! Eating is a must, but that doesn’t mean it has to blow your budget. The good news? There are plenty of easy ways to cut down on food costs without missing out on amazing meals. Just because you're trying to save a bit doesn’t mean you're stuck with fast food or boring sandwiches the whole trip. 

Here are my top 10 tips for making your food money go further while still enjoying some of the best bites your destination h...

Free Things To Do In Vegas

Las Vegas is a city that is forever changing, but one thing doesn't change: as much as there is that costs a lot of money, there is still a long list of free things to do while you're there. I visit Vegas multiple times a year and I do a lot of these things, because they are fun and also a great way to fill my day in between eating and other activities. 

If you're in Vegas for 1 day or a lot more, here are things I absolutely recommend and do myself on my own visits.

Flamingo Habitat

The Flamingo i...

Mother's Day Travel Gifts 2025

Mother's Day is almost here. I feel like it really snuck up on me this year, but that's okay, because I always have a lot of ideas for gifts or experiences. If you still need to get the mom(s) in your life a little something, and they are a traveler, I've got a round-up of affordable, but useful ideas for you that you can still get before the big day. 

I'm sure your mom loves flowers, but those don't last that long, so pick up something that will make her think of you every time she uses it.

Stick...

Adventure Travel: Why Staying in Cabins is the Perfect Outdoor Escape

Adventure travel can bring you closer to the world, but just because you are heading out on an adventure, it doesn’t mean you can’t add a little bit of luxury to it. One of the best ways to do it is by staying in a cozy cabin.

Photo by Pixabay: https://www.pexels.com/photo/brown-wo...

Cabins offer the perfect mix of outdoor exploration and indoor comfort, making them a great choice for any traveler. If you are someone who loves a good adventure but doesn’t want ...