Shereen Rayle's Blog, page 6

Getting Ready for the Travel Goods Show

It's that time of year again. The time when I head to Las Vegas and split my time between seeing and eating some new things in the city and checking out the new travel items and chatting with peeps in the industry. Unfortunately, I won't be in the city for too much more than the show, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to enjoy some new things.

I will have a day and a half free to wander around the city and have dedicated one whole day to doing just that. So, let's look at what's on my list:

Food...

Keep Going After Small Injuries with KEEP>GOING

Spring Break and Summer vacations are coming and usually that means trips with the kids. I don't know about you, but as an adult, I can be clumsy, so I often pack a bag like I have children: snacks, bandages, plastic bags for trash, snacks, or wet items. You never know what might happen, especially when you're away from home. 

This time of year is popular for road trips to theme parks, National Parks, and the beach, all of which can be places for spills, falls, and scrapes, so you absolutely want...

Destination Potluck: Ireland

It's that time again! St. Patrick's Day is right around the corner, so we had to go to Ireland, if only at home. A few months ago a friend asked me at brunch when we were going to do another destination potluck and when I said I didn't think anyone really liked them, the whole table disagreed, so I picked a date and said we could do an Ireland/St. Patrick's Day potluck. 

Usually, I don't give people any guidelines, but we add food choices as people decide, so we don't end up having a ton of the s...

Are You Getting Your Best Vacation Sleep?

New destinations, new people, new food—travel holds some great benefits, but it can be hard to appreciate them if you’re struggling to stay awake. World Sleep Day is Friday and that seems like the perfect time to talk about how to sleep better on vacation.

Poor sleep can leave you irritable, moody, and stressed, not exactly how most of us like to travel. However, there are ways to sleep better while you’re away from home. Some are simple while others take some preparation, but they’re all worth...

5 Tips for Your Best Solo Travels

Some people don't like to be alone, but others do. I'm happy to just be in my own company, even when I travel. You don't have to answer to anyone, you can sleep in late every day, you can eat in for dinner in your pajamas if you want. 

The majority of solo travelers are women, so Women's History Month is a great time to talk about how to get out of your house and go somewhere new. Solo travel is liberating and you should do it at least once in your life. If you're on the fence, here are a few way...

Amazing Women In Travel

Happy Women's History Month! All month I'll be bringing you tips for traveling as a woman, historical women in travel, and how you can support more women while you travel. Right now, more than ever, it's important to support women in all facets of business, because we may be seeing fewer women being able to start restaurants, tour companies, and other things we use when we travel.

Sacramento Underground Tour guide

I try my best to use minority-owned businesses wherever I go and especially at home....

Black History Month Wrap-Up

If you aren't on Facebook as much or at all anymore, then you probably missed some or all of my Black History Month travel stories, but don't worry, because I've rounded them all up for you to read at your leisure. While Google is complying in advance to the government wanting to do away with Black History Month, I continue to get 400 emails a day regarding travel, and many of those have great Black travel stories, which I have been saving for this and my own travels.

"The Wonder Gaze" from Ken G...

Does Everyone Hate Me?

It can be hard to be a plane passenger at times, but there are things you can do to make it easier on you and others around you, including the flight crew, because they have to be there and every flight is a mixed bag. They (and probably you) hope that everything goes off without a hitch, so do your part to make everyone's day a little brighter by being a better traveler.

It's not just those people who pick fist fights with other passengers or take their socks and shoes off mid-flight or get too ...

Ways You're Wasting Your Time at the Airport

I'm not like most people. I looooove the airport. Not just my home airport. Pretty much all airports. I understand why people don't like it, but I'm convinced that most people waste their time at the airport and are missing out on some of the best things about this early part of their travel journey. 
A display from Portland Events & Film with ShadowMachine at PDX
Viewing the airport as a part of your trip makes it seem way better than just a waiting room to get into a smaller waiting room t...

Portland Coffee Tour 2025 - Part 2

It's February and that means we're talking about some more coffee joints in Portland. As you know, I adore coffee, and since I know a lot of my readers love coffee, I wanted to bring back this series, especially when coffee shops come and go so fast sometimes and the pandemic didn't do any of them any favors. 

This month I brought back a favorite for Black History Month, also, because there are so few Black-owned coffee shops in our city. But I'll also talk about a few other great ones.

Deadsto...